Total Visa® Card Review: High-Cost Unsecured Card

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

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.

What the Crowd Says

Reviews for the Total Visa® Card are predominantly negative. Most experts call it out as a predatory card and strongly warn against getting it without carefully weighing up the costs. Cardholders also recognize that it’s a costly card to have, but some defend it as a decent credit-builder card for people with limited options.

What Major Publications Say

Although there are a couple of positive expert reviews highlighting the Total Visa® Card’s credit-building potential and accessibility to people with very damaged credit, the vast majority heavily warn against getting it. Some go as far as to say that the Total Visa® Card is one of the worst credit cards out there.

Virtually all professional reviewers agree that you should explore all your other options before getting the Total Visa® Card. Even if you’re desperate and your credit is terrible, it’s unlikely that this card is your only option.

What Cardholders Say

User reviews are mixed. Some say it’s a “necessary evil” that will give you the tools you need to get your credit back on track after a major pitfall like bankruptcy. Those who’ve dealt with customer support or been hit with surprise card fees tell a different story, warning prospective cardholders to steer clear of the card entirely.

Customer Service Complaints

Many current cardholders express frustration with how difficult it is to get a hold of customer service representatives. Some users report calling up customer service to pay their credit card bills after struggling to pay online or through the mobile app and then struggling to get through due to the lack of representatives available.

Even more concerning are reports that the card issuer doesn’t do much to help in cases of credit card fraud. Disputes against fraudulent charges seem to get lost in the mix all too often, and the unreachability of customer support leaves many fraud victims confused, frustrated, and frightened.

Canceling the Card Is a Headache

Too many consumers apply for the Total Visa® Card without fully understanding all the implications and drawbacks and immediately try to cancel their account—this is where a large number of negative reviews originate.

These reviewers claim that the card issuer charges fees even after the account is closed. If you change your mind about getting the Total Visa® Card after you’ve already agreed to the card terms, you’ll still be stuck paying the account setup fee and any other card fees—plus any interest that accrues on your account before you pay the balance. This will leave you in the worst situation possible: down money and without a credit card.

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Rates & Fees

Fees

• 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

• 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.

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Rewards

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.

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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.

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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.

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How to Get the Total Visa® Card

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.

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Building Credit

Credit Reporting

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.

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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.