Guide to Credit Score
and Credit Reports

Wondering what factors impact your credit score? See how payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, and more can all impact your credit.

Earning a top credit score takes time. See factors that can impact your score, and steps you can take to help improve your credit score over time.

Learn how and when paying off collections could increase your credit score and see which factors influence how much your score may increase after paying.

Learn how to help your child build credit by adding them as an authorized user, teaching responsible spending habits, and monitoring their credit report.

Learn how a credit score simulator can help you gauge the potential impact of certain actions on your credit score. See how credit score simulators work.

Find out how to get an apartment with 'bad' credit. Tips include: providing proof of income, offering to put more money down, and expanding your search.

What hurts your credit? See the potential impact of credit actions on your credit score so you can take steps to help build your credit over time.

A fair credit score falls within the 580-669 FICO range. Get tips for improving your credit and find the best credit cards for fair credit scores today.

So, you have no credit history? See how to build your credit from scratch and the best credit cards to build credit to help you improve your score over time.

Learn whether checking your own credit score affects your credit and explore how various soft and hard credit inquiries can impact your score over time.

Explore alternative ways to build credit without using a traditional credit card, like credit builder loans, secured loans, and becoming an authorized user.

Average credit scores tend to change based on age, state, and income. But none of these are actually used to calculate your score. Good credit habits matter most.

Credit builder loans can help people with limited or no credit history establish a credit profile. Learn how credit builder loans work and who they’re best for.

Find out if a balance transfer hurts your credit. Get insights on balance transfers and see steps you can take to boost your credit health.

A 700 credit score may be considered good. See what loans and other forms of credit you may be able to get with a 700 credit score.

How long does it take to build credit from scratch? It may take at least six months. See tips to help build a strong foundation for your credit future.

Paying a rent or phone bill late usually won’t affect credit scores, but if your debt goes into collections, scores may nosedive.

Typically, an 800 credit score is considered to be excellent or exceptional credit. See some of the benefits of having an 800 credit score, or higher.

Wondering how to get a perfect credit score? It's possible, but not always feasible. See what impacts your score and what goes into a perfect credit score.

Renting an apartment may require a good credit score, but landlord criteria can vary. Learn what influences your approval and how to boost your score.

By both FICO® and VantageScore® standards, the highest credit score is 850. See how a high credit score can benefit you, and tips for improving your credit.

Learn how to start building credit at 18 with secured or student credit cards, rent payments, and authorized user accounts. Get credit-building tips today.

Interest rates are based on many factors, including the type of loan and your creditworthiness. A higher credit score may allow you to save money on interest.

Learn how refinancing can temporarily affect your credit score and get our expert tips on how you can continue to build healthy credit in the long run.

Credit cards can help you build your credit, but also lower your score if not used responsibly. Learn how you can rebuild your credit, starting today.

Using a debit card typically can’t help you establish or improve your credit score. Learn strategies you can use to help build credit instead.

What is a good credit score? Good credit scores land in the 670-739 FICO range. Learn tips to make positive impacts on your credit score and borrow better.

Learn why a high 700-800 score qualifies as an excellent credit score, see high score benefits, and learn strategies for strengthening your credit.

Is a 900 credit score possible for you? Get answers, see common score ranges, and get tips for making positive impacts on your credit score.

Consider these personal finance tips to help you succeed after graduating college: build a credit history, use credit cards responsibly, and invest to benefit your future self.

Learn how to build credit, including strategies for establishing credit if you don’t have a credit history and tips to help you build credit over time.

Leasing a car can help build your credit, but it can also hurt your credit score if you default. Learn more about how leasing a car affects your credit history.

It’s possible to buy a car when you have bad credit, but it can be harder to qualify for a loan. These tips may help low-credit buyers improve their financing options.

There’s no minimum credit score needed to lease a car, but your credit history still matters. Having good credit can help you get approved with more favorable lease terms.

Buy now, pay later arrangements could soon help you build your credit score – but only if you pay on time. Learn how to make these services work in your favor.

Learn how student loans can affect your credit, how a history of on-time payments can help you in the long run, and what you should do if you’re unable to make a payment.

Good credit can offer a number of benefits. See strategies that can help you to maintain a good credit score and learn more about managing your credit.

Some of the reasons your credit score can go down are obvious – but other times, it’s less evident. Learn what could cause your credit score to drop.

“Bad” credit scores are more accurately described as below average, but credit scores aren’t permanent. There are plenty of ways to turn a score from bad to good.

Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card could help you build credit, but this will depend on a few different factors.

Learn about the role of a cosigner for a credit card. See responsibilities, benefits, and potential risks for both the primary cardholder and the cosigner.

Wondering how to self-report to credit bureaus? See how authorizing key information to be included in your credit report may positively impact your score.

See how many hard inquiries are too many and how they can affect your credit score. See tips to manage hard inquiries to help protect your credit.

What does your credit score start at? Learn how to begin with a solid score and maintain it for the long-term. Start building your credit wisely.

Identity theft monitoring can alert you to suspicious activity. See how identity theft protection can help you take action to keep your data safe.

See when, why, and how often credit scores update. Learn how to track your credit score's progress for free and see how much your credit score may change.

Understand how medical debt affects your credit, see how unpaid medical bills impact your scores, and take steps to help protect your credit report.

What credit score do you need for a credit card? Learn about credit score requirements and see credit card options if your credit score needs improvement.

Learn about credit scores and reports. See how they work together to give you a picture of your financial health. Learn how to check them for free.

Your credit limit may be the maximum balance that you’re allowed to charge to your credit card. See how it can impact your credit score.

Your credit utilization ratio is a factor in determining your credit score. See how your credit utilization ratio is calculated and how to lower it.

FICO® Scores are credit scores but not all scores are from FICO. Learn the difference between FICO Scores vs. credit scores to increase your borrowing power.

Understanding how "credit score" is defined, how credit scores work, and how they're calculated can help you establish a positive financial future.

Learn how to protect your credit with different types of credit protection including credit insurance, credit monitoring, and identity theft protection.

Applying for loans can cause your credit score to dip, but usually only temporarily. Learn more about how loan applications may affect your credit score.

You can’t have a zero credit score but you can have no credit score. Learn why living without a credit score can make some financial goals harder to achieve.

It's a good idea to check your credit report regularly in order to spot errors or signs of fraud. Learn how easy it is to check on your credit health.

American Express® MyCredit Guide gives you access to the FICO® Score Simulator and FICO® Score Planner to help you build positive credit habits that support a healthy credit score.

Learn about common types of credit, how they work, and which credit account types can positively impact your credit score and financial future.

Closed-end credit is a set amount of money that you borrow for a specific time period. This differs from open-end credit, which you can draw from repeatedly.

If you have to break a lease, there are ways to do it without hurting your credit. But if your landlord sends any unpaid debt to collections, it can have negative effects.

Economic swings typically add to the challenge of protecting your credit score. But there are steps you can take to help maintain your credit – or even improve it.

Learn about how credit monitoring services work, the types of protection you can get from them, and whether they’re effective.

Learn how to freeze your credit online for free. See what information you may need to freeze your credit at all three credit bureaus.

Myths persist about what a credit score is, how scores can be improved, and who can see them. It pays to separate fact from fiction.

Closing a credit card account can negatively affect your credit score, but by how much? See how to decide whether you should close a credit card.

A personal line of credit might be an effective way to manage temporary cash-flow problems. Learn what a line of credit is and what to know before applying for one.

Revolving credit may allow you to borrow up to a set limit on an ongoing basis. You can repay it and borrow again. Learn how revolving credit works.

Wondering if you should freeze your credit and whether it’s worth it or not? Here is why you may consider freezing your credit.

It’s time to unfreeze your credit, but you’re not sure exactly what to do. Here’s how to unfreeze for free at all 3 credit bureaus.

Credit history is the record of how you repay your credit cards, loans, and other debts. Learn what it takes to establish good credit with this intro to credit history.

There are many factors that can influence your credit score. Find out how late payments, debt, and credit history can impact your score.

Overdrafts won’t typically impact your credit score, but in some cases, they can. Learn how overdrafts work and the impact they could have on your credit.

The five Cs of credit are character, capacity, capital, collateral, and conditions. Lenders use these factors to decide whether to extend credit to an individual.

Millions of Americans lack access to credit. A new DIY credit reporting tool is among the initiatives aiming to give them a new chance.

A credit tradeline is the credit bureau term for an account on your credit report. Here are the three types of tradelines and what information each includes.

Enroll in American Express® MyCredit Guide to access your Experian® credit report and explore credit building tools any time.

Late student loan payments will taint your credit score once they’re reported to the credit bureaus, but deferment or forbearance programs can help mitigate damage.

Identity theft protection services can help you safeguard your identity for a fee. While there are ways to protect yourself, many feel that such services are worth the cost.

Learn how prequalification for loans or credit cards can impact your credit score. See situations where it could make sense to get prequalified.

A repossession, or repo, happens when a lender seizes property after a debt goes unpaid. Learn more about what a repo is – and how and why to avoid one.

Open-end credit is also revolving credit that a borrower can draw from repeatedly. Learn how it works and how it could impact your credit score.