What Credit Bureau Does American Express Use?

Amex most commonly pulls your Experian credit report, using it for the majority of personal card applications; however, the issuer will reach for Equifax when your Experian file is limited, when you reside in certain states, or when a previous Amex inquiry has already touched Experian, and it resorts to TransUnion only in rare cases such as repeated applications or specific business‑card pipelines.

This hierarchy explains why later we recommend freezing Experian before an Amex pull and why checking your Experian score can give the clearest picture of an upcoming decision.

Amex tends to pull Experian more frequently than the other bureaus, though the selection isn't fixed. The issuer's scoring engine often defaults to Experian because its dataset aligns closely with the credit factors Amex weighs most heavily.

When an applicant's file shows limited history, recent large balances, or is being evaluated for a premium product, the system may switch to Equifax or even TransUnion. This built‑in rotation explains the occasional Equifax pulls discussed next and the rare TransUnion cases that follow (American Express bureau selection patterns).

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When Amex needs a report but Experian isn't usable, it often reaches for Equifax.

1. Experian freeze or unresponsive service - A freeze on Experian blocks the hard pull; the underwriting engine then queries another bureau rather than rejecting the applicant outright.
2. Sparse or outdated Experian file - If the Experian record lacks recent activity, the system may select Equifax, which sometimes retains a more complete trade‑line history.
3. Algorithmic match to product risk profile - Certain Amex cards rely on scoring models that historically performed better with Equifax data, prompting an automatic preference when the model runs.
4. Fallback after primary pull fails - Technical glitches or time‑out errors with Experian trigger a secondary request to Equifax to keep the application moving.
5. Lender‑specific reporting patterns - Some creditors report primarily to Equifax; Amex's internal logic can prioritize the bureau that holds the most recent information from that creditor.

(For a deeper dive into Amex's multi‑bureau strategy, see Consumer Finance Bureau's guide to credit‑bureau selection.)

• Amex rarely pulls TransUnion, and it only occurs when Experian or Equifax cannot provide a complete report.
• A thin or no‑credit file prompts Amex to query TransUnion because it may hold the few records that exist.
• Applicants living outside the United States often have their U.S. credit data stored only with TransUnion, so Amex reaches out to that bureau.
• Certain premium or business Amex cards trigger a secondary pull, and the system may fall back to TransUnion if the primary bureaus are temporarily unavailable.
• Why Amex sometimes uses TransUnion explains the fallback logic and regional nuances.

Amex flags the bureau it pulled on the credit report you receive after you submit an application.

How to see which bureau Amex used

• Request your free credit report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion within the annual disclosure window.
• Scan the 'hard inquiries' section for a line that reads 'American Express' (or 'Amex').
• The bureau name appears directly beside the inquiry, for example 'Experian - American Express'.
• If you applied online, log into your Amex account; the portal often lists the pending pull and the bureau it will hit.
• Use a credit‑monitoring tool that tags inquiries by source; many services label the bureau automatically.

Checking the inquiry right after you apply lets you confirm whether Amex used its default Experian pull or switched to Equifax or, rarely, TransUnion, which matters if you plan to freeze a specific file later.

Keep your Experian freeze active until Amex actually runs the pull, then use a temporary lift.

Call 1‑888‑397‑3742 or log into Experian's freeze portal to set a PIN.

When you're ready to apply, request a 'lift' for 24‑48 hours using that PIN; this unblocks the bureau just long enough for Amex's soft inquiry.

Amex will still see the freeze status if you forget to lift, and the request may be denied or delayed.

If Amex can't read Experian, it will fall back to Equifax or TransUnion, which can affect the decision.

After the application, re‑freeze Experian immediately to restore protection.

If your Experian file is thin, Amex often falls back to Equifax and, less frequently, to TransUnion as backup sources. When Experian shows few accounts or a short credit history, Amex's system automatically runs a secondary pull to gather enough data for its decision.

Because the backup pull can reveal additional accounts, you can improve your odds by reviewing your Equifax and TransUnion reports before applying; if Amex still declines, you may ask the issuer to rerun the application using a different bureau, which sometimes unlocks approval.

Business Amex cards start with a personal pull from Experian and add a separate business‑file check, often from Experian Business; if the personal file is thin or the applicant lives in a region where Amex historically uses another bureau, the issuer may switch to Equifax or, rarely, TransUnion.

• Primary pull: Experian personal credit report
• Added layer: Experian Business credit file (or D&B if available)
• Backup pulls: Equifax or TransUnion when Experian data is limited or the applicant's personal score is low
• Regional tweak: Some states see more Equifax pulls due to local partnership agreements
• Example of Amex's bureau strategy: American Express bureau pull practices

Amex doesn't stick to a single bureau for every credit check; it rotates across Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion depending on the applicant's geography, the type of card, and whether the file is thin or well‑established. Your first card application might trigger an Experian pull, while a second application a week later could hit Equifax, and a third could land on TransUnion. This explains why you sometimes see an unexpected bureau on your credit report, even after reading the earlier 'check amex's bureau pull on you' section.

Because each pull can land on a different bureau, you should monitor all three credit files and consider freezing the primary one if you're preparing to apply. If an application is denied, the 'denied amex? request new bureau' tip becomes relevant - you can ask Amex to run a fresh pull with another bureau that may show a more favorable score.

If Amex denied you, ask them to pull a different bureau.

1. Call the Amex decision line or use the secure chat in your online account. State, 'I'd like a new credit pull from a different bureau.'
2. Explain why the original pull (usually Experian) didn't reflect your true credit - e.g., a freeze, recent payments, or a thin file.
3. Provide any needed verification, such as a recent credit‑report screenshot or a notice that the freeze has been lifted.
4. Confirm the representative logs the request and notes which bureau (Equifax or TransUnion) should be used.
5. Follow up 24‑48 hours later via the same channel and ask for the updated decision status.