Total VISA Credit Card Review
This article was last updated Jul 26, 2018. Terms and conditions may have changed. For the most accurate information, please consult the issuer website.
If you’re considering the Total VISA® Credit Card, thoroughly review the terms before you apply and consider other options with fewer fees. You may be tempted to open this card if you’re someone with less than perfect credit, since the application states this card is the “perfect tool for people who have faced financial challenges and struggled to get credit in the past” — but don’t let that mislead you. This card isn’t the “perfect” choice due to its numerous fees that can cause you to rack up unnecessary charges. We discuss these fees in the section below.
What to watch out for
Fees, fees, and more fees. This card has numerous fees that make it very costly to carry. If approved, you must pay a program fee (See Terms) in order to open your account and access your available credit. Plus, the annual fee is deducted from your initial available credit limit. This limits your purchasing power and may be an issue if you need to utilize that credit.
After your first year, there’s a monthly servicing fee (See Terms). And, if you want to add an authorized user, that’ll be an additional fee per year per authorized user.
Can the Total VISA® Credit Card help me build credit?
If you decide to open this card and use it responsibly, you may be able to build credit. But, again, it’s extremely costly to carry this card and there are definitely better options out there to help you improve your score.
Here are a few credit building tips you can follow that factor into your credit score:
- Pay on time and in full. Payment history is the most important factor of your credit score making it key to pay each bill on time and in full. These actions contribute to good payment history and can help you avoid late payment fees and interest charges.
- Maintain a low utilization rate. The amount of your total credit you use is known as utilization and it’s an important factor of your credit score. We recommend maintaining a utilization rate below 30%. To find how much money that would be, multiply your total credit limit by 0.3. For example, if you open the Total VISA® Credit Card and receive a $300 credit limit, keep your spending to $90 a billing cycle.
How does it compare to First Access VISA® Credit Card?
If you’re wondering what the difference between the Total VISA® Credit Card and First Access VISA® Credit Card is, there is none beyond the card names. They are identical cards issued by The Bank of Missouri offering the same rates and fees, so the card you choose is up to you.
Compare it with the Discover it® Secured
A better alternative is a $0 annual fee secured card, like the Discover it® Secured.
Secured cards are a great way to build credit and are nearly identical to unsecured (traditional) credit cards. The main difference is that a secured card requires a security deposit that becomes your line of credit. For the Discover it® Secured, there is a $200 minimum security deposit, which is typical.
The Discover it® Secured is a better choice if you’re looking to minimize fees. There’s a $0 annual fee and no monthly servicing fees or authorized user fees. That’s compared to the Total VISA® Credit Card’s multitude of fees. Plus, the Discover it® Secured has a lower 22.99% Variable APR APR versus the Total VISA® Credit Card.
Also, you have the added benefit of a cashback program with the Discover it® Secured — earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically Overall, the Discover it® Secured is a more well-rounded card with less fees and more perks than the Total VISA® Credit Card.
Here’s a breakdown of the key features of each card:
| Total VISA® Credit Card | Discover it® Secured | |
| Annual Fee | See Terms | $0 |
| Regular Purchase APR | See Terms | 22.99% Variable APR |
| Rewards | None | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically |
| New Cardmember Offer | None | Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. |
Bottom Line
The Total VISA® Credit Card is laden with various fees making it costly to use. We recommend checking out secured cards that have more straightforward terms and less fees.
