What’s the difference between a co-signer and an authorized user?

When it comes to building credit on your own or with another person, plenty of confusing terms can come into play. This includes the terms credit “co-signer” and “authorized user,” which are often used interchangeably.

That said, being a credit card co-signer is not the same as an authorized user, so you’ll want to know the differences and what they mean.

What does it mean to be a co-signer?

Being a credit card co-signer is like being a co-signer on any other type of loan. Credit card co-signers are people who agree to take on responsibility for repayment of debts from a credit card, but have no power over how the card is used, even if the other person involved refuses to pay.

If two people decide to go in on a credit card together, this actually means that both parties are legally responsible for paying the money back, but most co-signer agreements are not set up this way. Instead, one party has control over the credit card and the other is simply using their credit score to guarantee that it will be paid. Not paying it back can lead to significant damage to the credit of both parties, as well as other financial consequences.

When do you need a co-signer?

Someone who doesn’t have the credit score to get the credit card they want may ask someone to co-sign for them. For example, someone with imperfect credit who doesn’t want a secured credit card may try to get another person with good to excellent credit to use their solid credit standing to help them out.

This being said, a co-signer isn’t usually needed to get a credit card — even if you have poor credit. You simply have to apply for cards that suit your credit score. Secured cards, for example, are a good option for those with bad credit. There are also a number of cards available for fair credit, which are geared to consumers with FICO scores from 580 to 669. Someone who has good to excellent credit, or a FICO score of at least 670, may find they can easily qualify for a good credit card on their own.

Considerations before co-signing for someone else

One major consideration before asking someone to co-sign on a credit card is the fact that few cards and card issuers actually allow this option. The Apple Card*, for example, allows joint credit card accounts through its Apple Card Family program, but this differs from a traditional co-signer agreement because both parties own the account and can use the card. You can add a more traditional co-signer to some Bank of America and U.S. Bank credit card accounts after a primary cardholder is approved.

In addition to the fact card options are limited, you’ll also want to make sure you have a considerable amount of trust with the person you’re asking to co-sign (or the person you’re co-signing for). If the primary cardholder refuses to pay, the co-signer will be on the hook for the bill. This has the potential to strain a relationship and can even lead to credit score damage and financial hardship if one person racks up a considerable dollar amount and then disappears.

What does it mean to be an authorized user?

Where a co-signer is someone who is jointly responsible for repayment of a debt, an authorized user is someone who gets their own physical credit card but is not legally responsible for paying back their charges. In fact, the primary account holder that added an authorized user agrees to repay every dollar in charges made by their account and the authorized user, including interest charges and fees.

Authorized user cards are commonly used for teenagers and young adults in college for this reason. For example, a parent may want to give their child a credit card they can use for daily spending or emergency expenses that pop up when they’re away from home. Many spouses also add each other as an authorized user on their credit card accounts so they can both earn rewards on purchases together.

When does it make sense to be an authorized user?

Being an authorized user makes sense when someone cannot qualify for their own credit card account quite yet, either because they don’t have an income or they have no credit or very limited credit. Being an authorized user can also make sense when someone has poor credit due to mistakes they made in the past, but still want to use a credit card for regular spending.

Just remember that authorized users can make significant purchases and simply walk away from the bill without any legal or financial consequences — but they can also be removed as an authorized user by the primary cardholder at any time. With that in mind, authorized users should only be added to a primary cardholder’s account in specific circumstances, such as a parent adding a child or two people who have reason to trust each other to make good credit decisions.

Differences between co-signers and authorized users

So, how does being a co-signer compare to being an authorized user? Here’s a breakdown of the liability and power you have over a credit card account as a co-signer vs. as an authorized user:

The bottom line

Sharing financial responsibility with another person is a big deal, but how you choose to go about it can determine what your risks and responsibilities are.

For example, co-signing on a card means that you are legally responsible for repayment of the debt if the primary cardholder does not pay. Getting a joint credit card is similar, with both parties being responsible for repayment. Meanwhile, authorized users get the benefit of building credit with a card without having to take on the legal responsibility of repaying the amounts they charge.

In either scenario, credit cards can be a valuable financial tool that helps users to build credit over time. By choosing between co-signing on a credit card or being an authorized user, you can decide what role you want to play — and what responsibility you’ll take on for others in your life.

*Information about the Apple Card has been collected independently by Bankrate. The card details have not been approved or reviewed by the issuer.