There are three major credit bureaus in the U.S., all with their own individual credit scoring formulas. Experian’s credit score is a three-digit number that represents your credit score and lenders use this to determine how likely you are to repay your debt.
Lenders can pull information from one or all three of these credit bureaus so your score at any one of these can make a significant difference to your credit card application, including the terms and interest rates you may receive.
While the credit bureau doesn’t have any say when it comes to approving your application, your credit score and profile will have an impact on the decision the card issuer makes.
Note that financial institutions and credit card companies will likely not pull information from only one bureau, so it’s important to regularly check your credit file at all major credit bureaus to ensure your credit history and information are up to date.
Credit cards that use Experian
Here are our top picks for the best credit cards that use Experian as a credit reporting agency, including their requirements, interest rates, and best features:
- American Express Gold – Best overall
- Milestone Gold – Best for easy pre-qualification
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best for entertainment benefits
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards – Best for cash back rewards
- Destiny Mastercard – Best for bad or fair credit
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards – Bets for travel rewards
- Citi® Double Cash Card – Best for flat-rate cash back
- Chase Freedom Flex – Best for low interest rates
1. American Express Gold
Why we chose it: Best overall
The American Express Gold credit card is a charge card with substantial perks, including 4x points at restaurants and supermarkets, and 3x points on flights. Even though it has a steep annual fee of $250, if you’re a frequent traveler the rewards are worthwhile.
New cardholders earn 60,000 bonus points as a welcome bonus, and the card has no balance transfer fees and no foreign transaction fees. Rates start at 21.24% APR.
The American Express® Gold Card is different from a credit card, as you cannot pay off your purchases in installments, you may be eligible for its Pay Over Time feature.
Benefits and rewards:
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants
- 4x points per dollar at supermarkets up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar
- 3x points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express travel
- 1x point per dollar on other eligible purchases
- Up to $120 in statement credits annually
Pros
- High rewards earnings possibilities
- Up to 5 authorized users for no additional annual fee
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points
Cons
- High APR for pay over time feature
- High annual fee of $250
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a minimum credit score of 690
- Provide proof of income
2. Milestone Mastercard
Why we chose it: Best for easy pre-qualification
The Milestone Mastercard credit card is an unsecured credit card with an initial credit limit of up to $700. The card may be ideal for those with bad credit as there is no minimum credit score requirement and you can apply online without impacting your credit.
The APR starts at 24.9% and there is a 1% foreign transaction fee.
There are three variants of the Milestone Mastercard, with annual fees ranging from $35 to $99. You won’t know which variant you qualify for until you are approved. For the highest fee variant ($99), there is a first-year offer of a $75 fee, followed by $99 in subsequent years.
The Milestone Mastercard has relatively easy approval odds; it does perform a credit check (including Experian) but gives instant credit decisions to applicants online.
Benefits and rewards:
- No welcome bonus or rewards
Pros:
- Pre-qualify online in minutes without hurting your credit
- Perfect for those looking to improve their credit
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
Cons:
- $40 fee for late payments
- $5 or 5% (whichever is greater) fee for cash advances, capped at $100
- The APR is higher than some other unsecured cards
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- No minimum credit score needed
3. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Why we chose it: Best for entertainment benefits
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good option for those who want a rewards card with entertainment benefits. It comes with an annual fee of $95, but the card offers good rewards like 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $4,000 in the first three months. This relates to a bonus of $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The card comes with an APR of between 21.24% and 28.24%, along with no foreign transaction fees and the ability to transfer your bonus points to over a dozen travel partners.
The card does require a good credit score, but the benefits can be worth it if you’re a regular traveler who wants to earn bonus points and enjoy ongoing rewards.
Credit worthiness is important here as you need a good credit score and a positive payment history to get approved for this card.
Benefits and rewards:
- 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Earn 5x total points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out
Pros
- New cardholder bonus offer
- Flexible rewards redemption
- Earn high rewards in several areas of spending
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
- No intro APR offer
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Why we chose it: Great secured card with cash back rewards
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured credit card is good for borrowers who want to improve their credit. It also offers great cashback rewards, making it a great option for those looking to earn rewards. You can have a credit limit between $200 and $5,000, depending mainly on your security deposit.
You can get up to 2% cash back at grocery stores as well as 3% cash back in your choice of categories: dining, online shopping, gas, travel, drug stores, and home improvement. After your first $2,500 spending in any category, you will earn 1% back on purchases.
Other perks include checking your FICO credit score for free and the ability to move to an unsecured card with a refund of your security deposit.
Benefits and rewards:
- Up to 3% cash back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, or home improvement.
- 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in purchases, then earn 1%.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Up to 3% cash back rewards
- Flexible credit limit
Cons
- Security deposit of $200 (minimum)
- No welcome bonus
Eligibility Requirements:
- Requires a security deposit
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a U.S. citizen
5. Destiny Mastercard
Why we chose it: Best for bad or fair credit
The Destiny Mastercard is an unsecured credit card aimed at individuals with bad to fair credit scores. The minimum starting credit limit is $300 and there is an annual fee between $59 and $75.
The card has a 24.9% variable APR and a cash advance fee of $0 for the first year. After the first year, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater, not to exceed $100. There is also a 1% foreign transaction fee.
As an added benefit, cardholders get Mastercard ID theft protection and zero liability protection.
The Destiny Mastercard reports your monthly payments to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax), which helps to build your credit profile.
To apply for the Destiny Mastercard, you can pre-qualify online with no impact on your credit score.
Benefits and rewards:
- No welcome bonus or rewards
Pros:
- Perfect for those looking to improve their credit
- Pre-qualify online in minutes
- Reports to all three credit bureaus
Cons:
- Has an annual fee
- Lower starting credit limit
- $40 fee for late payments
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- No minimum credit score needed
6. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Why we chose it: Best for travel rewards
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for students. It doesn’t require a good credit score to qualify and online pre-approval only takes a few minutes.
The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 18 months and for six months on balance transfers. Thereafter, an APR of 17.99% to 27.99% and a balance transfer fee of 3% on each transaction will apply.
This card offers good rewards, especially for travel. It comes with 25,000 online bonus points if you make purchases of at least $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account. You can use this as a $250 statement credit towards credit purchases.
In addition to this, you also get unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases. Rewards that you earn don’t expire.
Benefits and rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases
- Rewards don’t expire
Pros:
- Unlimited 1.5 reward points on all purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- 25,000 bonus points
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 18 months
Cons:
- 3% balance transfer fee
- No travel insurance
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be enrolled as a student
7. Citi® Double Cash Card
Why we chose it: Best for flat-rate cash back
The Citi® Double Cash Card is ideal for cardholders looking for a flat-rate cash back. There is no 0% introductory period for purchases, but the card comes with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months.
You earn 2% cash back on every purchase; 1% when you make the purchase and another 1% when the purchase is paid off. This is a good option for cardholders who make their minimum payments on time and there is no limit on the amount of cashback that can be earned.
The card has no annual fee, but there is a 3% foreign transaction fee and interest rates vary between 18.99% and 28.99% APR.
Benefits and rewards:
- Earn 2% cash back on all purchases – 1% when the purchase is made and 1% when the purchase is paid off
- No limits on the amount of cashback that can be earned
Pros
- 2% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period for balance transfers
- No limits on the amount of cashback earned
Cons
- There is a foreign transaction fee
- No 0% introductory APR on purchases
Eligibility requirements:
- Must have a good credit score (630-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
8. Chase Freedom Flex℠
Why we chose it: Best for low interest rates
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has no annual fee, great cardholder perks, and one of the most flexible cashback rewards programs available. You’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases that rotate quarterly. You’ll also earn 5% on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining, and 1% on all other purchases.
Chase doesn’t release the quarterly categories in advance, but some of the past categories included PayPal, Walmart, movie theaters, gas stations, Amazon.com, and streaming services.
There is no annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and transfers. The card comes with rates between 20.24% and 28.99% APR.
Benefits and rewards:
- $200 bonus when you spend $500 in three months
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides
- 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories up to a $1,500 maximum
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and transfers
Pros
- Travel rewards are among the best in the market
- No annual fee
- Flexible rewards redemption
- Welcome bonus
Cons
- Requires a good credit score
- Cardholders must enroll in rotating quarterly bonus categories
Eligibility requirements:
- Good credit score (690-850)
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must be a U.S. citizen
What is an experian credit score?
Experian is one of the three major credit bureaus in the U.S., along with TransUnion and Equifax. Many creditors, including mortgage lenders and credit card issuers, report payment histories and outstanding debt balances to Experian.
Each of these credit bureaus provides a credit report on a consumer, along with a credit score, showing their accounts, payment histories, and public records like bankruptcies and liens.
Each credit bureau has its own scoring system; Experian gives consumers a three-digit credit score that ranges from 300 to 850, with a score above 700 being considered as ‘good’.
Which credit bureau do most credit card issuers check?
When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer may check your credit score from Experian, Equifax, or Transunion – or all three. Banks don’t typically disclose which credit bureau they use when checking consumers’ information, however, some banks have been known to use one credit bureau more than the others.
One example is Discover, which mostly uses Equifax over the other bureaus. American Express, on the other hand, almost exclusively uses Experian. The same goes for Bank Of America. Wells Fargo pulls data from Experian quite often (about 47% of the time) and also uses TransUnion.
FAQs
Which bank pulls data from Experian?
Although there isn’t a bank that exclusively uses Experian, some banks that typically use Experian data include American Express, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.
