If you’re new to credit or want to rebuild your credit, becoming an authorized user on another person’s credit card account can help. As an authorized user on a credit card, your credit score can be positively impacted when the account and its activity are managed well and reported to the credit bureaus. The card’s activity is still also reported under the primary account holder’s credit profile, in addition to yours.
Being an authorized user does have its share of responsibilities. You’ll want to make sure to maintain responsible credit card habits as an authorized user to help your credit, as well as to avoid adversely impacting the primary account holder’s credit.
What It Means to Be an Authorized User
When you’re an authorized user, you have a credit card that’s attached to another person’s account. This duplicate credit card, also known as a supplementary credit card, will have your name on it, and you’ll be able to use it to make purchases. Since you’re not the primary account holder, you won’t have the authority to make changes to the account.
As an authorized user, you’re not legally responsible for making a payment after each billing cycle. That responsibility remains solely with the original cardholder, which marks a major distinction between an authorized user relationship and a joint credit card account. Since you’re not liable for repaying the charges as an authorized user, you might not get a monthly statement.
In terms of getting started as an authorized user, be aware that some issuers impose an annual fee to add authorized users to a card account. Additionally, some credit cards have limits for the maximum number of authorized users permitted on an account.
Further, card issuers often have a minimum age requirement that you must meet as an authorized user. The age requirement depends on the issuer. For example, SoFi requires authorized users to be at least 15 years old, while the minimum authorized user age for an American Express Platinum Card is 13 years old.
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How Being an Authorized User Affects Your Credit Score
There are a couple of ways that being an authorized user on a credit card can affect your credit score.
If the Lender Reports Authorized Users to Credit Bureaus
If your main goal in becoming an authorized user is establishing credit or rebuilding your credit history, this can be a viable option to pursue. Card issuers don’t require a credit check to become an authorized user.
Your credit score can be positively affected if the issuer reports satisfactory payment activity and usage to the credit bureaus for all persons named on the account. Keep in mind that not all credit card companies send activity data to the bureaus for authorized users, though. So before going this route, ask the primary user to confirm whether the issuer does.
How You Use the Shared Account
If the bank reports the card’s positive activity to credit bureaus for all users, it will also report unsatisfactory activity. Being an authorized user can hurt your credit if a late or missed payment is reported and included on an authorized user’s credit profile, for example. On the flipside, on-time payments or a low credit utilization rate can help the credit of both the primary and authorized users.
Since the card data that’s included for an authorized user depends on the credit bureau, ask the credit issuer to specify which credit agency it reports to. That way, you’re aware of the factors that affect credit scores.
Risks Associated With Being an Authorized User
A major risk of becoming an authorized user on a credit card is that it can adversely affect your credit score. If the primary user fails to make at least the minimum monthly payment on time, for instance, that will also impact your score, assuming the bureau reports payment history for authorized users.
Additionally, the purchase behavior of all users on a card could put a strain on the account’s limit, pushing balances near or at the borrowing limit. This will affect the credit utilization on the account, which also can impact the credit score of all users on the account.
With so many factors that need to be in balance, each user associated with the card must have a clear understanding of purchase and repayment expectations. If an individual drops the ball, it can put a strain on the relationship in addition to the users’ credit scores.
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Who Should You Ask to Add You as an Authorized User?
Asking another person to add you as an authorized user on their credit card is significant. It requires the utmost mutual trust, which is why this individual is typically someone who’s very close to you. This might include your:
• Spouse or partner
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Adult child
• Adult sibling
• Aunt or uncle
It’s helpful to clarify expectations around payment before being added as an authorized user. For example, do they want to cap your spending power on the card? When do they want payment for your charges? What’s the expectation if, for any unforeseen reason, you can’t cover your part of the bill?
Even though the primary cardholder is liable for the payments, it’s helpful to come to an agreement about how you two will settle your purchases, one-on-one.
Using Your Credit Card Responsibly
Receiving authorized user status on a credit card is a convenient way to build your credit profile. It also can help you practice responsible borrowing habits. A few sensible practices when using a credit card as an authorized user include to:
• Avoid overspending. Examine your budget before using your card to verify that you can afford the purchase.
• Ensure payments are made on time. Communicate with the primary cardholder to confirm that at least the minimum payment is made by the credit card due date. If you’re covering your portion of the charges, make sure to get the money to the primary cardholder by the date you agreed upon.
• Be mindful of the card’s limit. Avoid keeping an ongoing high balance close to the credit card limit, which can negatively affect credit. Authorized users might not have access to the account history or statements, so regular communication with the primary user is essential.
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The Takeaway
As an authorized user, your credit score could be built from the positive borrowing activity on the card, assuming the the issuer reports the account activity to the credit bureaus. Additionally, the card must be managed responsibly — otherwise, your credit could be negatively impacted. Getting added to a card that doesn’t charge an authorized user fee can be a good way to get started.
Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.
FAQ
Can authorized users affect your credit?
If an authorized user racks up charges, it might adversely affect your credit utilization ratio, which in turn can lower your credit score.
Additionally, you’re legally liable for all charges the authorized user makes on the card. If they’re unable to pay and you also can’t keep up with the payments, missed or late payments can negatively impact your credit.
Does an authorized user get a hard inquiry?
Typically, authorized users who are added onto an existing account don’t undergo a hard inquiry. Since the primary cardholder is the person who opened the account and is still 100% liable for all charges made to the card, credit issuers usually don’t need to verify the authorized user’s credit background or ability to repay the debt — even if they make charges.
What is the minimum age to be an authorized user?
The minimum age for authorized users on a credit card will vary with the card’s issuer. In some cases, the user must be aged 13, 15, or 18. In other situations, there may be no age restriction at all. Check with the issuer to know for sure.
Photo credit: iStock/tolgart
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
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