topic Re: Let non-authorized user use card? in Credit Cards

Let non-authorized user use card?

inthewoods — Wed, 27 May 2015 04:12:20 GMT

My wife is going on a business trip and will spend $3000 at a hotel, which she will then expense.

I have a Citi Prestige which gets 3 TYP / $ spent on hotels. Unfortunately, she is not an authorized user and she leaves tomorrow, so there is no time to make her one.

Can I authorize her to use the card without being an AU? What’s the likelihood that the hotel will decline the card since it carries my name (we do not share a last name)? Do you think she’ll have trouble expensing it if it isn’t her name on the credit card receipt? Would it help or hurt were I to give her a power of attorney?

Are there other risks or moral quandries I should consider? I am sure Citi would object based on their terms and conditions, but they will be crying all the way to the bank…

The more I think about it, it seems like a bad idea. Should I just have her use the CSP where she is an authorized user?

Edit: I read the Citi agreement and it states:

— “authorized user” means any person you allow to use your account.

…

Authorized Users. You may request additional cards for authorized users. You must pay us for all charges made by authorized users. You must pay us even if you did not intend to be responsible for those charges. You must notify us to withdraw any permission you give to an authorized user to use your account.

…

We may cancel an authorized user’s right to use your account at any time. We may do this for any reason; without prior notice to you; and without prior notice to the authorized user. You also may cancel an authorized user’s right to use your account at any time. To do this, you must notify us in writing of the cancellation. After a cancellation, you must promptly retrieve any credit cards, balance transfer checks, or cash convenience checks given to the authorized user. You must promptly destroy all unless we tell you otherwise. You must do these things whether the cancellation was begun by us or you. When you begin the cancellation, you must also inform the authorized user of the cancellation. You must tell the authorized user to stop using the card and your account immediately. If an authorized user brings a claim of wrongful cancellation against us because of a cancellation begun by you, the claim is your responsibility. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless us and our parent company, subsidiaries and affiliates from any losses, damages or other liability arising from the claim.

*****

This makes it sound as though the fee is only for the additional card and simply my “allowing any person to use my account” makes them a de facto authorized user. I can’t find anything in the agreement that says she may not use my card with my authorization.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 04:11:32 GMT

Just give her the card. If they want to make a big stink about it they can call you for authorization.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

jm1991 — Wed, 27 May 2015 05:52:43 GMT

Contact the hotel and ask for a credit card authorization for to be sent. Ull probably need ro fax or email it with a copy of the front and back of your card and I.d. just make a copy before she leaves. That way she has no problem using it at the hotel at least.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:00:08 GMT

Im glad you asked this. My boyfriend is about to leave on a trip and I told him he could take my QS1 to use for gas and stuff (might as well get the rewards, right)? I don't think he will have trouble using it to pay at the pump, do you?

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

jsucool76 — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:02:59 GMT

I let other people use my cards all the time. so few people check names on cards now.

the only time I've been asked for an ID with my card in the past year and a half is if I'm buying alcohol (and that's not to confirm the name on my credit card lol) and at Disney if I try to use the annual passholder discount. they don't check my name against the credit card, they check it against the annual pass to make sure that I'm not taking 10% I don't deserve

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

zerbherb — Wed, 27 May 2015 13:08:51 GMT

don't worry tell her enjoy the trip. i have done this in israel a bunch of times, if your liscences have the same last name its not big deal.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:30:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Im glad you asked this. My boyfriend is about to leave on a trip and I told him he could take my QS1 to use for gas and stuff (might as well get the rewards, right)? I don't think he will have trouble using it to pay at the pump, do you?

Out of curiosity, why the QS1 and not the BCE? Also, there will be no trouble at the pump.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:32:27 GMT

@zerbherb wrote:
don't worry tell her enjoy the trip. i have done this in israel a bunch of times, if your liscences have the same last name its not big deal.

OP clearly stated that he doesn't share the same last name with his wife though. I believe it will be an issue.

OP just have her take the CSP...

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

northface28 — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:34:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Just give her the card. If they want to make a big stink about it they can call you for authorization.

And how will the hotel know who theyre are calling? Its not a "big stink" if people did their jobs and checked ID, we would have less fraud.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:41:50 GMT

@northface28 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Just give her the card. If they want to make a big stink about it they can call you for authorization.
And how will the hotel know who theyre are calling? Its not a "big stink" if people did their jobs and checked ID, we would have less fraud.

You're not supposed to check IDs for credit card use. VISA and the other banks even have instructions in their merchant guide that says retailers cannot refuse to accept your card if you do not provide ID

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

northface28 — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:43:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@northface28 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Just give her the card. If they want to make a big stink about it they can call you for authorization.
And how will the hotel know who theyre are calling? Its not a "big stink" if people did their jobs and checked ID, we would have less fraud.
You're not supposed to check IDs for credit card use. VISA and the other banks even have instructions in their merchant guide that says retailers cannot refuse to accept your card if you do not provide ID

So I can go into any merchant with a credit card I found and they cannot refuse to accept it?

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:21:37 GMT

@northface28 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@northface28 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Just give her the card. If they want to make a big stink about it they can call you for authorization.
And how will the hotel know who theyre are calling? Its not a "big stink" if people did their jobs and checked ID, we would have less fraud.
You're not supposed to check IDs for credit card use. VISA and the other banks even have instructions in their merchant guide that says retailers cannot refuse to accept your card if you do not provide ID
So I can go into any merchant with a credit card I found and they cannot refuse to accept it?

According to those credit card companies, a signature is all that is required. They're the one assuming the liability so they've decided that's in their best interests as opposed to refusing transactions for lack of ID

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

ojefferyo — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:52:47 GMT

If there isn't a signature on the back then they will ask for ID, thats why the CCC wants you to sign the back of them. I never do and I don't get asked for ID most of the time.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

zerbherb — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:09:11 GMT

Didn't see the not same last name part. Maya Kolpa.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:11:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Im glad you asked this. My boyfriend is about to leave on a trip and I told him he could take my QS1 to use for gas and stuff (might as well get the rewards, right)? I don't think he will have trouble using it to pay at the pump, do you?
Out of curiosity, why the QS1 and not the BCE? Also, there will be no trouble at the pump.

That's a great question. I don't really know why! It would be better cash back on the gas if he used the BCE, and I do need to meet the spend bonus. But I could also use the BCE at the grocery store while he is gone and get 3% back instead of using the QS1 at 1.5%. I should probably think this through again. He is leaving on Saturday so I don't have time to get him his own card before then. I probably just thought to send him with the $500 limit QS1 because I have only used it for one $6.00 charge since I have had it, and it just sits in the safe.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

northface28 — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:33:39 GMT

@zerbherb wrote:
Didn't see the not same last name part. Maya Kolpa.

Mea Culpa?

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:37:05 GMT

@ojefferyo wrote:
If there isn't a signature on the back then they will ask for ID, thats why the CCC wants you to sign the back of them. I never do and I don't get asked for ID most of the time.

Someday you're going to run into a merchant who refuses to let you use an unsigned card as per the card, it isnot valid without a signature. They can and have refused people from signing them at the counter.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:50:11 GMT

@ojefferyo wrote:
If there isn't a signature on the back then they will ask for ID, thats why the CCC wants you to sign the back of them. I never do and I don't get asked for ID most of the time.

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

Callandra — Wed, 27 May 2015 19:25:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@ojefferyo wrote:
If there isn't a signature on the back then they will ask for ID, thats why the CCC wants you to sign the back of them. I never do and I don't get asked for ID most of the time.
Someday you're going to run into a merchant who refuses to let you use an unsigned card as per the card, it isnot valid without a signature. They can and have refused people from signing them at the counter.

I forget the rules (bit hazy in my mind) but I believe that if you do not have the card signed, you have to show the clerk ID and then sign the card in front of them. I do not think you are supposed to take it as unsigned. You can refuse the transaction if the cardholder refuses to sign though. I think that's for Visa/MC, I don't know how it works for Amex/Discover.

(Not that any retail store I've ever worked in does this; although when I worked at Nordstrom, they were more strict about CC transactions and also checking the last 4 on the card and the receipt)

Re: Let non-authorized user use card?

zerbherb — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:19:21 GMT

it means by bad in polish, or one of those weird european languages. My grandma told me about it.