Credit Card Authorized User: What You Need to Know
You might be asked if you want to incorporate a credit card authorized user when you request for a new credit card. You may help a trustworthy friend or household member who has been turned down for credit in the past build their credit record by incorporating them as credit card authorized users on your account, and you may do so with the incorporated bonus of earning extra rewards.
In order to utilize another person’s credit card, you must become a permitted user of the account. The best case scenario is that the account gets reported to your credit file and the main card owner’s appropriate utilization of credit helps your credit rating rise. While you may be given a card by the servicer, you are not obligated to make any settlements.
One approach to potentially enhance credit is to become a credit card authorized user on an account that has a long record of on-time settlements, particularly if your own credit record is limited, damaged, or nonexistent.
You may have some concerns about how incorporating a permitted user into your account works and how it may impact your credit. The answers may rely on a variety of factors, as is often the case with credit.
In order to help you make a choice, this article will summarize some of the variables to contemplate and provide information regarding credit card authorized users.
What Does It Mean to Be an Authorized User on a Credit Card?
Approved users on credit cards are those who have been given access to the main card owner’s account. If you want to help a loved one or close acquaintance build credit or have access to funds, you may make them an “approved user” on your credit card.
Approved users on a credit card must only be close friends and household members. In order to be enrolled as a permitted user on a credit card, an individual must be at least the minimum age required by the card servicer. One’s own offspring, spouse, partner, or close friend are all examples of acceptable secondary card owners.
It’s possible that incorporating a credit card authorized user will cost money. Approved users may be assessed a cost of $75 or more by servicers of cards with yearly fees. The privileges afforded to a permitted user may also differ from credit card servicer to servicer.
Although the main card owner may allow a permitted user to make transactions with their card, only the main card owner is liable for incurring settlements. The main account owner is nonetheless liable for incurring the monthly credit card bill, regardless of who actually used the card to make procurements.
An approved user credit card may be given management permissions over a shared account by the main account owner. The permitted credit card user may then be able to perform things like keeping tabs on procurements, filing complaints, and getting incentives.
What Are the Responsibilities of an Authorized User?
An approved user is not obligated to make settlements directly to the card servicer on behalf of the main card owner. Nevertheless, having a credit card authorized user pay for their expenses is a smart idea so that they may learn to handle credit responsibly and avoid making large procurements that they can’t afford.
The credit card authorized user must make a settlement plan with the main card owner to maintain the card balances manageably.
The account owner might demand settlement for the approved user’s costs via Venmo or another settlement app at the conclusion of each billing cycle, or the credit card authorized user may transfer the appropriate sum directly to the account owner.
To keep tabs on their spending, card owners and users alike must sign up for an account on the servicer’s website or mobile app.
How Many Authorized Users Can a Credit Card Have?
The credit card servicer and its policies will determine the maximum number of approved users that may be incorporated into a credit card account. Since credit card companies are liable for determining their own policies, the answer to this question could vary relying on the credit card company.
There are some banks that place restrictions on the number of credit card authorized users, but in general, there are not necessarily any restrictions placed on the total number of credit card authorized users that are permitted on an account.
Since incorporating a permitted user into your account is linked with some risks, you need to make sure that you may put your faith in anybody you choose to make one of your approved users.
It is essential to keep in mind that the main card owner is entirely liable for the expenditures that are made with their card by approved users. This liability extends to the sum that is spent. Always keep in mind that only individuals you may trust must be permitted.
How to Add or Be an Authorized User on a Credit Card
To be a credit card authorized user, remember that you must only ask those who you know will give you their trust if you want them to incorporate you as a permitted user. You might want to begin with your immediate circle of friends and family. Always have a plan in place for how you’ll make settlements, and be ready for anything.
Make sure the account owner is reliable by requiring prompt monthly settlements of the whole sum, if possible. A lower utilization percentage is preferable; utilizing more than 30% of available credit at any given moment might have a negative impact on a credit rating.
With some cards, the principal card owner may restrict approved users’ spending to a certain sum. Even if you can’t get a formal loan, you may make an informal agreement to spend a specific sum each month and return the money to the card owner by a particular date.
The main card owner or account owner might demand an extra approved user by calling or logging into their credit card account with the card servicer. Each credit card servicer has its own procedure for incorporating an extra card owner.
You must access the servicer’s account administration page in order to incorporate a permitted user. Before sending a greeting card, you’ll be prompted to enter the recipient’s details. To avoid having your credit card account closed for inactivity fees, developing a permitted user may be a practical solution.
How to Remove or Get Removed as an Authorized User on a Credit Card
An approved user may be disabled at any moment by the main account owner. Usually, anyone may do this using the servicer’s website or mobile app, but if they can’t, giving them a call is the next best bet.
To do so, the card owner normally dials the number printed on the back of the card. After the approved user’s name is disabled from the account, the card will be disabled.
While being a permitted user on a credit card has its perks, there are times when it’s better for you to be disabled from the account.
For instance, this could be the case if your connection with the main user is ending or if using a certain credit card is having a bad effect on your credit rating. Whatever the case may be, removing yourself as a credit card authorized user is normally an easy process.
Getting yourself disabled as a permitted user is as easy as calling your creditor. This might be sufficient for some banks. It may be necessary to have the principal card owner make the adjustment over the phone with the bank. Otherwise, you may utilize the credit file claims process to have the account disabled if, for example, a divorce prevents you from doing so.
It’s vital to remember that the removal could have an impact on your credit rating. You may experience a dip in your credit rating if you close a long-standing credit card account but have few other accounts or no credit record to offset the closure.
How Old Must an Authorized User Be?
Credit cards may only be obtained once an individual reaches the age of 18. Even very young children may often be incorporated as credit card authorized users on a bank account by the parent or legal guardian. In addition, most servicers will let you incorporate a child if that child is at least thirteen years old.
In fact, there is no minimum age requirement to become a user; anyone under eighteen may be incorporated. No rules currently exist that insist the credit card authorized user to be a household member, despite the fact that they are minors.
To find out if there is a minimum age for a permitted user, call the number listed on the back of the card. You may also check with your credit card company to learn the necessary requirements for incorporating a minor into an account.
Is It Possible to Build Credit as an Authorized User?
Credit card accounts on which you are listed as a permitted user may help you develop or enhance a positive credit record.
Let’s imagine you’re a permitted user on your parent’s credit card and you’re 18 years old. You utilize the card to buy petrol a couple of times a month and reimburse your parent for the money you spend. Your parents, meanwhile, have been buying things like a new dishwasher and a Netflix subscription using the card. Your monthly balance is paid in full by your parents.
Credit limit, sum of credit used, and settlement record will all be incorporated on your credit file if the credit card servicer reports permitted user activity to the credit bureaus. Credit ratings may rise with the help of a permitted user account if the card is used wisely, with no late settlements and low balances.
Inversely, if your parent often misses settlements or routinely maxes out their credit card, you may not benefit from their good settlement record. The significance of an unfavorable credit record relies on the credit bureau’s interpretation of the details.
The impact approved user status has on your credit is also contingent upon your personal credit record. Being a permitted user may have a more significant influence on someone with no credit record or damaged credit than on someone with a developed credit record.
Bottom Line
There are advantages to permitting another individual to utilize your credit card account. Each may enhance its credit rating by demonstrating fiscal liability. Nevertheless, overspending is simple to do if it isn’t noticed quickly, therefore the main card owner must keep a close eye on the account frequently.
Incorporating a credit card authorized user comes with its share of risks, but it’s a thoughtful gesture to help a friend or household member who is just getting started monetarily.
As is the case with any piece of guidance given to someone in a sticky situation, it must be followed. Consider all the possibilities prior to actually taking the decision of incorporating a credit card authorized user.
