An authorized user is someone who is added as a user to a credit card account, who can use the credit card as if it were their own. Many credit card issuers allow you to add a secondary account holder to your credit card. They are “authorized” to make purchases with your credit card. However, they have no legal responsibility toward the debt. Authorized users also gain access to most of the credit card’s benefits, such as airport lounge access, rental car protection, purchase protection and other perks.
While authorized users receive their own credit card, they don’t have the same permissions as the primary account holder. For example, authorized users typically cannot redeem rewards, request a credit line increase, close the account or add another authorized user. However, depending on the issuer, they may be able to obtain the account balance, request statement copies and make payments.
Both joint credit card holders and authorized users share an account with a family member or friend. Both can make purchases and use the accounts to build credit. But, there are a few key differences:
Authorized user vs. joint credit card vs. cosigner
| Authorized user | Joint cardholder | Cosigner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is responsible for the debt? | Primary cardholder | Both cardholders | Both the primary borrower and the cosigner |
| Credit check required? | No | Yes, for both cardholders | Yes, for both the primary borrower and the cosigner |
| Can you remove the additional user? | Yes, at any time | Not without the lender's permission | Not without the lender's permission |
You’ll get easy access to a credit card
Once the primary cardholder adds you to their account as an authorized user, you’ll have immediate access to the credit card without a credit inquiry or needing to qualify for a new account. You’ll get your own card to use in the mail with your name on it typically at no additional cost. This is a great way to get your first credit card if you don’t have any credit history or improve your credit while avoiding a credit check.
You can build credit quickly
Becoming an authorized user on an account is an excellent way to build credit. But it requires responsible credit use on the primary cardholder’s end. If the primary cardholder makes on-time payments and keeps credit utilization low, this will appear on your credit history and improve your credit score over time.
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You can track family spending and earn rewards in a single account
Becoming an authorized user is an easy way to combine accounts as a family. You can manage all family expenses through a single account or multiple accounts. This makes it easier to track payments and help maintain a good credit score.
Having several people use a credit card can also accelerate your rewards earnings. Many rewards credit cards offer rewards on purchases made by the card’s authorized user. This can help offset significant family expenses, such as home projects or vacations. However, keep in mind that only the primary cardholder can redeem these rewards.
Becoming an authorized user can also help a friend or family member keep an active card open. Credit card issuers often close credit cards or reduce their credit limit if they aren’t used regularly — which can negatively impact the primary cardholder’s credit score. As an authorized user, you’ll keep the credit card active by making regular purchases on the card and making payments each month.
Learn more about what happens when you close a credit card account.
Share a business account with employees
Becoming an authorized user on a business account is an easy way for an employer to share an account with employees. Authorized users can make purchases on behalf of the business. This sometimes comes at no additional charge for the business.
For example, the Capital One Spark Classic for Business card offers free employee cards. As an authorized user on this card, you can track your own spending and monitor account activity, but you won’t be able to see all of the business account details.
Why I’m an authorized user: When I got married, my husband and I added each other as authorized users on all of our existing credit cards. You can do this right in the issuer portal, making it quick and easy. Our credit card issuers all sent us the duplicate cards with our names on them right away. We found this to be the easiest way to combine our credit card accounts. It’s nice for both of us to have our own cards under the same account. We’ve also been able to rack up rewards much quicker.
– Sammi Scharf, credit cards writer
The primary cardholder has full control and responsibility over the account
The primary account holder is ultimately responsible for repaying all charges made with the credit card. So if you charge a substantial amount and struggle to pay your portion of the bill, the primary cardholder will have to cover it. Because you aren’t an account owner, the primary cardholder can also remove you anytime without having to make you aware of the removal.
You risk hurting your credit if the primary cardholder has irresponsible credit use
If the primary cardholder has financial issues, such as late payments, a charge-off or a bankruptcy, it could appear on your credit report as well. Any of these negative items could lower your score and make it harder to graduate to your own credit card in the future. Before deciding to become an authorized user, make sure the card owner has a history of responsible credit use.
You can’t earn your own rewards
Although your spending on the card will earn rewards, the primary cardholder will get the rewards you earn. If this is a card that you share as a family, this may not matter because you can pool your points together. But, if you want to earn your own rewards you may consider opening your own card.
There may be an extra fee to become an authorized user
In most cases, there’s no cost to add an authorized user to your credit card. This is especially true if you have a no-annual-fee credit card. However, some premium cards charge a fee of $75 or more to add an authorized user. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express charges $195 for each authorized user (see rates & fees). Contact your credit card issuer or check your card agreement to see if there are authorized user fees before adding or becoming an authorized user.
The exact process to add an authorized user varies among card issuers, but they generally follow the same procedures. Here’s how to add an authorized user to a credit card:
Depending on the card issuer, you may have a spending limit lower than the card’s credit line or you may have access to the entire credit limit. Before you start spending, talk to the primary cardholder about your available credit limit and how you’ll use the card.
How do you remove an authorized user? Removing an authorized user is just as easy as adding an authorized user in most cases. You’ll log into your account and select the user you want to remove. You can also call your credit card issuer for assistance. If you’re the primary cardholder, it’s a good idea to change your credit card number if you no longer want an authorized user to have access to your card.
If your primary cardholder isn’t using the account responsibly and you want to remove yourself as an authorized user, you can also do so online, by app or over the phone.
The number of authorized users you’re allowed to add to your card varies depending on the issuer. For example, USAA states that you can have up to 10 authorized users. Each one must be on your profile before they can get a credit card.
There may be a minimum age requirement to be an authorized user depending on the credit card issuer. According to Experian, this is typically between 13 and 18. For example, American Express and U.S. Bank require you to be 13 to be an authorized user, Discover requires you to be 15 and Wells Fargo requires you to be 18. You must be 18 or older to get a credit card of your own.
You can only build credit as an authorized user if the credit card issuer reports your account to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). These bureaus gather and report information on your credit history and use that information to generate your credit score. Most major issuers do report authorized users, but it’s a good idea to confirm with your issuer. Here is a list of issuers that report authorized users:
If you’re interested in establishing or building credit but would rather have control over your own account rather than becoming an authorized user, consider one of these alternatives:
No. As an authorized user, you have permission to use the credit card, but you are not responsible for repaying the debt. Additionally, if the card goes to collection, a debt collector can’t force you to pay the balance. However, if you spend too much and cannot repay the balance, the primary cardholder may attempt to collect money from you.
No. Although the authorized user is approved to make purchases, they do not have full access to the credit card account. If the main account holder opts to close the account, the authorized user will need to open a new account on their own.
Yes, an authorized user can apply for the same credit card if they meet the card’s credit and income requirements. Many authorized users eventually apply for their own credit card once their credit score has improved enough to qualify. This allows them to earn the welcome bonus, receive rewards on their purchases and enjoy all of the card’s benefits.
As with any credit card, you need to activate the authorized user’s card before they can begin making purchases. Some banks issue the same card number to each authorized user, while others issue individualized card numbers to make it easier to track who made each purchase.
Yes, some card issuers allow authorized users to be added to secured credit cards. If you have a secured card, contact your bank to ask if you can add an authorized user.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Capital One Spark Classic for Business and Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
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