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Knowing and understanding your credit score is crucial for managing your finances effectively. It plays a key role in major life decisions — from buying a home to financing a car to opening new credit cards. If you want to immerse yourself in the travel rewards world, you'll need to keep track of your score.
The good news? There are plenty of free, easy ways to check both your credit score and credit report — helping you stay informed, detect fraud early, and position yourself for the best possible offers. Here’s how to do it.
Page Contents
Understanding Your Credit Score
First, let's briefly go over what credit scores are and how they're calculated.
Credit scoring models
There are two primary types of credit scoring models: the FICO Score and the VantageScore. FICO has been around much longer, but the VantageScore has grown increasingly more popular with lenders. Both models calculate scores ranging from 300 to 850, with anything above 670 considered “good.”
These scores are based on a variety of personal financial information, such as payment history, length of credit history, amount of debt, credit utilization, and types of credit in your name. Amounts owed and payment history are the two biggest factors, making up roughly 65% of your FICO score.
Additionally, each model has different versions that have changed over the years. So you will likely see numbers after the credit scoring model name that denote which version is being used, i.e., FICO Score 9 or VantageScore 3.0.
Credit scoring bureaus
The information the scoring models use to decide your credit score comes from three main bureaus: TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian. These three bureaus collect financial information and share it with the scoring agencies to determine your credit score. Each bureau collects different pieces of information from financial institutions, but all three give a broad view of your overall credit history that helps determine your score.
Since there are two main scoring models and three main scoring bureaus, it's likely you'll have different scores depending on where you check. Because of these differences, it's helpful to have multiple options for regularly checking your score. However, if you're wondering which score matters most, the majority of agencies will pull your FICO score when applying for financing (a home loan, car loan, credit card, etc.)
Checking Your Credit Report and Score With the Bureaus
You can check your credit report for free each week with all three major credit bureaus. It's important to note that this does not give you a score; instead, it gives you a full credit report showing your open accounts, account history, personal details, etc. Regularly checking this information to ensure accuracy is vital in tracking and understanding your credit score. It also helps you notice any potential fraud that may have occurred.
To get this free credit report, simply go to freecreditreport.com and enter your information. This is a joint-effort website from all three credit bureaus, providing a free weekly report from each.
Additionally, you can check your Experian credit score once a month for free directly through FICO. Furthermore, for a fee, you can also check your TransUnion and Equifax scores on that same website.
Banks
Most banks offer a way to check your credit score regularly for free. Let's look at the details for each.
American Express
Amex offers a service called MyCredit Guide, which allows anyone with an account to access their Experian FICO score 8. You do not have to be an Amex cardmember to access this service. Amex also provides a detailed credit report and tips for managing or improving your score.
Bank of America
Bank of America offers free FICO score checks via TransUnion. This service is available to “primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card.” Cardholders can check their credit score for free once a month.
We are prohibited from linking you directly to this service, but you can easily find it in these Google search results.
Barclays
Barclays members can access their TransUnion FICO score at any time by logging in to their account, selecting “services,” and then “Your FICO credit score.” You can also use this link to access the page directly.
Capital One
Capital One offers a service called CreditWise, which allows individuals to check their FICO score at any time using the Score 8 model based on TransUnion data. You do not have to be a Capital One member to use this service. CreditWise also provides tips and advice for managing your score and offers alerts for changes to your TransUnion and Experian credit reports.
Citi
Citi offers free access to your Equifax FICO score if you are a qualifying cardholder. To see if you're eligible, log into your Citi account. If eligible, your score should be listed on the left-hand side of the dashboard. You can select “Learn About Your Score” to see further details.
Chase
Chase's Credit Journey allows anyone to check their Experian VantageScore score for free at any time; no Chase account is needed. You can check your score as often as you'd like; however, your score will only be updated every 10–14 days. Credit Journey also offers credit monitoring and the option to create a free score improvement plan.
Discover
Discover members can access their TransUnion FICO score at any time. Cardholders and bank members can access their scores through the Discover website.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank members can access their TransUnion Vantage 3.0 score online or through the app at any time via the CreditView Dashboard. Your score is updated once a week.
Third-Party Options
In addition to the banks we've listed above, there are a few other options for checking your credit score:
- Credit Karma: Check your TransUnion and Equifax VantageScore at any time by logging on to the website or app.
- Credit.com: Check your Experian VantageScore for free. Scores are updated every 14 days.
- Credit Sesame: Check your TransUnion VantageScore daily for free.
Is There a Downside to Checking Your Credit Score?
There is a long-standing rumor that checking your score regularly will harm it, and this is patently false. Checking your credit score does not affect it.
Keeping an eye on your credit score and credit report is an important way to stay financially healthy, especially if you're involved in the world of award travel. Regularly checking your score allows you to see if there is room for improvement, keep an eye on any potential fraud, and know what card offers or loans you may qualify for.
Bottom Line
Your credit score is more than just a number; it’s the foundation of your financial flexibility. Whether you’re planning to open a new rewards card, refinance a loan, or simply ensure your identity hasn't been compromised, keeping tabs on both your credit score and report is an easy financial habit with a big payoff.
With so many free tools from banks, credit bureaus, and third-party apps, there’s no reason to stay in the dark. A quick monthly check-in can help you spot issues early, correct inaccuracies, and make sure you’re always ready for the next big credit card sign-up bonus.
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