Building credit is a nightmare. Honestly, if you've ever stared at a "declined" screen while trying to open a basic starter account, you know the feeling. It’s that circular logic where you need credit to get credit, but nobody wants to be the first to lend to you. This is exactly where the Total Select credit card enters the chat. It isn’t a card for people with 800 scores who want to fly first class to Tokyo on points. Far from it. This is a tool designed for the "subprime" market—people who are rebuilding after a bankruptcy, a messy divorce, or just years of financial chaos.
But here is the thing: most reviews of this card are either overly harsh or weirdly glowing. The truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s a high-cost bridge. You use it to get from a bad place to a slightly better place, and then you burn that bridge as fast as humanly possible.
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The Total Select credit card is issued by The Bank of Missouri and serviced by Genesis FS Card Services. If those names sound familiar, it's because they handle a lot of the "second chance" plastic you see advertised on late-night TV or via direct mail offers.
The Reality of the Total Select Credit Card Fee Structure
Let's get real for a second. This card is expensive. If you are looking for a "free" way to build credit, this isn't it. Usually, you’re looking at a massive program fee right out of the gate—often around $95—just to open the account. Then comes the annual fee. Depending on the specific offer you get, that can be another $75 to $125 for the first year.
After year one? It gets weirder. They often start charging a monthly servicing fee. Imagine paying $6 or $8 every single month just for the privilege of having the card in your wallet. When you add that up, you’re potentially spending $150 to $200 a year for a credit limit that might only be $300.
Why would anyone do this?
Because they have no other choice. Or at least, they think they have no other choice. If you can’t scrape together $200 for a deposit on a secured card from a major bank like Discover or Capital One, the Total Select credit card offers a way in without an upfront security deposit. You pay the fees instead of a refundable deposit.
Interest Rates and the "Don't Carry a Balance" Rule
The APR on this card is typically hovering near 35.9%. That is astronomical. If you carry a balance of $200, you are essentially throwing money into a bonfire every month.
You should never, ever carry a balance on a Total Select card. Treat it like a debit card with a delay. Buy a tank of gas. Pay it off the second the statement generates. Repeat. If you use this card for "shopping," the interest and fees will swallow you whole before your credit score even has a chance to move.
Is It Actually a Scam?
I hear this a lot. "Is Total Select a scam?" No. It’s a legitimate financial product that reports to all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. That reporting is the only reason to own this card. If they didn't report to the bureaus, the card would be completely worthless.
The Bank of Missouri is a real FDIC-insured institution founded in 1891. They aren't some fly-by-night operation in a basement. However, their business model relies on "fee-harvesting." They know their customers are risky. They charge high fees to offset the fact that a certain percentage of people will never pay them back.
It’s predatory in nature but legal and functional. It serves a specific niche.
How Total Select Compares to Secured Cards
If you have $200 sitting in a savings account, stop reading this and go apply for the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. Seriously. With a secured card, your $200 deposit acts as your credit limit. After 7 or 8 months of on-time payments, most major banks will give your money back and "graduate" you to a real, unsecured card.
The Total Select credit card doesn't really have a "graduation" path. You don't get your program fees back. Those are gone forever.
However, some people literally cannot get approved for a secured card. Maybe they have a very recent bankruptcy that hasn't been discharged, or they owe money to the specific bank offering the secured card. In those specific, desperate instances, the Total Select card becomes a "last resort" option that actually works to put positive payment history on your report.
The Application Process: What to Expect
The "Total" brand—which includes the Total Visa and Total Select—usually has a very high approval rate. They don't do a "hard pull" in the same way a mortgage lender would, though they do check your credit. They are mostly looking to see if you have an active checking account.
You need a checking account. This is non-negotiable. They want to know they can pull their fees out of your bank account.
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Once you’re approved, you have to pay that initial program fee before they even mail the card. This catches people off guard. You’ll get an email saying "Approved!" followed immediately by a request for $95. If you don't pay it, you don't get the card, and the account never opens.
Managing the Total Select Credit Card Without Losing Your Mind
If you decide to go this route, you need a strategy. You aren't playing the same game as people with Amex Platinums.
- Set up Autopay immediately. Missing one payment on a credit-building card is like trying to run a marathon with your shoelaces tied together. It defeats the entire purpose.
- Watch the credit limit. If your limit is $300 and you pay $125 in fees that get charged to the card, your "available credit" is actually only $175. If you then spend $150 on groceries, your credit utilization is suddenly at 90%. That actually hurts your score.
- Check your statements for "hidden" charges. They sometimes offer "credit protection" or "roadside assistance" add-ons. Say no to all of them. You’re already paying enough.
I’ve seen people use the Total Select credit card to jump their score by 50 or 60 points in six months. Once they hit a 620 or 640, they apply for a better card—maybe a Capital One QuicksilverOne—and then they close the Total Select account to stop the monthly fees.
Closing an account can slightly ding your score because it lowers your average age of accounts, but honestly? Paying $8 a month for a card you don't use is a waste of money. The temporary score dip is worth the savings.
Common Pitfalls and Why People Get Mad
The biggest complaint people have about Total Select isn't the interest rate; it's the customer service. Genesis FS Card Services isn't exactly known for world-class support. If you have a billing dispute, expect to spend some time on hold.
Another issue is the "payment hold." Sometimes, when you make a payment, they won't refresh your available credit for 10 to 14 days. They want to make sure your check or ACH transfer doesn't bounce. If you’re living at the edge of your credit limit, this can be incredibly frustrating. You pay the bill, but you still can't use the card for two weeks.
The Nuance of "Subprime" Lending in 2026
We live in a weird era for credit. Algorithms are getting tighter. Even though we have more data, banks are getting more selective about who they trust. The Total Select credit card exists because the "big" banks have largely abandoned the bottom 20% of the market.
While it's easy to criticize the high fees, for someone who has been unbanked or stuck in a cash-only existence, this card is a gateway back into the financial system. It’s a high-interest, high-fee gateway, but it’s a gateway nonetheless.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Credit Journey
If you are considering the Total Select credit card, don't just jump in. Do these three things first:
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- Check for Pre-approvals Elsewhere: Go to the "Prequalify" pages for Discover, Capital One, and even American Express. These use "soft pulls" that don't hurt your score. If any of them offer you a secured card, take that instead of Total Select.
- Audit Your Checking Account: Make sure you have at least $200 in your bank account that you can spare. Between the program fee and the first month's charges, you will need liquid cash immediately.
- Set a "Kill Date": Decide right now that you will only keep this card for 12 months. Mark it on your calendar. Use that year to be perfect with your payments, and then move on to a card that doesn't charge you a monthly fee just to exist.
Credit is a tool, not a destination. The Total Select card is a very specific, very sharp tool. If you use it right, you can fix your financial house. If you use it wrong, you’re just going to bleed money. Stay disciplined, pay the full balance every single month, and don't let the fees surprise you.
Once your score hits the mid-600s, there are much better options waiting for you. This is just the starting line.