Cards That Report to All Three Bureaus

Why Reporting Matters

For your credit card activity to improve your credit score, it must be reported to the credit bureaus. Not all cards report to all three bureaus.

The Three Credit Bureaus

Equifax

One of the three major credit reporting agencies, widely used by lenders.

Experian

Often used for credit card applications and personal loans.

TransUnion

Commonly used for auto loans and mortgages.

Why All Three Matter

Different lenders check different bureaus. To maximize your options, you need positive history with all three.

• Mortgage lenders often check all three
• Auto lenders typically check one or two
• Credit card issuers vary by company
• Having gaps in reporting limits your options

What Gets Reported

• Payment history (on-time or late)
• Credit limit
• Current balance
• Account opening date
• Account status (open, closed, charged-off)

Reporting Timeline

Monthly Reporting

Most cards report once per month, typically on your statement closing date.

First Report

Your first report usually appears within 30-60 days of account opening.

Balance Reporting

The balance reported is usually your statement balance, not your current balance.

How to Verify Reporting

1. Contact the card issuer directly
2. Check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com
3. Use free credit monitoring services
4. Read the card's terms and conditions

Red Flags

• Cards that only report to one bureau
• Prepaid cards (usually don't report at all)
• Some store cards only report to one or two bureaus
• Small local banks may have limited reporting