What the Total Select Credit Card Is

Total Select is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank, designed for people who are rebuilding credit or have limited credit history. Unlike a secured card that requires a cash deposit, Total Select is an unsecured card — you don't put money down upfront. The card reports to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which means your payment history can help improve your credit score over time.

The card comes with an annual fee and a variable interest rate that depends on your creditworthiness at the time you open the account. Because it's marketed toward people with fair or poor credit, the interest rate is typically higher than what someone with excellent credit would receive on a standard card. The credit limit you receive is usually modest — often between $300 and $2,500 — but can increase after you've made on-time payments for several months.

Key Takeaways

  • Total Select is an unsecured card from Synchrony Bank that doesn't require a cash deposit, making it different from secured credit cards.
  • The card charges an annual fee and carries a variable interest rate that is typically higher than rates for people with good credit.
  • Your payment activity reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments can help raise your credit score.
  • The card is most useful if you plan to pay your balance in full each month, since the interest rate makes carrying a balance expensive.
  • After several months of on-time payments, you may be able to request a credit limit increase without another hard inquiry.

Annual Fee and Interest Rate

Total Select charges an annual fee that is deducted from your account once per year. The exact amount varies depending on the current offer and your creditworthiness, but it is typically in the range of $35 to $75. This fee is charged whether you use the card or not, so you need to factor it into your decision about whether the card makes sense for your situation.

The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) is variable, meaning it can change over time based on market conditions and your account performance. Because the card targets people rebuilding credit, the APR is usually significantly higher than the national average for standard credit cards. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will add up quickly. For example, a $500 balance at a high APR will cost you substantially more in interest than the same balance on a card with a lower rate.

The best way to use this card is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. This way, you avoid interest charges entirely and only pay the annual fee. You still build credit history through the on-time payments that report to the bureaus.

How Your Credit Limit Works

When you first open a Total Select account, your credit limit is determined by Synchrony's underwriting process. This limit is typically lower than what you might receive on a standard card, reflecting the higher risk the bank takes on by issuing to someone with limited or damaged credit. The limit you receive depends on factors like your income, existing debt, and credit history.

After you've made several months of on-time payments — usually at least three to six months — you can request a credit limit increase. Synchrony may grant this increase without running a hard inquiry, which means it won't temporarily lower your credit score. Some cardholders also receive automatic increases after demonstrating responsible use. A higher limit gives you more available credit, which can improve your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of your available credit that you're using), and that can help your credit score.

Building Credit With Total Select

The main reason to open a Total Select card is to build or rebuild your credit history. Every payment you make — on time or late — is reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score, accounting for about 35 percent of the score. Making your payment by the due date each month is the most important thing you can do with this card.

Your credit utilization ratio also matters. This is the percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. For example, if your limit is $1,000 and you have a $300 balance, your utilization is 30 percent. Keeping your utilization below 30 percent is generally better for your score. With a Total Select card, this means not carrying large balances relative to your limit.

Over time — typically 6 to 12 months of responsible use — you should see your credit score improve. As your score rises, you become may be able to access for cards with lower interest rates and no annual fee. At that point, you can close the Total Select account (or keep it open to maintain the length of your credit history) and move to a better card.

When Total Select Makes Sense

Total Select is a reasonable choice if you have fair or poor credit and need a card that will report to all three bureaus. It's particularly useful if you've been denied for other unsecured cards or if you want to avoid the cash deposit required by a secured card. The card also works well if you're disciplined about paying your balance in full each month, because then the annual fee is your only cost.

Total Select is less useful if you plan to carry a balance regularly. The high interest rate means you'll pay a lot in finance charges, and you might be better off with a secured card (which requires a deposit but often has no annual fee) or a different unsecured option. It's also not the right choice if you can't commit to on-time payments, since late payments will hurt your credit score and the card's main benefit is building history.

Alternatives to Consider

If you're rebuilding credit, you have other options besides Total Select. A secured credit card requires you to put down a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500), which becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, and after 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, the issuer may convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit. Secured cards often have lower annual fees or no annual fee at all, making them cheaper if you don't plan to carry a balance.

Another option is a credit builder loan from a credit union or online lender. You borrow a small amount (usually $300 to $1,000), and the lender holds the money in a savings account while you make monthly payments. Once you've paid off the loan, you get the money back. This approach costs less than a credit card and builds payment history just as effectively.

Some people also look at becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. If that person has good credit and makes on-time payments, their account activity can appear on your credit report and help your score. This doesn't cost anything and requires no process, but it only works if you have someone willing to add you to their account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Total Select report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes. Total Select reports your account activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means your payment history, credit limit, and balance all show up on your credit reports at all three bureaus, which is important for building a complete credit history.

What happens if I miss a payment?

A missed payment will be reported to all three credit bureaus and will significantly damage your credit score. Late payments stay on your report for seven years. If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony as soon as possible to bring your account current and ask about hardship options.

Can I upgrade to a better Synchrony card later?

Possibly. Synchrony offers other cards with different features and terms. After you've built your credit score with Total Select, you may be able to open a different Synchrony card or move to a card from another issuer. You can keep the Total Select account open to maintain your credit history length, or close it if you prefer.

Is the annual fee worth it if I only use the card occasionally?

That depends on your alternatives. If you can't get a secured card or another unsecured card without an annual fee, then Total Select may be worth it for the credit-building benefit. But if you have access to a secured card with no annual fee, that's usually the cheaper option for occasional use.

How long does it take to see my credit score improve?

Most people see some improvement within three to six months of on-time payments, though the amount varies based on your starting score and credit history. Larger improvements typically take 12 months or more. The longer your payment history, the more impact it has on your score.