Get a parent to
add you as an authorized user at age 16.
If Megan gets a personal Amex Platinum Card, she can
add me as an authorized user at a more favorable rate, so I'll keep my Platinum Card benefits.
Not exact matches
While anybody can be
added as an
authorized user without a credit check, an issuer will look
at the credit history of both co-signers before approving their application.
Remember, they can make purchases
at any time, but they are not directly responsible for making payments on the card, so you'll want to be very careful in choosing whom to
add as an
authorized user.
When you want to share credit, there are two main options
at your disposal — either
adding that person
as an
authorized user to your own account, or opening a joint account together.
Some people use their credit cards only for emergencies, like I have a daughter in college, she's
at University of Texas
at Austin, and I
added her
as an
authorized user on one of my longstanding credit card accounts.
There's the obvious issue that the primary account holder is still responsible for the
authorized user's charges, but there's a less obvious downside that being
added as an
authorized user can work against you when issuers look
at how many new accounts you have opened in the past two years.
This includes receiving 5,000 points after
adding an
authorized user to your account who makes a purchase during the first 3 months,
as well
as receiving one free night every year after your account anniversary (
at a Category 1 - 4 Hyatt hotel or resort).
I got approved for my Starwood card yesterday, but when I spoke to someone
at American Express, they said if I
add my husband
as authorized user, he would need to wait a year to apply for his own card.
(
Adding an
authorized user does not prevent that person from getting the card
at the same time or in the future
as a primary account holder and getting the full sign up bonus.)»
I bought $ 1,000 worth of Paypal My Cash Reload cards
at CVS with my Bank of America Alaska card, then went next door to buy $ 1,000 worth of Visa gift cards with my dad's Barclay Arrival Plus card (to which I've
added myself
as an
authorized user).
While anybody can be
added as an
authorized user without a credit check, an issuer will look
at the credit history of both co-signers before approving their application.
Alternatively, since his permanent address is still
at home in Wisconsin, you could get a Chase Sapphire Preferred, and
add him
as an
authorized user.