Do AU accounts still work?

[TheFate]

Do AU accounts still work or does FICO not count this towards your total score anymore?

[Jeff532003]

They still work but are factored in less than in the previous version. Originally they where going to be taken out completely but from what I read there was a lot of push back as married couples or business partners could have been adversely affected for no reason.

[user5387]

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@TheFate wrote:

Do AU accounts still work or does FICO not count this towards your total score anymore?

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Here's a description of what has changed with AU accounts:

   http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/fico8.aspx

[TheFate]

I'm curious as to how they determine if you're tradelining or not

[09Lexie]

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@TheFate wrote:

I'm curious as to how they determine if you're tradelining or not

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Surnames, addresses etc. Keep in mind your CR's show the name of your spouse. Also, those who rent TLs may usually show the accounts opened/closed rather quickly.  I'm sure I'm being overly simplistic as I am not aware of all the filters that FICO uses for scoring. 

[TheFate]

I dont think you're being very simplistic at all, you made good points.

So I should be able to join my fiances Account with no problem since we live together? The main thing limiting my score is Age of accounts (2 years longest), She has a few accounts 5-8 years+ old.

[IamB2]

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@TheFate wrote:

I'm curious as to how they determine if you're tradelining or not

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Most often it has to do with the same household (address), last name and other such information.

[09Lexie]

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@TheFate wrote:

I dont think you're being very simplistic at all, you made good points.

So I should be able to join my fiances Account with no problem since we live together? The main thing limiting my score is Age of accounts (2 years longest), She has a few accounts 5-8 years+ old.

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You can always be added; the issue is whether or not scoring/lenders will give you the same 'credit' as they give your fiancé.  For instance, Chase discounts AUs TLs in weighing apps in their UW algorithms.  Some have reported Discover stating the same -no AU accounts. 

[TheFate]

Do you know of any Credit cards that do AU accounts that would be beneficial for me? She has quite a few accounts, CITI being the longest aged account.

[09Lexie]

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@TheFate wrote:

Do you know of any Credit cards that do AU accounts that would be beneficial for me? She has quite a few accounts, CITI being the longest aged account.

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The best would be Amex. Keep in mind,  AU accounts can only do so much.  Do you have negatives? Or are you just trying to age your credit profile?