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Your credit score is a big deal. It affects everything from what credit cards you’re eligible for to what interest rates you’ll receive on a loan.
Have no idea what your score is? Don’t panic; you’re not alone. According to a recent survey of 5,000 people, 54% of respondents said they don’t check their credit scores.
Luckily, Chase offers an easy and free way to check your credit score: the Chase Credit Journey tool. Here’s how Chase Credit Journey works and how you can use it to monitor your credit.
What is Chase Credit Journey?
Anyone can sign up for a Chase Credit Journey account, a free tool you can use to monitor your credit score and credit activity. When you log in, you can see your VantageScore 3.0, so you know where your credit stands before applying for a new credit card or loan. Your credit score updates in Chase Credit Journey on a weekly basis.
The Chase Credit Journey tool also provides you with your Experian credit information, which is also updated weekly. It details all of your credit activity, such as credit cards you have, student loans you’re repaying, and missed payments. Reviewing your credit report regularly is a good idea so you can catch any errors that may affect your score or signs of identity theft.
How to access Chase Credit Journey
You don't need to be a Chase cardholder to use Chase Credit Journey. Even if you don't have a Chase credit card, you can still create an account and view your credit information on the Chase Credit Journey website.
If you are a Chase customer, you can view the Chase Credit Journey dashboard by logging into your Chase account. Click on the My Credit Journey link and the site will redirect you to your dashboard.
Once you’ve reached the tool, the main screen shows you your credit score, credit utilization, and available credit. Plus, it allows you to view your oldest account and see how your score has changed over time. It will also tell you the main factors impacting your credit score, such as new accounts, late payments, total balances, and number of hard inquiries.
To view your free credit report, click on “Credit report” in the "Credit" dropdown at the top of the screen. It will list all your opened and closed accounts, as well as any recent credit inquiries.
Using the Chase Credit Journey Score Simulator
One feature you may find especially helpful is the Score Simulator. Using it, you can see how different actions could affect your score. For example, you can see how your credit score would be impacted by paying down your balances or opening a new line of credit.
The Score Simulator isn’t completely accurate and is just an estimate of how different actions can affect your credit. However, it can be helpful if you’re working to improve your credit and want to maximize your results.
How does Chase Credit Journey help?
Chase Credit Journey is a good tool for anyone looking to monitor their credit score and their credit report. There are many credit-monitoring services out there, but many of them charge a fee. Chase Credit Journey is completely free, so it’s an excellent benefit.
However, you shouldn’t rely solely on Credit Journey to monitor your credit. It only reflects your VantageScore and pulls information only from your Experian report. It’s important to also view your credit reports from the other two credit bureaus as well, as they can sometimes have different information.
FAQs
What credit score does the tool show me?
The Chase Credit Journey tool uses VantageScore 3.0, which differs from your FICO credit score, a more commonly used scoring model. While your VantageScore can give you an idea of what your credit score is, it won’t exactly match your FICO score. A VantageScore weighs certain information a little differently than FICO when deciding your credit score.
According to FICO, 90% of top lenders use FICO scores when making lending decisions, so your VantageScore may not be the most accurate measure if you’re shopping for new loan or credit card offers.
How often is my credit score updated?
Chase Credit Journey's free credit scores and reports are updated on a weekly basis.
Does Chase Credit Journey hurt your credit score?
Using Chase Credit Journey doesn’t impact your credit score. You can use it as often as you like without worrying about damaging your credit.
Why is my Credit Journey score different than the scores I see elsewhere?
There are many different scoring models that calculate credit scores, and there can be variations between them. For example, if a company calculates your FICO score, it will differ from your VantageScore.
Chase Credit Journey uses the VantageScore model, and it’s based on information provided by Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus. The other two credit reporting agencies — Equifax and TransUnion — may have other information about you, so your score could be different if a lender pulls your credit using data from those bureaus.
How can I access Chase Credit Journey?
If you have a Chase personal account, you can access your Chase Credit Journey by logging into your account and clicking on “My Credit Journey.”
You can also view it through the Chase mobile app. Log in, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the credit score link.
Can I view my full credit report with Chase Credit Journey?
The Chase Credit Journey tool does show your full credit report according to information pulled from Experian. It will show:
- Open accounts
- Closed accounts
- Credit inquiries
- Derogatory marks
- Collections activity
- Public records
However, it only shows information from Experian. It’s a good idea to check your credit reports from the other two credit bureaus at least once a year. You can do so for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
What should I do if I find a mistake?
If your Chase Credit Journey credit information differs from what you see elsewhere, it may be because of a timing issue or a difference in scoring model. If you just opened an account or paid off your balance, it can take a few days for your credit score to update with that information.
But if you find an error, such as an account opened under your name that you didn’t authorize, contact the creditor directly. You can find the contact information for each creditor on your credit report; most errors can be fixed with a simple phone call.
After you reach out to the creditor, report the issue to the three credit bureaus. Learn more about how to dispute credit errors and how to manage your money for a better credit score.
Alternatives to Chase Credit Journey
If Chase Credit Journey doesn't seem like the right option for you, these alternatives could also offer valuable insight into your credit history and journey:
- Credit Karma: When you sign up with Credit Karma, you can get free access to your VantageScore credit scores and reports from Equifax and TransUnion. This can be a good alternative if you're interested in accessing multiple reports for insight into your credit usage. Credit Karma also offers other useful tools like credit education articles, financial calculators, and free credit monitoring.
- Experian Boost™1: Experian Boost lets you view your FICO® Score2 and Experian credit report for free. And if your ultimate goal is to improve your FICO Score, this service also lets you factor your utility, streaming service, and phone bills into your credit file. In some cases, adding these bills and maintaining a positive payment history could result in a boost to your score.
- Credit Sesame: When you sign up with Credit Sesame, you can access your TransUnion credit score for free each month. It also offers helpful features like credit and debt insights, credit alerts, and it can recommend financial products that might be useful for your personal finance situation.
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