I have always been using online services to monitor my credit card usage and pay off my credit card bills. In this post I would like to compare the online services of three major credit companies: MBNA, Bank One and Providian.
All three sites offer the same basic features:
- Online statement
- Online transaction details for current billing period
- Online payment
- Allow address and phone change online
But the similarity ends here. Below are the unique functionalities (+) and weakness (-) of each site:
MBNA
https://www.mbnanetaccess.com/
(+) Allow user to request credit limit increase online
(+) Allow user to see details of temporary authorizations (i.e. pending transactions)
(+) ShopSafe feature allows you to create a one-off credit number on the fly for more security
(+) Allows to transfer balance online
(-) Microsoft Money cannot automatically download transactional details
BankOne (FirstUSA)
https://online.firstusa.com/
(+) Microsoft Money cannot automatically download transactional details
(+) Allows to transfer balance online
(-) I have problem keeping two cards under one online ID.
(-) Does not allow to add 2nd cardholder online
Providian
https://www.providianservices.com/
(+) Allow to add 2nd cardholder online
(-) Microsoft Money cannot automatically download transactional details
(-) Does not allows to transfer balance online
Personally, I give high marks to MBNA. The only pain point is I have to reconcile transactions manually in MS Money. BankOne (FirstUSA) and Providian are OK, but can be better.