7 Best Credit Cards That Use Experian
Applying for a credit card will likely trigger a credit check from one or all of the major credit bureaus. However, there is no guarantee of which credit bureau a credit card company chooses, but there are some companies that are known to use Experian more than the other bureaus.
There is no credit card company that only uses one particular credit bureau to pull credit reports. Companies can use one or multiple bureaus including TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian to pull data from when assessing a credit card application, and there is no guarantee of which bureau they would choose. There are, however, some companies that have been known to pull data from Experian mostly like American Express which uses Experian around 90% of the time to check an applicant’s credit.
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. 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. Your score can make a significant difference in the terms and interest rates that you may receive also.
We have provided a list of companies that use Experian mostly to pull credit reports, followed by the top picks for the best credit cards from these companies.
Which Credit Card Companies Use Experian?
When you apply for a credit card, the card issuer may check your credit score from Experian, Equifax, or Transunion – or all three. Companies don’t typically disclose which credit bureau they use when checking consumers’ information and there is no guarantee that they will choose a particular one. However, some banks have been known to use one credit bureau more than the others. The state that you reside in might also have an impact on which credit bureau your company will use.
Following are a few examples of credit card companies that use Experian more than other bureaus in general.
American Express:
American Express is known to use Experian the most compared to other credit card companies. It almost always uses Experian exclusively, almost 90% of the time, for a hard inquiry when assessing a credit card application.
Bank of America:
Bank of America also usually uses Experian for about 80% of the time to pull credit reports. For specific cards, they may use TransUnion. In case the applicant has frozen their Experian report, they will most probably use TransUnion.
Chase:
While Chase generally uses Experian slightly more than the other bureaus, the choice of credit bureau may change according to the state you reside in. Some states might prefer TransUnion or Equifax over Experian and some might pull data from at least two bureaus for each application.
Citi:
Citi commonly uses Experian or Equifax to pull credit reports. For some applications, they may use both for a credit pull. Very rarely do they use TransUnion.
Wells Fargo:
Wells Fargo uses Experian around 40% of the time followed by TransUnion and Equifax. The bureau it uses to pull credit reports from also depends mostly on the applicant’s state of residence.
Credit Cards That Commonly Use Experian More
| Lender | Scholaroo rating | Regular APR | Credit Score |
|---|---|---|---|
 American Express Gold Best overall Visit website | 21.24% - 29.24% | 690+ | |
 Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card Great secured card with cash back rewards Visit website | 25.74% | No minimum credit score | |
 Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students Best for travel rewards Visit website | 17.99% - 27.99% | Good (690 - 850) | |
 Chase Freedom Flex℠ Best for low interest rates Visit website | 20.24% - 28.99% | Good (690 - 850) | |
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Best for entertainment benefits Visit website | 21.24% - 28.24% | Good (690 - 850) | |
 Citi® Double Cash Card Best for flat-rate cash back Visit website | 18.99% - 28.99% | Average / Good (630 - 850) | |
 Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card Best for everyday spending rewards Visit website | 19.99% - 29.99% | Good (690 - 850) |
American Express Gold
Best overall
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
Great secured card with cash back rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Best for travel rewards
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Best for low interest rates
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for entertainment benefits
Citi® Double Cash Card
Best for flat-rate cash back
Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card
Best for everyday spending rewards
1. American Express Gold
2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
3. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
4. Chase Freedom Flex℠
5. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
6. Citi® Double Cash Card
7. Wells Fargo Active Cash Visa® Card
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’.
FAQs
Which bank pulls data from Experian?
Although there isn’t a bank that exclusively uses Experian, some banks that typically use Experian data more commonly include American Express, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo.
Does Citibank use Experian?
Citi uses Experian to pull data but they may also use other credit bureaus like TransUnion and Equifax when reviewing credit card applications.
Can I get a credit card with an Experian credit score?
If you have a good credit score with Experian you’ll increase your chances of getting approved for a credit card, especially from banks and card issuers that use Experian to pull data.
