Authorized users: Everything you need to know

Key takeaways
- Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card can be a helpful way to build credit or establish a credit history.
- As an authorized user, you’ll be able to make purchases with the credit card, but the primary cardholder is responsible for making repayments.
- Because each user’s behavior has the potential to affect the other’s credit score, primary cardholders should only add authorized users they trust to be responsible with their credit.
Becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is a way to practice responsible credit use while building your credit. You can establish a credit history and raise your credit score as an authorized user — as long as you understand the pros and cons. Let’s break down what it means to be an authorized user on a credit card, as well as the benefits and potential drawbacks for both parties.
What is an authorized user?
An authorized user is someone who has permission to use another person’s credit card account. They can make purchases, but they’re not liable to pay off the balance.
Authorized users receive their own credit card that’s connected to the primary cardholder’s line of credit. Any purchases made with the card are added to the primary cardholder’s balance. The primary cardholder is still responsible for managing the account, including for making on-time repayments to cover both their spending and the spending of their authorized users.
Becoming an authorized user can help borrowers with poor or no credit build a positive credit history. It can also be a convenient way for families or household members to streamline spending.
Authorized user vs. co-signer vs. joint account holder
When it comes to sharing a credit card with a partner or family member, you may see a few terms floating around: authorized users, co-signers and joint account holders. These all have varying levels of access to a shared card, but the terms aren’t interchangeable.
One of the most significant differences is who is responsible for paying off the card:
- Authorized user: The primary cardholder is responsible for paying off the card, not the authorized user.
- Co-signer: The co-signer is responsible for paying off the credit card in the event that the primary cardholder does not pay off the card. However, it’s rare to find a credit card that allows co-signers.
- Joint account holder: Joint account holders have equal access to funds, but they also share equal responsibility for any debt. However, it’s rare to find a credit card that allows joint account holders.
Who can be an authorized user?
Legally, anyone can be an authorized user on a credit card. The authorized user just has to meet the card issuer’s requirements and be added by the primary cardholder.
That said, an authorized user tends to have a close relationship with the primary cardholder. They might be a spouse, child, other relative or trusted friend. That’s because primary cardholders are responsible for any charges made by authorized users — even if they don’t personally approve of the transactions.
What’s the minimum age to be an authorized user?
Each card issuer has its own policies for authorized users. Here are the minimum age limits for some of the major credit issuers:
Credit card issuer | Does the issuer report the authorized user’s credit activity to the credit bureaus? | Minimum age for authorized users |
---|---|---|
American Express | Yes, if the user is 18+ years old | 13 years old |
Bank of America | Yes | None |
Barclays | Yes | 13 years old |
Capital One | Yes | None |
Chase | Yes, if the user is 18+ years old | None |
Discover | Yes | 15 years old |
U.S. Bank | Yes | 13 years old |
USAA | Yes | None |
Wells Fargo | Yes, if the user is 18+ years old | 18 years old |
Pros and cons of being an authorized user
Here are some of the main benefits and risks of becoming an authorized user on a credit card:
Pros
- You can build your credit with the help of someone else: The main benefit of becoming an authorized user on a credit card is that you can lean on another person’s good credit to build your own — provided the card issuer reports credit activity for authorized users to the credit bureaus. You’ll be able to build credit as an authorized user if the primary cardholder pays all credit card bills on time and keeps the account in good standing. This will help you build a positive credit history, as well as contribute to the overall length of your credit history.
- You won’t have to get approved for your own card. Becoming an authorized user lets you avoid having to apply for a card on your own, which is a major benefit if you currently have bad credit or no credit history at all. As an authorized user, you skip the hard credit pull required for most credit card applications — a step that temporarily dings your credit. Depending on the card you’re added to, you could also gain access to better rewards or benefits than you could get on your own.
- You’d boost the rewards that can be earned on a family account. Two or more people using a credit card generally means higher balances, which means rewards tend to accumulate more quickly. This strategy can help families or couples earn rewards they can use together, such as cash back to offset a large purchase or travel points for a vacation.
- You’ll have more oversight as you learn about credit. The primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for the activity on the card account — so it makes sense for them to pay close attention to what an authorized user does with the card. Some banks also allow primary cardholders to track and manage authorized user activity with spending limits and purchase alerts. By working with your primary cardholder to build good spending habits, you’ll be able to learn about the world of credit cards in a more controlled environment.
Cons
- You won’t have full control over the credit card. At the end of the day, authorized users are not legally responsible for paying off anything they buy with the card. The person who originally had the credit card is solely responsible for all purchases made. This is true even if the authorized user promises to pay off their charges. If you want a credit card where you have real control over the account, you’ll have to apply for one yourself.
- Your credit score can suffer because of someone else’s mistakes. The primary cardholder’s behavior also reflects on the authorized user. Late payments and other credit mishaps can harm both of your credit scores. If you decide to become an authorized user on someone else’s account, make sure they have a long history of responsible credit use.
- You won’t earn your own rewards. If you become an authorized user on someone else’s credit card, you won’t earn rewards for yourself — instead, you’ll earn rewards for the account, which is solely controlled by the primary cardholder. This may not be a big deal if you’re strategically pooling points with a partner or a spouse, but it can be a bummer if you were hoping to earn rewards you could use as you please.
How to add an authorized user to your credit card
The process of adding an authorized user depends on the card issuer. In many cases, the primary cardholder may be able to add an authorized user online or through the issuer’s mobile app. In other cases, you may have to give the issuer a call.
You’ll generally need to provide information like the authorized user’s name, date of birth and Social Security Number.
How much does it cost to add an authorized user?
While most issuers allow you to add an authorized user for free, some high-end cards may charge a fee. For example, American Express has a $695 annual fee and charges an additional $195 annually per authorized user, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $795 annual fee and charges an additional $75 annually per authorized user. On the other hand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card charges a $95 annual fee but has no additional charge for authorized users.
If you have a credit card with no annual fee, there’s typically no charge for authorized users.
How to remove an authorized user
You can usually remove an authorized user online, by mobile app or over the phone. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises asking your issuer for a card with a new number. You could also send a certified letter to the issuer confirming the change.
Keep in mind: Removing an authorized user may impact their credit score. For example, if your credit account is your teenager’s oldest line of credit, you could cause their credit score to drop by removing their access. This is because credit history length makes up 15 percent of someone’s FICO credit score.
When should you remove yourself as an authorized user?
You should consider removing yourself as an authorized user on a card if:
- You’ve built or rebuilt your credit enough to apply for your own starter credit card
- You feel confident that you can manage a credit card without the guardrails that being an authorized user provides
- Your primary cardholder isn’t using the card responsibly and is harming your credit
Bankrate’s take: There’s no harm in staying on a card as an authorized user indefinitely if both you and the primary cardholder are fine with the arrangement. For example, it’s not uncommon for teens added to their parents’ cards to remain an authorized user in adulthood.
Alternatives to becoming an authorized user
If you are thinking of becoming an authorized user but you are also considering getting a credit card of your own, you should know that some alternatives exist. For example, you may be able to qualify for a secured credit card if you’re willing to put down a small cash deposit as collateral. You can also consider other credit cards for bad credit or student credit cards that may be easier to qualify for.
The bottom line
Becoming an authorized user on a credit card account can be a way to establish or rebuild credit, as well as share expenses and rewards with the primary cardholder. It’s a good option, but there are risks for both parties and their credit scores.
Before you become an authorized user, find out if you can qualify for a credit card of your own. Consider using Bankrate’s CardMatch tool to see if you’re prequalified for a credit card that could help you build credit, earn rewards or both.
Frequently asked questions about authorized users
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