What is an authorized user on a credit card?

An authorized user is someone who’s been given access to another cardholder’s account. Authorized users can usually make purchases with a credit card linked to the account. But the primary account holder is the one responsible for making account payments.

There are several reasons why an account holder might add an authorized user, like helping family members build credit with responsible card use, giving someone access to credit or both. If you’re thinking about adding an authorized user, it helps to understand how it works, the responsibilities an authorized user may have and how it could impact your credit scores.

What you’ll learn:

• An authorized user is someone who’s been granted access to use another cardholder’s account.

• Authorized users aren’t legally responsible for the charges they add to an account. That’s different from joint accounts or loans with co-signers.

• Adding an authorized user may help the user build credit and learn about using a credit card responsibly.

• Adding an authorized user to your Capital One account and giving them online access could make managing household expenses easier.

When an authorized user is added to a credit card account, they’re typically allowed to make charges on the credit card. They might even get their own card. But authorized users aren’t required to make payments every month. Instead, it’s the primary account holder’s responsibility to make the payments.

In some cases, the account holder may be able to make the authorized user a manager of the account. That could allow the authorized user to do things like track purchases, report issues and redeem rewards. Those are a few reasons why it’s important for account holders and authorized users to be on the same page when it comes to using credit responsibly.

An authorized user is often related to the primary cardholder and is typically a family member—like a spouse or child.  

Keep in mind that issuers may have rules about who can be added or what age authorized users must be.

Whatever the relationship between the primary cardholder and the authorized user, trust is key. Once an authorized user is given a card and access to an account, they typically can use their card until access is revoked. If you’re considering adding an authorized user, it might be a good idea to talk about budgeting and spending beforehand.

There are several benefits to adding an authorized user to a credit card:

But there’s a flip side to each of those potential advantages. Here are some potential disadvantages to adding an authorized user to a credit card account:

• Disagreements over spending could lead to a strained relationship. 

• If a card is used irresponsibly, that could set a poor teaching example. 

• How the account is handled could affect the credit scores of both the primary cardholder and the authorized user.

• Some issuers may charge a fee to add an authorized user to an account. Capital One, however, does not.

If the credit card issuer reports the information to the credit bureaus, the authorized user may see positive effects on their credit if both the account holder and authorized user use the credit card responsibly. That means doing things like making sure monthly payments are on time and keeping balances low.

As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) notes, “Credit scores are based on experience over time.” So if the primary cardholder has good credit and uses their card responsibly, simply adding an authorized user could help that person start a credit history.

But it’s important to know that credit card issuers aren’t required to report an authorized user’s activity to the three major credit bureaus. Capital One does, but there’s no guarantee that another card issuer will. And if the information doesn’t appear in a credit report, it may not affect an authorized user’s credit at all.

If the authorized user doesn’t use the account responsibly, it can hurt the credit of both the account holder and authorized user.

Because multiple people have access to the account, there’s the risk of miscommunication or overspending. And that could affect the original cardholder’s credit utilization ratio. Overspending could also lead to missed or late payments, which could affect both the primary cardholder’s and authorized user’s credit.

With that in mind, it can be a good idea to discuss responsible credit card use—like making on-time payments and staying well below the credit limit—to avoid mistakes that reflect poorly on both parties’ scores. The primary cardholder may also be able to place a spending limit on the authorized user’s card.

Account holders can often add authorized users by signing into their account online or through an app. 

If you’re interested in becoming an authorized user, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to see if they’re willing and what options are available.

Before adding an authorized user to your Capital One account, you’ll need some information about the user, such as their date of birth. You can then sign in to your account online to easily add and choose the level of access for your authorized user. 

Your authorized user may also qualify for online access, which allows them to use their own credentials to sign in and easily view details related to their card and spending. At Capital One, authorized users must be over 18 and have a valid Social Security number to be eligible for online access.

If an online option isn’t available, you can follow the CFPB’s advice and contact your credit card issuer to take an authorized user off your account. The agency also mentions asking about getting a new card and card number in case the authorized user has that information.

If you’re a Capital One cardholder, you can easily remove an authorized user by signing in to your account online or through the Capital One Mobile app.

Still curious about authorized credit card users? Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more:

An authorized user is anyone added to a credit card account who can make charges on the card. Adding an authorized user to your Capital One account helps you see household purchases in one place. And it could help a loved one establish credit. 

It’s important to remember that the only way to build credit with a credit card is with responsible use. By doing things like making payments on time each month, an authorized user may be able to benefit. On the other hand, bad habits could end up hurting a primary account holder and any authorized users.

Whether your idea of a good time is getting out on the town, traveling the world or staying in, Capital One has a rewards card that may fit your lifestyle.

• See if you’re pre-approved for rewards cards, with no harm to your credit. 

• Explore travel and miles rewards credit cards with unlimited miles you can actually use. 

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day with a cash rewards credit card.

• Earn unlimited cash back, whether you’re going out or staying in, with a dining and entertainment credit card.