I have a question that I am hoping the Providian Card Holders can assit me with. I have the gold card with the dreaded 23.99% APR. I do havea grace period. My initial limit was 500.00 but I took a few of their add ons and my limit is $730.00. I am approaching my fifth billing cycle, I was told I would probably get a small increase then some sort of offer in the mail. That hasn't happened yet but I am hoping it will within the next few weeks. Here are my questions: How can I get my interest reduced? Will they offer a limit increase and an decrease in interest? Can I get both? What is their retention number? Are they pretty easy to get the interest reduced? I will close the account if they don't reduce my interest. I have Orchard, 2 Household Bank credit cards (Household bank purchased 2 of my mastercards when they were on a buying spree a few months ago) and FCNB. I have been a Providian customer 4 months, so it is my assumption that closing the account won't hurt my fico. FCNB, and all the Household cards are at 18.9% APR. I am stuck on the cusp of Sub-Prime and Prime. Equifax 660, Experian 599 (worst report) and TU 695. Everyone (Chase, Citi, and MBNA)seems to pull Experian for me, which yeilds Denials. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated from people that have be able to successfully reduce their interest rate.
I had a line of $11,000. Used it a few times, paid on time, paid a lot more than the minimum and carried a balance for a couple of months, all these are techniques that I preach and practice to get limit increases and lower rates. They did not work with Providian. I even called them about a teaser rate offer, something that I don't do, but because it was such a nice line I figured it was worth a shot. When that did not work, I closed the account. Good Luck getting anything from Providian. www.creditsense.com
I DON'T have a card from that company (DENIED GET SMART 0.00% THEN 9.99% CARD)...but this works for MANY companies...tell them you could use their card more if they lowered the interest rate...or you could buy more if they raised the credit limit. I STOPPED using DISCOVERCARD because they REFUSED to increase the credit limit...THEY ARE LOSING ABOUT $900.00/WEEK!!! THEY HAVEN'T BUDGED...BUT I WILL WAIT FOREVER...I GUESS.
providian was too little too late for me. They are supposively good for subprime, but the growth of their card was sub-par, and their lack of competitive interest rate (15.9%), no grace period, annual fee, and lackluster line of credit, forced me to close it. Their reps are quite rude as well. It's a good card for subprime, if you can't get better. But quite honestly, i rank them lower than household/orchard, due to their lack of grace period, and desire to charge for credit increases.
Providian use to be so easy. In the past all you had to do was call up, give them some dog and pony show and bam.....you got your apr lowered, or your annual fee waved, or your limit raised, etc. Not anymore. You call the direct number to retention and the first thing out of the rep's mouth is "Thank you for calling Providian...I understand that you would like to close your account today?" Last time I inquired about an increase, I just called the regular number on the back of my card and asked what was up. The rep stated that increase are given either automatically or through an offer in the mail. Then the rep stated that I should be receiving one any day now. Two days later there was an offer for a $500 increase for $99 (or was it $49?...can't remember). I took it only to help my ratios but in retrospect, I should of let the offer go. Paying for increases isn't wise unless necessary. I didn't need the increase but there goes money wasted. So I've adapted GEORGE's policy of only paying $0.34 for an increase! ;-)
My wife and I both have Providian cards. I got her to call renention last May and her rate was reduced to 16.99% I called in August and was told APR reduction offers and CL increases are automatic or by mail offer. I have two Providian accounts (MC and the Gold). The MC account received an automatic increase of $200 on my 4th billing cycle and about 30 days later an offer of $1000 for $49.00. I turn down offer as this card has no grace. My Gold received a $100 increase on my anniversay and just this week another $200. Both cards have a rate of 23.99% My Cap 1 is 17.84% with a 1700.00 cl Best regards, Sam
We have been with providian now for 38 months..We have the gold card andd just got a $1,000 increase for $49..Last month i also had wife call and threaten to close account due to annual fee $59.I figure why pay that after being there so long and a AAA++ customer Anyways thy credited back to the account..Our intrest rate was 23.99% to start after a year and half she called to close and they lowered the purchase and cash advance to 16.90% and now they state they cant go any lower.They say that is the lowest they go..Well i just seen a post with someone at 11.99% gold card..What is up with that? I even threatened to close account and they still didnt lower it infact i did close it but got it back open./.Only because the CR was a real dick!!!
I have had my Aria/GetSmart Card since May 99. My interest rate has been 7.99% fixed. I just received my first CL increase of $3,000 as well as a check for a cash advance for the same but only 6 mos @ 7.99 then up to 21.9 ouch!! Total line is only 8000. Have been satisfied with their service.
I WAS DENIED FOR GETSMART...0.00% BT then 9.99%...F.I.C.O. 685-704 WIFE WAS DENIED FOR GETSMART...0.00% BT then 9.99%...F.I.C.O. 725-741
I have a Providian VISA and until today, had a MC. They used to be satisfactory to work with, I got my CLs up and interest rate on both cards down to 16.9 early in the year, BUT about 3 months ago, they just totally changed their methods with me. I haven't been using the VISA much, but have been using the MC...three months ago I was told I could request a lower interest rate in Sept. I hadn't called them, but today got a princely offer of a CL increase of $500 on the MC with a $49 fee...my annual fee would be due in Oct. so I called the retention number that I had had such good luck with before.... well, the rep didn't ask why I was closing, nor did he attempt to keep my business...this is a major change from a few months ago! So, the account is now closed. I think my score is down, it went from 99 to 93 on Privista, I had way too many open accounts, and was planning on closing this account before annual fee time. I will keep the VISA, it is now my oldest account, but don't plan on trying for any better terms, and I have a sock drawer just like George's!
I carried a $4000 balance for about eight months, now about $300. I called customer service to ask about my interest. They stated I have their lowest rate and it will be maintained. I also said what about account reviews and interest. She said they are not done as ofter as their fee based account holders and I should not worry about my rate changing H
Greyfox, Could it be that they have a different policy for the MC than for the Visa? Maybe they figure that if you're smart enough to threaten to close, then you're smart enough to dump the MC, which is just their gimmick to charge you a second annual fee. The reason I mention this is that I myself intend to dump the MC no matter what they do, but intend to keep the Visa for a long time if they cooperate (16.9%, no annual fee.) Maybe they know that there are cardholders with a strategy like mine. I hope you don't give up on your Visa. Their policy could be different for the Visa, and you never know until you try. I intend to try myself, once I close my MC and pay my Visa down.
