Rare Card where you can pay with Debit Card
Recently, Total Visa has added a cash back program whereby you can earn 1% cash back when you pay your bills. The cash back that you earn will help offset the fees that you have to pay on the card.
The starting credit limit for this card is $300 and you will be eligible for credit limit increases after 12 months. One important thing to know is that when you are at the gas station, you have to pay at the cashiers rather than at the pump (Total Visa cites security reasons for this).
In this review, we will dissect every detail of this card including it's fineprints, compare it to their peers and competition and give our opinion. So read on....
Pros | Cons |
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Earn 1% Cash on payments | Only start redeeming cash back 6 months after getting the card |
Can Pay by debit card | Cannot pay via Western Union (though PayNearMe and MoneyGram are ok) |
No Payment Holds for certain payment methods | Eligible for credit limit increase only after 12 months |
Can pay via mobile app, online or by phone | Cannot pay at the pump and have to pay at the cashier at gas stations |
Approves those with mid 500 credit scores | Have to pay activation fee before you can receive your card |
Reports to 3 major credit bureaus | |
Free Credit Monitoring powered by TransUnion |
Requirements
- You need a checking account to pay your activation fee after you are approved. So have that on hand when you apply
- FICO score of at least 550 - some have gotten approval with lower scores but 550 seems to be a minimum you need
- On-time payments for at least a year
- No recent derogatory items - that means no recent late payment. If you had a recent late payment and your score has taken a hit, it is best to get back on track by getting a secured credit with no credit checks.
- No tax liens
- Have to provide employers name and phone number if you are on W2
- Fill out 3 pages on the online application (many folks fill in only one page and do not get approved)
Card Details
Annual Fee | $75 for 1st year, then $48 |
Program Fee | $95 |
Monthly Fee | None for first year, then $8.25 a month ($99 annually) |
APR | 35.99% |
Grace Period | 21 Days |
Late Fee | Up to $40 |
Cash Advance APR | 35.99% |
Bank Issuer | Bank of Missouri |
Marketed By | Vervent |
Annual Fee - The annual fee is $75 for the first year. From the second year onwards, it is reduced to $48.
Monthly Fee - There is no monthly fee during the first year. From the second year onwards, it is $8.25 a month (which is $99 a year). That means that in the second year onwards, total fees amount to $174.
Program Fee - There is an program fee of $95 after you get approved. You have to pay this via ACH from your checking account.
Regular APR - The regular purchase APR is 35.99%. This is on the high side. Nevertheless, we always recommend that you pay in full and not carry a balance (especially for rebuilders). If you follow our advice, this should not be an issue.
Starting Credit Limit - Your starting credit limit is $300. When you get your first statement, you will be billed the $75 annual fee and your remaining credit limit will be $225 for the first month.
Cash Back Rewards^^
- Earn 1% cash back from payments (not spending)
- Start redeeming cash back 6 months after having your card
- Cash back never expires
- Cash back can be redeemed in 500 points or $5 increments as statement credit
- Cash back can be redeemed via mobile app, www. MyCCPay.com or by calling customer service
Payment Methods and Payment Hold Policies
They are also one of the few credit cards that allow you to pay with your debit card. Although paying by debit card is not considered guaranteed funds, many cardholders have said that it clears and is reflected in your credit limit immediately.
You can also pay via check, through your mobile app, myccpay.com and over the phone and set up autopay as well. Paying with these methods may result in a payment hold to your credit limit of up to 14 days though most will see payment reflect in their credit limit after a few days.
Analysis: Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio
Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio During the First Year
If you get approved for the Total Visa Credit Card, you have to pay a one-time processing fee of $95. You will also be charged an annual fee of $75 for the first year. So the total fee for the first year is $(95 + 75) = $170. The initial credit limit $300. So if we take $170 divided by $300, we get $170/$300 = 56.67%. That means that during the first year, the fees you pay are 56.67% of the credit limit you get. But we still have to factor in the cash back you can earn. If you use your whole credit limit (assuming this to make calculations simpler), you will earn 1% X $300 = $3 a month in cash back and hence $3 X 12 = $36 of cash back in a year. We should now calculate the Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio factoring in the cash back you earn. The new ratio is $(170-36)/$300 = 44.67%. This is much better than 56.67% without the cash back but still high.Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio From 2nd Year Onwards
From the second year onwards, the annual fee declines from $75 to $48. But Total Visa will start to charge a monthly fee of $8.25. This works out to $8.25 X 12 = $99. Hence, the total fee from the second year onwards is $(48 + 99) = $147. The Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio from the second year onwards is $147/$300 = 49%, which is slightly lower than the 56.67% for the first year. If we assume that you use your whole $300 credit limit every month, we will earn $3 in cash back every month (1% of $3 and assuming you pay in full every month) and $36 a year. The Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio when we factor in cash back is $(147 - 36)/$300 = 37%.We also have to remember that you might get a credit limit increase after the first year. If that happens, you have to recalculate the TFCL ratio to factor in a higher credit limit and the ratio will be lower.
Competition
Card Annual Fee (AF) Monthly Fee (MF) Program Fee (PF) Credit Limit (CL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (TFCL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (cashback) |
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Total Visa AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
First Digital AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
First Access AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
Revvi Visa AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
Compared to other Vervent credit cards
Total Visa is marketed by a firm called Vervent. Aside from Total Visa, Vervent has other cards like First Digital Mastercard, Revvi Visa and First Access Visa. All these cards cards have identical fees, rates, initial credit limit and also the 1% cash back program. All of them will only increase your credit limit after having their cards for 12 months. They all also cannot be used at the pump at gas stations.With regards to third party digital payment systems, Total Visa allows you to pay via PayNearMe and MoneyGram but not Western Union. If you wish to pay your bills by Western Union, then the First Digital Mastercard, which accepts payment from PayNearMe, MoneyGram and Western Union and is probably the better choice.
Compared to other subprime cards with cash rewards
Card Annual Fee (AF) Monthly Fee (MF) Program Fee (PF) Credit Limit (CL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (TFCL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (cashback) |
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Total Visa $300 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
Total Visa - $500 after Year 1 AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300, then $1,000 after Year 1 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$5000 = 22.2% |
Total Visa - $1,000 after Year 1 AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$1,000 = 11.1% |
Fortiva Mastercard $1,000 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month = $150/year PF = $0 CL = $1,000 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$1,000 = 17.5% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$1,000 = 19.9% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(175 - 108)/$1,000 = 6.7% Y2 = $(49 + 150 - 108)/$300 = 9.1% |
Fortiva Mastercard $700 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month = $150/year PF = $0 CL = $700 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$700 = 25% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$700 = 28.42% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(175 - 108)/$700 = 9.57% Y2 = $(49 + 150 - 108)/$700 = 13% |
Fortiva Mastercard $500 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month = $150/year PF = $0 CL = $500 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$500 = 25% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$500 = 28.42% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(175 - 108)/$500 = 13.4% Y2 = $(49 + 150 - 108)/$500 = 18.2% |
Fortiva Mastercard $400 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month = $150/year PF = $ CL = $400 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$400 = 43.75% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$400 = 49.75% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(175 - 108)/$400 = 39.25% Y2 = $(49 + 150 - 108)/$400 = 22.75% |
Fortiva Mastercard $300 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month = $150/year PF = $ CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$300 = 43.75% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$300 = 49.75% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(175 - 108)/$300 = 22.33% Y2 = $(49 + 150 - 108)/$300 = 30.33% |
While there are many subprime credit cards that offer cash back to help offset the fees you pay, I would like to compare the Total Visa with both the Fortiva Mastercard and the Aspire credit card because they both have the same fees and they both offer cash back rewards. Both Fortiva and Aspire are identical and so I have simply used Fortiva in the table comparison above.
Fortiva will either give you a $300, $400, $500, $700 or $1,000 credit limit and each one has different fees. This is in contrast to Total Visa which starts you off at $300 and you are only eligible for a credit limit increase after one year. Furhtermore, both Fortiva and Aspire do not charge any one-time processing fee.
While Total Visa has a flat rate cash back program, both Fortiva and Aspire have a bonus category cash back program whereby you can earn 3% cash back on gasoline, grocery and utility bills.
For the purpose of this comparison and analysis, I am going calculate the Total Fee to Credit Limit Ratio for Revii assuming a $300 credit limit, a $500 credit limit after the first year (ie CLI from $300 to $500) and having a $1,000 credit limit from the second year onwards. This allows us to do a proper apples to apples comparison with similar credit limits. We also assume that we only spend $300 a month on the card so that credit utlization ratio gets lower as credit limit increases.
As you can see from the table above, the Fortiva Mastercard appears to have a better Total Fees to Credit Limit ratio. The main reason is that we are assuming that you using the card for spending that earns you 3% cash back versus just 1% for Total Visa. Fortiva's better TFCL ratio during the first can also be attributed to the fact that they do not charge any one-time processing fee.
Total Visa is probably better than Fortiva and Aspire in the area of payment methods and payment holds. As explained earlier, Total Visa allows you to pay your credit card bill via debit card. Certain methods of payment will also process and be reflected in your credit limit immediately.
So while Total Visa has a cash back program, the biggest negative is that the starting credit limit is low and there is no guarantee that your credit limit will increase in the future when you are eligible for a CLI. Though having a cash back program helps offset the fees, it helps even more if Total Visa had a higher starting credit limit.
Compared to cards with higher limits and which Increase Credit Limit Sooner than Revvi
Card Annual Fee (AF) Monthly Fee (MF) Program Fee (PF) Credit Limit (CL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (TFCL) Fees/Credit Limit Ratio (cashback) |
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Total Visa $300 Credit Limit AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$300 = 49% TFCL (Cash Back) = Y1 = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$300 = 37% |
Total Visa - $800 after Year 1 AF = Y1 = $75, then $48 MF = Y1 = $0, then $8.25/month = $99/year PF = $95 CL = $300, then $8,000 after Year 1 TFCL = Y1 = $(75+95)/$300 = 56.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99)/$800 = 18.37% TFCL (Cash Back) = $(75+95-36)/$300 = 44.67% Y2 = $(48 + 99 - 36)/$800 = 13.875% |
Fit Mastercard AF = $99 MF = = $0, then $6.25/month = $99/year PF = $89 CL = $400, $800 after 6 months TFCL = Y1 = $(99+89)/$400 = 47% Y2 = $(99 + 75)/$800 = 21.75% TFCL (Cash Back) = No Cash Back |
Reflex Mastercard $1000 AF = $125 MF = $0 PF = $0 CL = $1,000, $2,000 after 6 months TFCL = Y1 = $125/$1,000 = 12.5% Y2 = $125/$2,000 = 6.25%% TFCL (Cash Back) = No Cash Back |
Milestone Mastercard $700 AF = Y1 = $175, then $49 MF = Y1 = $0, then $12.50/month ($150/year) PF = $0 CL = $700 TFCL = Y1 = $175/$700 = 25% Y2 = $(49 + 150)/$700 = 28.42% TFCL (Cash Back) = No Cash Back |
One of the issues that Total Visa credit card has is that the starting credit limit of $300 is rather low compared to all the fees you have to pay. You are also eligible for a credit limit increase after one year which is not guaranteed to happen anyway. Hence, it is also worth comparing Total Visa to other credit cards with higher starting credit limit or those who will definitely increase your credit limit within a much shorter time frame. The cards that I am comparing it to all have no cash back program.
The first card I want to compare it to is the Fit Mastercard from Continental Finance. The card starts you off with a $400 credit limit and it will double to $800 after 6 months if you pay your first 6 bills on time. Continental Finance also has another credit card called the Reflex Mastercard credit card. Reflex has 4 versions and offers with credit limits from $300, $500, $750 and $1,000. After paying your bills on time for 6 months, your credit limit will double to $600, $1,000, $1,500 and $2,000 respectively. Another card I want to compare this card to is the Milestone Mastercard that comes with a $700 credit limit.
As you can see from the table above, I have calculated all other their Total Fee to Credit Limit ratios. The TFCL ratio for Total Visa if it has $800 credit limit is very competitive with it's peers. The ratio is lower compared to the Fit Mastercard and Milestone but higher than the Reflex Mastercard with $1,000 starting credit limit.
The big issue with Total Visa is that though you are eligible for a credit limit increase after 12 months, there is no guarantee that your credit limit will increase. The other cards that I compared the Total Visa to either guarantee credit limit increase if you pay on time for a certain brief period or simply start you off with a much higher credit limit.
Benefits of Total Visa
- Earn 1% Cash Back - Total Visa allows you to earn 1% when you pay your bills. This will help offset the fees that you have to pay on the card.
- Can Pay with Debit Card - You can pay your Total Visa credit card bill with your debit card. While paying by debit card is not considered a guaranteed fund by Total Visa, many cardholders report that their payments are processed and made available to their credit limit immediately.
- No Payment Hold or Credit Limit Holds with certain payment methods - If you pay your bills with Money Orders, Cashiers Check, PayNearMe or Moneygram, payments will be processed immediately and once processed immediately made available to your credit limit. The reason is that these payment methods are considered guaranteed funds.
- Has Mobile App - Total Visa has a mobile app where you can make payments, check your balance and monitor your account.
- Reports to 3 major credit bureaus - Revvi reports to all three major credit bureaus so using this card responsibly will help you improve your credit.
FinePrints You Should Be Aware Of
- Can only start redeeming cash back after 6 months of having the card - Yes, it is a little bummer and it would be far better if cardholders can start redeeming cash back immediately rather than having to wait for 6 months after they have gotten their card.
- Have to pay program fee - Before you can use your card (or rather just after approval), you have to pay a $95 program fee (one-time only) to activate the card.
- Credit Limit Increase Only After 12 Months - Your initial credit limit of $300 will not be considered for an increase until you have been a cardholder for 12 months. This is quite uncompetitive as many subprime credit cards offer credit limit increases just after a few months of timely payment. Furthermore, you will be charged a credit limit increase fee which is 25% of the credit limit increase amount. This is very steep and quite unheard of even in the subrpime credit card world.
- Cannot pay AT THE PUMP - You cannot pay at the pump with the Total Visa. Instead, you have to go inside the gas station and pay the cashier. The reason for this is probably due to security and credit card fraud that is quite prevalent at gas station pumps.
- Cannot pay via Western Union - Total Visa allows you to pay via PayNearMe and MoneyGram but not Western Union.
Our Take: No Payment Hold, Can Pay by Debit Card
Another feature that will appeal to cardholders is that if you pay your bill via money orders, cashiers' check, PayNearMe or Moneygram, payments will be processed and reflected in your credit limit immediately.
Before you get too excited, there are a few downsides that you have to be aware of. Firstly, the starting credit limit of $300 is on the low side and you will only be eligible for a credit limit increase after 12 months. The fees of this credit card is also quite high and typical of many unsecured credit cards for bad credit. This is reflected in the Total Fee to Credit Limit ratio (TFCL) which we demonstrated earlier. Total Visa does however have a 1% cash back program which helps to offset the fees that you will pay on this card.
Another thing to bear in mind is that you cannot use the card at the pump and must pay at the cashiers inside the gas station. It is not a good idea to use this card at gas stations.
To sum up, based on our evaluations and review, we give the Total Visa Unsecured Credit Card a 3.5 out of 5 star for it's lack of payment hold for certain payment methods, the ability to pay your bill using a debit card, a 1% cash back program and it's consistent credit reporting. It's initial low starting credit limit, the fees you have to pay, and the fact that you cannot use it at the pump prevents us from giving it a higher rating.
The Total Visa credit card would not be my first choice if I was thinking of getting an unsecured credit card to rebuild my credit. There are certainly unsecured credit cards with lower fees and higher starting credit limits. But if you insist on paying your credit card bill with a debit card and want your payments to clear immediately and be reflected in your credit limit, then the Total Visa may just be the card you are looking for. They are also an easier card to get compared to the peers I have compared it to.
Cardholders Review
One of the most important thing for me in a credit card is their payment system. In this regard, I had no problems with Total. I pay with either my debit card or checking account and it clears the next day. I've had other cards that hold your payment.
This card is definitely not the best out there. But when your scores are 530, what choice do you have? At least they allow you to pay with your debit card and it clears the next day. It seems like it gets tricky when you pay with checks because they may hold it for 14 days. The trick is to just spend $30 to $40 a month and pay it off in full. After a year to 18 months, cancel it and get a no annual fee rebuilder card. Remember, this card is solely for rebuilding.
Alternatives to Total Visa
If want to pay via Western Union
If you like to pay your bills via Western Union, then Total Visa would not be the card for you. You should consider the First Digital Mastercard instead as they allow you to pay with all common third party digital payment systems like PayNearMe, MoneyGram and Western Union. It has the same terms as the Total Visa and is also marketed by Vervent Inc (which also markets Total Visa).If you want higher credit limit and if you want to be able to pay at the pump
Total Visa has two issues that some of you might balk at. Firstly, the starting credit limit is only $300 and you will not be eligible for a credit limit increase until you have had the card for at leas 12 months. You also cannot pay at the pump and must go inside the gas station and pay throught the cashier. If you want a higher limit credit card and be able to pay at the pump, there are other subprime credit cards like the Reflex Mastercard and the Milestone Mastercard with $700 credit limit.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will my cash back earnings expire?

Will my cash back earnings expire?

Does Total report to credit bureaus?

Does Total report to credit bureaus?

Why does Total Visa require that we have a checking account?

Why does Total Visa require that we have a checking account?

What is the starting credit limit?

What is the starting credit limit?

Can I get a credit limit increase with Total Visa?

Can I get a credit limit increase with Total Visa?

Why can't I pay at the pump?

Why can't I pay at the pump?

How to Apply
Tip 1: Please get your checking account number and routing number ready. You can get these from your checkbook).
Tip 2: Fill in all the application pages. Many of you just fill in the first page and then wonder why you are not approved.

Below are screenshots of the application page.





Contact Infomation
Postal Address
Total Visa
PO Box 84930
Sioux Falls, SD 57118-4930
Phone Number to Pay Activation Fee: 877-526-5799
Customer Service Phone Number: 877-480-6988, 858-428-9282 for customers in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and other US territories.