What Is an Authorized User on a Credit Card?
7 Min Read | Last updated: July 23, 2026
Authorized user status may help you start building credit while the primary card member handles the bills. Learn how it works and what you need to know.
At-A-Glance
- An authorized user on a credit card can make purchases, while the primary card member remains legally responsible for the bill.
- Authorized usership could help you build credit if the card issuer reports account activity to the credit bureaus—but that also means negative information, like high balances or late payments, will appear on your credit report.
- If you don’t have a trusted family member, partner, or friend who can add you as an authorized user, a secured credit card may offer another way to build credit.
Building credit can be much more than a financial goal. It can be a personal goal, too—one that helps you afford your dream car, move into the perfect rental, or open the business that speaks to your passions with a loan you can actually afford. If building credit is a priority for you, becoming an authorized user could help you improve your standing while learning from someone with strong credit.
What Does It Mean to Be an Authorized User on Someone Else’s Credit Card?
If you’re an authorized user, the primary card member has added you to their account, giving you permission to swipe. However, the primary card member still pays the credit card bill, including any charges you make. And since each user’s account habits can affect both people’s credit reports, an authorized user setup usually works best with a trusted family member, partner, or close friend.
Adding an Authorized User
Various credit card issuers may handle authorized users differently, but adding and removing them typically involves a few basic steps:
- Contact the Card Issuer
The primary card member can typically add you as an authorized user online, through a mobile app, or by calling the credit card issuer. You may need to provide your full name, date of birth, and Social Security number to get the ball rolling. - Discuss Account Rules and Set Expectations
It’s a good idea for you and the primary card member to talk about spending limits and any repayment plans you agree to. - Confirm Reporting to Credit Bureaus
If the goal is to help you build credit, the primary card member can ask the issuer whether it reports authorized user activity. If not, the account probably won’t be very useful for building credit.
Removing an Authorized User
The primary card member can typically remove you at any time by contacting the issuer online or by phone. In some cases, you might also be able to remove yourself from the account. Once removed, you generally can’t make any purchases on the account.
Does Becoming an Authorized User Help Build Your Credit Score?
Becoming an authorized user could help you build credit if the card issuer reports account activity to the credit bureaus. Over time, responsible borrowing habits, such as on-time payments and keeping low balances, can help boost your credit profile, especially your payment history and credit utilization. But of course, those behaviors must be consistent to see credit-score growth.
As you learn how to build credit, you can monitor your credit reports to see how your activity affects your credit profile—whether or not you become an authorized user.
Did you know?: A secured credit card may offer another path if you’re building credit without access to a trusted person’s account. Since getting approved for a secured card typically relies less on your credit score and more on a security deposit, they can be helpful tools for building credit from scratch.
Pros and Cons of Authorized Users on Credit Cards
When you understand how to use credit responsibly and pay bills on time, you and the primary card member can set clearer expectations before sharing an account. And setting those expectations may be a bit easier when you’re aware of common advantages and potential risks.
Pros of Adding an Authorized User
- Convenience and Access
As an authorized user, you have access to a credit line without needing to complete a new credit application. - Earning and Sharing Rewards
The primary card member can potentially earn rewards on the eligible purchases you make. In turn, you may get to enjoy some of the card’s benefits. - Building Credit and Financial Literacy
Adding you as an authorized user can help the primary card member teach you to use credit responsibly, and if the card issuer reports the card’s activity to the credit reporting agencies, you can also start building your own credit history.
Cons of Adding an Authorized User
- Shared Responsibility and Risk
The primary card member is always responsible for paying the entire bill, including any transactions you make. But if the primary account holder misses payments or if either of you overspends, everyone could see negative credit impacts. - Less Control and Privacy
The authorized user shares the primary card member’s credit limit, which means less available credit all around. Also, the primary card member can often see all your purchases.1 - Potential for Disagreements
Missed payments or high balances can strain not only your credit scores but also your personal relationship.
What’s the Difference Between an Authorized User and a Joint Credit Card Holder?
An authorized user can swipe someone else’s credit card, but the primary card member handles payments. A joint credit card holder usually shares responsibility for the account balance with the other account holder. Not all credit card issuers offer joint credit card accounts, and the application process may include eligibility requirements similar to applying for a credit card.
If you’re comparing different ways to use a card, learning about credit cards for financial flexibility can also help you understand where authorized user status may fit better than a joint situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, an authorized user can hurt or improve your credit, depending on how both people manage the account and whether the card issuer reports authorized user activity. On-time payments and low credit utilization may help, while high balances or missed payments may have a negative impact.
Adding an authorized user to an account typically doesn’t require a credit check.2 The primary card member usually contacts the card issuer and provides the information the issuer needs to add the authorized user.
A creditor typically can’t pursue an authorized user for payment, as the primary card member is responsible for the account balance. However, an authorized user’s purchases still appear on the primary card member’s bill, so both people may want to agree on spending expectations before anyone uses the card.
The Takeaway
Taking the authorized user route could help you build credit if you and the primary card member set clear boundaries and maintain responsible habits. But sharing an account can also create risks, including late payments or high balances, so both people benefit from understanding how the arrangement works. If authorized user status doesn’t fit your situation, you can opt for an alternative, such as a secured card, which may help you start building a credit history.
1 “Will Being an Authorized User Help My Credit?,” Experian
2 “Authorized Users: The Pros and Cons,” U.S. News
Bradley Schnitzer is a writer and email strategist who has covered personal finance and small business topics for over five years. He is passionate about personal finance and helping others understand their money.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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