FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

  • ✓ No Annual Fee
  • ✓ Fair Credit
  • ✓ Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

  • ✓ Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
  • ✓ Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!

    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard® with Cashback Rewards

  • ✓ 5% Cashback Rewards on your first $5,000 in gas purchases!
  • ✓ Guaranteed $1,000 credit limit if approved.

    Rates & Fees

Preapprovedtotal.com Credit Card Offer

The website preapprovedtotal.com is a legitimate application portal for the Total Visa® Card. It is used for pre-approved offers sent by mail and is designed for consumers with bad credit who want to rebuild their credit history. However, experts strongly advise caution due to the card's notoriously high fees. Before accepting the Total Visa® Card offer, read our article, Total Visa Credit Card: The costly way to rebuild credit.

Many people who receive a Total Visa® mail offer don’t realize they may already qualify for better unsecured cards with fewer fees. Before moving forward, it’s worth checking a lower-cost option first.

Before you pay $100+ in fees for a Total Visa® card, check if you qualify for the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card — a $0 monthly fee alternative that may approve you in seconds.

  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • 1% cash back on purchases
  • Pre-qualification available with no impact to your credit score
See If You Qualify for Avant

Takes less than 60 seconds. You can also compare this card vs. Total Visa® below.


How preapprovedtotal.com works

  1. Receive an offer: You will receive a pre-approved mailer for the Total Visa® Card.
  2. Access the application: You visit the website and enter a unique approval code and your ZIP code to begin the application.
  3. Complete the process: After reviewing and entering your information, you submit the application for final approval, which will result in a hard pull on your credit report.

Red flags and costly fees

While the website itself is legitimate, the Total Visa® Card it promotes is widely known for its high costs. Before accepting any offer, be aware of the following fees:

  • One-time program fee: A $95 fee is charged before you can even open your account.
  • Annual fee: A fee of $50–$125 is charged in the first year.
  • Monthly maintenance fees: Starting in the second year, the annual fee is replaced by a monthly charge of up to $10.25.
  • High APR: A very high interest rate, often around 35.99%, applies to purchases.
  • Other fees: The card also includes cash advance fees, late fees, and foreign transaction fees.

Better alternatives for building credit

For those looking to build or rebuild credit, the high fees of the Total Visa® Card often make it a poor value. Many financial experts recommend considering secured cards as a more affordable and effective alternative:

  • Lower fees, lower risk: Secured cards require an upfront deposit that acts as your credit limit. They are designed to help you build credit without the predatory fees associated with unsecured cards for bad credit.

If you prefer an unsecured option without large upfront fees, you may also want to compare cards like the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card, which offers a simpler fee structure and cash back on purchases.


Looking for a lower-cost alternative? The Avant Cash Back Rewards Card offers a simpler fee structure with no monthly maintenance fees.

Approval is not guaranteed. Checking eligibility will not impact your credit score.

Tip: Many applicants who receive a Total Visa® offer also qualify for lower-cost cards with no upfront fees — it’s worth checking first.

Total Visa vs. Avant Credit Card: Which One Is the Better Deal?

The Total Visa® Credit Card is designed for consumers with poor or limited credit, but its fees and structure can significantly impact the overall cost. Below is a side-by-side comparison with the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card to help you evaluate which option offers better long-term value.

Feature Total Visa® Credit Card Avant Cash Back Rewards Card
Intended Users Poor or limited credit Fair/average credit (FICO 550–700)
Credit Limit $200–$500 (initial limit may be reduced by upfront fees) $300–$3000
APR 35.99% 35.99%
Annual Fee $75–$125 first year, then up to $99 annually $0–$75
Monthly Fee $0 first year, then up to $10/month $0
Program / Upfront Fee $95 one-time (reduces initial credit) $0
Cash Advance Fee $10 or 3% (after intro period) $10 or 3%
Foreign Transactions Not allowed $0 fee; accepted worldwide
Rewards 1% cash back on payments (redeemable after 6 months) 1% cash back on all purchases
Late / Returned Payment Fee Up to $41 Up to $25
Use Outside U.S. Not allowed Mastercard accepted worldwide
Credit Reporting Yes, all 3 bureaus Yes, all 3 bureaus
Apply Online Not Recommended Due to Fees See If You Qualify Without Affecting Your Credit

While both cards are designed for people with less-than-perfect credit, the Total Visa® Card comes with multiple fees that can reduce your available credit before you even begin using the account. In comparison, the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card offers a simpler fee structure, no monthly maintenance fees, and straightforward cash back rewards, making it a more practical option for many applicants looking to rebuild credit without excessive costs.

Don’t lock yourself into high fees. See if you qualify for the Avant Cash Back Rewards Card first — many applicants are approved with no monthly maintenance fees and instant decision.


About the Author

My name is Paul Basco. I have years of experience analyzing credit cards and helping consumers make informed financial decisions.

Found this guide helpful? Save this for later as you continue your financial journey!


* See the online Preapprovedtotal.com (www.Preaprovedtotal.com or www.Preapprovetotal.com) credit card application for details about terms and conditions and offers.

FICO® Credit Scores

A FICO® Score is a proprietary credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). About 90% of top U.S. lenders use it to make lending decisions.

FICO® Score Ranges:

  • Exceptional: 800–850
  • Very Good: 740–799
  • Good: 670–739
  • Fair: 580–669
  • Poor: 300–579

FICO categorizes scores as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number (300–850) predicting your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to evaluate risk and determine rates and terms for credit.

Why it matters: A higher score can help you qualify for loans and lower interest rates. A lower score can lead to higher borrowing costs or application denials.

FICO® Credit Score Facts

Key Characteristics:
  • Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
  • Range: 300–850; higher scores = lower risk.
  • Data Source: Uses your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
  • Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.

Note: Credit scores reflect your creditworthiness but do not guarantee approval for any credit product.

Advertiser Disclosure:

The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.

About Our Offers:

The card offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Gettingacreditcard.com may receive compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Gettingacreditcard.com does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace.