Should I Add an Authorized User?

June 5th, 2020

The first question the card companies asks after they approve you is "do you want to add authorized users?" In the case of a significant other, our answer is usually “no.”

Here are some of the factors to consider:

• If your spouse is an authorized user, it might preclude him/her from applying for that same card and/or receiving the bonus points themselves
  • If you’ve already added your spouse as a user, you can undo this by:
    • Calling the bank to have your spouse removed from the account as an authorized user
    • Having your spouse then call the bank to request that the card be removed from his/her credit report
    • Sometimes you can take both actions on the same call, if both of you are present
• For meeting minimum spends, your significant other can still use your card (with your permission) for online purchases, bill pays, or Apple and Android wallet.
  • As a practical matter, many spouses even use each other’s cards in person.

Potential exceptions to adding users:

• Helping to build credit for a child or spouse
• A bonus is associated with the authorized user (a judgement call)
• Employees in a business

A note for rules tracking, if you do elect to keep your spouse as an authorized user on a personal card, you should add that card to their card history for accurate card recommendations.