topic Re: Authorized Users to build credit in Credit Cards

Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:40:26 GMT

I added my sons to 6 of my credit cards about six months ago when they had no credit file whatsoever. I just checked CreditKarma to see if they have one now, and they both have scores of 724 and the oldest of the 6 cards is only 8 months old.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

kdong1996 — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:27:33 GMT

Congrats! That's how I initally got my score too and it saved me a lot of time. Try having them apply for a Chase card if they still haven't got a card. Chase was pretty awesome about giving me credit with only an AU card reporting.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

lord_kinbote — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:38:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I added my sons to 6 of my credit cards about six months ago when they had no credit file whatsoever. I just checked CreditKarma to see if they have one now, and they both have scores of 724 and the oldest of the 6 cards is only 8 months old.

If you do not mind me asking, how old are your sons? I added my 17 year old step daughter as an AU on my Amex BCE to establish her credit and more importantly to establish a MSD. I can not check her credit, since she is not 18 - so I am not sure of the impact.

To the other members, what age can you add your kids? I have my own two kids and would like to add them as well, but they are too young at this point (12 and 13). Thanks in advance for the insight.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:50:12 GMT

@akula wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I added my sons to 6 of my credit cards about six months ago when they had no credit file whatsoever. I just checked CreditKarma to see if they have one now, and they both have scores of 724 and the oldest of the 6 cards is only 8 months old.
If you do not mind me asking, how old are your sons? I added my 17 year old step daughter as an AU on my Amex BCE to establish her credit and more importantly to establish a MSD. I can not check her credit, since she is not 18 - so I am not sure of the impact.

To the other members, what age can you add your kids? I have my own two kids and would like to add them as well, but they are too young at this point (12 and 13). Thanks in advance for the insight.

They are grown (early 20s)

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Revelate — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:52:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@akula wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I added my sons to 6 of my credit cards about six months ago when they had no credit file whatsoever. I just checked CreditKarma to see if they have one now, and they both have scores of 724 and the oldest of the 6 cards is only 8 months old.
If you do not mind me asking, how old are your sons? I added my 17 year old step daughter as an AU on my Amex BCE to establish her credit and more importantly to establish a MSD. I can not check her credit, since she is not 18 - so I am not sure of the impact.

To the other members, what age can you add your kids? I have my own two kids and would like to add them as well, but they are too young at this point (12 and 13). Thanks in advance for the insight.
They are grown (early 20s)

That's a good first step: have them get their own cards as AU accounts are discounted by many lenders for anything serious - leverage the AU's to build their own credit report.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:19:43 GMT

Will do, thanks. They don't plan on applying for anything for 6 months to a year. Just wanted to give them a boost in the right direction.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

BluePoodle — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:17:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Will do, thanks. They don't plan on applying for anything for 6 months to a year. Just wanted to give them a boost in the right direction.

It's their business. But honestly, if they are in their 20's, I am not sure why they would be waiting for 6 month to a year before they apply for anything. If they want to establish credit, sooner when they don't need it is better than later when they do.

But otherwise, congrats to you and them. They are off to a good start.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 04:00:59 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Will do, thanks. They don't plan on applying for anything for 6 months to a year. Just wanted to give them a boost in the right direction.

Tell 'em to pull da trigga

It's a boost but AU only goes so far.

My brother only had AU accounts (like 5 accounts). He applied for AMEX Green card and Costco. Approved for both and got $4,000 on Costco with only AU accounts to his name.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

ScoreOrBeScored — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 04:24:23 GMT

I added my 12 yr old son to 8 of my cards as a AU. Waiting til he turn 15 to add him to my Amex accounts

most lenders don't have a age limit or requirement.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 04:26:26 GMT

Thanks for the info, I previously thought it was 15.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 15:09:18 GMT

Neither of them are working right now, so the waiting 6 months to a year is so they can get a job and have at least 6 months of job history there before applying for anything.

Re: Authorized Users to build credit

BluePoodle — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 15:16:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Neither of them are working right now, so the waiting 6 months to a year is so they can get a job and have at least 6 months of job history there before applying for anything.

If they have summer jobs lined up and scholarships for college, IMHO, they are safe to ap any time. Best of luck to them.