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Total Visa® Card Review

Total Visa Card
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Total Visa Card
Total Visa Card
Michael Graw
Aug. 15, 2023
4 min read
Michael Graw
Total Visa Card Summary
The Total Visa is an unsecured credit card issued by The Bank of Missouri. There’s no minimum credit score to qualify for this card, so it’s available to individuals with bad credit or no credit history. The interest rate is quite high and there are a lot of fees. However, monthly payments are reported to the major credit bureaus so it helps you to build up your credit. You can apply online and get an approval decision in minutes.

Pros

  • Reports payments to the three major credit bureaus
  • No minimum credit score to qualify

Cons

  • One-time setup fee and steep annual fee
  • Very high interest rate

Total Visa Card at a glance

9
Editorial score

Fees

$75 annual fee first year, then $48
10.0

APR

35.99% (variable)
8.0

Security

FDIC insured, offers multiple security features
9.0

Customer service

Multiple communication options, wide range of hours
9.0

Online experience

User friendly site and app with detailed FAQs or help center
9.0

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Overview

The Total Visa card is issued by The Bank of Missouri and managed by Total Visa. This is an unsecured credit card that does not require any minimum credit score. Applicants are only required to have a checking account with any US bank and a social security number to qualify.

The Total Visa can help you build credit since your monthly payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus. It offers an initial credit limit of $300, with the possibility of a credit limit increase after one year. The card has a setup fee, an annual fee, and a monthly maintenance fee, so it’s relatively expensive compared to most secured credit cards.

Suitable for?

The Total Visa is designed for individuals with bad credit or no credit history. There’s no minimum credit score to qualify. You only need a checking account and a social security number to qualify.

The Total Visa is suitable if you want to rebuild your credit. Your monthly payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus. If you consistently make on-time payments, you should see your credit score start to rise.

One thing to consider is whether the Total Visa is the right credit-building card for you. It’s unsecured, meaning you don’t have to prepay for your expenses or put funds in an escrow account. This can be beneficial if you want the ability to make purchases on credit and then pay less than your full balance at the end of the month. But bear in mind that the Total Visa has a relatively high 35.99% APR interest rate.

An alternative to the Total Visa is a secured credit card, which requires you to prepay for purchases. Secured credit cards don’t have any interest rate and they typically have lower fees than the Total Visa. However, this type of card may not be suitable if you don’t have cash on hand to prepay for your purchases.

Interest Rates and Fees 

The Total Visa carries an interest rate of 35.99% (variable).

The card comes with an annual fee of $75 for the first year, which is applied to your first statement. This means that when you first get the card, your available credit will be $225 instead of $300. After the first year, the annual fee is reduced to $48 per year.

In addition, the Total Visa has a one-time setup fee of $89. This must be paid within 60 days of approval and you can’t use your Total Visa card until the setup fee is paid. The setup fee can’t be charged to your statement balance.

The card also has a monthly service fee of $8.25 per month, for a total of $99 per year. The monthly service fee is waived for the first 12 months. 

There is a $41 fee for late and returned payments. Cash advances come with a fee of 3% of the advance amount or $10, whichever is greater. The cash advance fee is waived for the first year.

If you are approved for a credit limit increase after your first year, you must pay a one-time fee for the increase. The fee is equal to 20% of the increase in your credit limit.

Annual fee
Monthly maintenance fee
Setup fee
Interest rate
$75 for the first year, then $48 per year
$8.25 per month (waived for the first 12 months)
$8935.99% (variable)

Rewards & Cashback

The Total Visa doesn’t offer a rewards program or cashback. However, there are some introductory benefits. The monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first 12 months. In addition, cash advances are free for the first 12 months.

The Application Process

You can apply for the Total Visa online. You must provide your name, address, contact information, and social security number. You also need to answer questions about your employment status, your monthly income and expenses, and whether you have any other open credit or debit card accounts.

Total Visa will conduct a hard credit check, which can impact your credit score. Approval decisions are usually issued within a few minutes. You can pay the one-time setup fee online via bank transfer or check. Your new Total Visa card will be mailed to you and typically arrives in 14 days.

Help & Support

Total Visa offers customer support by phone and email. There is also a dedicated 24/7 hotline for reporting a lost or stolen card.

Phone: (877) 480-6988

Email: info@totalcardvisa.com

Security

Total Visa uses SSL encryption to protect the information in your application and online account. There is no two-factor authentication available for the online account or mobile app (iOS and Android).

The Total Visa card does not have an EMV chip. However, you are protected by Visa’s Zero Liability policy. This ensures that you are never responsible for paying for fraudulent charges on your card.

FAQ

How do I pay my Total Visa statement?

You can make a payment towards your Total Visa statement online or using the Total Visa mobile app for iOS and Android. You can also contact Total Visa’s support team to make a payment over the phone.

Can I increase my Total Visa credit limit?

Total Visa accepts requests for credit limit increases after you have been a cardholder for one year. There is no guarantee that you will be approved for a higher credit limit.

How do I start using my Total Visa card?

To begin using your Total Visa card, you must first pay the one-time setup fee of $89. You can pay this online or by mailing a check. Once you receive your card, you must call the phone number listed on the card to activate it.

Conclusion

The Total Visa is an unsecured credit card that’s available to individuals with poor credit or no credit history. You can use the card to build your credit since it reports your monthly payments to the three major credit bureaus. The Total Visa has steep fees and a high interest rate compared to most secured credit-building cards. So it’s most suitable for individuals who want to build credit without prepaying for purchases.

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Methodology

This review was completed using information from the Total Visa website and a call to their customer service team.

Michael Graw
Written by
Michael Graw
Michael Graw is a Bellingham, Washington-based writer focusing on finance, tech, and science. His work has been featured in print magazines and high-impact websites. He writes for BestMoney and enjoys helping readers make sense of the options on the market.‎
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