credit card advice
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Browsing the newspaper rack in any given city, a few things are likely to stand out. In particular, although the major headlines are often similar from front page to front page, many will have broadly different stories filling in the margins. This gives the impression that, while they’re all reporting on the same group of folks, each newspaper seems to use its own sources of information to do so.
The same thing can be said about the consumer credit bureaus. In other words, while all three of your credit reports are about you, the sources of information can vary from report to report. This is because these agencies rely on our creditors to report pertinent information to be added to our credit reports, rather than seeking it out. Additionally, your creditors can choose which report to query when running a credit check, further differentiating your reports.
No Issuer Will Pull Only Equifax Data All the Time
Given that your credit reports can show different information, you may end up with one report that is in better shape than the others. For example, hard credit inquiries occur when you apply for new credit. Many creditors will only pull your credit report from one or two bureaus, meaning you could end up with more hard inquiries on those reports than on reports queried less frequently.
One or two hard inquiries on any given report won’t have much impact on your overall score, typically only lowering it by a few points at most. However, a series of hard inquiries can have an exponentially greater impact, dropping your score more significantly — and acting as a giant red flag to potential creditors.
Whatever the source of your credit report disparities, it can be tempting to look for creditors who will pull only your best credit report when checking your credit.
Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to accurately predict which credit bureau a particular creditor will use for any given applicant. That’s because it can vary based on anything from the individual credit product to your particular location or even to the time of day.
Furthermore, no creditor exclusively pulls data from a single credit bureau for every application. This applies to Equifax data, as well as Experian and TransUnion. While some reviewers have reported successfully getting a creditor to pull a particular report upon request (or by freezing one or more of their credit reports), this method is hardly guaranteed to work.
Credit Card Issuers that Commonly Use Equifax for Approval
Although no credit card issuer will use Equifax data reliably for every application, many issuers will tend to use the same bureau for similar applications, such as for the same credit card product. Along those lines, the credit cards on our lists below are reported to frequently use Equifax credit reports for approval.
Remember that this is by no means a guarantee that an application for one of these cards will result in an Equifax credit inquiry. Issuers may pull Equifax data — or they may use Experian or TransUnion. Or they could use any combination of the three. Be cognizant when you apply.
Discover | Chase | Wells Fargo
Discover
Both its own credit card network and issuer, Discover is responsible for launching the first credit card rewards program offering cash back rewards. Today, the issuer’s range of cards includes several cash back options, and also features its unique Cash Back Match program that matches the cash back you earn in your first year, automatically.
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate.
- Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- Use your rewards at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 0% for 14 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- INTRO OFFER: Discover will match ALL the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, automatically. There's no signing up. And no limit to how much is matched.
- Earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter like gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, Amazon.com and more up to the quarterly maximum, each time you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
- Redeem cash back any amount, any time. Rewards never expire.
- 100% U.S. based customer service.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
- Get an alert if we find your Social Security number on any of thousands of Dark Web sites.* Activate for free.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 6 months | 0% for 18 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Discover will match ALL the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year, automatically. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. That’s $700 towards travel! The more you earn, the more you get.
- Earn unlimited 1.5x Miles for every dollar spent on all purchases - with no annual fee.
- No Blackout Dates. Simply pay for travel purchases like airlines, hotels, rental cars, and more with your Discover it® Miles card.
- Miles Pay You Back. Easily redeem Miles as a statement credit for travel purchases. Or get cash.
- Freeze your account in seconds with an on/off switch either on the mobile app or website to prevent new purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers.
- Get your free Credit Scorecard with your FICO® Credit Score, number of recent inquiries and more.
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 14 months | 10.99% for 14 months | 13.49% - 24.49% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
+See More Discover Credit Cards
Although Discover’s best APRs and highest limits go to the most qualified applicants, the issuer has fairly flexible credit requirements for a prime credit card issuer. Discover even offers the Discover it® Secured, which comes with no annual fee that also earns rewards, both rare in the secured card market.
Chase
Not only is Chase one of the largest credit card issuers in the world, with more than 93 million cardholders, but the issuer is also rated highly for its customer service. Chase’s huge collection of credit cards includes options for just about anyone, offering cash back rewards and lucrative points programs, as well as a variety of co-branded options for a customized credit experience.
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49 - 25.24%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5
- No annual fee
- No minimum to redeem for cash back
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- Earn a $150 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases - it's automatic
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 16.49 - 25.24%.
- 3% intro balance transfer fee when you transfer a balance during the first 60 days your account is open, with a minimum of $5.
- No annual fee
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months | 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months | 16.49% - 25.24% Variable | $0 | Good/Excellent |
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit. 3X points on dining at restaurants & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. $0 foreign transaction fees.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
- Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | N/A | 18.49% - 25.49% Variable | $550 | Good/Excellent |
Although Chase has a variety of credit card products, most of its offerings are designed for consumers with good to excellent credit scores. Additionally, Chase fairly stringently enforces its “5/24 Rule,” which automatically declines any applicant who has opened more than five new credit accounts within the last 24 months, regardless of your credit score or income. This rule applies to all Chase cards, as well as many of the co-branded credit cards.
Wells Fargo
While it might be easy to assume Wells Fargo’s iconic logo is mere marketing, the bank actually began as a stagecoach line moving mail, money, and travelers across America’s West. Now, one of the largest banks in the world, Wells Fargo has issued over 24 million credit cards, including its popular cash back and points cards.
+See More Wells Fargo Credit Cards
In general, Wells Fargo credit cards are aimed at those with good to excellent credit. That said, the bank does offer several cards aimed at first-time cardholders and credit-builders, including both consumer and business secured credit cards.
Citibank
Citibank has a long history dating back to the City Bank of New York in 1812. Today’s Citi is a major credit card issuer, with over 48 million cardholders around the world. Citi’s offerings include several credit cards from which to choose, including its much-lauded flat-rate cash back card and intro APR options.
- Earn cash back twice on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% cash back as you pay for those purchases.
- Receive 0% for 18 months on balance transfers made within 4 months of account opening
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back; transfer fee applies
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month
- No categories to track and no caps on cash back
- No annual fee
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A | 0% for 18 months | 15.74% - 25.74% (variable) | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- No late fees, No penalty rate, and No annual fee... EVER.
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for the first 21 months (transfers must be made in the first 4 months)
- 0% Intro APR on new purchases for the first 12 months
- The same great rate for all balances, after the introductory period
- Save time when you call with fast, personal help, 24 hours a day - just say "representative"
- Enjoy the convenience of setting up your own bill payment schedule on any available due date throughout the month
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 12 months | 0% for 21 months | 16.99% - 26.99% (Variable) | $0 | Excellent/Good |
- Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on net new purchases with your card in the first 3 months of account opening
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; balance transfers must be made within 4 months of account opening
- Points are redeemable for gift cards to popular retailers, restaurants, and department and home stores. 2,500 ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for a $25 gift card at thankyou.com
- Earn 2X Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations
- Earn 1X Points on all other purchases
- Round-up to the nearest 10X points on every purchase
Intro (Purchases) | Intro (Transfers) | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Credit Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
0% for 15 months | 0% for 15 months | 15.74% - 25.74% (Variable) | $0 | Good/Excellent |
Cards from Citi are typically aimed at consumers with good to excellent credit scores, with limited offerings for those building their credit. On the plus side, Citi offers a range of credit card options, including the cash back card with one of the highest unlimited rates available, as well as some of the only rewards points cards to offer bonus rewards for entertainment purchases.
HSBC
Originally founded as the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation as a way to finance trade between Europe and Asia, HSBC is now a global bank with cardholders from around the world. HSBC’s stable of US cards includes multiple annual-fee-free cards, as well as solid options for cash back rewards or intro 0% APR deals.
As a bank with a worldwide market, HSBC goes the next step to ensure you can use your card everywhere: each HSBC card comes free from foreign transaction fees. This means you can make purchases anywhere you travel in whichever currency is convenient, without paying for the privilege.
Aim to Keep All Three Credit Reports in Good Shape
All in all, while you can’t predict which credit bureau will be queried when you apply for a new credit card, you can decrease the impact of the somewhat random selection. For instance, you can choose to apply for new cards sporadically, limiting the number of inquiries on all of your reports.
You can also practice responsible credit behaviors, including always paying your debts as agreed and maintaining low balances, so that all three of your reports look their best no matter which one is queried. You should also regularly check all three credit reports for errors or fraudulent accounts.
Think of it in terms of the newspaper stand again. To ensure you’re getting a balanced report on the city’s events, you should look at several papers, with several different viewpoints. One paper may cover an event that the others missed thanks to having its own sources. Any of your three credit reports can include information the others missed — and all three can contain things they shouldn’t.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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