Why Is My Credit Score Stuck at 750 and What Can I Do?

A credit score is a three-digit number, from 300 to 850, representing an individual’s creditworthiness. Lenders use this score to assess repayment likelihood; a higher score indicates lower risk and more favorable borrowing terms. Many consumers aim for an excellent credit score, and reaching 750 is a significant accomplishment. However, scores can plateau at this level, raising questions about further improvement.

Understanding Your Excellent Credit Score

A 750 credit score is considered excellent by both FICO and VantageScore models. For FICO, a score of 740 to 799 is “very good,” while 800 to 850 is “exceptional.” VantageScore categorizes 661 to 780 as “good” and 781 to 850 as “excellent.” This score is well above the national average, which was 715 for FICO in 2023.

A 750 credit score offers many financial benefits. It provides lower interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. Lenders see a 750 score as a strong indicator of responsible credit management, increasing approval chances for premium credit cards and higher limits. An excellent score can also lower car insurance premiums and improve rental application prospects. For most significant financial products, a 750 score already qualifies an individual for the most competitive terms available.

Factors Influencing High Credit Scores

A 750 credit score reflects consistent, responsible financial habits. Further increases become challenging due to how scoring models weigh factors at the upper end. Payment history, which accounts for 35% of a FICO score, is the most impactful factor. Individuals with a 750 score likely have a near-perfect record of on-time payments, leaving little room for additional points from this category.

Credit utilization, 30% of a FICO score, is another factor. This ratio measures the amount of credit used against the total available credit. While keeping utilization below 30% is recommended (under 10% optimal), the marginal benefit of reducing it from 5% to 1% is less substantial than improving from 50% to 20%. For those with high scores, their utilization is already likely very low, limiting further gains.

Length of credit history, 15% of a FICO score, improves over time. A long history with well-managed accounts is a hallmark of high scores, maturing with age and consistent use. Credit mix (10% of FICO) benefits from diverse credit types, like revolving credit and installment loans. Once a healthy mix is established, adding more types may not yield significant score improvements.

New credit inquiries, 10% of a FICO score, can temporarily reduce a score. For a 750 score, opening new accounts offers minimal upside unless there’s a specific financial need, as the temporary dip might outweigh long-term benefits. At this elevated score level, individuals already optimize these factors. Scoring models have less capacity to reward minor additional improvements, leading to a plateau.

Strategies for Marginal Score Improvement

Even with an excellent 750 credit score, subtle, long-term strategies can lead to marginal increases. One approach is aiming for ultra-low credit utilization. While keeping utilization below 30% is a common guideline, maintaining it below 3% or even 1% across all revolving accounts can provide a slight edge. This can be achieved by making multiple payments throughout the month or paying balances down before the statement closing date.

Strategic use of authorized user status can offer a minor benefit. Becoming an authorized user on an older, well-managed account with low utilization can positively influence credit history by adding years of on-time payments. However, this strategy carries risk if the primary account holder mismanages the account, as negative activity could also be reported. Confirm the card issuer reports authorized user activity to credit bureaus for any impact.

Reviewing credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for minor inaccuracies is another step. Even minor errors, like incorrect dates or misreported account statuses, can subtly affect a score. Disputes can be initiated online, by mail, or by phone directly with credit bureaus, with supporting documentation.

Maintaining accounts responsibly over an extended period naturally contributes to score improvement. The average age of accounts, a component of credit history length, increases as older accounts remain open. Avoiding the closure of old credit accounts, even if unused, helps preserve a longer credit history. While it may not result in rapid jumps, this consistent behavior provides incremental gains over time.

The Value of Scores Beyond 750

For most consumers, practical benefits of pushing a credit score significantly beyond 750 are minimal. Lenders consider scores in the mid-700s (e.g., 740 or 750) as the threshold for securing the most favorable interest rates and loan terms across financial products. This includes mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans, where the difference in rates offered to someone with a 750 score versus an 800+ score is often negligible or nonexistent.

The real-world financial difference between a 750 score and a score approaching 850 is typically very small. Once an individual reaches the “very good” or “excellent” range, incremental savings on interest or approval likelihood do not substantially increase. While a 750 score can qualify for the lowest mortgage rates, an 800 score may not yield a lower rate.

The primary focus for individuals with a 750 credit score should be maintaining this excellent standing through consistent good financial practices. This involves making all payments on time, keeping credit utilization low, and regularly monitoring credit reports for accuracy. Maintaining an excellent score ensures continued access to prime lending opportunities and positions individuals well for future large purchases or financial goals, without obsessing over marginal, inconsequential score increases.