I had a perfect credit score. Here's how I got it.

I clicked on one of those credit update links and beheld the magical digits: 850. Here's how I got there, and how the scores work.

For a few precious weeks last year, I had perfect credit. 

Sometime over the summer, I clicked on one of those credit update links, signed in and beheld the magical digits: 850.

I had never had perfect credit before, and I may never have it again. A month or two later, my score dropped back into the 820 range: exceptional, but not perfect.

Perfect credit, and even “exceptional” credit, opens doors for American consumers: Lower interest rates on loans. Better odds of renting an apartment or landing a job. Lower insurance premiums.

Roughly 1.8% of Americans have a perfect FICO credit score, The Motley Fool reports. People with perfect credit tend to be older, like me. Many of them live in Minnesota.