I recently underwent a credit repair and Providian was the first offer of a credit card I had received for some years. Thinking that I may test the water on my new found credit status I duly applied for the card.
The application was pretty simple, just the usual name, address, contact details ... Read review
Advantages: Saves the trouble of using cash machines Disadvantages: Must keep on top of the payments
...underwent a credit repair and Providian was the first offer of a credit card I had received for some years. Thinking that I may test the water on my new found credit status I duly applied for the card.
The application was pretty simple, just the usual name, address, contact details etc, length of employment etc. I must admit when I filled the application in, I doubted wether I would get any credit because by now, the last time I had ... ...received a telephone call from Providian customer services who confirmed that I was accepted and would receive my card within a couple of days. True to their word, the card came with a starting credit limit of £500. I was well and truly solvent again !!!
The interest rates on purchases for the first six months is an astonishing NIL % and only 11.9 after the six months.
This makes the card very attractive compaired ... more
I recently underwent a credit repair and Providian was the first offer of a credit card I had received for some years. Thinking that I may test the water on my new found credit status I duly applied for the card.
The application was pretty simple, just the usual name, address, contact details etc, length of employment etc. I must admit when I filled the application in, I doubted wether I would get any credit because by now, the last time I had any credit was back in 1990, so I thought I may still be considered a risk due to not having a recent credit history (other than blacker than coal).
No fear, within a week I had received a telephone call from Providian customer services who confirmed that I was accepted and would receive my card within a couple of days. True to their word, the card came with a starting credit limit of £500. I was well and truly solvent again !!!
The interest rates on purchases for the first six months is an astonishing NIL % and only 11.9 after the six months.
This makes the card very attractive compaired with other banks. I will not go into what interest rates the other banks are offering, but suffice it to say there are not many that offer this kind of rate.
I have had the card approximately 6 months now and the credit limit has been raised twice, I actually telephoned them and asked why they had increased my limit and the response was that because I had not spent upto my limit, or had never been late on sending a payment, then the accounts are automatically reveiwed every three months. I found this a little exasperating because lets face it, if you are a little skint and you need to spend a little more than what is available on your account, what do you do ? Phone them up and ask to raise your credit limit ! Er no, not with Providian you don't ! It is not possible for the customer services to intercept the review period and increase your credit limit. Well that's what I was informed anyway.
My partner has nicked the card off me now, to stop me from spending too many pennies, (wouldn't mind but I spent it on her !! )She lets me have it back when we go out for a meal,- so gracious of her don't you think !
Yep, I can well and truly recommend the Providian card to any sensible user when it is offered at these rates. I say this because as usual, most companies don't seem to know what thier left arm is doing from thier right, I recently received an application offer from them offering 13.9% after the qualifying 6 month period, so please be carefull to read the small print BEFORE you apply.
As with any credit card, if you do not want to be charged interest then you MUST pay the whole balance before the due date, if you don't, then the road is slippy and downhill very fast as the balance due amount increases and the available credit limit decreases, it is a fast downwards spiral into some serious financial problems.
One aspect of the Providian service I do not agree with, is they sometimes send you blank cheques, wow, how tempting is that to some people ?, I simply rip them up as they arrive.
Advantages: Helpful if you need to pay for something and don't have cash Disadvantages: Extra bill coming in, might spend what you don't have
...was sent a letter by Providian as they were called at the time, inviting me to apply for their credit card at the very competitive rate of 15.9%. I was quite sceptical as I had never had a credit card before and didn't think I would get this one either especially as I was not working at the time. However, I was accepted and was sent their silver coloured card. I activated the card on the same day as I received it and used it for some shopping. It ... ...transfer from my higher rate Providian card to the lower rate Barclaycard. I was informed that I couldn't because the two companies were intertwined. I cancelled the Barclaycard immediately, Miserable Misery has one already anyway, and have just continued to pay off the amount I owe through the direct debit which is so handy.
The automated service is very good when you don't want to speak to anyone but just want up to date details of your account. ...
smileybabe 22.01.2004 (18.02.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Providian Card
Advantages: Excellent competative rate of interest. Disadvantages: £18 charge for going over limit or making late payment.
Providian National Bank are an American company relatively new in the UK, but by no means naive when it comes to issuing credit cards. They are currently offering an introductory rate of 0% for the first 3 months rising to only 11.3%, which is an extremely competitive rate. The Platinum card also comes with no annual fee and a minimum credit limit of £3500. They also offer a plan whereby you could freeze the account for up to 18 months should you ... ...but if you’re a responsible person and keep within your credit limit and make payments on time or by Direct Debit, then I have to recommend this card as one of the best around. Providian National Bank also has one of the most helpful Customer Services I have ever encountered. ...
ICerva 14.12.2000 (15.12.2000)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Providian Card
Advantages: They gave me a card when I was 19 Disadvantages: I hate them
...few more I can't remember. Providian was my first, that I took out when I was a mere youngster with no job and financially naive, and they are by far the worst of the bunch.
If you are looking for a Credit Card (don't do it!!), I would suggest checking out www.fool.co.uk they are a web site that offers all kinds of information about financial products (finances for idiots).
Happy spending you lucky consumers!
Iain ...
Sariain 08.05.2004 (09.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Providian Card
Advantages: Good credit limits, direct debit facility Disadvantages: Relatively high APR
...into that trap yet, and Providian (who are a subsidiary of Barclays), make it easier not to fall into that trap by providing a Direct Debit facility on your account. With this activated, you will never miss a payment and never incur interest charges on your balance. This is handy given that the APR on the card is not the most competitive around.
Extra benefits of the Platinum card (which was the card they gave me) include assistance in case of difficulties ... ...So, you can keep a Providian Card handy in case of emergency and give one to your spouse/partner if you want.
Calls to customer service are on a Freephone number and the staff are knowledeable and friendly. All in all, a good card to have ready, and one with which you'll probably be given a good credit limit. If the offer of a Providian Card comes your way, take it. ...
guano 20.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Providian Card
Advantages: good service Disadvantages: none so far
...my card.
Unusually , Providian offered to give me a £7000 limit if I transferred a balance from another card or a £3500 limit if I didn't - so I soon found another balance to transfer - particularly at 3.9% APR.
The service so far is good although I was a bit puzzled when I recommended my brother for the card - Providian wanted to see pay slips and bank account statments which is unusual when applying for a credit card.
All tpd - so far so good ...
fido75 24.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Providian Card
