When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer may check your credit score from Experian, Equifax, or Transunion – or all three. Companies don’t typically disclose which credit bureau they use when checking consumers’ information and there is no guarantee that they will choose a particular one. However, some banks have been known to use one credit bureau more than the others. The state that you reside in might also have an impact on which credit bureau your company will use.
Following are a few examples of credit card companies that use Experian more than other bureaus in general.
American Express:
American Express is known to use Experian the most compared to other credit card companies. It almost always uses Experian exclusively, almost 90% of the time, for a hard inquiry when assessing a credit card application.
Bank of America:
Bank of America also usually uses Experian for about 80% of the time to pull credit reports. For specific cards, they may use TransUnion. In case the applicant has frozen their Experian report, they will most probably use TransUnion.
Chase:
While Chase generally uses Experian slightly more than the other bureaus, the choice of credit bureau may change according to the state you reside in. Some states might prefer TransUnion or Equifax over Experian and some might pull data from at least two bureaus for each application.
Citi:
Citi commonly uses Experian or Equifax to pull credit reports. For some applications, they may use both for a credit pull. Very rarely do they use TransUnion.
Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo uses Experian around 40% of the time followed by TransUnion and Equifax. The bureau it uses to pull credit reports from also depends mostly on the applicant’s state of residence.
FAQs
Some of the best credit cards that pull from Experian include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. These are two cards that anecdotal evidence suggests will give you a good chance of having your Experian report pulled when you apply.
Which credit cards use Experian for approval? ›
Some of the best credit cards that pull from Experian include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. These are two cards that anecdotal evidence suggests will give you a good chance of having your Experian report pulled when you apply.
What is excellent credit with Experian? ›
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2023, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 715.
How many credit cards does the average person have Experian? ›
How many credit cards does the average person have? According to the latest figures from Experian, the average American has 3.84 credit cards with an average credit limit of $30,365.
What Citi credit card is the easiest to get? ›
Citi® Secured Mastercard® is an option for customers with little or no credit history and can help you build your credit when used responsibly.
Who only pulls Experian? ›
Some credit cards that use Experian only reportedly include Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Citi Premier Card, among others. There's no guarantee these credit cards use Experian 100 percent of the time.
What is the minimum Experian score for loan? ›
Minimum Credit Score as Per the Credit Agencies:
Experian: For lenders preferring Experian credit score, if you have a credit score above 750, it is considered good, and you can avail of a personal loan at favourable terms. TransUnion CIBIL: In the case of Transunion CIBIL, a credit score above 649 is considered good.
Does Citi use Experian? ›
Experian is the most commonly used source that Citi will draw a report from, but there's no guarantee that they won't decide to pull a different or additional report from another reporting agency. If you're not certain your score is good enough to be approved, you can work on improving your credit.
Does anyone have a 900 credit score? ›
A credit score of 900 is not possible, but older scoring models that are no longer used once went up to 900 or higher. The highest possible credit score you can get now is 850.
What is the average credit score in America? ›
What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
If your goal is to get or maintain a good credit score, two to three credit card accounts, in addition to other types of credit, are generally recommended. This combination may help you improve your credit mix. Lenders and creditors like to see a wide variety of credit types on your credit report.
What is a good credit card limit? ›
If you're just starting out, a good credit limit for your first card might be around $1,000. If you have built up a solid credit history, a steady income and a good credit score, your credit limit may increase to $5,000 or $10,000 or more — plenty of credit to ensure you can purchase big ticket items.
What credit companies are like Experian? ›
There are three big nationwide providers of consumer reports: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. Their reports contain information about your payment history, how much credit you have and use, and other inquiries and information.
Who uses Experian credit check? ›
Your Experian Credit Report will be accessed with your consent when you apply for credit. Credit providers such as banks, building societies, credit unions, finance companies, access seekers, mortgage insurers and other businesses that offer to lend you money can access your credit report.
Does Amex use FICO or Experian? ›
Where does the data on American Express® MyCredit Guide come from? The data on your MyCredit Guide is based on your Experian® credit report.
Which is better my FICO or Experian? ›
Experian's advantage over FICO is that the information it provides is far more detailed and thorough than a simple number. A pair of borrowers could both have 700 FICO Scores but vastly different credit histories.
