Did my homework:
Tute84, you are right, Nea is a great card on the long run, but not for the first 6 month!
NEA: $30 annual fee
Continental US: 15,000 pts/$500
North America: 25,000 pts/$600
Europe: 35,000 pts/$1,000

Providian (first six month only, double points): 1st year free
Continental US: 12,500*2 pts/$500
North America: 20,000*2 pts/$650
Europe: 30,000*2 pts/$1,000

No point cap per year.
Some airlines require 21 days, some not, rep did not know which.
Offshore travel agency - what does it matter, bank is under US laws, they had their lessons.

Yes, it is one-timer, but it is free and seems real.