When I first got this card, the interest rate was very low, and all kinds of promises were made that the buying points earned could be redeemed for certificates giving discounts for Philips products. The ownership has changed hands a few times and now Chase owns it. The interest rate has jacked way up -- from 2.9% to 16.24%!!!!!! -- in the period of about 3 years!!!!!!!!! I have stopped using the card, but I still have points to redeem. Since they just sent me a statement saying that some of the points will be expiring next month. At the bottom of the statement it says, "to redeem your reward certificates for great products from Philips, please visit: www.Philips.Visa.com Well....... I tried to go just there and guess what? That website does not exist!!! I googled philips visa rewards and got a listing. I went into one and it looked like a good link. I got into the site and tried to look at the merchandise, but every link was broken!!!!!!! Now I'm reading at this site and see there is a tortuous process of calling a number, obtaining certificates, and then trying to redeem them on products. Where will I be able to see the products? I strongly advise AGAINST getting this credit card. I have an EXCELLENT CREDIT RATING. There is no way on the planet I should be being charged over 16% interest. ACK. Hopefully this is enough to convince you not to go for this card.

The Philips Reward Visa used to be a good credit card: 60 month time frame for point redemption, large catalog of merchandise, moderate interest rate, and a good grace period. But now that FirstUSA has been bought out by BankONE, who subsequently was bought out by Chase, this card has become very poor. For one thing, the "grace period" has ended; that is, my statement might get to me the 13th of the month, and then it is DUE in their office (not postmarked) bye the last day of the month. I've had two late fees (both waived after several calls) charged on bills paid within 5 days of the due date. This started when BankONE bought out FirstUSA. The product catalog went from a hard copy sent my mail to an online store. A good thing right? Well, that depends. The online store seems to get lots of leftovers and often has a low availability of products. It takes a significant number of points to redeem for items that are typically marked up 50% above what you can get in a retail store. The ordering process is quick and easy, but the total number of products available for rewards redemptions has been rapidly (not steadily) declining in the last two years. When BankONE took over, the points that accrued are good for only 36 months, not 60 months. They also did not make this retroactive, so many Philips cardholders have been screwed (a CSR's words, not mine). Furthermore, the points are controlled by the BankOne/Chase Marketing Department, and you have to first go through a CSR then a financial advisor/CSR supervisor to even request point disputes. These folks are pretty good and helpful; however, the Marketing Dept. is atrocious, and it is next to impossible to overturn their decisions, even if you have documentation to prove you are right. They told me I lost almost 11,000 points once (when I was not supposed to). They denied me three times before a helpful Supervisor credited my card for $100 (still lost about 700 points, though, that they refused to give me). I just redeemed my last batch of points today; I am ditching this pitiful card and getting a cash back card. I also have an American Express Blue, and I really like that one (as a non-cash card). So, do avoid this card, because there are many better choices out there.

Today I just canceled this credit card account for unfair and poor customer service. Although I opened this account one year ago, I never got the promotional CD player. I called numerous times and every time I got the same assurance that it would be sent to me shortly. But that never happened! This is not fair that this credit card is attracting customers with this perk which is simply a joke!

I've been a card holder for over 6 years, spent over $50,000 to try to redeem a true flat screen TV. They recently changed how to redeem points. First you have to call to redeem your points into certificates. These certificates have a 16 digit number that must be on hand to redeem them for merchandise via the internet and have a 90-day expiration date. Thus there is a time lag between redeeming points for certificates that then can be redeemed for reward products. When I tried to redeem the certificates the TV I wanted was removed from redeemable products. Frustrated, I called the rewards site. They stated they aren't in control of what products are available so I called First USA directly. I voiced my complaint only to hear "Sorry, is there anything else I can help you with?" I redeemed my points for other stuff and will cancel my credit card as soon as the merchandise arrives.

Despite the fact that I have now built my video / audio collection (Digital Surround Stereo - 29K points / 27" Flat Screen TV 24K / DVD player - 15K / Stereo Boombox 9K / Alarm 3K) I have had some bad luck with Philips. First off, no internet site to reference point products and irregular mailing of catalogs. Most importantly, they don't arm First USA (financial institution backing Philips) customer service with the ability to handle / follow up on situations and they didn't address those posed directly to them (the manufacturer). Twice I have contacted First USA for help that customer service could not resolve and they left a message with Philips marketing department. Once when I requested a catalog for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time, and once when a TV was sent without a remote. NO call to me was ever made even upon follow up. Completely unprofessional. Do they offer good products and deliver them timely - 80% of the time. Out of the 6 times I have ordered, they have substituted a different product only once. I would recommend this card to someone who would like some decent electronics to round out their home. Member for over 5 years. Leaving them this year because there are better deals out there. Now that I stumbled on this site (since electronic goods always plummet in price once released) I will go towards cash back / gas cards but not before I cash out on my points!

I used the program for several years. Extremeley dissapoining selection of awards. Customer service was provided by FirstUSA - they were pretty good, but any question about the reward products, etc.. was supposed to be handled by Philips. They were lousy, could never find anyone to take ownership of that program. I saved enough points to get a surround system stereo - although they substituted a different product than the one I selected, and I had to wait several months before receiving it. I couldn't wait to get out of this credit card program. I've used buy.com Visa program now for 2 years and enjoy the flexibility offered by the rewards program much better.

While the card had a low limit,when I first received it, it advances quite rapidly. The monthly interest rate is low. Also they have a great online payment service that is so easy to use and everything is at you fingertips. The customer service can't be beat. Whenever I have a problem or question they have the solution right away. No waiting. And real pleasant people.