Experian Boost: How It Works and How Much It Can Raise Your Score

Experian Boost works by having you connect a bank account or other eligible financial account that you use to pay bills, allowing Experian to identify qualifying on-time payments and add them to your Experian credit file. Experian says users who received a boost increased their FICO^® Score 8 by an average of 14 points, although your individual increase can be higher, lower or zero. This guide explains how to connect your accounts and add eligible payments, which bills can qualify, how much payment history can be added, who is most likely to benefit, and the limitations of Experian Boost, including the fact that it only affects your Experian credit file and may not be considered by every lender.

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How Does Experian Boost Work?

Experian Boost works by identifying eligible on-time payments in the bank and credit card accounts you connect to your Experian account. After you connect an account, Experian searches the transaction history for qualifying payments. You can then review the payments it identifies and choose which ones you want to add to your Experian credit file.

Experian says you can add up to two years of payment history for each eligible bill. Once you confirm the payments you want to add, your updated credit score is available immediately if the added information produces a score change.

You remain in control of the payment information that gets added. Experian says you can choose which bills to include and can add or remove bills from Boost.

How Much Can Experian Boost Raise Your Credit Score?

Experian says users who received a boost increased their FICO^® Score 8 by an average of 14 points. That figure is an average rather than a guaranteed increase. Your individual result can be higher, lower or zero depending on your existing credit profile and the payment information that qualifies.

Experian also says some consumers may see their score decrease after linking their accounts. If that happens, Experian says you can disconnect the linked accounts and your score should return to its previous result.

Who Can Benefit From Experian Boost?

Experian Boost can be particularly useful for consumers with limited credit histories or consumers who have eligible positive payment history that is not otherwise appearing on their Experian credit file. Adding additional payment information can give certain credit scoring models more information to consider when calculating a score.

Experian says consumers with little or no credit history and consumers with very poor to fair credit scores tend to benefit the most. However, Boost does not guarantee that you will receive a higher score or improve your chances of being approved for credit.

If you are just beginning to establish credit, Experian also says Boost may be available after you meet its requirements for having an eligible FICO^® Score. Experian currently states that you need at least one account on your credit report that has been active for at least six months and at least one account reported to a credit bureau within the past six months.

What Bills Qualify for Experian Boost?

Experian Boost can consider several types of recurring household payments, although individual payments must meet Experian's eligibility requirements. Eligible categories can include mobile and landline phone bills, utilities such as gas, water and electricity, insurance, residential rent, internet, cable and satellite services, and streaming services.

Not every payment in one of these categories qualifies. Experian currently says that, generally, at least three eligible payments to a qualifying payee within six months are required, with at least one of those payments occurring within the previous three months.

There are additional restrictions. Bills paid quarterly or less frequently and health insurance payments are not eligible. Payments made by paper check or through peer-to-peer payment services are also not eligible. Rent payments have additional requirements, including qualifying payment amounts, and rent may not be eligible if another data furnisher has already reported rent or mortgage information to your Experian credit file.

Does Experian Boost Work With Rent Payments?

Yes, eligible rent payments can be added through Experian Boost. Experian says qualifying residential rent payments generally must be made online to an eligible landlord or property manager or through a qualifying rent-payment platform.

Rent also has its own payment-history requirements. Experian says you generally need at least three residential rent payments within six months, with at least one payment made during the previous three months. The rent must also meet Experian's qualifying amount requirements.

Does Experian Boost Work With Insurance Payments?

Yes, certain insurance payments can qualify for Experian Boost. Experian says eligible insurance categories can include auto, life, homeowners, renters and pet insurance, while health insurance payments are excluded.

As with other Boost-eligible bills, the payment must meet Experian's requirements before it can be added to your credit file.

Does Experian Boost Affect All Three Credit Bureaus?

No. Experian Boost adds eligible payment information to your Experian credit file. It does not add the same information to your TransUnion or Equifax credit reports.

This means a score increase from Experian Boost does not automatically appear in credit scores calculated from your TransUnion or Equifax reports. A lender that pulls a different credit report may therefore not see the benefit from your Boost enrollment.

Does Experian Boost Work With Every Credit Score?

No. Experian Boost can affect multiple credit scoring models that use information from your Experian credit file, but lenders are free to use different credit reports and scoring models.

Experian says Boost can affect FICO^® Score 3, FICO^® Score 8, FICO^® Score 9, FICO^® Score 10, VantageScore^® 3.0 and VantageScore 4.0. However, not every lender uses Experian, and not every lender uses a score affected by Experian Boost.

Does Experian Boost Work for Mortgage Applications?

Not necessarily. Experian's current disclosure says most mortgage lenders do not consider credit scores impacted by Experian Boost.

That makes this an important limitation if you are considering Boost because you are preparing to apply for a mortgage. A score increase that appears in your Experian account does not guarantee that the mortgage lender will use that particular score or even the Experian credit report.

Is Experian Boost Safe?

Experian Boost uses connected financial accounts to identify qualifying payments, so you do have to give Experian access to the transaction information it needs to provide the service. Experian says the access is read-only and that it does not store your bank credentials.

If you are uncomfortable connecting a bank or credit card account, that is an important consideration before using Boost. You can also remove linked accounts if you decide you no longer want to participate.

Can Experian Boost Hurt Your Credit Score?

It can temporarily lower your score for some consumers, although Experian says the score should return to its previous result if you disconnect the linked accounts. This is one reason the old idea that Experian Boost is completely risk-free is too broad.

At the same time, Experian Boost only considers positive payment information from the bills you add. Late payments on those bills are not added to your Experian credit file through Boost.

Is Experian Boost Worth Using?

Experian Boost can be worth trying if you have eligible bills and want to see whether your positive payment history can improve your Experian-based credit scores. The service is free, and you can see immediately whether adding qualifying payments changes your score.

However, Experian Boost should not be viewed as a replacement for establishing and maintaining traditional credit accounts. It also should not be relied upon to produce a particular score increase or to improve your chances of approval with every lender.

Bottom Line

Experian Boost is a free way to potentially improve your credit scores by adding eligible on-time household payments to your Experian credit file. It can include payments for utilities, phone service, rent, insurance, internet, cable, satellite and streaming services, provided the payments meet Experian's requirements.

Experian says users who received a boost increased their FICO^® Score 8 by an average of 14 points, but individual results vary. The benefit is also limited by the fact that Boost information is added only to your Experian credit file and that not every lender uses a score affected by the service.

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