How to Increase Your Credit Score in 90 Days: A Step-by-Step Guide

Improving your credit score might feel like a slow climb, but with the right steps, it’s absolutely possible to make real progress in just 90 days. Whether you’re recovering from past mistakes or building your credit for the first time, this guide will walk you through a clear, effective strategy to raise your score—and keep it moving upward.

I’m Maya Jennings, a former credit counselor turned financial writer, and I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent actions can make a huge difference. Let’s break it down week by week.

Week 1: Know Where You Stand

1. Pull Your Credit Reports (All Three!)
Start by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com. You can get a free report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion once a week. Review each one for errors, such as:

- Incorrect balances or late payments

- Accounts you don’t recognize

- Duplicate accounts

2. Dispute Any Inaccuracies
If you find mistakes, dispute them immediately through the credit bureau’s website. Correcting even one error (like a misreported late payment) can give your score a quick boost.

3. Check Your FICO® and VantageScore®
Some banks and apps (like Discover Credit Scorecard, Credit Karma, and Experian) offer free access to your credit scores. Knowing your starting point helps you measure progress.

Week 2–3: Lower Your Credit Utilization

4. Pay Down Credit Card Balances Strategically
Your “credit utilization ratio” (credit used vs. total credit available) accounts for up to 30% of your score. Aim to get this ratio below 30%—ideally under 10%.

✅ Focus first on cards closest to their limit
✅ Make multiple payments a month (this reduces utilization in real time)
✅ Use windfalls like tax refunds or side income to knock down debt

5. Ask for a Credit Limit Increase
If your income has increased or you’ve been a reliable customer, request a higher credit limit—but don’t spend more! This can lower your utilization ratio overnight without spending a dime.

Week 4–5: Build Positive Credit Activity

6. Become an Authorized User
Ask a trusted friend or family member with excellent credit to add you as an authorized user on their card. Their positive history gets added to your report, which can improve your score significantly—especially if your credit history is thin.

7. Apply for a Credit Builder Product (If Needed)
If your credit file is limited or you’re rebuilding from scratch, consider:

Self Credit Builder Account: You make monthly payments into a savings account, and Self reports your on-time payments to all three bureaus.

Chime Credit Builder Visa® Card: No interest or credit check, and activity is reported monthly.

Grow Credit: Builds credit by letting you pay for subscriptions like Netflix and Hulu through a virtual credit card.

Week 6–7: Automate and Monitor

8. Set Up Automatic Payments
Payment history is the most important factor in your score. Just one missed payment can set you back. Set up auto-pay for at least the minimum on all accounts, then manually pay more when possible.

9. Use a Free Credit Monitoring Service
Credit monitoring can help you stay on top of changes, detect fraud, and track your progress. Top options in 2025 include:

Credit Karma (free monitoring from TransUnion and Equifax)

Experian Free Credit Monitoring

Capital One CreditWise (even if you’re not a customer)

Week 8–9: Diversify and Stabilize

10. Consider a New Line of Credit—Cautiously
If your file is thin and you’re not carrying too much debt, a new credit card or loan can help your score by improving your credit mix and increasing available credit. Options for fair credit:

Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Upgrade Personal Loan (good for debt consolidation)

Just avoid applying for too many accounts in a short period—each application triggers a hard inquiry that can ding your score temporarily.

Week 10–12: Maintain and Review

11. Keep Old Accounts Open
Don’t close old credit cards unless they’re charging you high annual fees. The longer your credit history, the better your score.

12. Review Your Progress
Pull your updated credit score and see how far you’ve come. Even a 20- to 50-point jump in 90 days is possible with consistent action.

13. Keep the Momentum Going
Building credit is a marathon, not a sprint. Use these 90 days as a launchpad for long-term habits:

- Always pay on time

- Keep balances low

- Monitor your credit monthly

- Reassess your goals every 90 days

Final Thoughts

Raising your credit score doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a plan in place and a commitment to stick with it, you can see real improvements in just three months. Whether you’re trying to qualify for a mortgage, refinance a loan, or just feel more confident financially, your future self will thank you for starting now.