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Companies will most likely conduct a credit check on consumers looking to open a credit card or receive a loan. Credit cards that pull Experian credit reports look for the information listed from your other creditors, including banks, auto finance companies, and credit card issuers, to determine your creditworthiness. The credit bureau does not have any say in making a credit decision; they only provide information about your credit history to lenders, who then decide if they want to grant you credit or not.

What is the Experian Credit Score Used for?

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The Experian credit score is a three-digit number determined by a mathematical algorithm based on the information reported to the credit bureau. A consumer's credit score represents their creditworthiness, and lenders use that number to determine how likely a person is to repay the debt.

Is Experian a Reliable Credit Score?

Businessman uses laptop to check financial data

Like the other two credit bureaus, Experian is only as accurate as the information creditors provide. Therefore, checking your credit report is highly recommended to ensure everything listed is valid and documented. If it is, then your Experian credit score is accurate and reliable.

Check My Experian Credit Report

What Banks Pull from Experian?

Since it is the largest credit bureau, several banks pull data from Experian; however, that does not always mean that the companies listed below only pull from Experian. Below are the various banks that commonly pull from Experian:

  • American Express
  • Bank of America
  • Capital One
  • Chase
  • Citi
  • Discover
  • Fidelity Elan Financial
  • M&T Bank
  • TD Bank
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo

What's a good Experian score?

Happy Asian businessman smiling and looking at camera holding credit card

The three-digit credit score number is calculated from the various information reported to a credit bureau. Credit scores commonly range between 300 and 850, and a good Experian credit score range between 670 and 739.

You may also want to read: How to Get a 700-750 Credit Score in 3 to 6 Months? (Read this Guide)

Which Credit Report is The Most Accurate? (Experian, TransUnion or Equifax)

Experian vs transunion vs Equifax illustration

When comparing credit reports, you may notice differences among them all. The differences are not a result of any credit report being more accurate than another; it is all based on what information is reported to the bureaus by credit card companies, banks, and loan companies. Essentially, not all credit bureaus do not have the same information, which is why scores vary and can result in one report being more accurate than another.

Which Credit Bureau Do Most Creditors Check?

woman in glasses sitting on sofa taking a picture to her card with smartphone

Experian is the most used credit bureau checked by credit card companies, loan officers, and banks. Transunion and Equifax are also widely used and just as accurate and important as Experian.

When wanting to improve your credit to get you in a position to qualify for a loan or new credit card, it is best to start working on your Experian credit card first. Starting here improves the credit report that most companies use when establishing the creditworthiness of consumers applying for credit cards and loans.

Credit card companies can pull credit reports from all three credit reporting agencies; however, there are some credit card companies that most likely pull from Experian like Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citi, and American Express.

Best Credit Cards that Typically Pull from Experian Only

Citi Rewards+® Card

Citi Rewards+® Card

The Citi Rewards+ Card is a unique credit card best for people who make many small purchases while still offering long-term value and flexibility. The best thing about the card is there is no annual fee. The variable APR for the Citi Rewards+ Card is between 18.49% - 28.49%; however, the card offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 15 months after the transfer and on purchases made from the opening date of the account.

Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first three months of the account, which can be redeemed for up to $250 in gift cards.

Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR
Cons
  • Spending caps on rewards
  • Requires good to excellent credit (670+)
  • Has complicated redemption process

Citi® Double Cash Card

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi Double Cash Card offers consumers one of the best cash-back rewards of any credit card with a $0 annual fee. In addition, this credit card provides a combined rewards rate of 2%, based on 1% at the time of the purchase and an additional 1% when you pay it off. The Citi Double Cash Card is ideal for people who want low-hassle cash rewards on their purchases.

The Citi Double Cash Card offers consumers a 0% intro APR for the first 18 months on balance transfers and carries a variable APR on all purchases ranging between 18.99% - 28.99%.

Pros
  • No annual fee
  • High rewards rate
  • Introductory balance transfer fee
Cons
  • Requires good to excellent credit (670+)
  • No individual bonus categories

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express allows consumers to earn 6% back on purchases from U.S. supermarkets up to $6,000 in annual spending (1% thereafter), select U.S. streaming services, 3% back on eligible U.S. gas station and transit purchases, and 1% on other purchases (Terms Apply). It is possible to rack up many cash-back bonuses; however, there is a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. (See Rates & Fees)

The variable APR for Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is between 19.24% - 29.99%, with an 0% introductory rate for the first 12 months of purchase and balance transfers.

Pros
  • Bonus categories
  • Introductory APR period
  • Cash rewards
Cons
  • High annual fee
  • Requires good to excellent credit
  • Spending caps on bonuses

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex℠

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers consumers the best of both worlds with a list of fixed bonus categories and rotating categories earning up to 5% cashback (up to $1,500 quarterly). One of the best things about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ is that there is no minimum purchase to earn back cash bonuses. In addition, this card does not have an annual fee and offers a variable APR between 20.49% - 29.24%, with a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months of purchases and balance transfers.

Pros
  • No annual fee
  • Bonus categories
  • Cash rewards
  • Introductory APR period
Cons
  • Complicated rewards structure
  • Requires good to excellent credit

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns cardholders bonus points when paying for travel and dining-related expenses. These perks can be redeemed through Chase; however, some come at a high price. Though the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a significant sign-up bonus, high rewards, and hundreds of dollars in perks annually, there is a $550 annual fee.

One of the rewards is earning 3x points in travel when using the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but this is only after earning and using the $300 travel credit. The variable APR is between 22.49% - 29.49%, and no introductory APR is available.

Pros
  • High reward rate
  • Luxury perks
  • Premium travel protections
  • Transfer partners
  • Primary rental car coverage
Cons
  • High annual fee
  • Requires excellent credit

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card features an unlimited 2% cash reward option on all purchases and a $200 cash reward bonus after spending $1,000 in purchases during the first three months. In addition, this card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers during the first 15 months from account opening, with a variable APR of 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% thereafter.

Pros
  • High reward rate
  • No annual fee
  • Introductory APR period
Cons
  • No bonus categories

Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®

Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®

The Credit One Bank Platinum X5 Visa provides an option for people looking to rebuild their credit while still earning up to 5% cash back on the first $5,000 eligible gas, grocery, and internet purchases annually and 1% cash back thereafter. However, the Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa does have an annual fee of $95 and a variable 25.49% APR.

Pros
  • For fair to average credit
  • Cash back
  • Visa benefits, including roadside assistance and fraudulent purchase protection
Cons
  • $95 annual fee
  • $500 minimum credit limit

What Retail Cards Use Experian?

Several retail cards use Experian to determine creditworthiness and continue to report credit card holders' activity. The most popular retail establishments that use Experian regularly include Amazon, Whole Foods, and Target REDcard Credit Card.

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card

Target REDcard™

Target REDcard™
Target REDcard™ Visit site

What Department Store Credit Cards Pull Experian Credit Reports?

Though any department store can pull credit reports from Experian, Amazon, Old Navy, and Walmart are the most common companies to pull these credit reports. Many other department stores may pull from Experian, but these companies are more likely to use this credit report to determine eligibility when applying for a store credit card.

Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
APR Annual Fee Rewards
17.99% or 29.49% Variable $0 • Intro offer: 5% Cash back on purchases in Walmart® stores when using your card with Walmart Pay for the first 12 months
• 5% on Walmart.com purchases (includes grocery pickup and delivery)
• 2% on purchases in Walmart® fuel stations and stores, MurphyUSA, on restaurants and travel purchases
• 1% regular purchases wherever Mastercard cards are accepted
Fair to Good Credit Score (580-740)
Navyist Rewards Mastercard®
APR Annual Fee Rewards
28.99% Variable $0 • 30% off your first purchase when using your new card at Old Navy
• Earn 5 points for each dollar spent at Old navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta
• 1 point per dollar spent on regular purchases
• Free fast shipping on orders $50+

You may also want to read: Best Store Credit Cards That Do Soft Pulls [And Why They're Worth It]

Applying for new credit often involves the credit card company pulling data from Experian. Though many of the credit cards and companies listed in this article pull applicants' credit reports from Experian, there is no guarantee of the accuracy of this information or that they solely pull from this one credit bureau. Read the entire application for more information about which credit bureaus a credit card company may use when checking your credit history.

For Rates & Fees of:
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express Click Here

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

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The responses below are not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any financial entity or advertiser. It is not the advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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R
Rhett

Capital one does not pull from Experian, only Transunion. Remove immediately. Thank you.