Joint Credit Cards: What You Should Know and Alternatives
8 Min Read | Published: December 22, 2025
This article contains general information and is not intended to provide information that is specific to American Express products and services. Similar products and services offered by different companies will have different features and you should always read about product details before acquiring any financial product.
Looking for a joint credit card? They’re rare today—but here’s how authorized users and other options can help you share a credit card the smart way.
At-A-Glance
- Joint credit cards are uncommon today since sharing full responsibility for a single account gets complicated if one person misses a payment or overspends.
- Most lenders offer simpler setups like authorized users or Additional Card Members, where one person manages payments while both can enjoy the benefits.
- If what you really want is to pool cash for shared expenses, a joint bank account might be the smoother, more transparent way to manage money together.
Money decisions don’t always happen solo—sometimes you’re sharing bills, goals, and life with someone else. While old-school joint credit cards are mostly history, there are plenty of modern ways to handle money together. You can add a loved one as an authorized user, invite them as an Additional Card Member, or open a joint bank account to manage day-to-day spending side by side.
Let’s walk through what a joint credit card really means and what these other shared options can do for you.
What Is a Joint Credit Card?
Joint credit cards are rare these days since banks have pretty much phased them out. But if you do find one, it can be a way to build credit and manage shared expenses with a partner or family member. You both have your names on the account, and every purchase or payment shows up on both of your credit reports.
Joint credit cards can be like sharing one financial steering wheel—you both help drive where it goes—but there are some aspects to keep in mind:
- When you open a joint credit card, you each get your own copy of the card.
- You share the same credit limit, balance, and due date.
- Any missed payment or high balance affects both parties.
Can You Get a Joint Credit Card?
Unlike joint bank accounts that two or more people share, joint credit cards can be difficult to find since they’re riskier for both lenders and card members.1 Sharing a credit card means both people are equally responsible for every charge and payment—so if one person misses a payment or racks up a balance, it can impact both of their credit scores. From a bank or credit card issuer’s perspective, that shared liability of a joint card can get messy fast, especially if one person spends more than they pay or a repayment plan (or relationship) fails.
Alternatives to Joint Credit Cards
Most lenders now offer authorized user, Additional Card Member, or joint banking options that are easier to manage than joint credit cards.
Authorized Users or Additional Card Members
In the credit card context, an authorized user is a partner, family member, or trusted friend who shares your card account, making purchases with their own card while you’re responsible for the monthly payments. Authorized usership can help someone you trust build their credit history, too, with you guiding the way. It’s like you’re letting them ride along on your credit journey while you keep both hands on the wheel.
Here’s why adding an authorized user can come in handy:
- They get their own card with their name on it.
- Their purchases can help them build credit history over time.
- You can help them learn responsible borrowing in real life.
- You stay responsible for payments, so there’s no confusion about who owes what.
Did you know?
If you’re an American Express® Card Member, you can also add an Additional Card Member—basically a next-level version of an authorized user. That way, you can earn rewards faster, track spending separately in the Amex® App, and even set custom limits.
How to Get Started with an Authorized User
Some card issuers let you add authorized users for free, but others may charge you a fee. As soon as you’re ready to get started, you can:
- Compare Cards that match your lifestyle goals.
- Apply to be the primary card member.
- Speak to your partner, child, family member, or other trusted individual and set ground rules for spending.
- Add an authorized user either online in your account, through your institution’s app, or by calling the number on the back of your card.
- If necessary, provide the agent with the authorized user’s personal information, including name, birthday, and Social Security number.2
- Monitor monthly spending activity and adjust access as needed.
Cosigners
Cosigning means you take full responsibility for the balance if the main account holder can’t pay, even if you never use the card. Many major lenders have moved away from cosigning, as it risks your credit if the main account holder defaults or falls behind.3
Joint Bank Accounts
A joint bank account is basically a shared money hub between two or more people, like a partner, parent, or business partner, where everyone can add, move, and spend from the same pool. Rather than sending each other money every week or juggling separate bills, all your shared money lives in one convenient spot. Once it’s in the account, it belongs to everyone, so sharing it with someone trustworthy and close to you is typically the best option.
Here’s how a joint bank account can make life easier:
- All account holders can deposit paychecks, cover bills, or pay for groceries straight from the same account.
- Shared expenses stay simple and transparent.
- Your money gets added protection since deposit insurance typically covers each account holder, which can more than double your total coverage.4
After learning how to open a joint banking account, you can tie the account to your credit card for seamless monthly payments. In this way, the shared account and credit card operate as a replacement for a joint credit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since true joint credit cards are hard to come by, couples usually share credit access by adding an authorized user or Additional Card Member. The best card really depends on how you spend together—whether that’s sharing travel cards and their rewards, maximizing dining perks, or simplifying shared bills.
Yes, marriage isn’t required to share credit access. Anyone you trust, like a family member or long-term partner, can be added as an authorized user or Additional Card Member. Joint cards, when available, typically work the same way, letting you manage shared expenses together without needing a marriage license.
American Express doesn’t currently offer joint credit card accounts, but you can add Additional Card Members to most cards. That way, you can still benefit from shared access. If you’re looking to manage shared money together, Amex also offers joint bank accounts—just not joint credit cards.
An Additional Card Member must be at least 13 years old and have a clean history with American Express—meaning no previously defaulted accounts. Once added, they’ll get their own card, help you earn rewards faster, and enjoy the same convenient perks that come with your account.
The Takeaway
Since true joint credit cards have mostly gone out of style, options like adding an authorized user or Additional Card Member let you share credit access and earn rewards together. Whether you’re splitting expenses, building credit as a team, or helping someone get started, there’s likely a setup that fits your lifestyle. And if you’re looking for a shared way to manage your money day-to-day, a joint bank account could be the smoother path for your spending.
1,4 “What is a joint bank account?,” Bankrate
2 “Authorized users: Everything you need to know,” Bankrate
3 “Which credit cards allow co-signers?,” Bankrate
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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