An 800 credit score is considered an exceptional credit score!
According to Experian, about 21% of the population has an 800 credit score.¹
Getting to this score takes great financial habits, discipline, and patience with your credit history. Once you get here, you can expect all kinds of benefits. Continue reading to learn more about an 800 credit score.
Key Takeaways for an 800 Credit Score
Overview of Your Credit Rating
An 800 credit score is considered an excellent credit score.
Borrowing Options With a 800 Credit Score
You’ll have access to all kinds of loans, like personal loan options, credit cards, and auto loans. You’ll also likely get the most attractive rates with this credit score.
Improving a 800 Credit/FICO Score
Improving an 800 credit score can be tough because it’s already excellent and pretty close to perfect. Maintaining the healthy credit habits that got you to this score and being strategic with your finances can help.
Is an 800 Credit Score Good?
An 800 credit score is considered better than good; it’s a great score. Below are some of the advantages of this score. You’ll also find some tips on maintaining it.
What Can I Get Approved For?
Upstart
4.9 Trustpilot Rating
- Personal loans
- Car loan refinance
- Low fixed rates
- No hidden fees
Upstart is an online lending platform that partners with banks to provide personal loans from $1,000-$50,000. Upstart goes beyond traditional lending metrics to help borrowers find financing that considers their education, work experience, and more.
Min Credit Score Depends on Specific Lender
Freecash
4.6 Google Rating
- Highest payouts
- Instant cashouts
- Daily bonuses
- No credit score required
With Freecash, you get paid for testing apps, games, and surveys. Start by choosing an offer on the ‘earn’ page. Most offers only take 5-10 minutes to complete. Once you complete the offer, you’ll be rewarded with coins that you can exchange for cash.
No Minimum Credit Score Required
eMortgage
4.8 Google Rating
- Network of lenders
- Home purchase
- Home equity line of credit
- Home refinance
eMortgage is here to help you find the right home loan, refinance, HELOC, or reverse mortgage you need. Fill out some simple information about the type of property and loan you need, and they’ll connect you with up to 5 lenders who can help.
Min Credit Score Will Depend on the Lender You Choose
There may be many loan options available to you when you have an 800 credit score, and the best part is you can avoid expensive products like payday loans. Here are some examples of loan options you could have with an 800 credit:
Personal Loans
Personal loans are some of the most versatile loan options available; they can be made available in small or large amounts, have various uses, be available for good or bad credit, etc. This versatility is what makes these loans some of the most popular kinds of lending for consumers.
With an 800 credit score (and meeting the income requirements lenders have), you should be able to secure a personal pretty easily.
Not only that, but you should be able to get approved for amounts in the higher range (again, if you meet the minimum income and other requirements set) with an excellent credit score. Your personal loan rates should also be on the lower end.
Bank Loans
Bank loans are any loans that you can find from banks. Usually, with an excellent score, you’ll have access to a variety of loan options, such as personal loans, auto loans, private student loans, and even mortgages.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are a form of revolving credit; there are many different types out there. Most Americans have an average of 3 credit cards.² With an 800 score, you should be able to secure credit cards with no issues regarding your credit history and current score. Again, interest rates will be excellent when working with an 800 credit/FICO score!
The unique thing about credit cards is that they also may have several different introductory offers and rewards, especially for borrowers who have good credit scores.
Those with an 800 credit/FICO score will have access to all kinds of credit card options. Here are a few options that are popular with borrowers who have exceptional credit scores:
- American Express® Gold Card
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Citi Simplicity® Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
- Fifth Third 1% Cash/Back Card
- Capital One Venture Card
- Citi Premier® Card
- TD Double Up Credit Card
Although credit cards can be tempting, especially when having access to several different kinds from various credit card issuers, know that credit cards and other forms of revolving debt can quickly get out of hand. Alternatively, installment loans can be easier to manage because of the lump sum amount and equal monthly payments.
Car Loans
Car loans help borrowers finance the purchase of a new or used vehicle. These are other options that you should not have to worry about with credit approval when you have an 800 score. You should get flexible repayment terms and great interest rates while financing a car loan with your high credit score.
To summarize what you can expect when borrowing from a loan or credit card with an 800 score, here is a helpful guide:
Borrowing Terms | What to Expect With an 800 Score |
The Interest Rates | You’ll likely get the best rate ranges. |
APR’s | APRs will be in the lowest ranges offered. |
Repayment Terms | You’ll likely get more flexibility to choose between long and short-term if lenders offer that. |
Qualification | Your credit score should greatly help you qualify for a loan or line of credit. |
Credit Limits for Revolving Credit | You’ll likely get higher credit limits with revolving debt (as long as you meet income requirements). |
Products to Help Maintain a 800 Credit Score
Below are products that can available that can help you maintain your excellent credit score.
Credit Monitoring Services
Credit monitoring services are exactly what they sound like; they monitor your credit reports and let you know of any changes when they happen. When you have an excellent credit score, it is even more important to check your credit reports often; however, getting copies of your credit reports can be tough if you don’t have a lot of time.
These credit monitoring services will essentially do the work for you—but only for new changes in your credit history. And so, definitely look into these services if you want to maintain your score. Here are some options to look into:
- LifeLockTM
- Privacy Guard
- Aura
- Credit KarmaTM
- Each credit bureau’s credit monitoring service
Budgeting Tools and Apps
Budgeting is a great tool you can use to maintain your credit as well as take the best control of your finances. There are classic budgeting methods you can use, as well as budgeting apps. Apps usually make things easier because once you connect your finances, they can do the work for you. Here are some examples of commonly used budgeting apps:
- You Need a Budget (YNAB)
- PocketGuard
- Honeydue
- Rocket Money
- Monarch Money
Automation
Automating things can make finances easier and help you maintain your credit! Because payment history is one of the most important factors for credit, ensuring that loans, credit cards, and other bills are paid on time is extremely important. Automatic payments can pay your bills for you; just make sure you have enough funds in your bank account for those payments to go through. There are a few different ways you can automate your bill payments:
- Over the phone
- Online through your creditor’s online portal
- Through the creditor’s app
- Third-party budgeting apps such as the ones mentioned above.
These are just a few of the products out there that can be extremely helpful in maintaining your score.
Excellent Interest Rates and APRs
With an exceptional credit score of 800, you will likely get the best interest rates and APRs that lenders offer. This can be a huge advantage, especially when considering long-term financing options such as a mortgage, a car, or even private student loans. The better your credit scores, the lower the interest and APRs. With exceptional credit scores, you’ll likely get the best available rates.
Easy To Qualify for Financing and Other Financial Endeavors
With an 800 score, you’ll find it easy to qualify for financing, whether that may be to borrow money or finance an asset such as a home or car. Keep in mind that credit scores are not the only factor for financing; lenders/financial institutions will also consider income and your ability to repay them. And so an 800 credit score coupled with meeting the income and additional requirements could mean ease of approval for funding.
An Array of Financial Options
Having an exceptional credit score can also mean that you will have access to more lenders and options than someone with a bad credit score or even a good credit score. More choices can be highly beneficial in financial endeavors!
How to Maintain an 800 Credit Score
Here are some ways to maintain your pretty much perfect credit score:
Make Sure To Pay Your Bills on Time
The most influential factor that impacts your credit is your payment history, so it is extremely important that you make your monthly payments on time. If you already have a great credit score of 800, then you likely already know how to manage your bill payments. However, it is important to be consistent once you establish a great credit history.
Keep Your Credit Utilization Ratio Low
Your credit utilization measures the amount of debt you have against the amount of credit you have available; it is also a significant factor in your credit score. So, if you want to maintain an excellent credit score, you’ll want to make sure this ratio is, ideally, as low as possible, but anything under 30% is considered a low credit utilization ratio. Keeping this factor low also means avoiding unnecessary debt, which can be helpful with your finances overall.
Keep Accounts Open
It is very important to keep your credit accounts, especially if they are revolving forms of credit, open.
Improve Your Credit Mix
One key to maintaining a good/excellent score is having a diverse credit mix. Once you get to a great place with your credit, ensure that you continue keeping different kinds of credit accounts in the mix.
Check your Credit Report From Each Bureau Often and Fix Any Mistakes!
Consumers have a credit report from each credit bureau: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. They are entitled to a free credit report from each credit bureau. It’s important to take advantage of this and check your credit reports often! Mistakes can happen, and they can hurt your score. It’s important to correct any errors or inconsistencies promptly so your good credit score can stay that way.
Analyze Your Credit Reports From Each Credit Bureau
This goes hand in hand with checking your reports, and by taking a look at each, you can easily figure out what areas you can improve on.
For example, after taking a look at your report you may see that you have similar credit accounts in your credit history, and adding to your credit mix may help you get to an even higher credit score range. Or you may see that your credit utilization ratio is higher, and you may want to pay off some debt.
Be Aware of the Different Credit Scoring Models
The FICO credit scoring system is the most popular for lenders (a FICO score), but there are other credit scoring models that many lenders use; by familiarizing yourself with them, you can figure out actions that will help you with each.
These are just a few tips that you can use to maintain an excellent credit score of 800!
FAQs About 800 Credit Scores
Can having an 800 score impact my insurance rates?
Absolutely! Many insurance companies consider credit scores when determining premiums, so with a score as stellar as 800, you might just find yourself enjoying lower rates on auto or homeowners insurance.
Is it necessary to aim for a perfect score of 850 if I already have 800?
While reaching for the stars (or, in this case, a perfect score of 850) is admirable, it’s important to know that an 800 score already places you in the top tier of creditworthiness. The difference in the financial benefits between an 800 and an 850 score is often minimal.
How often should I check my credit report if I have an 800 score?
Keeping an eye on your credit report is always a smart move, especially when you’ve worked hard to achieve an 800 score. It’s recommended to check your credit report at least once a year, but if you’re keen on maintaining that top-notch score, you might want to do it more frequently.
What Interest Rate Can I Get With an 800 Credit Score?
The interest rate you could get with an 800 credit score will depend largely on the loan that you decide to take out and the lenders you choose to apply with. However, borrowers with an average credit score of 800 can expect the best rates with a loan. As a reminder, high credit scores can mean the best rates.
Can I Buy a House With an 800 Credit Score?
Buying a house has many parts to it, and the home buyer’s or buyers’ credit scores play a huge role in that. Having an 800 credit score puts you in great financial shape for a house purchase. With an 800 credit score, mortgage lenders may be willing to provide you with their best rates, which, over an average of 30 years, could mean thousands of dollars in savings.
In addition to credit scores, mortgage lenders will look at the following factors:
- Income — Income will play a large role in determining approval for a mortgage along with credit scores. Lenders will usually ask for proof of income for a few months or a year or so. Another thing that goes along with income is a borrower’s employment history and verification.
- Ability to repay the loan — This factor will encompass things like the debts they have and other monthly expenses. Lenders will do a deep dive in this aspect, so make sure you know exactly what your expenses are before going into a mortgage.
- Proof of assets — A home purchase requires a large amount of money down; lenders will definitely need to verify whether you will be able to provide this and other closing costs to secure the mortgage.
And so, your 800 FICO score will only take you so far with a mortgage; you’ll have to fulfill other requirements to secure one. However, an 800 credit score will not stand in your way.
Top 5 Resources for a 800 Credit Score
References:
- Do You Need an 800 Credit Score? | Yahoo News
- How many credit cards should I have? Experts weigh in | Fortune Recommends
- Best Credit Cards for Excellent Credit in January 2024 | CNBC
- The best credit cards for excellent credit January 2024 | CNN Underscored Money
- The 5 Best Budgeting Apps to Manage Your Finances in 2024 | Buy Side from WSJ