[[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"How do you apply for a First Access card? Answer","text":"You can apply for the First Access card online and receive a response within 60 seconds. If you receive an offer for a First Access card, you can also activate it online, but you need to pay the $95 program fee first.","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer1"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"What is the cash advance fee? Answer","text":"If you need a cash advance, there is no additional fee for the first year. Then, after that you pay a fee of either 3% or $10 of the cash advance, whichever is greater.","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer2"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","name":"How can you avoid paying interest? Answer","text":"If you have the First Access card and you don\u2019t want to pay the high interest charges on purchases, you will need to pay your new balance on your previous monthly statement by your statement due date. You have at least 21 days from the closing date of your billing cycle.","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer3"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"If you activate a First Access account, your annual fee is assessed at opening. The annual fee for the first year is $75 and after that the annual fee is $48. The annual fee is non-refundable, but won\u2019t be billed to you after your card is closed. If you reopen your account, you have to pay a prorated annual fee.","name":"When do you pay the annual fee? Answer","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer4"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Answer","text":"You can get a credit limit increase on your First Access card, but only after it\u2019s been open for a year. You will have to pay a 20% credit limit increase fee if you accept the increase.","name":"Can you get a credit limit increase? Answer","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer5"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Article","about":{"@type":"Product","offers":{"@type":"Offer","name":"First Access Card Price","price":75,"availability":"OnlineOnly","priceCurrency":"USD","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Offer"},"image":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-access-card-review-225x141.png","name":"First Access Card Product","description":"Designed for bad or limited credit applicants, the First Access Visa is expensive, offers low credit limits and may not be the best way to build or rebuild credit.","sameAs":"https:\/\/firstaccesscard.com\/","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Product"},"datePublished":"2020-09-02","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/","description":"This article is a review of First Access Credit Card.","headline":"First Access Card Review: An Expensive Card with Limited Purchasing Power","image":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/first-access-card-review.jpg","name":"First Access Card Review Article","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Money-Done-Right-Personal-Finance-and-Investing-Blog.png","name":"Money Done Right Logo","height":"488","width":"60","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#ImageObject"},"address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","name":"Money Done Right Address","addressCountry":"United States","addressLocality":"Valencia","addressRegion":"California","postalCode":"91354","streetAddress":"23890 Copper Hill Dr Ste 139","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#PostalAddress"},"url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/","publishingPrinciples":{"@type":"WebPage","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/methodology\/","name":"Money Done Right Publishing Principles","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/methodology\/"},"additionalType":"Blog","name":"Money Done Right","email":"support@moneydoneright.com","sameAs":["https:\/\/twitter.com\/moneydoneright","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/moneydoneright\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/moneydoneright\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/money-done-right\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/moneydoneright\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/MoneyDoneRight"],"foundingLocation":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Santa_Clarita,_California","legalName":"Allec Media LLC","naics":"519130","parentOrganization":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#ParentOrganization","founder":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/logan-allec\/","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#Organization"},"author":{"@type":"Person","url":"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ashsut0426","image":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ashley-Watkins.jpeg","name":"Ashley Sutphin Watkins","description":"Ashley is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill where she studied journalism. She has worked as a journalist, content creator, and copywriter for nearly a decade, with a focus on personal finance, real estate, and healthcare. She now lives in Knoxville with her husband and young kids. During her free time, she enjoys traveling and enjoying the outdoors in East Tennessee.","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ashley-watkins-4b337329\/","familyName":"Watkins","givenName":"Ashley","alumniOf":"https:\/\/www.unc.edu\/","gender":"Female","jobTitle":"Credit Cards Writer","nationality":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Americans","worksFor":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#Organization"},"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/ashley-sutphin-watkins\/"},"hasPart":[{"@type":"FAQPage","name":"First Access Card Review FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you apply for a First Access card?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer1"},"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Question1"},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the cash advance fee?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer2"},"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Question2"},{"@type":"Question","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer3"},"name":"How can you avoid paying interest?","@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Question3"},{"@type":"Question","name":"When do you pay the annual fee?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer4"},"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Question4"},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can you get a credit limit increase?","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Answer5"},"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Question5"}],"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#FAQPage"},{"@type":"Review","abstract":"First Access Card Basics: Designed for bad or limited credit applicants, the First Access Visa is expensive, offers low credit limits and may not be the best way to build or rebuild credit. Pros: Even with bad credit, you can be approved for the First Access Card in as little as 60 seconds with an online application. The First Access is accepted anywhere Visa is, and is unsecured. Cons: The First Access APR is high, even compared to other similar cards for people with bad credit. The First Access has several other fees associated with use, and initial credit limits are low. Rewards 0\/10   Other Perks 0\/10   Annual Fee (Details) 8\/10   Welcome Offer 0\/10   Ease of Approval (Details) 9\/10   Intro APR 0\/10   WELCOME OFFER None  ANNUAL FEE $75 for the first year, and $48 after that  REWARDS RATE None  PERKS None","url":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/first-access-card-review\/","publishingPrinciples":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/methodology\/"},"name":"First Access Card Review","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/author\/ashley-sutphin-watkins\/"},"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/#Organization"},"description":"The First Access Card is geared toward applicants with no credit or bad credit, who want to build their history.  The First Access Card is issued by The Bank of Missouri. As a Visa card, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted in the United States, including retailers and ATMs. The First Access card can\u2019t be used to make purchases with merchants outside of the United States, for gambling or at automated fuel pumps.","datePublished":"2020-09-02","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","name":"First Access Card Rating","worstRating":0,"ratingValue":2,"bestRating":5,"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Rating"},"reviewBody":"If you have bad credit or limited credit, getting a credit card and then making monthly payments is one of the best ways to improve your score. It can be challenging, however, to gain approval for a card. The First Access Card is geared toward applicants with no credit or bad credit, who want to build their history.  The First Access Card is issued by The Bank of Missouri. As a Visa card, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted in the United States, including retailers and ATMs. The First Access card can\u2019t be used to make purchases with merchants outside of the United States, for gambling or at automated fuel pumps.  After applying online, you may be approved within 60 seconds and issued a card by mail.  The First Access card is unsecured, meaning you aren\u2019t required to pay a deposit. There is a one-time $95 program you have to pay for activation. The initial credit limit is only $300. The annual fee is billed right away and is $75 for the first year, further eroding your purchasing power with this card.  There are better ways to build or rebuild credit in many cases. For example, if you have a specific expense, an emergency loan may be cheaper that the First Access. If you want a card for credit-building, a secured card may be cheaper.  First Access Card Benefits While limited in overall offerings, with no associated rewards or perks, there are a few  benefits of the First Access card.   Easy Approval The primary benefit of the First Access card is the ease of approval. Most consumers will  be approved for the card, even with poor credit. You can apply online and receive a decision in around a minute.  Visa Acceptance Anywhere Visa is accepted, the First Access card is accepted. If you want to make purchases online, for example, and you don\u2019t have the credit history for another card, First Access may be an option. You can also use the First Access at ATMs for cash advances, although as with other credit cards, they are expensive after the first year.  Credit-Builder It\u2019s tough to build or rebuild your credit because you may not be approved for many financial products.  The First Access card is a good way to build your credit. Since the credit limit is low, it may help you better manage your spending. Then, your on-time payments are reported by the First Access issuing company to all three major credit bureaus each month.  If you only use cash or a debit card, you\u2019re not building your credit history as you are when using a credit card.  Unsecured Card The First Access card is unsecured, meaning you don\u2019t pay an upfront security deposit upon approval. With secured cards, the deposit you pay reflects your credit limit. You may not have the cash for a secured card right now so an unsecured card for poor credit may be a better alternative.  There is a one-time $95 program fee required for activation, even though First Access isn\u2019t a secured card.  First Access Card Fees There are numerous fees attached to the First Access card. It\u2019s important to be aware of all of these before accepting a card offer.  Annual Fee The annual fee for the First Access card is $75 the first year. After that, the annual fee is $48. The initial $75 annual fee is assessed at the time you open your account, meaning your initial credit limit is reduced to $225 right away. Even if you don\u2019t use your account after the first year, the ongoing $48 annual fee is assessed.  Program Fee There is a one-time $95 program fee, which you have to pay when you activate your account.  Monthly Servicing Fee After the first year of opening your account, a monthly servicing fee is assessed. The fee is $6.25 a month, for a total of $75 a year. Until the account is closed, you pay this fee.  Cash Advance Fee In addition to the interest on cash advances, you\u2019re also charged a transaction fee. The cash advance transaction fee may be $10 or 4% of the cash advance, whichever is the greater of the two.  Late Payment Fee With any credit card, but particularly cards like First Access, it\u2019s important that you commit to making on-time payments. Otherwise, these cards get incredibly expensive and may cause further damage to your credit. There is a late payment fee of $29 if you didn\u2019t have any other late payments during the previous six billing cycles. Your late payment fee then goes up to $40 if you have a history of late payments.  Additional Card There\u2019s a $29 additional card fee annually for each additional card. The fee is assessed when you request an additional card. Then, it\u2019s assed on the anniversary date that you opened your account. It doesn\u2019t matter if the card is used or not, the fee is still assessed.  Credit Limit Increase Fee If you are approved for a credit limit increase, you\u2019ll have to pay 20% of the amount of that increase. For example, if you\u2019re approved for a $100 credit limit increase on your First Access card, you\u2019ll have to pay a $20 credit limit increase fee.  For limited or fair credit the First Access card offers the opportunity to build credit history.  2\/5 Rating first access card Apply Now We earn a commission on this offer.  Who the First Access Card Is Good For There are a few situations where you might consider applying for the First Access card.  Bad Credit If you have bad credit or you\u2019re just starting out, you need to be able to show a history of on-time payments and financial responsibility. Building your credit in incremental steps will help you make bigger purchases, such as getting a home mortgage. The First Access card is one of only a few bad credit cards that you may be approved for.   You Don\u2019t Need to Make a Big Purchase The First Access card has an initial credit limit of only $300. After the annual fee is assessed right after account activation, your spending power goes down to $225, and is below $200 if you get a second card.  If you\u2019re applying for credit because you have a big emergency expense, the First Access card isn\u2019t right for you. If you just want a card that\u2019s easy to manage and you only want to make small purchases and pay them off quickly, this card may work for you.  You Don\u2019t Have the Cash for a Secured Card The premise of a secured credit card is similar to a debit card. You pay a deposit to the card issuer and that serves as your credit limit. You can build your credit, but you don\u2019t have to worry about racking up more debt because you can\u2019t spend beyond the deposit amount.  The First Access card is unsecured, so it\u2019s more expensive than most secured cards but you don\u2019t need upfront cash to use it.  It\u2019s important to mention, that even though First Access isn\u2019t technically a secured card, you do have to pay a $95 program fee before you can use your account.  Who the First Access Card Isn\u2019t Good For It may be better to find a different card if you fall into any of the following categories.  You Could Be Approved for Another Card The First Access card is incredibly expensive and offers no perks or rewards. If you could be approved for another card, even one that\u2019s considered middle-of-the-road in terms of perks and benefits, you should consider that instead of First Access.  You Have a Big Emergency Expense If something comes up that you don\u2019t have the cash to cover, such as a home or car repair, the First Access card probably isn\u2019t the best way to get financing. You might consider a short-term emergency or personal loan instead. In addition to being expensive, the First Access card has a low credit limit of only $300 initially, which drops to $225 after the annual fee is assessed.  You can only qualify for a credit limit increase after 12 months and even then, a 20% fee is assessed on the limit increase, further eroding your purchasing power.  International Travelers If you often travel out of the country or you buy from international merchants, you can\u2019t use the First Access card for those purchases.  Not Able to Commit to On-Time Payments Any credit card needs to be paid on-time, but if you use the First Access card and you don\u2019t pay on time, it not only affects your credit but it can be extremely expensive. The APR on the card is already among the highest of any card at 34.99%. If you then factor in late payments, you could put yourself in a difficult financial situation if you missed or were late on just one payment.  first access card Apply Now We earn a commission on this offer.  APPROVAL Bad or limited credit SECURITY DEPOSIT None APR 34.99% First Access Card Pros and Cons There are a few pros and some cons to be aware of before you apply for a First Access card or accept an offer.  First Access Card Pros Bad Credit Approval: If your credit isn\u2019t perfect or you don\u2019t have any credit, you are likely to be approved for a First Access card.  Visa Acceptance: First Access is a Visa card, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted.  Credit Reporting: Your history of payments with First Access is reported monthly to all three major credit bureaus.  Instant Approval: Some applicants may be approved online in as little as 60 seconds.  Unsecured: If you don\u2019t have the cash to pay a deposit for a secured card, First Access is unsecured and doesn\u2019t require a deposit.  First Access Cons High APR: The APR on the First Access card is 34.99%. There are cards even for bad credit with a lower APR.  Low credit limits: The starting credit limit for the First Access is only $300, which then goes down to $225 after the assessment of the annual fee. You can\u2019t be approved for a credit limit increase for at least a year after opening a new account. Expensive: There are quite a few fees associated with First Access including an annual fee, monthly servicing fee, and a 20% credit limit increase fee. There\u2019s also a one-time $95 program fee.  No perks: There aren\u2019t any perks or rewards with the First Access card.  First Access Card Frequently Asked Questions The following are answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the First Access card.   Alternatives to the First Access Card  \tFirst Access Card\tFirst Digital Card\tReflex Mastercard\tIndigo Unsecured Mastercard  \t first access card PROS AND CONS Visit first digital card READ REVIEW Visit horizon gold card READ REVIEW Visit indigo unsecured mastercard Visit Best For No security deposit Fast approval Higher credit limits for a bad credit card 24\/7 mobile account access and management Welcome Offer None None None None Annual Fee $75 the first year and $48 after that $75 for the first year, $48 after that $99 $75 the first year and $99 after that Rewards Rate None None None None Perks None None $0 Fraud Liability protection None Credit Score Poor to fair Poor to fair Poor to fair Poor to fair Security Deposit Required No, but there is a one-time $95 program fee No May be required for some applicants No Intro APR None None None None Balance Transfer Fee None None None None Redemption Options None None None None Minimum Redemption Threshold None None None None Foreign Transaction Fee Can\u2019t be used for foreign transactions Can\u2019t be used for foreign transactions in foreign currency 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars 1% of each transaction Maximum Late Fee $40 $40 $40 $40 Grace Period 21 days 21 days 25 days 25 days","isFamilyFriendly":true,"itemReviewed":{"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Product"},"isAccessibleForFree":true,"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Review"}],"@id":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#Article"}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Personal Finance","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Credit","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/\/credit\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"First Access Visa\u00ae Card Review: An Expensive Card with Limited Purchasing Power","item":"https:\/\/moneydoneright.com\/personal-finance\/credit\/first-access-card-review\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]