Your credit score is one of the best ways to tell how healthy your finances are, and lenders use it to decide if you can get loans, how much interest you can pay, and other things. The FICO score, the most widely used credit score, ranges from 300 to 850, and many people view a credit score over 800 as ideal.
Here are some of the perks of having an 800 credit score and how to get an 800 credit score or higher. Yes, it is possible!.
Getting an exceptional credit score of 800 in just 45 days may seem impossible, but with focus and dedication, it can be done. Having a credit score of 800 unlocks the best rates and terms from lenders and opens the door to prime borrowing opportunities. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to get your credit score to 800 in 45 days or less.
Why Get an 800 Credit Score?
- An 800 credit score is considered “exceptional” by FICO and places you in the top tier of borrowers.
- With an 800 score, you’ll qualify for the lowest interest rates from lenders, saving potentially thousands of dollars over the life of loans.
- You’ll have high approval odds for top rewards credit cards, premium travel cards, and exclusive financing offers.
- An 800 credit score signals to lenders that you are an extremely low-risk borrower who pays bills on time and manages credit responsibly.
10 Steps to Get to 800 in 45 Days
Follow these 10 steps to raise your credit score to 800 within 45 days:
1. Check your credit reports
Pull your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and dispute any errors you find Inaccurate information like late payments or collections that aren’t yours can drag down your scores
2. Pay down credit card balances
Pay off credit cards with the highest balances first to lower your overall credit utilization ratio. Experts recommend keeping utilization below 30%, and the lower the better
3. Make all payments on time
To keep from being late on payments, set up autopay or payment reminders. Missed payments can really hurt your credit score. If you do pay late, call and ask for a “goodwill deletion.”
4. Pay off debt in collections
Get in touch with collection agencies and pay off any debts they are trying to get you to remove these marks from your credit report.
5. Ask for credit limit increases
Request higher limits from issuers to lower your utilization ratios. Acceptable utilization helps boost your scores.
6. Become an authorized user
Ask a family member or friend with good credit to add you as an authorized user to one of their long-term accounts.
7. Open a new credit card
Apply for a new credit card since mix of credit types helps your scores, but space out applications by at least 6 months.
8. Refinance loans
Consolidating high-interest debts with a refinance loan can simplify payments and improve your credit mix.
9. Add utility bills to your credit file
Services like Experian Boost let you add positive payment history from utility and telecom bills to your credit reports.
10. Monitor credit scores weekly
Check your credit score every 7-10 days to ensure your efforts are paying off and you’re on pace to hit 800.
Maintaining an 800 Credit Score
Once you hit 800, maintaining that high score involves:
- Paying all bills on time, every time
- Keeping credit utilization very low across all cards
- Leaving old accounts open to preserve credit history
- Limiting hard credit inquiries from new applications
- Monitoring credit reports frequently for errors
- Having a diverse mix of credit types in good standing
Final Tips for Getting to 800 Fast
- Get serious about an 800 credit score by committing to diligent credit management.
- Stay focused on paying down debts and disputing errors during the 45-day push.
- Be willing to make spending adjustments to free up more cash for debt payments.
- Don’t take on new debts during your 45-day sprint to 800.
- Celebrate your achievement with rewards once you reach your exceptional credit score goal!
Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low
Your credit utilization rate is another important element of your credit score. This rate is calculated by dividing your credit card balance by your credit limit. For instance, if you have a $1,000 balance on a card that can only hold $2,000, your utilization rate is 200%.
Your utilization rate is calculated for each credit card and an aggregate across all your credit card accounts.
According to Experian, people in the 800 club have an average utilization rate of 11.5%.
In addition to the utilization rate on your credit cards, the FICO score also considers how much debt you have overall. If you’re overloaded with debt, it can negatively impact your credit score and make obtaining an 800 credit score difficult.
Unfortunately, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how much you should borrow. But if you find that 50% or more of your monthly earnings go toward debt payments, you may want to consider paying off some accounts and avoiding more debt.
The third most influential factor in your credit score is the length of your credit history. In other words, it often takes several years to reach the 800 club. Which is why lenders find it easier to decide if you’d be a risky borrower the more they know about how you handle your debt and credit.
As a result, practicing these good credit habits over time will help improve your odds of developing excellent credit.
Why a High Credit Score Matters
Excellent FICO scores fall within the 800-850 range. If your credit score is in this range, it might be easier for you to get a loan or credit line with a low interest rate.
While everyone’s situation differs, an 800 credit score generally means you’ve managed your credit lines and loans responsibly by making on-time payments. You also probably have an established credit history and a good mix of debt, and you’re likely using only a small amount of your available credit.
There are several perks of having an excellent credit score, primarily when you apply for financing but also in other areas of your life:
- Lower Interest Rates—If you’ve shown that you can responsibly handle your debt, lenders will often give you the best interest rates on loans and credit cards. Some types of loans can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars if you are in the “800 club.”
- Better Deals: If you want to get a new credit card, having a credit score of 800 or higher will help you get some of the best credit cards that are only given to people with great credit.
- Higher Credit Limits—Most credit cards have a credit limit that is based on your income, credit score, and other things. The credit card company is more likely to trust you to pay off your monthly balance if your credit score is high. As a result, you’ll typically qualify for higher credit limits.
- Better Insurance Rates—In states where it’s legal, most auto and home insurance companies use your credit history to help them figure out how much to charge you each month. They don’t use your FICO score, but they do use an insurance score based on your credit that is similar to your FICO score. If you have good credit, you may be able to get lower insurance rates.
How to Get an 800+ Credit Score for $0!
FAQ
How to get an 800 credit score in 45 days?
Here are 10 ways to increase your credit score by 100 points – most often this can be done within 45 days. Check your credit report. Pay your bills on time. Pay off any collections. Get caught up on past-due bills. Keep balances low on your credit cards. Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.
How quickly can you get an 800 credit score?
If you’re new to the world of building credit, you might expect it to take several years before you hit the 800s, as scoring algorithms factor in not only financial responsibility over a long period, but also average and overall credit account age(s).
How can I raise my credit score fast 800?
How to Get an 800 Credit ScoreObtain Your Credit Report and Resolve Any Discrepancies. Analyze Your Credit Report for Areas of Improvement. Establish a Strong Payment History. Manage Your Credit Utilization. Maintain a Mix of Credit Types. Lengthen Your Credit History. Monitor Your Credit Report and Credit Score.
Has anyone got a 900 credit score?
Credit card companies and auto lenders that still use the older FICO® Bankcard Score model are the only ones who can usually give you a 900 credit score. Mar 28, 2025.