I just received an offer from Providian, which I think worth considering - even inspite their reputation.
Here it is:
- Platinum benefits
- No fee for a card
- 0% intoductory APR until August 2001 on everything (they mean in: purchases, balance transfers, cash advances), 9.9% fixed after that
- They waive first year $48 fee for Providian Points Plus (25000 points - Domestic ticket, 40000 - Canada/Mexico, 60000 - Europe)
- Double points for purchases for the first six month.

So basically: spend $12,500 in 6 month and get a free ticket, you don't even have to pay off until 08-01. Most likely, you will even get FF miles for the flight.

Looks like the best deal I've seen in a while. What's on the downside? First, Providian itself, some people won't even touch them. Second, if you are planning to cancel Points Plus - unredeemed points are lost, so yo've got to do it within an year.

Phone is 1-800-221-1684

Any experience with this offer/Points Plus
?

Unless you are after the interest rates and double points, the NEA's MBNA-issued credit card is far superior. You can find more info on it here:
http://www.neamb.com/credit/ccptrv.html

You posted the highlighted copy in big print ... read the fine print. Not just the fine print for the APR, but also for the points. Is there a points cap for each year? Do you have to book in advance? maximum ticket value? have to work through offshore travel agency?

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.

Well, with the recent NEA card changes, this card looks like a winner.
The only drawback - I'm still waiting to hear from any living and breathing holder of Providian card with Point Plus program.

Actually the Valuemiles program from First USA is better than Providian or NEA new crappy reward structure

Dinosaur Hunter,

Could you provide more details on the Valuemile program, or a link or phone number?
Thanks

I have one of the First USA Value Miles cards. The telephone number for the Value Miles program is 1-800-787-7806. They can probably set you up with an app.

Annual fee is $29. Maximum miles are 60,000/year.

There are a few old threads here about the card if you care to search.

The changes to the NEA program aren't totally horrible to warrant me cancelling, but it CERTAINLY takes away the major value of the card. (Especially 10,000 points for NYC-Florida!!)

After December, 2001, the NEA card will be worse than First Valuemiles and Capital One's MilesOne program. Cap One's program is the closest to NEA's reward structure, but BEATS NEA handily when NEA changes.