11 Credit Cards That Give Free FICO Scores

Credit

It’s easy to get your credit reports for free. In fact, you can get a free credit report from each credit bureau every 12 months. But, unfortunately, your credit history does not include your credit score. It only contains the financial information that contributes to it.

Discover free credit ccore

Several websites, like Credit Karma and Credit Sesame, offer free credit scores, but they don’t use the FICO credit scoring models. And since the FICO score is the one used by most lenders in the country, it’s the one you’ll want to pay close attention to.

A less popular alternative is VantageScore 3.0, which is calculated by all three major credit bureaus and is increasingly used by financial institutions.

But unless you pay for your FICO score or VantageScore, it’s difficult to get an accurate view of your credit score.

How to Get Your FICO Score for Free

A significant number of credit card companies now extend the valuable benefit of providing free access to your FICO score. This service often includes credit monitoring, which can be a crucial tool in managing and understanding your credit health. To see if you’re already eligible for this feature, review our list of credit card issuers that offer this perk to their customers.

For those whose current credit cards do not offer this advantage, considering a new credit card could be a strategic move. Our comprehensive list can serve as a guide to selecting a credit card that aligns with your financial goals and offers the added benefit of free FICO score access.

It’s important to note that enjoying these benefits does not require carrying a monthly balance on your card. Responsibly managing your credit card can provide you with these insightful services without incurring additional debt.

In exploring these options, prioritize cards that align with your spending habits and financial goals. Whether you’re seeking rewards, low interest rates, or specific perks, many credit card providers combine these advantages with free access to your FICO score. This dual benefit allows you to manage your finances effectively and keep a close eye on your credit health, an essential aspect of your overall financial well-being.

Top Credit Cards Providing Free FICO Scores

Here is a comprehensive list of major credit card issuers that offer a free FICO scores. In addition, you’ll find out what type of credit card you need, and whether general bank membership is enough to qualify.

Credit Card IssuerWho Can Access
American Express
Offers FICO score to cardholders. Compares your current credit score to your previous month’s score, and shows what category you’re in.
Cardholders
Bank of America
Gives cardholders their TransUnion scores from FICO. It shows you the trend of your recent FICO scores and how you compare to others nationally. You can see what is influencing your credit score and get notifications when your updated score is available.
Cardholders
Barclaycard US
Also uses your TransUnion FICO score. You’ll receive an email alert whenever your score changes, plus information on why it has changed.
Cardholders
Chase
Provides FICO 8 scores using your Experian credit report. In addition to your FICO score, you’ll get an analysis of why your score is at that number, plus information on how you can improve your credit score.
Slate Cardholders
Citi
Get your FICO score using information from your Equifax credit report. Provides a helpful chart with your credit score that shows how lenders interpret different credit score ranges.
Certain Account Holders
Commerce Bank
Your FICO credit score is included on every monthly statement, along with why you scored that way and tips on improving your score. It also shows you how your score could potentially affect rates and terms.
Cardholders
Discover
Comes from your TransUnion credit report. You’ll receive your free FICO score and Credit Scorecard on your monthly statement and can also access it online. There you’ll also see the two most significant factors affecting your credit.
Anyone
First Bankcard
You’ll get monthly access to your FICO 8 Bankcard Score, which is what banks use to analyze their customers. You can access your credit information online, where you’ll also see the major contributing factors to your FICO score.
Cardholders
Navy Federal Credit Union
NFCU offers its primary cardholders a free FICO score. You can view your score online or on the credit union’s mobile app. Using TransUnion Vantage 3 model, these scores are updated monthly.
Cardholders
Walmart Credit Card
In addition to your monthly FICO score, you’ll also see the top two reasons impacting your number. Free service for those enrolled in online statements.
Cardholders Enrolled in E-Statements
Wells Fargo
Currently offered to credit cardholders, and will soon include anyone with any line of credit with Wells Fargo, including a mortgage, car loan, student loan, or personal loan. Your free FICO score is offered through the bank’s app on your smartphone or tablet.
Anyone with a Consumer Credit Account

Credit Cards Providing Alternative Free Credit Score Services

While the following credit card issuers may not provide FICO scores, they offer access to other respected credit score models. These alternative scoring systems still give valuable insights into your credit health, helping you to stay informed and manage your finances effectively.

Credit Card IssuerWho Can Access
Capital One (VantageScore 3.0)
Capital One’s free credit monitoring tool is called CreditWise. Anyone can create an account to log on and access their credit score, either online or through the smartphone app.
Anyone
Credit One Bank
The Credit One Bank Visa with Free Credit Score Access gives you free access to your Experian credit score and credit report summary online. This credit card is available to consumers with bad credit.
Cardholders
U.S. Bank (Experian)
Cardholders get automatic access when they log into their accounts online.
Cardholders
USAA Bank (VantageScore 3.0)
Both bank members and credit cardholders receive daily credit monitoring from Experian. You can see your current credit score as well as past scores, and you’ll get regular credit alerts on any changes.
Members

The Importance of Regularly Monitoring Your FICO Score

Keeping track of your FICO score is an essential part of maintaining your finances. Whether you’re actively working to repair your credit or preparing to make a major purchase with a loan, it’s necessary to know. You may already know you have good credit or aren’t entirely sure, the point is — you need to know.

Compare it to getting a dental checkup and cleaning every few months. You might not have any cavities, but you still go to prevent getting any in the future. Checking your FICO score regularly works the same way.

If you find out your FICO score is low, you can get the help you need to fix it. Conversely, if your FICO score is on par, you know it’s a good time to get the best rates on a new loan. You can also refinance any current loans to get a lower interest rate.

Understanding the Variations in Your Credit Scores

Even if you use the same scoring company, like Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) or VantageScore, you may receive a few different credit scores. It may seem strange that these numbers should differ, but in reality, it’s not uncommon at all.

That’s because you receive a separate credit score for each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Each credit bureau may collect slightly different financial data that contributes to your FICO score. In some cases, your creditors may only report information to one or two of the credit bureaus.

It may seem complicated, but lenders view all three credit scores to get a more holistic look at your credit history. Typically, they use your middle credit score to determine your loan terms.

If you’re applying for a loan with a spouse or someone else, the lender usually uses the lower of the middle credit scores. So if your middle credit score is a 680, but your spouse’s is just a 625, the lender will go with the 625 for your loan application.

Effective Strategies to Boost Your FICO Score

Knowing your FICO credit score is the first step toward improving your credit. This knowledge equips you with the power to make impactful changes. Here are key strategies to enhance your FICO score:

Maintain timely payments: Your payment history significantly influences your FICO score. Timely payments demonstrate financial responsibility. Address any late payments or delinquencies promptly to avoid negative impacts on your score.

Reduce credit utilization: A vital factor in your credit score is your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of your credit limit in use. Aim to keep this ratio low. Prioritize paying down your debts, focusing on high-interest credit cards first. Even small reductions in outstanding balances can positively affect your credit score.

Dispute and remove inaccuracies: Regularly review your credit report for errors or inaccuracies. If you find any, dispute them with the credit bureaus. You can do this yourself or seek assistance from a credit repair service. These firms specialize in handling all types of credit disputes and can be particularly helpful if you have multiple issues to address.

Engage with a credit repair service: For those overwhelmed by the credit repair process or dealing with multiple negative items, professional credit repair services offer expertise and support. They handle negotiations and disputes on your behalf, alleviating the stress and time commitment involved in credit repair.

Monitor your credit regularly: Stay proactive in your financial journey by routinely checking your credit score. Many banks and credit unions provide free credit monitoring services. Regular reviews help you stay informed, detect any issues early, and maintain financial discipline.

Educational resources and professional guidance: Consider utilizing resources and professional guidance for comprehensive credit management. Our compiled list of recommended companies and tools offers a starting point for those seeking expert advice and tailored solutions.

By implementing these strategies, you can gradually improve your FICO score, paving the way for better financial opportunities and terms in the future.

Conclusion

Understanding and monitoring your FICO credit score is a vital aspect of financial health. Fortunately, various credit card issuers provide free access to this crucial information. From American Express to Wells Fargo, these cards offer more than just a glimpse into your credit status; they often include additional benefits like credit monitoring and actionable financial insights.

Regularly checking your FICO score is as important as maintaining a balanced budget. By leveraging these free services, you can make informed financial decisions, improve your credit scores, and unlock better opportunities in your financial journey.

Lauren Ward
Meet the author

Lauren is a personal finance writer who strives to equip readers with the knowledge to achieve their financial objectives. She has over a decade of experience and a Bachelor's degree in Japanese from Georgetown University.