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Home Credit Cards Reviews Total Visa® Credit Card

Total Visa® Card 2022 Review: High-Cost Unsecured Card for Rebuilding Credit

Written by Kari Dearie and Victoria Scanlon

Updated Dec 9, 2022

Fresh advice you can trust

We promise to always deliver the best financial advice that we can. Our writers and editors follow strict editorial standards and operate independently from our advertisers and affiliates. Learn more about how we make money.

Total Visa® Card

Total Visa credit card Apply Now

on Total Visa's secure site

Rates & Fees
2.8
Rating Breakdown
Fees
3.1

This card comes with high fees, which makes it an expensive card to maintain. You also don’t get many benefits in exchange for your money.

APR
1.2

This card comes with one of the highest APRs you’ll find on a standard credit card, putting cardholders at very high risk of accumulating credit card debt.

Rewards
1.0

The Total Visa® Card doesn’t come with any credit card rewards, earning it the lowest rating in the rewards category.

Credit Reporting
5.0

Total Visa® accounts are reported to all three major credit bureaus, making it suitable for building or rebuilding your credit.

Credit Limit
2.5

The initial credit limit on this card is relatively low at just $300. However, credit limit increases are available.

Other

We made adjustments for factors like high approval odds, program fees, and the availability of credit limit increases.

Our FinanceJar Star Rating represents an objective and unbiased evaluation of this card, without influence from advertisers and affiliates. Our scores are generated by a rubric and our reviews adhere to a strict editorial process. Learn more about how we rate credit cards.

Annual Fee

$75 for the first year ($48 after)

Purchase APR

34.99% (fixed)

Credit Score

300–669

Credit Limit

$300

At a Glance

The Total Visa® Card is an unsecured credit card that’s quick and easy to get, even if your credit is poor or limited. But be warned: it’s loaded with fees and some of the highest interest rates out there.

Is the Total Visa® Card Worth It?

The Total Visa® Card is one of the easiest credit cards to get (as long as you have a checking account), and you can even qualify if you have a no credit score. However, it’s a relatively high-cost card that’s really only worth getting if you’re out of options and want something short-term for building credit.

Here’s what to expect from the Total Visa® Card:

  • Basic credit-building potential: Total Visa® accounts are reported to all three credit bureaus and come with access to your credit report so you can monitor your credit-building progress. With that said, there are barriers to credit limit increases that may limit how much you’re able to improve your credit score in the long term.
  • High cost: The Total Visa® Card charges multiple fees. Even just the basic cost of keeping your card active totals roughly $165 in the first year and $123 every year after that. The interest rates are also much higher than those on other starter cards, so carrying a balance won’t be cheap.
  • High chance of approval: The Total Visa® is one of the few unsecured cards you can get with little to no credit history, making it a good bet if you’re fed up with having your credit card applications rejected.

The bottom line is that the Total Visa® Card is an okay option for people with less-than-perfect credit who can’t (or don’t want to) pay a security deposit, but other cards may offer you more value for your money.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • No deposit required
  • Helps build credit
  • Potential credit limit increases

Cons:

  • High APR
  • Expensive annual fee
  • Monthly servicing fee

Who Is the Total Visa® Card Best For?

You’ll probably be able to get the most benefit out of the Total Visa® Card if you fall into one of the following groups:

  • Credit invisibles: If you don’t have any credit history at all, it can be difficult to get approved for a credit card. If you can afford all the card’s fees, the Total Visa® Card will give you high odds of approval, full credit reporting to build up your credit history, and even credit monitoring tools to track your progress.
  • Credit rebuilders who don’t want to pay a deposit: You can definitely get a secured credit card with lower fees, lower APRs, and more benefits if you’re willing to pay a security deposit. But if that’s out of the question, then the Total Visa® Card is one of the better unsecured cards you can get with imperfect credit.
  • Applicants in a hurry: In addition to being easy to get, the Total Visa® Card offers instant approval. This is a major advantage if you have a messy credit history and want immediate confirmation of approval.

We don’t recommend the Total Visa® Card if you just want quick cash because interest will begin accumulating immediately on any amount you borrow at the crazy-high APR of 34.99% (fixed). Additionally, even though cash advance fees are waived for the first year, you won’t actually be able to get a cash advance until you’ve had the card for at least 3 months.

If you have any doubts about whether the card is right for you, take a moment to explore other alternatives you can get, even with very limited or damaged credit:

  • Secured credit cards
  • Credit cards for no credit
  • Unsecured credit cards for bad credit

Rates & Fees

Fees

Fees:

(3.1/5)

The main drawback of the Total Visa® Card is its numerous fees. You’ll need to pay a whopping $89 just to get the card in the first place, plus $75 in annual fees your first year (then $123 in fees every year after that). This can be a major setback if you’re strapped for cash.

  • Program fee: $89 (one-time fee)
  • Annual fee: $75 for first year, then $48 annually
  • Monthly servicing fee: $0 for first year, then $6.25 per month ($75 annually)
  • Cash advance fee: $0 for first year, then either $10 or 3% of the cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
  • Credit limit increase fee: 20% of the amount of increase
  • Late payment fee: Up to $40
  • Returned payment fee: Up to $40

There’s no getting around it—the Total Visa® Card is an expensive credit card. Regardless of what your credit looks like, you’ll be hit with $164 in fees before you’ve even used the card. After that, you’ll need to pay even more to keep the account open.

Interest Rates

APR:

(1.2/5)

The Total Visa® Card comes with some of the highest APRs out there. To avoid getting trapped in credit card debt, you’ll need to be especially cautious when using the card for purchases or cash advances and pay off your balances ASAP.

  • Purchase APR: 34.99% (fixed)
  • Cash advance APR: 34.99%
  • Minimum interest charge: $1.00

You’ll only be charged interest on purchases you make with the Total Visa® Card if you don’t pay your full balance by the payment due date. When you allow some of your balance to roll over into the next billing cycle, you’ll be charged interest based on what the annual percentage rate (APR) on your credit card is.


Rewards

Rewards:

(1.0/5)

The Total Visa® Card doesn’t offer any credit card rewards. This is to be expected for an easy-approval unsecured card, but it means there’s no way to earn cash back or discounts to counteract the card’s steep annual and monthly fees.

It’s rare for credit cards designed for consumers with poor or limited credit histories to offer credit card rewards, especially if they’re unsecured credit cards. The Total Visa® Card is more designed for credit building, and its features reflect that.

If rewards are important to you and you want a card that will give you benefits for your everyday spending habits but you have less-than-perfect credit, then you should explore secured credit cards that earn cashback rewards.


Credit Limit

Credit Limit:

(2.5/5)

The Total Visa® Card isn’t ideal for people who want a high credit limit. You’ll start off with a pretty low credit line of only $300, plus you’ll need to pay pretty hefty fees every time you increase your credit limit.

Having a high credit limit is important if you want to build or improve your credit, but this is one area where the Total Visa® Card fails cardholders who are trying to strengthen their credit.

In addition to starting out with a very low credit limit of only $300, you’ll face plenty of barriers to getting a larger credit line. You’ll have to wait a full year before you can get a higher credit limit, and if you are offered one, you’ll need to pay a fee equal to 20% of the increase.

For example, to get a $1,000 credit limit (which is still pretty low), you’d need to pay $140 in fees. At this point, it would’ve cost you less to just pay a deposit on a secured credit card that offers upgrades to an unsecured card.


Benefits

The Total Visa® Card doesn’t come with many notable benefits beyond the basic features that come with a Visa credit card. Below is a summary of what few additional perks you’ll get.

BenefitWhat It Means
TransUnion credit monitoringFree access to your TransUnion credit report and credit score.
Mobile appManage your account and review your card activity in the app for Android and iOS devices.

How to Get the Total Visa® Card

total visa credit card review
The Total Visa® Card is one of the easiest credit card to get, but it comes at the cost of high annual and monthly fees.

One of the major benefits of the Total Visa® Card is the easy application process and high approval rate. Most people who apply are instantly approved for their new credit card.

How to Apply

You can apply for the Total Visa® Card online by filling out the online application form. Just be prepared to provide the information below during the application process:

  • Full name as it appears on government documents
  • Email address
  • Physical address (P.O. boxes will not be accepted)
  • Phone number
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Employment status
  • Net monthly income
  • Estimated monthly expenses

Once you’ve applied, you’ll likely be approved within seconds, although it may take longer if the bank has trouble verifying your identity. Upon approval, you’ll need to pay an $89 program fee before the issuer will activate your card.


Building Credit With the Total Visa® Card

Credit Reporting

Credit Reporting:

(5.0/5)

Total Visa® Card accounts are reported each month to all three of the major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This is good news if you plan on using the card to build or repair your credit since the account will appear on all three of your credit reports.

Credit reporting is an important part of building credit because your credit score and credit report are updated based on the information provided by your lenders. Lenders aren’t required by law to report your credit history, and many lenders choose to only report to one or two of the major credit bureaus.

Tips for Building Credit

To make the most of the Total Visa® Card, you’ll need to practice good credit habits. Follow the tips below to strengthen your credit:

  • Pay your credit card bills on time: The worst thing you can do for your credit is fail to repay your debts on time. A single late payment can do a lot of damage to your credit score by damaging your payment history, whereas consistent on-time payments will raise your credit score.
  • Don’t use too much of your available credit: Maxing out your Total Visa® Card won’t just hurt your finances—it’ll also hurt your credit. Your credit utilization rate (how much of your credit line you’re using) has a major impact on your credit score, and it’s best to keep your balance as close to $0 as possible.
  • Set up autopay: In the Total Visa® Card app, you can set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a monthly bill and keep your balance in the clear.

Total Visa® Card FAQs

What bank issues the Total Visa® Card?

The Total Visa® Card is issued by the Bank of Missouri. The bank is licensed to issue the card by Visa U.S.A. Inc., and it operates on the Visa card network.

Does the Total Visa® Card allow cash advances?

You can use your Total Visa® Card to get a credit card cash advance, meaning you can use the card to withdraw money at an ATM. However, you’ll need to meet several requirements:

  • Your account has been open for at least three complete billing cycles.
  • You have no overdue payments.
  • You have available credit for cash advances.

Additionally, you’ll have a separate cash advance limit that’s only 50% of your overall credit limit. This means your balance of unpaid cash advances can never go over half of your total credit limit.

Because the cash advance APR on the Total Visa® Card is incredibly high at 34.99% (fixed) and interest will begin accruing on the same day you access the funds, it’s important to repay the amount you withdraw as soon as possible.

How do you contact Total Visa® Card customer service?

If you have further questions about the Total Visa® Card or you need help with your application, you can call (877) 480-6988 to speak with a customer service representative or send an email to [email protected].

You can also contact customer service by mail using the contact address below.

Postal Address:

Total VISA

P.O. Box 84930

Sioux Falls, SD 57118-4930

How do you cancel the Total Visa® Card?

If you got a Total Visa® Card but you’ve changed your mind and want to cancel your card, call customer service at (877) 480-6988 and ask them to close your Total Visa® account.

Canceling your Total Visa® Card may be your best option if you can’t afford the card’s high fees or if your credit has improved and you want to switch to a card that offers more benefits, such as lower fees and APRs, higher credit limits, or credit card rewards.

Your credit score may drop after you close your credit card account, but you won’t be charged any more fees going forward.

How we rate our starter credit cards

Applying for a new credit card is a big decision. That's why FinanceJar's card experts carefully studied the following details of the Total Visa® Card to determine whether or not it's a good choice:

  • Account Reporting to Major Bureaus
  • Annual, Maintenance, and Late Fees
  • Credit Limits
  • Interest Rates
  • Credit Score Required
  • Deposit Required

These factors, among many others, are part of our 5-star credit card rating methodology for all card categories. Our star ratings are unbiased and independent of our affiliates and advertisers.

sidebar

Table of Contents

  1. Is the Total Visa® Card Worth It?
  2. Rates & Fees
  3. Rewards
  4. Credit Limit
  5. Benefits
  6. How to Get the Total Visa® Card
  7. Building Credit With the Total Visa® Card
  8. Total Visa® Card FAQs

Kari Dearie

Credit Cards Editor

View Author

Kari Dearie is an editor for FinanceJar specializing in credit and personal finance. She previously managed a B2B website in the data privacy and digital compliance industry.

Victoria Scanlon

Credit & Finance Editor

View Author

Victoria Scanlon is a professional writer, editor, and researcher for FinanceJar. She has experience editing research for publication in academic journals and writing educational content. Her goal is to help non-experts better understand topics related to personal finance and credit repair so that they can make more-informed financial decisions.

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