Top 3 Habits of People With Perfect Credit Scores
Only a small percentage of people have perfect credit scores. Learn about their smart habits that help them maintain their credit scores and save money.
Image source: Getty Images
Perfect credit is a rare feat. Under the widely used FICO® Score system, 850 is a perfect score. Only 1.54% of Americans have achieved this, according to Experian. While you don't need absolutely perfect credit, a high score is good to have. It can help you get approved for the best credit cards and low interest rates on loans.
Experian also shared details about how these consumers manage credit, and it's useful information. Here are the habits of people with perfect credit scores that are worth implementing in your own life.
1. They make the most of credit card perks
People with perfect credit have about two more credit cards than the typical consumer (an average of 5.8 cards for those with perfect credit, compared to 3.9 for consumers as a whole). But this isn't because they need to borrow more money. They also have lower average credit card balances and use just 4% of their credit, on average.
Because they aren't carrying large balances, they get to take advantage of the benefits credit cards offer without paying costly interest charges. And when you have a high credit score, you're eligible for extremely valuable benefits. Here are a few examples of perks you can get from top credit cards:
- Cash back or travel rewards on purchases
- Sign-up bonuses for new cardholders
- Complimentary purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
- Complimentary travel insurance protections
For a real-life example, I use travel credit cards, and I save thousands every year with them. This summer, one of my cards saved me over $2,500 on a five-star hotel stay. If you want to save on travel, check out our curated list of the best travel rewards cards to find a card today.
2. They never miss a payment
There are many factors that go into your credit score, but the most significant is your payment history. When you pay credit cards and loans on time, it's good for your credit. If you pay late, or if you have an account that goes to collections, it can do serious damage. Even making just one late payment can take over 100 points off your credit score.
Luckily, you have a margin for error. Payments can't be reported as late on your credit file until they've been past due for at least 30 days. If you forget about your credit card payment, but you remember to pay it a week after the due date, that wouldn't hurt your credit. If it was 30 days late, that's when it would count against you on your credit history.
Consumers as a whole have an average of 1.5 accounts that have been reported as delinquent. People with perfect credit have zero. To protect your credit score, set up autopay or a monthly bill pay reminder so you never miss a payment.
3. They're careful about their credit card spending
As I touched on earlier, people with perfect credit have much lower credit card balances than everyone else. Their average balance is $3,028, compared to $6,501 for consumers as a whole. They also have an average credit utilization of 4%, compared to an overall average of 29%.
Your credit utilization is your card balances divided by your credit limits. For example, if you have $1,000 in balances compared to $5,000 in credit limits, your credit utilization is 20%. The lower this number, the more it will help your credit score.
More importantly, smaller credit card balances don't cost you nearly as much in interest. It's also easier to pay off your credit cards when you avoid overspending with them.
The best strategy with credit cards is to pay them off in full every month. If you do that, you aren't charged any interest on purchases, and you stay out of credit card debt. It's a safe bet that many people with perfect credit follow that approach.
Building good habits with credit
It usually doesn't hurt to learn from the best. In this case, these top habits of people with perfect credit are all well worth following. They can help you save money and build an excellent credit score.
Alert: highest cash back card we've seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it's so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
