Using AU card

[honeybunnygal]

To help my boyfriend of almost 4 years out credit-wise, I added him as an AU to three of my CCs. Two have higher limits (AMEX BlueSky & Citi Diamond), and one has a lower limit (4.5 year old CapOne that hasn't had a CLI...ever...and is stuck at $500.)

I gave him the CapOne AU card, but not the other two. I figured the $500 card would be a good place to start, and that he couldn't go TOO crazy with it. All the cards have perfect history. The AMEX & Citi cards are 1.5 years old. Question: Is there any way for him to use the other accounts if he doesn't have the cards?

Thanks in advance!

[LS2982]

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@honeybunnygal wrote:

To help my boyfriend of almost 4 years out credit-wise, I added him as an AU to three of my CCs. Two have higher limits (AMEX BlueSky & Citi Diamond), and one has a lower limit (4.5 year old CapOne that hasn't had a CLI...ever...and is stuck at $500.)

I gave him the CapOne AU card, but not the other two. I figured the $500 card would be a good place to start, and that he couldn't go TOO crazy with it. All the cards have perfect history. The AMEX & Citi cards are 1.5 years old. Question: Is there any way for him to use the other accounts if he doesn't have the cards?

Thanks in advance!

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If he gets the account info he can use it online and you would still be responsible for charges due to AU status.

[honeybunnygal]

Thanks for the quick reply. But wouldn't he still need the CVV code off the card?

[LS2982]

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@honeybunnygal wrote:

Thanks for the quick reply. But wouldn't he still need the CVV code off the card?

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This is true. If I may ask do you not trust him with the prime AU cards? With AMEX you can set a CL for him and monitor the charges.

[Strepthroat]

Honeybunnygal, you can add him woithout giving him the card and account access. I added my sister to 3 cards over a year ago to help with her credit. One card she has in her possession, the other two, she doesn't have cards and is not allowed to call into customer service for inquiries....must have password to proceed with the account rep. Hope this helps.

[Repo-ed]

Just monitor the useage and be prepared to PIF

[honeybunnygal]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

LS2982 - I don't think he would do anything malicious. I am just concerned regarding his credit understanding.

[Anonymous]

I think I have read here that you can contact AMEX and they will put a limit on how much an AU can charge.  I would hope that Citi has the same policy in place.  Just a little bit of protection for yourself.  As you said, you are not worried about him being malicious, but since his own credit is not in the best of shape you do need to worry just the same.

[honeybunnygal]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I think I have read here that you can contact AMEX and they will put a limit on how much an AU can charge.  I would hope that Citi has the same policy in place.  Just a little bit of protection for yourself.  As you said, you are not worried about him being malicious, but since his own credit is not in the best of shape you do need to worry just the same.

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I was able to cap the limit on the AMEX at $200 for his AU card. I will check to see if this can be done with Citi as well. Thanks!

[honeybunnygal]

I just got off the phone with Citibank. Unfortunately, they don't allow you to cap the limit on AU cards.