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First Access Visa® Card

Cory Santos

| Last updated on February 13th, 2024

First Access Visa® Card

First Access Visa® Card
Fair-Poor
BestCards refers to a variation of FICO Score 9, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when deciding whether to approve you for a credit card. Please note that the range shown here is our own estimation and not a guarantee of credit needed to be approved for any given card. Recommended Credit: Fair / Poor
Visa Processing Network
$75 1st year, $48 after* Annual Fee

First Access Visa® Card

  • 35.99%* Regular Purchase APR
  • 35.99%* Cash Advance APR

At a Glance

The First Access Visa® Card is a great option for those who want a true Visa® credit card but don’t have perfect credit. Available after an easy online application, approval can be as fast as 60 seconds – and since your responsible card use is reported to the three major credit bureaus each month when used properly, this can be a valuable tool to build, or repair, your credit.

  • Best Benefits
  • Rates & Fees
  • Why Should You Apply?
  • Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Access Credit Card • Checking Account Required • $300 credit limit (subject to available credit) • No security deposit, simply pay a one-time $95 program fee to open your account.* • User friendly Mobile App. • *See Rates, Fees, Costs & Limitations for complete offer details • See First Access Rewards Programs Terms & Conditions for details
  • Regular Purchase APR: 35.99%*
  • Cash Advance APR: 35.99%*
  • Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10, or 3% of the amount of the Cash Advance, whichever is greater.
  • Annual Fee: $75 1st year, $48 after*
  • Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41*
  • Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41*
  • You have poor credit, or no credit history
  • You want a credit card with fast approval
  • You will demonstrate responsible financial behavior to report to the credit bureaus
  • You want a card that is accepted wherever Visa is accepted in the United States
  • You want the option to select your favorite card desig

In-Depth Review: First Access Visa® Card

The First Access Visa® Card is a no-frills, pared-down Visa® credit card designed specifically for applicants with poor credit or no credit history. Approval is quick, thanks to a secure online application; results are provided in seconds. Although this card is designed for folks with little credit history, approval is not guaranteed.

Who Can Benefit from the First Access Visa Credit Card?

Credit cards like the First Access Visa® Card are designed for those who struggle to find credit card options elsewhere.  Also known as a “second chance” credit card, cards like the First Access Visa provide a credit-building platform where usually none can be found.

How to Get the First Access Card

Card Availability

It is worth noting that the First Access Visa Card isn’t open to applicants everywhere. Currently, the card is not available to residents in the following U.S. states:

  • New York
  • Wisconsin

Online Pre-Qualification

Unlike traditional credit cards, the First Access Visa does not require good credit to apply. Instead, it caters to the subprime credit card market. Potential applicants can easily determine their suitability for the card through a quick and simple pre-qualification process. No credit check is required for pre-qualification, giving you peace of mind before applying.

First Access Visa Benefits

No Security Deposit Required

The First Access Visa credit card is unsecured, meaning you do not need to provide any collateral to obtain the card. However, the initial credit limit is set at $300. It is possible to increase the credit limit after one year, but there will be a cost involved, which we will discuss shortly.

Free Credit Score

The First Access Visa credit card provides a free monthly credit score update. This feature allows you to track your progress and observe your score improve as you demonstrate good credit habits, such as paying your card on time and maintaining a low balance. This feature provides peace of mind before applying.

Earn Cash Back Rewards

The First Access Visa Card offers basic cash back rewards on purchases. Cardholders earn 1% cash back on all purchases, with rewards redeemable as statement credits only. It’s important to note that rewards cannot be earned on the program fee paid during account opening.

Visa Benefits

Zero Fraud Liability Cardholder Inquiry Services Emergency Card Replacement
Roadside Dispatch and Auto Collision Damage Waiver Lost/Stolen Card Reporting ID Navigator from Norton

Comparison

First Digital Mastercard® First Access Visa® Aspire® Cashback Rewards
Rewards Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Digital Credit Card Earn 1% cash back rewards on payments made to your First Access Credit Card Earn a 3% cash back reward on gas, groceries and utilities, plus 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases‡
Starting credit $300 $300 Up to $1,000
Annual fee $75 1st year, $48 after $75 1st year, $48 after As low as $85
Network Mastercard Visa Mastercard

What We Like About First Access

The First Access Visa credit card offers a range of appealing features for potential cardholders. One of its key advantages is that it is accessible to individuals with poor credit, making it an excellent choice for those looking to rebuild their credit history. Furthermore, this card reports to all three major credit bureaus, meaning that responsible use can positively impact the cardholder’s credit score.

Things to Consider

The First Access Visa® Card offers an APR that is slightly higher than many comparable cards on the market. This is likely because most who apply for this card will be considered “high-risk” applicants. Additionally, there are fees associated with this card. These include a one-time fee to join the program, an annual fee, and a monthly service fee.

First Access waives your monthly service fee for the first year as an introductory bonus to make this offer more feasible. After the first year, the monthly servicing fee will apply. In addition, the annual fee is reduced after the first year. So there’s a bit of a tradeoff: During your first year, you’ll pay a higher annual fee with no monthly service fee.

First Access Visa Card Ratings

How does the First Access Card stack up? Here is a selection of expert reviews for the card:

Should You Apply for the First Access Visa® Card?

The First Access Visa® Card offers the convenience of a full Visa® credit card; accepted by merchants across the USA and online, it’s a powerful tool that allows you to manage monthly payments, monitor your spending, and regularly update the three major credit bureaus as you demonstrate responsible financial behavior.

Cardholders can choose the card image they’d like for their card from a selection of six different pictures. Although a versatile card for anyone who needs to establish their credit, due to security reasons it cannot be used for purchases made with merchants outside the United States. Card use is subject to credit availability, based on your application.

Responsible use can lead to improved credit, which in turn can qualify you for better credit card offers – the power is yours; use it wisely!

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