topic Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards? in General Credit Topics

Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

MikeyMagic — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:00:12 GMT

I applied for 5 credit cards including secured cards from end of August 2023 to Oct 30th 2023 and I have 5 HP on Experian but only 2 on TU and 1 on Equifax.

I also have watched lots of credit card videos on youtube and read lots of threads in here and reddit and it seems that Experian gets pulled the most over the other 2 bureaus by a wide margin. I've watched youtube videos where people are applying live on the video for new credit cards and they freeze their Experian report before they apply. The person will say that they need to do so because there are too many inquiries on Experian compared to the other 2 bureaus.

Am I imagining this or is this true? And if so why?

Thanks a lot

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

SouthJamaica — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 05:17:26 GMT

@MikeyMagic wrote:
I applied for 5 credit cards including secured cards from end of August 2023 to Oct 30th 2023 and I have 5 HP on Experian but only 2 on TU and 1 on Equifax.

I also have watched lots of credit card videos on youtube and read lots of threads in here and reddit and it seems that Experian gets pulled the most over the other 2 bureaus by a wide margin. I've watched youtube videos where people are applying live on the video for new credit cards and they freeze their Experian report before they apply. The person will say that they need to do so because there are too many inquiries on Experian compared to the other 2 bureaus.

Am I imagining this or is this true? And if so why?

Thanks a lot

It's always been true for me. I consistently have more HP's on EX than on the other two combined.

As to why, I haven't a clue.

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

JoeRockhead — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 13:03:18 GMT

The single biggest factor is likely the fact that more lenders use Experian for credit reporting than use Equifax or Trans Union. In turn any particular debt and payment history is more likely to appear sooner on an Experian report making it more thorough and the most up to date.

Someone may come along and say "all my accounts are on all three CRAs". Yes they are, however, using current monthly payment history as an example, it most often shows up on Experian first while the others may show NR (not reported) and doesn't show a "pays as agreed" until two or three months later.

Experian may also be cheaper, or provide better integrated software, ease of use etc...

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

SouthJamaica — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:22:45 GMT

@JoeRockhead wrote:
The single biggest factor is likely the fact that more lenders use Experian for credit reporting than use Equifax or Trans Union. In turn any particular debt and payment history is more likely to appear sooner on an Experian report making it more thorough and the most up to date.

Someone may come along and say "all my accounts are on all three CRAs". Yes they are, however, using current monthly payment history as an example, it most often shows up on Experian first while the others may show NR (not reported) and doesn't show a "pays as agreed" until two or three months later.

Experian may also be cheaper, or provide better integrated software, ease of use etc...

That has not been my experience. In my experience, they've all been basically the same. And in those instances where one is behind the others, I haven't found EX to be any less likely than the others to be the laggard. But I will start looking to see if what you're saying is demonstrable on my reports.

Actually I guess you're right about that @JoeRockhead .

I just checked the last 3 bureau report I'd pulled and TU was a laggard twice, EQ was a laggard twice, and EX was never the laggard.

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

911gt34life — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:56:33 GMT

Base on location the pull .. here NY everything is ex ..

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

Junejer — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:09:17 GMT

Initially, the three CRAs divided the country TRW (now EX) had the largest territory covering the west, TU covered the central to east and EQ covered the southeast part of the country. It could be that EX is still the largest of the three and has the most resources. I still see the majority of our pulls are from TU. Our most recent car loans were all TU and one EX. Chase has been both EX and TU. My belief is that it is a combination of lender and your location.

Re: Why does Experian seem to be pulled the most when applying for new credit cards?

FireMedic1 — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:24:32 GMT

Florida is EQ happy.