What is an authorized user on a credit card?

An authorized user is someone who’s given access to another person’s credit card account. Authorized users can typically make purchases using the account, but the primary account holder is responsible for making the payments.

There are a few reasons why an account holder might add an authorized user, like helping a family member build credit with responsible card use. Learn about adding an authorized user or becoming one.

What you’ll learn:

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

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

• Unlike joint account owners and co-signers, authorized users aren’t legally responsible for the charges made to a credit card account. 

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

An authorized user on a credit card account has fewer responsibilities than the primary cardholder. They’re typically allowed to make charges to the account. They might even get their own card. But they aren’t legally responsible for paying the credit card bill. 

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 through expectations beforehand. Those could include:

• Using their card responsibly. An authorized user is expected to use their card responsibly while working to build their credit.

• Respecting expectations. The primary cardholder may set expectations for things like approved purchases or spending limits that the user is expected to follow.

• Being aware of credit impacts. Activity on the account may be reported to the credit bureaus by the card issuer. If that happens, negative activity by either party could impact the credit of both.

Many authorized users are related to the primary cardholder. Whatever the relationship between the authorized user and primary cardholder, trust is key. And ultimately, credit card issuers determine their own rules about who and how old an authorized user can be. 

Issuers don’t always set an age requirement for becoming an authorized user. But some issuers set limits starting at 13, 15 and 18.

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

But there’s a flip side to the potential advantages. Here are some possible downsides to adding an authorized user to a credit card account:

• Disagreements over spending might strain the relationship. 

• Irresponsible card use by either person may result in a poor teaching experience. 

• Account mismanagement, including issues like late payments could negatively impact the credit scores of both parties.

• Card issuers may charge a fee for adding an authorized user. Capital One doesn’t charge this fee. View important rates and disclosures.

The authorized user may see positive effects on their credit if both they and the primary cardholder use the card responsibly. That means doing things like making monthly payments on time and keeping balances low.

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

It may help 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.

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

Because more than one person has access to the account when there’s an authorized user, there’s the risk of miscommunication or overspending. And that could affect the primary cardholder’s credit utilization ratio. That’s the percentage of available credit a person is using across their credit cards and other lines of credit. Missing payments could also lead to derogatory credit marks.

If you’re a primary account holder, you may be able to add an authorized user by signing in to your account online or through your issuer’s app.

If you’re interested in becoming an authorized user, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to see if they’re willing to add you to their account.

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

Your authorized user may also qualify for online access. It allows them to use their own credentials to sign in and view details related to their card and spending. At Capital One, online access is only available if authorized users are older than 18 and have a verified Social Security number.

Your credit card issuer may give you an online option for removing an authorized user. Or you may need to follow the CFPB’s advice and contact your issuer directly.

If you’re a Capital One cardholder, you can 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:

An authorized user is someone who’s added to a credit card account and able to make charges on the card. Adding an authorized user can help a loved one establish credit. It also allows the primary account holder to see their household purchases in one place.

It’s helpful to remember that when both parties use the card responsibly, an authorized user may be able to benefit. On the other hand, irresponsible use by either user could negatively impact the credit of both.

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