The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, June 13, 2026

5 Credit Score Ranges for Credit Card Approval (May 2026)

Credit Score Ranges For Credit Card Approval
Adam West

Writer: Adam West

Adam West

Adam West, News Editor

Adam has interviewed over 1,000 finance experts since joining the CardRates team in 2016. He spearheads industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

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Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Everyone likes having options. That’s why hundreds of ice cream flavors exist and there’s always more than one movie playing in theaters. Life would be dull without choices.

And that goes for our financial lives, too. Credit card options for consumers with every credit score abound. Today, the diversity in rewards, fees, and other perks gives you more options than ever before, making shopping for a credit card much like shopping at the grocery store for your next ice cream fix. In this article, we’ll look at credit score ranges for credit card approval, from the lowest of the low scores to the perfect score of 850.

Check out the sections below to see the many card options available for your credit score.

Excellent Credit (740-850) | Good Credit (670-739) | Fair Credit (580-669)
Bad Credit (300-579) | No/Limited Credit (0 Score)

Credit Cards for Excellent Credit (740-850 Credit Score)

An excellent credit score provides a lot of benefits — including greater negotiating power and better car insurance and mortgage interest rates. But consumers with excellent credit also see the greatest perks when shopping for credit cards. This is where you can qualify for top-tier cards with the highest credit limits, greatest benefits, and richest rewards.

Just remember, though, that excellent credit doesn’t guarantee credit card approval. But you should have a better chance than most consumers when looking to acquire our top cards, which we’ve listed below.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
  • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $395
Credit Needed Excellent

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
  • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

+ See More Cards for Excellent Credit

Credit Cards for Good Credit (670-739 Credit Score)

This range includes the average U.S. consumer credit score — 714 — but there’s nothing average about the benefits that can come from these credit card offerings. A good credit score helps lenders see you as an acceptable risk. This means that card issuers will open a wide array of offerings to you in hopes of earning your business.

And, whenever there are lots of options, there is competition. And you can use that fight for your attention to possibly secure some amazing rewards cards — like those listed below.

Discover it® Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 months
Regular APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

Citi Double Cash® Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.49% - 27.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • 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.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) 0% 18 months on Balance Transfers
Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Citi is a CardRates advertiser.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • 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; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) 0% for 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% for 15 months
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent, Good

+ See More Cards for Good Credit

Credit Cards for Fair Credit (580-669 Credit Score)

If your credit score falls in “fair” territory, you may find yourself not qualifying for upper-tier credit cards and loans. Your interest rate may be a little higher than the cards offered in the “Good” range and the rewards may not be quite as rich.

But, as mentioned above, recent competition in the credit card space has issuers upping their game — and their rewards — to earn your business. Cards designed for fair-credit consumers, like those below, have many of the same perks that, just a few years ago, were set aside for cardholders with good or better credit.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
  • Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and you can use your cash back for any amount–get gift cards, cover purchases or redeem for cash. Plus, rewards don’t expire for the life of the account
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card usage
  • Enjoy unlimited access to your credit score and tools to help you monitor your credit profile with CreditWise from Capital One
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases with your SavorOne Card and enjoy exclusive access and cardholder perks
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Capital One SavorOne cardholders can pay with their rewards via PayPal Pay with Rewards and at Amazon.com
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $39
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited

Discover it® Student Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit

+ See More Cards for Fair Credit

Credit Cards for Bad Credit (300-579 Credit Score)

Mistakes happen. Payments sometimes get missed or life’s circumstances may force you to default on a loan. You may currently find yourself in a space where you need to rebuild your credit but are struggling to find issuers who will take a chance on you.

One of the easiest ways to rebuild credit is through a secured credit card that requires a refundable cash deposit that determines your credit limit. But, if a large deposit is out of the question, there are still a few credit card options available — just be ready to pay higher interest rates and annual fees.

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.1/5.0
Surge® Platinum Mastercard® Review

at Continental Finance'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Up to $1,000 Initial Credit Limit
  • See if you Pre-Qualify with No Impact to your Credit Score
  • Less than perfect credit? We understand. The Surge Mastercard is ideal for people looking to rebuild their credit.
  • Unsecured credit card requires No Security Deposit
  • Perfect card for everyday purchases and unexpected expenses
  • Monthly reporting to the three major credit bureaus
  • Use your card everywhere Mastercard is accepted at millions of locations
  • Enjoy peace of mind with Mastercard Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized purchases (subject to Mastercard guidelines)
  • Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
Intro (Purchases) See website for Details
Intro (Transfers) See website for Details
Regular APR 35.90% Fixed
Annual Fee $75 - $125
Credit Needed Bad, Limited, Fair

PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★ 3.0/5.0
PREMIER Bankcard® Mastercard® Credit Card Review

at PREMIER Bankcard®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • PREMIER Bankcard credit cards are for building credit.
  • Start building credit by keeping your balances low and paying all your bills on time each month.
  • When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
  • Credit Limit Increase Eligible after 12 months of consistent responsible account management.
  • We report monthly to the Consumer Reporting Agencies to help you build your credit.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR See Provider Website
Annual Fee See Provider Website
Credit Needed Fair/Poor

Milestone® Mastercard®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 3.8/5.0
Milestone® Mastercard® Review

at Milestone Mastercard®'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • Guaranteed $700 credit limit if approved.
  • Apply with Confidence! There is no impact to your credit score if you’re not approved. See terms.
  • Don't Have Perfect Credit? No Problem!
  • Join over a million consumers who are working on building their access to credit.
  • Zero Fraud Liability - Peace of mind that comes with having a Mastercard.
  • Get the credit you deserve, even with less-than-perfect history.
  • No security deposit, and a path to better credit.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR See terms
Annual Fee See terms
Credit Needed Bad/Limited/Fair

+ See More Cards for Bad Credit

Credit Cards for No/Limited Credit (0 Credit Score)

Everyone has to start somewhere, and, if you’re new to credit building, you’re likely standing on the ground floor and looking up at all of the offers you can’t yet qualify for.

But having no or limited credit doesn’t mean you can’t get a credit card. There’s a whole sector of the credit industry designed for consumers who want to establish a credit history. With responsible card usage, such as a strong payment history, you could be climbing those stairs and reaching for top-tier cards faster than you think.

Secured Self Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.2/5.0
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • The secured Self Visa® Credit Card* requires no credit check or minimum score.
  • Reports to all 3 major credit bureaus to establish and build credit, with free access to your credit score.
  • Secure your credit line with a refundable security deposit as low as $100.**
  • Deposits are returned upon account closure after settling outstanding balances.
  • *The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
  • **Qualification for the secured Self Visa® Credit Card is based on meeting eligibility requirements, including income and expense requirements and establishment of security interest. Criteria subject to change.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR Variable APR of 27.49%
Annual Fee $0 annual fee for the first year only, $25 annual fee thereafter
Credit Needed None, Limited, Poor, Fair

The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • No minimum balance requirements*
  • No credit check**
  • 2% cash back on category of choice with direct deposit***
  • The perks of credit building meet the best of banking****
  • Chime Checking Account required to apply for the Chime Visa® Credit Card
  • Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The secured Chime Visa® Credit Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A. pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank.
    *Money added to Chime CardTM will be held in a secured deposit account as collateral for your Chime Card, and you can spend up to this amount. You can use money deposited in your Secured Deposit Account to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
    **Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply.
    ***With a qualifying direct deposit, earn 2% cash back on category of choice on eligible secured Chime Visa® Credit Card purchases.
    ****On-time payment history may have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee No annual fees
Credit Needed Poor/Fair/Limited/Damaged

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
  • Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
  • Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
  • Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
  • Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
  • Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
  • Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
  • Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 28.99% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Average, Fair, Limited

+ See More Cards for No/Limited Credit

What Credit Score Do I Need to Be Approved for Credit?

While there’s no general minimum score needed to obtain a credit card, each card has its minimum acceptance requirements. Those requirements can sometimes be vague, though, and meeting those standards doesn’t guarantee acceptance. That’s because your credit score is just one factor used to determine your eligibility for a credit card.

Don’t know your score? Here are a few free ways to find it. FICO and VantageScore are the two most common credit scoring models used, so make sure it’s one of those scores you’re receiving.

A top-shelf card with the richest rewards and greatest benefits will require not only excellent credit (a credit score above 740) but also a solid proof of income and a low debt-to-income ratio.

On the other hand, some secured credit cards — offerings that require a refundable cash deposit that equals your credit limit — don’t require credit checks for acceptance. But keep in mind that some of these cards will reject you if you have a pending bankruptcy the court hasn’t yet discharged.

But if your needs are simple and you aren’t as concerned with all the bells and whistles — or you don’t want to fuss with the annual fee that often comes with many popular rewards cards — you have options with almost any credit score.

Just remember that, as with most things in life, the higher your standing — in this case, your credit score — the better the offers you’ll receive. If you’re in the lower credit score tiers, you’re likely to encounter more annual fees, lower credit limits, fewer rewards, and higher APRs.

The key to finding your next credit card isn’t to only look for the best card you may qualify for, but rather the card that best suits your needs and current economic situation. That may mean a lower credit limit to avoid an annual fee or opting for fewer rewards so you can obtain a better interest rate.

What is the Easiest Credit Card to be Approved For?

If you’re looking for easy approval, nothing beats a secured credit card. Many of these cards skip the credit check altogether as long as you can provide a refundable cash deposit to fund your credit limit.

Should You Get an Unsecured or Secured Card?

These cards are traditionally designed for consumers who are building or rebuilding their credit profiles. If you have an established credit history, there are literally hundreds of better options you may qualify for.

And, thanks to modern technology, almost all of them are easy to apply for. Most credit cards now feature online application processes that take less than five minutes to complete and can provide most credit decisions within minutes.

It’s important to shop for cards that accept applicants within your credit score range. Don’t get too enticed by premium cards that are out of your reach. By choosing a practical card that you qualify for, you’ll find easier acceptance and can begin clearing your financial path toward a premium credit card offer.

Just remember that each time you apply for a credit card or loan, the financial institution issuing the loan or credit card makes a hard inquiry on your credit report. Credit reporting bureaus typically allow for three or fewer inquiries on your credit report over a two-year period. After that, each inquiry may slightly lower your credit score and can make it harder to gain approval for some credit cards.

That’s why you should limit your credit card applications to one every six months. This keeps you from bogging down your credit report with inquiries and lessens the impact of previous inquiries since their effect on your overall credit score lessens over time.

How Many Americans Have a Credit Score Above 800?

According to an April 2018 FICO report, 21.8% of U.S. consumers have a FICO score between 800 and 850. The number of Americans with excellent credit continues to rise, as only 16.2% of consumers fell in that sterling score range in April 2005.

Depending on where your credit score currently stands, you may need years to get to the 800 level. Consumers who fall in this range have no negatives on their payment history, as well as a diverse mix of credit accounts that show a positive history of managing different types of credit and loans. These can include but aren’t limited to credit cards, personal loans, student loans, auto loans, and mortgages.

Average FICO Credit Scores by State

As depicted in this graph, it takes time to build excellent credit.

The longer you keep your credit lines open and in good standing, the better they look to lenders. That’s because a long history of on-time payments and responsible usage makes you a better credit risk than someone who has only a brief track record of success.

But while you may set a goal to become a member of the 800+ club — which is a great goal to have — remember that most credit issuers place the cutoff for “excellent” credit around the 740 mark. That means you can get a lot of the same offers with a credit score above 740 that you’d get with a score above 800. That doesn’t mean that those extra points won’t make your application a tad more attractive to banks and lenders.

Getting to the 800 mark takes patience, practice, and financial know-how. You don’t need a six-figure income to get there, though. And like every good recipe, the ingredients you add to your credit report will determine the quality of your outcome.

How Can I Quickly Raise My Credit Score?

Your credit score doesn’t just work to help you get better credit card offers. Your overall rating also impacts your access to loans, better interest rates for car insurance, and even job opportunities.

That’s why it’s important to keep your score as high as possible. And there are several ways to give yourself a boost before applying for a credit card, loan, or job.

Your first step should be to obtain a free annual credit report from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. While these reports won’t show your actual credit score (there are many free sources for obtaining that information), they will show any items that may be weighing your score down.

Once you better understand the negative information on your reports, you can take the necessary actions to improve your credit.

While you’re working to improve your score, it’s vital that you pay every bill on time. Even one 30-day late payment can knock between 90 and 110 points off your credit score. You also want to refrain from closing credit card accounts (unless it has an annual fee you want to stop paying).

That’s because your credit utilization ratio accounts for 30% of your FICO credit score calculation. You can determine your credit utilization ratio by dividing the amount of credit you’re currently using by the total amount of credit you have available. For example, if you have a card with a $2,000 credit limit and you carry a $500 balance, you have a 25% utilization.

Chart of Example Utilization Rate

Credit utilization accounts for 30% of your FICO credit score calculation. Keep your balances low to quickly improve and maintain a good credit score.

Your credit score will increase when your utilization ratio decreases. But when you cancel a credit card, the amount of credit available to you also drops — which can drastically raise your utilization ratio and create a sudden spike in your credit score.

Even if you don’t plan to use your credit card, it’s better to lock it away somewhere safe than to cancel it with the issuer.

Another way to improve your utilization ratio is to request a credit limit increase on your existing credit cards. If you have a good payment history and don’t carry a high balance, your card issuer may consider you for a credit increase.

You can ask for an increase by calling your card issuer’s customer service number. Some issuers also provide a credit limit increase request form online that provides an instant decision.

By increasing your current credit limits, you immediately lower your utilization ratio, which can improve your credit score.

There’s a Card for Every Score

Just as your local ice cream parlor offers 31 flavors for customers with differing palates, credit card companies often curate several different card options for consumers with varying credit scores. These cards have a wide array of APRs, rewards, and fees, but all can give your wallet an instant boost in spending power.

Before you apply for a card, you should first determine which cards fall within your current credit score range, as we’ve detailed above. When you apply for a card you likely won’t qualify for, you add a potentially harmful hard inquiry to your credit report, which can make it more difficult to be approved for another card down the road.

But, if you apply for a card within your credit score range and work to improve your score — you could find yourself in the 800+ club much faster than you expect — unless you’re already in the coveted “excellent” range.

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