Writer: Brittney Mayer
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Ashley Fricker
As the mother of four children, my aunt had to make peace with the idea that she couldn’t stay on top of every child every minute. Instead of trying to maintain constant vigilance — which would have been impossible (and exhausting) — she often relied on her children to report the important things to her (which they typically did at the top of their little lungs).
Like my aunt, the consumer credit bureaus have too many people to keep track of to spend time seeking out information on them all. Instead, they rely on information reported to them by creditors and lenders.
Since some creditors fail to report to all three bureaus, the information in your reports can vary based on the source. At the same time, future creditors, including credit card issuers, can choose which bureau (or multiple bureaus) to query when checking your credit.
No Issuer Exclusively Pulls From TransUnion
In some cases, differences between your credit reports can affect whether you qualify for a particular credit card, depending on which bureau the issuer checks. The frustrating part is that it’s nearly impossible to know in advance which bureau(s) an issuer will use, since that can change based on the card itself or even where you live.
Furthermore, despite the occasional blog or forum post full of anecdotal “evidence,” no issuer exclusively pulls from a single credit bureau for every individual credit check. This applies to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion alike.
That said, some information sources lean more heavily on TransUnion data. In particular, many popular credit monitoring websites use TransUnion information along with VantageScore models to calculate the scores you see.
Credit Card Issuers that Frequently Use TransUnion Data
Even though credit card issuers don’t exclusively use one bureau, they often fall into familiar patterns and may frequently return to the same one for credit checks. With that in mind, the issuers below are commonly reported to rely on TransUnion data for credit card applications.
Of course, there are no guarantees that an application for one of these cards will use a TransUnion credit inquiry to evaluate your credit risk. Your application process may involve data from TransUnion, but may use Equifax or Experian data instead of — or in addition to — information from your TransUnion report.
Chase | Capital One | Barclays | Fifth Third Bank | US Bank
Capital One
Capital One is a young bank, founded just a few decades ago in 1988, that has quickly grown into a major player, now with over 750 locations across the country. Whether you prefer to earn unlimited cash back or blackout-free travel rewards, Capital One has a matching card to add to your wallet.
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.74% - 28.74% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
An extra perk of Capital One’s credit cards is that they can be used to get a discount on coffee purchased with your card at any Capital One Café location around the country.
Chase
While its most recent rebranding occurred in 2000, the ancestry of JPMorgan Chase, or Chase Bank, goes as far back as 1799. One of the largest banks in the world, Chase has more than 4,700 branches in the US alone, and offers more than a dozen credit cards, including a variety of co-branded partner cards.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
- No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.
Many of Chase’s credit cards earn the popular Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for cash back, merchandise, or travel reimbursement. Ultimate Rewards points can also be transferred to airline and hotel partners for added redemption value.
Barclays
The Barclays credit card was launched in 1966 as the first British credit card to be introduced to the UK. Today, Barclays offers a range of co-branded credit card products for consumers and businesses.
- Earn 50,000 Travel Miles after spending $500 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn up to 15X miles on eligible purchases at flyfrontier.com, 3X miles on restaurant purchases, and 1X miles on all other purchases
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening (balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
- Earn a $100 flight voucher every account anniversary after spending $2,500 or more on purchases with your card during your card membership year
- Cardmembers enjoy Zone 2 priority boarding
- $99 annual fee
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
- Earn 3X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points on all other purchases
- Enjoy 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
- 0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
- No foreign transaction fees, no blackout dates, and points never expire
- $0 Annual Fee
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days and earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first year
- Earn 6X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, plus 2X points at restaurants and office supply stores, 1X points on all other purchases
- Earn 5,000 bonus points every year after your account anniversary
- Receive a 50% savings on eligible inflight purchases on JetBlue-operated flights
- Enjoy an annual $100 statement credit after purchasing a JetBlue Vacations package with your card
- Free first checked bag for you and up to 3 companions on the same reservation when you use your card to book JetBlue-operated flights.
- $99 Annual Fee
Barclays operates as a digital bank and partners with travel, entertainment, retail, and affinity institutions in the US.
Fifth Third Bank
Originally launched as the Bank of the Ohio Valley in 1858, Fifth Third Bank has over 150 years of experience offering banking and credit services to the American public. Fifth Third now operates 1,130 full-service Banking Centers as of December 31, 2025, serving Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
10. Fifth Third Cash/Back Card
You won’t have to keep track of rotating categories with the Fifth Third Cash/Back Card. Instead, enjoy an unusual return of 1.67% cash back on every purchase you make.
- Earn 1.67% cash back on every purchase
- No limits on rewards or expiration dates
- Pay no annual fee
The Cash/Back card comes with cellphone protection and touch-free payments.
11. Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card
A popular option for those thinking of a balance transfer, Fifth Third’s 1% Cash/Back Card provides an introductory 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers that can help make paying down debt more affordable.
- Enjoy 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles after you open your account
- No penalty APR for missed payments
- Pay no annual fee
You can also receive protection for your cellphone by paying your monthly wireless bill with your Truly Simple® Credit Card.
12. Fifth Third Secured Card
With as little as a $300 deposit, you can open a Fifth Third Secured Card that reports to all three credit bureaus, making it a good choice to establish or rebuild your credit.
- Credit-builder card secured by a minimum $300 deposit
- Increase your credit line by adding to your deposit
- $24 annual fee
You can raise your available credit limit at any time by adding to your deposit, and your credit line will always match 100% of that deposit.
US Bank
Although its modern iteration was founded nearly 50 years ago, US Bank’s heritage can be traced back over 150 years. Today, US Bank has over 3,100 branches across the country and offers a wide range of consumer credit products, including cash back and travel rewards credit cards.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That's a $200 value redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel, and more. Points never expire.
- Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery on your first $2,000 each quarter
- Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations -- all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
- Enjoy a 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies
- $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify® and more
- $0 Annual Fee
This card is currently not available.
- For a limited time, get a special 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 24 billing cycles. After that, the APR is variable.
- Earn 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center when you use your card
- Get up to $600 reimbursement if your cell phone is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cell phone with your card
- View your credit score anytime, anywhere in the mobile app or online banking. It's easy to enroll, easy to use, and free to U.S. Bank customers.
- Get an opportunity to set up a 3-month $0 ExtendPay Plan offer each calendar year after the new account 0% introductory purchase APR offer has expired
- $0 Annual Fee
Additional Disclosure: The information related to this card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product.
Rewards points earned with your US Bank card can be redeemed toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, and travel, among other options. Rewards points never expire.
Regularly Check All Three Credit Reports For Best Results
When it comes to applying for a new credit card, you can do a lot to improve your odds of approval by simply applying for the card for which you are most qualified. While it may be tempting to try and nudge the odds by selecting cards from issuers that only pull from the bureau with your cleanest credit report, the unfortunate truth is that there really is no controlling or accurately predicting which bureau(s) will be queried.
The easiest way to ensure your credit always looks its best is to regularly check all three of your credit reports, which you can do once a year for free through AnnualCreditReport.com. Like my aunt’s periodic trips from room to room to double-check that everyone was where they were supposed to be, routinely keeping up with your credit report can go a long way toward keeping your financial house in order.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
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