If you want to know if the Total Visa credit card is what you want, you should know that it is not precisely one of the most popular.
This is because the market for cards to create or repair credit histories has skyrocketed. The Total Visa credit card has lagged behind its competitors regarding benefits, rates, and fees. But heads up: that does not mean it is a bad option for a credit card. It just means that you must get to know it thoroughly to ensure that it meets your needs, so you may be sure if this card is what you are looking for.
Luckily for you, we will review it in depth so you can decide for yourself without any third party involved. Pay attention.
Disadvantages of the Total Visa credit card
It has a very high APR
This is something no credit card user wants to hear about. And the total Visa credit card’s interest handles 34.99% for purchases, not including benefits that justify such a claim, without rewards and with a credit limit of USD 300. In addition, you will have to pay an annual fee of USD 75 for the first year, and in the following years, you will pay USD 48.
As if that was not enough, to open your account, you must pay USD 89.
Multiple fees
And the rates do not stop; they accumulate:
- $6.25 monthly service fee (doesn’t apply the first year).
- $89 program fee.
- $29 authorized user fee.
- Credit limit increase fee of 20% of the increase.
- $6.95 premium plastic card design fee.
- $35 expedited shipping fee.
Say goodbye to automatic gas stations.
The Total Visa credit card cannot be used to pay for your fuel, at least not at the automatic pumps.In other words, if the pump has an ATM present, everything will be as usual, but as we all know, most pumps are automatic, and you will not be able to use your Total Visa credit card there.
The credit limit is meager.
We have already reviewed other credit cards whose credit limit is similar (USD 300) or less (USD 200), but when we tell you that the Total Visa credit card has a reduced limit, we are not just talking about the initial credit.
Think of it this way:
- You will immediately lose USD 75 because you will have to pay the annual fee on your new card, which brings the total amount of credit to USD 225 and leaves you with a debt that will begin to accumulate interest.
- The next thing you should know is that for a card to generate a positive credit, as a consumer, you must use your credit card without exceeding 30% of the credit you have; that is, you can only spend less than USD 70.
And remember that you have to pay multiple fees only if you are the only card user. Now, we know that the card can increase your credit limit after a full year of responsible use; the problem is that the fee will now be 20% of all credit limit increases.
Which is not very useful.
The small print of the card contract
The following interest rates and fees will apply, but as you will notice when you enter the Total Visa credit card website, they are hard to find.
- The ordinary APR is 34.99% (this APR is variable).
- Their introductory purchase APR offer is 34.99% (variable APR on purchases).
- Balance transfer introductory APR offer does not apply.
- The annual fee is $75 for the first year and $48 annually after that.
- Balance transfer fees do not apply.
- Cash withdrawal fees are none for the first year. After that, $10.00 or 3% of the amount of each cash withdrawal, whichever is greater.
- Foreign transaction fees do not apply since you cannot carry out transactions abroad with them.
Advantages of the Total Visa credit card
The truth is that they are few, but it is worth reviewing them one by one:
- You will not need to have a credit history to be able to request your card.
- You can pay for the car rental with it and get insurance.
- It is designed to repair a bad credit history.
- You will not have to make any security deposit.
- Good chances of approval. It’s practically impossible for you not to approve.
This last advantage makes the Total Visa credit card still chosen by many users over other similar ones.This is because the system works in the following way: users with a non-existent or inadequate credit history make their request, and in a matter of minutes, they can know if they have been approved.
You won’t have to spend days or hours in uncertainty. You’re guaranteed to get this card if you meet all the requirements and agree to the restrictions. In addition to the fact that, as we already mentioned, it does not require a security deposit, which means that if your budget at that time is tight, you can still obtain it.
How do I know if the Total Visa credit card is for me?
As we already told you, this is not a card with many advantages, so you should consider it one of your last options. It should be your choice if other agencies have already rejected you. This is because, although it has the advantages of a virtual credit card, it is not guaranteed, and its rates and fees are pretty high.
So, it is for you if your credit history is terrible, you need to improve it, and you have run out of options.