First Access Visa® Card Review 2024

If you’ve had credit difficulties in the past or are looking to build up your credit, it can be difficult to get approved for a new card. The First Access Visa® Card* aims to attract customers in such circumstances. The card has a simple application and clearly states on its website that you don’t need perfect credit to apply. It also promises 1% back in statement credits for every dollar spent on payments made to your card, but be aware, with the credit limits and fees on this account, those rewards are likely to only reduce rather than outweigh the price you pay.

There are many fees associated with this card including an expensive one-time “program” fee and a stiff first-year annual fee. After year one, the annual fee drops slightly but is still higher than similar products. Plus, starting your second year you’ll be charged a monthly “servicing” fee, making your total annual costs unnecessarily high for what you get in return.

This card keeps piling on the fees including a non-refundable fee for an additional card and a credit limit increase request fee. There are a lot of approaches to building credit when you have some missteps in your history, but the best use of this card is no use at all. You’d be far better off with a secured card or an unsecured card without such an outrageous fee structure.

• High setup fee and an annual fee
• A $300 initial credit line
• Earns 1% back in statement credits for every dollar spent on payments made to your card
• Monthly servicing fee starting your second year of card ownership
• Additional card fee applies
• After the first year, you can request a credit limit increase for a fee

Earning Rewards

The First Access Visa® Card* offers 1% back in statement credits for every dollar spent on payments made to your card. However, you can’t redeem rewards until your account has been open for six months. You will not earn rewards for any payments covering your program fee or charges that are later refunded through a merchant.

Redeeming Rewards

After your account has been open for six months, you can redeem points through MyCCPay.com or by calling the First Access customer support team. You can redeem points in increments of 500 points for a $5 statement credit.

Redeemed rewards are applied to your outstanding balance. You are still required to make all scheduled payments.

Rewards Potential

Unlike many credit cards where the rewards potential is determined on likely spending, this card’s rewards potential will be limited by your credit limit and ability to pay off your balance. With an initial credit limit of $300, if you maxed out your spending each month, you could only earn a max $36 in the first year.

That said, it is never a good idea to max out your credit card. Responsible credit utilization is considered 30% of your credit limit, or $100 in this case. Additionally, the $95 program fee, the first-year annual fee of $75, and the monthly servicing fee you’ll pay after year one, make these rewards highly disappointing

Interest rates

• Regular APR: 35.99% (Variable)
• Purchase intro APR: N/A
• Balance transfer intro APR: N/A

Fees

• Annual fee: $75.00 1st year, $48.00 after
• Balance transfer fee: See Terms
• Foreign purchase transaction fee: See Terms

First Access Visa® Card* vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card offers an affordable way to build credit, charging no annual fees and no account maintenance fees. Plus, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns rewards on your spending. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. At the end of the year, instead of insane fees, Discover will double your rewards points.

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card does require a refundable deposit equal to the value of your credit line. But Discover will review your account starting at seven months to see if you qualify to have that deposit returned. You can also qualify to have your security deposit refunded after six on-time payments. Discover will also report your payment behavior to all three of the major credit bureaus, giving you the opportunity to improve your overall score with responsible use.

First Access Visa® Card* vs. Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card*

For those whose credit is muddied by past missteps, the Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa® Credit Card* (issued by WebBank) may be an appealing option. It’s one of a tiny batch of credit cards aimed at those without great credit that don’t require an upfront security deposit or charge an annual fee. You’ll even earn 2%-10% cash back at select merchants.

First Access Visa® Card* vs. OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card

Depending on your financial history and immediate goals, the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card is another card worth considering. The OpenSky Secured card doesn’t require a credit check or even a bank account. Your credit limit is equal to the amount of your deposit, starting at a minimum of $200. It does have an annual fee of $35 but the tradeoff is that there’s no credit check. This might make the carrying cost worth it to you.

The First Access Visa® Card* really should be a last resort. You can do better with a secured credit card (requiring a deposit) if you want to earn rewards while building up your credit. There are even better unsecured credit card options for building credit. If possible, avoid this card as an option.

Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including:

• Annual fees
• Welcome bonus offers
• Ongoing earning rates
• Value of individual points or miles
• Included travel or merchant credits
• Additional cardholder benefits

Card features we expect cardholders to use the most often are weighted more heavily in our ratings. Altogether, the factors came together to provide a star rating for each individual card.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards