Lenders use your credit score to determine whether to approve you for credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other financial products. Your score can also affect how much you pay for insurance and whether you get a lease on an apartment.
It's a three-digit number that ranges from 300 to 850. A score of 800 or above is considered "exceptional" credit — the top tier.
Find out how to do it, how rare an accomplishment it is and what it really means for your finances.
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How many people have an 800 credit score?
According to Experian, nearly a quarter of U.S. consumers (23%) had a FICO® ScoreΘ of at least 800 in March 2025, up from 21.2% in 2023.
In fact, consumers with exceptional credit were the second-largest segment after those with "very good" credit (740 to 799). That's encouraging, given that Americans are carrying an average of more than $6,500 in credit card debt.
- Exceptional (800-850): 23.0%
- Very good (740-799): 27.5%
- Good (670-739): 20.4%
- Fair (580-669): 14.9%
- Poor (300-579): 14.2%
Based on FICO® Score 8 in March 2025
What an 800 credit score means
FICO and VantageScore are the two major credit scoring companies in the U.S, although FICO is far more popular. (It's used in 90% of lending decisions.) A FICO Score of 800 will make it much easier for you to be approved for credit cards, loans and mortgages at the best interest rate and terms.
But the reality is, a credit score of 760 will also put you in the top credit tier in most cases. And your score will undoubtedly fluctuate as you make purchases, take out new loans and pay down your debts. The exact digit is less important than the range, so focus on paying your bills on time and limiting how much credit you're accessing.
How to get an 800 credit score
If you're determined to get an 800 (or better), FICO considers five factors when calculating your credit score:
Payment history (35%): This is the most important factor, so make sure your payments are made on time and in full. According to a LendingTree analysis of 100,000 credit reports, 100% of borrowers with an 800 or higher always paid their bills on time. Schedule reminders when they're due and, if you have the funds, set your accounts to autopay.
Credit utilization (30%): The second largest factor in your score is the amount of credit you use compared to your total credit limit across all revolving accounts. Experts recommend keeping your ratio below 30%, but according to Lending Tree's survey, the average ratio for consumers with credit scores of 800 or higher was just 5.5%.
Reducing your debt load is ideal, but you can also request a higher credit limit, so long as you don't use it.
Credit history (15%): How old is your oldest account? Having a longer credit history tells lenders you have experience successfully managing debt. Avoid canceling your oldest credit card and be selective about getting new cards
Credit mix (10%): Having different types of credit — credit cards, student loans, an auto loan and a mortgage, for example — will tip the scales in your favor. But it's not worth taking on debt just to boost your score.
New inquiries (10%): Be selective about adding new lines of credit, and don't apply for too many cards or other products in a short period.
Track your credit with credit monitoring and ID protection
Best credit cards for an 800 credit score
Having a credit score of 800 gives you access to some of the best credit cards on the market, with lower APRs, more rewards and better welcome bonuses.
The American Express Gold Card is great for earning valuable Membership Rewards® points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
- You can earn $400+ in dining and rideshare credits every year (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Exceptionally rewarding for eligible restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Larger annual fee
- Credits are more complicated, you earn them monthly or semi-annually
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You'll know upfront exactly how much you'll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Foreign transaction fee
None
The American Express® Gold Card sets the, well, gold standard for luxury cards — especially if you travel and dine out a lot.
Cardholders get an up to $120 dining credit and a $100 credit toward eligible charges* when you book a minimum two-night stay through American Express Travel's Hotel Collection.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase TravelSM
- 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
For a generous welcome bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred® (see rates and fees) offers 75,000 bonus points if you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Cardholders also earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X points on dining, 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X on all other purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is also a top choice for travel protection, with trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and emergency assistance services.
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*Eligible charges vary by property.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
