This is another post in our series of credit cards targeted towards people with bad credit (you can view more in this series at the end of the post). I don’t want to give this card any additional power in the search engines by linking to it, but in today’s review we will be looking at the Total Visa Credit card.
Contents
Card Basics
- If you’re approved you will pay an $89 processing fee
- Annual fee is $75 first year and then $48 annually year two onwards
- Monthly servicing fee of $6.25 per month (waived first year)
- Initial credit limit of $300
- Visa card
- No rewards program
- $29 fee for an additional cardholder
- 29.99% APR
- Card issued by Mid America Bank & Trust Company
Our Verdict
It’s difficult to describe how awful this card really is, but let’s break down the fees you’ll be charge:
- Year one total: $164
- $89 processing fee
- $75 annual fee
- Year two onwards total: $123
- $75 in monthly maintenance fees
- $48 annual fee
Keep in mind the credit limit is $300, so in the first year you’re paying more than 50% of the credit limit in fees. Don’t forget that the interest rate on this card is also 29.99%. Obviously this card is designed for people with bad credit that want to rebuild your credit and if you’re in this situation it’s really important to know that you do have options and they are much better (and much cheaper) than cards like this.
For example:
- Discover offers a fantastic secured credit card. You do need to put down a security deposit, but it can unsecure only after 7 months (meaning you get the deposit back). The card also has no annual fees to worry about (or application or maintenance fees) and has a generous rewards program.
- Check to see if you’re pre-approved for other cards. Sometimes you’ll be surprised by what cards you’re actually eligible for.
- You can use the shopping cart trick to get a store credit card with no credit check. These store cards normally don’t have any annual fees.
- We’ve provided a list of credit cards that are easy to get without these large fees.
I know this isn’t the type of content that most regular readers are interested in reading, but my hope is that people considering this card will read this review first and know that there are better options out there. You can view other posts in this series below:
- A New Contender For The Worst Credit Card: Verve Credit Card Review
- Surge Card By Celtic Bank Review – Taking Terrible Credit Card To A New Level
- The Worst Credit Card That Exists
- Matrix Mastercard Review – This Card Is Terrible
- Milestone Gold Credit Card Review – An Honest Review Of A Bad Card
- Reflex Credit Card Review – Avoid At All Costs
View Comments (48)
DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS CARD. This card is a joke. They charge you outrageous fees & have an automated assistance line that will always end up with you talking to a person when all you want to do is make a payment. Oh but it gets better...when you get a person, they continue to tell you they are charging you a $10 payment assistance fee, because the website won't take the payment. Put me on hd for 5 minutes to have the manager waive the fee & said this is a one time thing. And the best scam is, pay today & it won't even be applied on the account today. Are you joking- such a greedy helpless company. How is this supposed to be helpful to build credit when you nickel & dime the people trying to help themselves. What a disgrace to hard working Americans who fell on hard times.
It gets worse. Int rate now 34.99% on Total Visa through Bank of Missouri. What a way to treat your fellow americans. They should be shot. Literally.
My Total Visa card was used without my authorization in Miami Florida in July for $119.35 the process to get the charges reversed was an outrage and I had to jump through hoops. I used the card moments earlier in Boca Raton, Fl and it was evident I could not be in two places at once. They reversed the charged on Sept 5th which was great, but then put them back on my card on Sept 20th stating the documentation I turned in was not sufficient. I am now working with the State of Florida office of the Attorney General.
Obviously this post provides nothing but entertainment to churners like us. The fact that DoC posts this as a public service to those in a different credit situation is laudable. Doing good while saving people money is awesome. I look forward to a future churner thanking this site for saving the from the total(ly laughable) visa a few years down the road.
I organize my bookmarks by how frequently I like to visit. DoC has moved into the top spot for me. Thank you.
Thank you William for this post. I won't swim in those pirana-filled waters!!
Thanks for the post. When my mother died I helped my dad with his finances and discovered he had two terrible cards which with monthly and yearly fees. My Dad said it was because he had bad credit. We pulled his report and his bad credit was actually a 780...so we canceled his two terrible cards and got him two other cards to be used for grocery and gas. He had always paid off his cards every month anyways.
Just because I would never get this card doesn't mean someone I know wouldnt...
Sorry to hear about your Mom and good job helping your dad out!
This is some Gordon Gekko type bullshit. I'm not usually a fan of regulation, but products like this really shouldn't exist.
I want this card!!!! It deserves a spot in my wallet right next to my CSR. LOL
Just want to add my kudos to DoC for posting reviews of these crappy cards. Not only does he explain why it's crappy, but offers valid alternatives as well.
Because of all the great info posted here on DoC the site pops up fairly high in Google results for any credit card. America as a whole is done a great service when real info about bad cards actually shows up in search results above spammer paid-to-post positive reviews of crappy cards.
Dan, please don't be an ass. Your comments were lame and condescending.
I for one may need a card like this after falling on very very hard times and having to start my credit again, so don't discount those who may need this info.
doc, thanks as usual for posting great info!