Parents with poor credit history should think twice before adding
children as authorized users on their accounts — not for the sake of themselves but for the sake of their children.
Rather than adding
children as authorized users, set them up with their own accounts and emphasize the importance of the fundamental financials that will impact their future.
As noted in the Terms of Use, a Registered Accountholder may establish a minor
child as an Authorized User for whom such Registered Accountholder is a parent or legal guardian.
Your leverage over enforcing these terms is the power you'll have to remove
your child as an authorized user if he or she fails to agree to your terms.
There are several advantages that come with adding
your child as an authorized user.
While there are several good reasons to add
your child as an authorized user to your credit card, the most common is to help him or her start building credit.
First, let's review what it means to add
your child as an authorized user to your account: Essentially, you're giving him or her the ability to make charges to card, but no responsibility to pay.
Adding
your child as the authorized user on your credit card is a smart way to help him or her start building credit.
Adding
your child as an authorized user of your credit card is a popular way of building his or her credit history and FICO credit score.
Many parents will add
a child as an authorized user on a credit account, ensuring they have access to money in case of emergency or to help them start building a responsible relationship with credit.
How to help kids build credit before age 18 — Adding
a child as an authorized user to a parent's card is easy to do... (See Build)
Video: 3 ways to help your kids build credit — Add
a child as an authorized user, establish a checking account, and help them learn about money... (See Kids and credit)
I wouldn't go as far as adding
your child as an authorized user on your credit card account.
Designating
your child as an authorized user means they have full access to your credit card.
Finally, you can add
your child as an authorized user on your own credit card.
Not exact matches
Of course, talk to your
child about their spending first, then proceed to take them off your card
as an
authorized user, if you must.
Adding your spouse or
child onto your account
as an
authorized user could add to your total (check the terms and conditions of the card).
So, it may be a good idea to add a
child or spouse
as an
authorized user, particularly if they don't have any credit history of their own.
Lastly, if you decide to
authorize your
child as a
user on your own existing credit card, make it clear that it's for emergencies only.
The pros: Adding your
child on your credit card account
as an
authorized user is the option preferred by NFCC's Cunningham.
There are clear financial benefits to your
child if you add them
as an
authorized user,
as long
as the card issuer reports these
users to one of the three credit bureaus.
Authorized users are typically — though not always,
as you'll see — a spouse, partner,
child, relative or friend of the primary account holder.
In fact, many parents put their
children down
as authorized users on their own credit cards for this exact reason.
It was common for parents to add their
children to their credit card accounts
as authorized users in order to help them establish credit histories.
Short of that, you'll either have to co-sign for your
child or list her
as an
authorized user on your account, according to The Discover Card.
If your
child has been added
as an
authorized user or joint account holder, he or she may have a legitimate credit history.
-- In an effort to build a strong credit file for their
child, a parent wants to know if adding his newborn
as an
authorized user to his card is a good first step... (See Too young for credit)
Instead of co-signing for a new credit card account, you may consider adding your
child to one or more of your existing credit cards accounts
as an «
authorized user.»
How to earn rewards on your teen's spending — Adding a teen
as an
authorized user on a parent's credit card can build the
child's credit and help in amassing points, miles or cash back.
-- You can boost a
child's credit by adding them
as an
authorized user, but cards» policies vary widely on how old the
child must be... (See Age)
Adding someone
as an
authorized user to your account,
as noted above, is handy for helping someone, like your
child, build up credit or pay for expenses you plan to cover anyway.
You can add anyone
as an
authorized user to your credit card, including a spouse, roommate, business partner, or
child.
How to earn rewards on your teen's spending — Adding a teen
as an
authorized user on a parent's credit card can build the
child's credit and help in amassing points, miles or cash back.
If your new card offers this, and you have someone you're comfortable adding
as an
authorized user — like a partner or a college - aged
child — this is a great way to get some extra points.