Authorized user question...

[7PM789]

If I try to add someone as an authorized user on one of my cards can they be denied due to lack of credit history or bad credit?

Also there credit profile or lack thereof will not reflect upon me in the eyes of the credit provider... Correct?

[chnceit]

You will have full responsibility for the AU's debt not them. 

The lender cannot see your AU's credit because you will add them after the fact 

[7PM789]

So they will verify the identity of the individual without a review of said individuals credit report because I'm responsible for any charges they make...

Thank you for clarifying that. I wasn't sure if being added as an A.U. would show up as a hard pull on her report.

One last question; Will the bill be split and mailed seperately and due simultaneously or will I just get one bill as usual?

[Pilotdude]

An Authorized User is someone YOU allow to use your account.  You add them and the credit card company gives them a card WITHOUT looking at their credit.  In return and as a basis for that action, the credit card company will hold YOU responsible for any and all charges that the Authorized User makes.

The credit card company will bill YOU, not them.  As far as I know (I have been an Authorized user for several years) the bill is never "split" and in fact is always sent to the account holder (you).

If you allowed someone to be an authorized user on your account, you have accepted full responsibility for any charges which that Authorized User approves or makes. 

Be very clear...you not them is responsible and it is you not them whom the credit card company will seek payment from.

If I am wrong, it will be news to me. 

be careful

[Anonymous]

Sometimes a lender will perform a soft pull, but never a hard pull.  I have seen soft pulls with AmEx and with USAA when adding an AU.

The other person's credit history or lack thereof is generally irrelevant except for AmEx.  If they have caused AmEx a financial loss in the past, AmEx will not allow them to be added as an AU.  Navy Federal will sometimes do this, too.

Although you are fully responsible for any charges the AU makes, some banks hold AUs legally liable for their purchases in the event you do not pay.  USAA does this as does, sometimes, AmEx.  

[MovingForward_2012]

Also you can add someone without issuing a card. I know Capital One has that option through their website. However, when I added my husband as an AU to my Chase Freedom, it sent him a card by default through their website. So you may have to call to change default preferences.