Getting an 898 credit score is an impressive accomplishment that reflects responsible credit management. But is 898 considered “good” and where does it fall among the credit score ranges? Let’s break down what makes 898 a great score, how rare it is, and what you need to do to reach and maintain credit excellence.
What Does a Credit Score of 898 Mean?
An 898 credit score is firmly in the “exceptional” range, regardless of which credit scoring model is used. The most common credit score ranges are:
- FICO Scores: 300-850
- VantageScores: 300-850
FICO and VantageScore both consider scores above 800 to be exceptional. 898 would be near the top of the range for most scoring models.
Specifically a credit score of 898 means
- You’ll get easily approved for new credit at the best rates
- Lenders see you as representing extremely low risk
- You’ve demonstrated flawless credit management over time
- You’ll qualify for top-tier status with lenders
In short, an 898 score is great because it shows that you are creditworthy and lets you get the best loan terms.
How Rare is a Credit Score of 898?
Only 0.1 percent of people have credit scores above 860, according to FICO. That means that if you have a score of 898, you are in very small group of people with similar scores.
It’s exceptionally rare to see someone with a score over 850. Even achieving a perfect 850 is uncommon – only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO Score have hit that high mark.
Reaching near-perfect credit takes years of dedication for most people. Because of this, only a very small number of borrowers get scores of 898 or higher.
Is 898 the Highest Possible Credit Score?
While 898 is exceptional, it’s not technically the maximum score possible.
Some older VantageScore models go up to 990. Most now use the same 300-850 scale as FICO, but a 990 score could still appear on your credit report if an old model was used.
Additionally, industry-specific FICO Scores range from 250-900. Hence, a FICO Score for a credit card could be 900 or higher.
Realistically though, once you’re in the 850+ range it becomes increasingly difficult to inch your score higher. And for practical purposes, an 898 FICO or VantageScore already qualifies you for the best possible lending terms.
What Does It Take to Reach a Credit Score of 898?
Achieving near-perfect credit takes time and meticulous financial habits. Here are tips to reach and maintain a score of 898:
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Pay all bills on time, every time. Payment history is the most important factor. Never miss a payment if possible.
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Keep credit utilization low. Experts recommend keeping overall utilization below 30%. The lower the better.
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Limit new credit applications. Too many new accounts can lower your score, so only apply if you need to.
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Monitor credit reports. Verify all information is correct and catch any suspicious activity early.
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Have long credit history. Letting accounts age and build history over many years helps.
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Use a mix of credit. Have both installment (mortgages, auto loans) and revolving accounts (credit cards).
Getting an 898 credit score requires diligence and responsible habits over time. But with dedication, it’s an achievable goal for many – and the financial benefits make it worthwhile!
What Does a Credit Score of 898 Get You?
A stellar 898 credit score unlocks the most favorable loan terms and elite status with lenders. Benefits include:
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Easy credit approvals – Borrowers with 898 scores sail through application processes.
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Low interest rates – Exceptional scores qualify you for the lowest rates lenders offer. This saves substantially on credit costs over time.
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High credit limits – Lenders are comfortable extending larger credit limits given the low risk.
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Excellent rewards programs – Premium credit cards with lucrative rewards and perks are available options.
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VIP treatment – Many lenders extend their best service and concierge benefits to top-tier borrowers.
The financial advantages of reaching the 800+ credit score club are significant and wide-ranging. If you have the discipline to achieve an 898, you’ll reap rewards for years to come.
How to Maintain a Credit Score of 898
Reaching the 800s is an accomplishment – but staying there requires vigilance. To maintain excellence:
- Continue paying all bills early or on time
- Keep credit utilization minimal on all accounts
- Be prudent and selective about applying for new credit
- Monitor credit reports to quickly address errors
- Let accounts continue aging and building history
Even one misstep can drop your score when you’re at the top of the range. Consistently stellar financial habits got you to 898 – keeping it there means maintaining the same diligence.
The Takeaway: Is 898 a Good Credit Score?
There’s no debate – a credit score of 898 is exceptional by any standard. This near-perfect score represents flawless credit management and extensive positive history.
While reaching 898 is rare, it’s attainable for those with financial discipline. And it’s well worth the effort. An 898 score unlocks the most favorable lending terms, elite status, and convenience few borrowers enjoy.
So congratulations if you’ve hit this credit score pinnacle! Your financial life is sure to benefit. If 898 remains elusive, take heart – with responsible habits over time, you can steadily improve your score and reap rewards along the way.
What is the average credit score?
As of January 2024 the average credit score in the United States was 701. While this is the average credit score, it falls in the Fair Range.
What are credit score ranges and what is a good credit score?
Credit score ranges vary depending on the scoring model. Higher credit scores mean you have demonstrated responsible credit behavior in the past, which may make potential lenders and creditors more confident when evaluating a request for credit. Most credit score ranges are similar to the following:
- 800 to 850: Excellent Credit Score Individuals in this range are considered to be low-risk borrowers. They may have an easier time securing a loan than borrowers with lower scores.
- 740 to 799: Very Good Credit Score Individuals in this range have demonstrated a history of positive credit behavior and may have an easier time being approved for additional credit.
- 670 to 739: Good Credit Score Lenders generally view those with credit scores of 670 and up as acceptable or lower-risk borrowers.
- 580 to 669: Fair Credit Score Individuals in this category are often considered “subprime” borrowers. Lenders may consider them higher-risk, and they may have trouble qualifying for new credit.
- 300 to 579: Poor Credit Score Individuals in this range often have difficulty being approved for new credit. If you find yourself in the poor category, its likely youll need to take steps to improve your credit scores before you can secure any new credit.
Lenders use credit scores along with a variety of other types of information — such as information you provide on the credit application (for example: income, how long you have lived at your residence, and other banking relationships you may have) in their loan evaluation process. Different lenders have different criteria when it comes to granting credit. That means the credit scores they accept may vary depending on their criteria.
Score providers, such as the three nationwide credit reporting agencies (NCRAs)—Equifax®, Experian® and TransUnion®—and companies like FICO® use different types of credit scoring models and may use different information to calculate credit scores. Therefore, credit scores may be different from each other. Not all creditors and lenders report to all credit score providers.
What is a GOOD Credit Score in 2025? What’s the Average Credit Score Overall & By Age / Generation?
FAQ
Is an 898 credit score good or bad?
How to Improve Your 898 FICO Score An 898 credit score is excellent. Before you can do anything to increase your 898 credit score, you need to identify what part of it needs to be improved, plain and simple.
What is a good VantageScore credit score?
The latest VantageScore 3. 0 and 4. This is the same range that the base FICO® Scores use, from 300 to 850. A good score is between 661 and 780. VantageScore doesn’t have industry-specific credit scores, but it has released updated models over the years.
What is an excellent credit score?
An excellent credit score is between 781 – 850 based on the VantageScore ® 3. 0 model. If you want to have great credit, you need to keep up good credit habits like paying your bills on time and keeping your balances low. Beyond “good” and “excellent,” VantageScore ® 3. 0 classifies other ranges as well.
What is a good FICO credit score?
FICO’s industry-specific credit scores have a different range: 250 to 900. However, the middle categories have the same groupings, and a “good” industry-specific FICO ® Score is still 670 to 739. Scores above that are considered very good or exceptional.
How long does it take to get a VantageScore credit score?
While FICO typically requires at least six months of credit history, VantageScore can create a score with just one month of reported credit activity. FICO scores range from 300 to 850. VantageScore 2. 0 ranged from 501 to 990, but the newer VantageScore 3. 0 and 4. 0 match FICO’s 300 to 850 scale to reduce confusion.
What is a good credit score for a car?
A score of 720 or better puts you in the “excellent” credit score range. Atlanta-based credit expert John Ulzheimer, who has worked for FICO and credit bureau Equifax, says a healthy range depends on what your goals are. If you want to buy a car, you probably need a score of at least 720 to get the lowest interest rates, he says.
How rare is 900 credit score?
In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U. S. have a maximum of 850. And having a credit score of 850 is rare. According to the credit reporting agency Experian, only about 1. 3% of Americans have a perfect credit score, as of 2021.
What does a credit score of 898 mean?
Credit scores from 660 to 900 are generally considered good, very good, or excellent. There’s no “magic number” to reach when it comes to receiving better loan rates and terms.
What is a realistically good credit score?
People with credit scores between 300 and 850 have good credit. Scores between 670 and 739 are bad. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent. While credit scores range from 300 to 850, most people think that a score in the mid to high 600s or higher is good.
How rare is credit score over 800?
What it means to have a credit score of 800. A credit score of 800 means you have an exceptional credit score, according to Experian. According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.