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If you’ve ever checked your credit score and wondered what it takes to reach a perfect 850, you’re not alone. An 850 FICO® Score is the holy grail of creditworthiness, but what does it actually mean and does it even matter?

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While hitting 850 is an impressive milestone, you don’t need a perfect score to get the best rewards credit cards and lowest mortgage rates. Let’s break down what happens when you reach an 850 credit score and whether it’s worth chasing.

What an 850 credit score really means

A FICO® Score of 850 is the highest possible score on the scale, which ranges from 300 to 850. This means lenders see you as an ultra-low-risk borrower who has a long history of responsible credit use, on-time payments, and low credit utilization.

But here’s the thing: Anything above 800 is already considered “excellent.” So while an 850 score is great, having an 820 or 830 will still get you the best credit cards and mortgage rates.

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What perks come with an 850 credit score?

There are a few notable benefits that an 850 credit score will get you.

1. You’ll qualify for the best loan and credit card offers

With a perfect credit score, you’ll likely get the lowest interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. Even though lenders typically reserve their best rates for anyone above 800, having an 850 gives you absolute peace of mind that you’re getting top-tier offers.

2. You’ll have a higher credit limit

Credit card issuers reward customers with high credit scores by offering higher credit limits. This gives you more spending power and helps keep your credit utilization ratio low — one of the key factors in maintaining a great score.

3. You’ll have more negotiating power

When you apply for a loan or credit card, lenders want your business. With an 850 credit score, you can negotiate better terms, such as a lower APR, higher credit limit, or waived fees.

Does having an 850 credit score actually matter?

While an 850 credit score is impressive, the reality is that there’s no real difference between an 850 and, say, an 820 or even 750. A score of 740 and above is considered “very good credit” and generally is enough to get you approved for the best rewards credit cards and the lowest mortgage rates.

It’s more important to focus on maintaining the highest credit score you can rather than trying to have a perfect score.

How to maintain a top-tier credit score

Whether you have a perfect credit score or are working on rebuilding your credit, here’s how to work toward and maintain elite credit status:

• Pay every bill on time. Your payment history is the most important factor.
• Keep credit utilization low. Try to use less than 10% of your total credit limit. Better yet, pay your credit card bills in full every month.
• Avoid unnecessary hard inquiries. Too many new credit applications can temporarily lower your score.
• Maintain a long credit history. Keep old accounts open to boost your average account age.
• Check your credit report regularly. Mistakes happen, and catching errors early can prevent drops in your score.

A perfect, or even an excellent or very good credit score, won’t happen overnight. But by practicing the above habits and sticking with them, you’ll see your credit score climb over time to a number you can be proud of.

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