What the Total Select Visa is

The Total Select Visa is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank, designed for department store and fashion retail purchases. It works like a standard credit card — you make a purchase, receive a bill, and pay it back over time or in full. The card is typically branded with a specific retailer's name and logo, and you can use it at that retailer and sometimes at affiliated stores.

This card is not a general-purpose Visa you can use anywhere. It is a store card tied to a particular retailer's payment system. When you open the account, you agree to Synchrony's terms, which include an interest rate (called an APR, or annual percentage rate) that applies to any balance you carry month to month.

Key Takeaways

  • Total Select Visa is a store credit card issued by Synchrony Bank for use at a specific retailer or group of affiliated stores, not a general Visa card.
  • The card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month, and the APR varies depending on your credit history and the retailer's terms.
  • Many store cards offer promotional financing periods — such as 0% APR for 12 months on certain purchases — but these require you to read the terms carefully and pay on time.
  • You can check your balance, make payments, and view your statement through the retailer's online portal or the Synchrony mobile app.
  • Late payments, missed payments, or exceeding your credit limit can lower your credit score and trigger penalty interest rates.

How to open a Total Select Visa account

You can open an account in-store at the retailer's checkout, online through the retailer's website, or sometimes through the Synchrony website directly. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, annual income, and employment information.

Synchrony will check your credit report to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. You will receive a decision within a few minutes if you explore online or in-store. If approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, though some retailers allow you to use the account when ready for online purchases.

You do not need an existing Synchrony account or a relationship with the retailer to open a Total Select card. Each retailer's card is a separate account, so opening a card at one store does not give you a card at another.

Understanding the interest rate and promotional offers

The APR on a Total Select Visa varies by retailer and by your creditworthiness. Synchrony typically offers rates ranging from around 16% to 29%, though the exact rate depends on your credit score and income. This rate applies to any balance you carry past the due date on your statement.

Many Total Select cards come with promotional financing offers — for example, 0% APR for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount, or 0% APR on the entire purchase if you pay it off within a set period. These offers are real, but they have strict conditions. If you miss a payment during the promotional period, the offer usually ends when ready and the regular APR applies to your entire balance, not just future purchases.

Read the terms carefully before you rely on a promotional offer. The retailer's website or the paperwork you receive with your card will spell out the exact terms, including the end date of the promotion and what happens if you miss a payment.

How to make payments and check your balance

You can pay your Total Select Visa bill online through the retailer's website, through the Synchrony mobile app, by phone, or by mail. Most retailers allow you to set up automatic payments so a fixed amount or your full balance is paid each month on a date you choose.

Your statement will show your current balance, minimum payment due, due date, and APR. The minimum payment is usually 1% to 3% of your balance, but paying only the minimum means you will pay interest and take much longer to pay off the card. To avoid interest entirely, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

You can check your balance and recent transactions anytime by logging into your account online or through the Synchrony app. You will also receive a paper statement by mail each month unless you opt for electronic statements only.

What happens if you miss a payment or go over your limit

If your payment is late by 30 days or more, Synchrony will report it to the credit bureaus, and it will appear on your credit report for up to seven years. A late payment can lower your credit score significantly, making it harder to get approved for other credit in the future.

If you miss a payment, Synchrony may also increase your APR to a penalty rate, which is usually higher than your regular rate. Some cards have penalty APRs of 29% or more. You may also be charged a late fee, typically $25 to $40 depending on the card terms.

If you exceed your credit limit, Synchrony may decline the transaction or allow it and charge an over-limit fee. Going over your limit can also trigger a penalty APR. The best approach is to keep track of your balance and make sure you do not spend more than your available credit.

How a Total Select Visa affects your credit

Opening a Total Select Visa account will lower your credit score slightly in the short term because Synchrony performs a hard inquiry into your credit report. This inquiry stays on your report for about two years but has less impact over time.

Once the account is open, your payment history and credit utilization — the percentage of your credit limit that you are using — become the main factors affecting your score. Paying on time every month and keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit will help your score recover and improve over time.

If you carry a high balance or miss payments, your score will drop further. Conversely, if you use the card responsibly and pay it off in full each month, it can help build or improve your credit history, especially if you do not have much credit history yet.

Comparing Total Select Visa to other store cards and general credit cards

Store cards like Total Select Visa typically offer higher interest rates than general-purpose credit cards because they are easier to get approved for and carry more risk for the lender. A general Visa or Mastercard from a bank may have a lower APR if you have good credit, and you can use it anywhere instead of at one retailer.

However, store cards often come with promotional financing offers that general cards do not — such as 0% APR for 12 months on purchases over $500. If you plan to make a large purchase and can pay it off within the promotional period, a store card may save you money on interest.

The trade-off is that a store card is only useful at one retailer or group of stores. If you shop at multiple retailers, a general credit card gives you more flexibility. If you have poor credit or no credit history, a store card may be easier to get approved for, which can be a first step toward building credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Total Select Visa outside the retailer?

No. Total Select Visa cards are store cards and can only be used at the specific retailer that issued them and sometimes at affiliated stores owned by the same parent company. You cannot use it at other retailers, restaurants, or online merchants outside that network.

What is the difference between a store card and a regular Visa?

A store card is issued by a retailer or Synchrony Bank and works only at that retailer. A regular Visa is issued by a bank and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. Store cards often have higher interest rates but may offer better promotional financing deals for that retailer's purchases.

What should I do if I cannot pay my bill on time?

Contact Synchrony as soon as you know you will be late. Some retailers or Synchrony may offer hardship programs or payment plans if you explain your situation. Paying even a partial amount before the due date is better than missing the payment entirely, because it may prevent a late fee and credit report damage.

Does opening a Total Select Visa hurt my credit score?

Opening the account will lower your score slightly due to the hard inquiry, but the impact is temporary. If you use the card responsibly and pay on time, your score will recover and improve. Missing payments or carrying a high balance will hurt your score more significantly.

Can I close my Total Select Visa account?

Yes. You can close the account by calling Synchrony or logging into your online account. However, closing an account can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit and shortens your credit history. It is usually better to keep the account open and use it occasionally if you want to protect your credit score.