topic Re: Authorized User ?'s in Credit Cards

Authorized User ?'s

Emdee_MD — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:33:31 GMT

Hey All,

I added my fiance as an AU on my Cap 1 card that I have had open since 2008; because she has a clean slate of a credit profile. (Cap 1 Card 750 limit, $3 balance) that she has had for 6 months. I thought I heard somewhere that when adding her as a user on Cap 1 it would show on her report the whole history of that card. which is a $1500 limit, and is PIF before every single statement has cut for the last few years. When I added her it requested her SSN and employment info.

I figured I should also add her to my Chase Sapphire ($7500 limit / 0 balance) that I have had open for approx. 18 months. I was assuming the chase card will show up on her report like a new TL, and hit her AAoA; but with the higher limit would help her out. But when I added her it did not ask for anything other then her name. So now I am thinking this might not even show on her CR?

Just trying to get an idea of the best way to help her and where to add her as an AU to make the most for her.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Re: Authorized User ?'s

ksantangelo23 — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:41:42 GMT

Yes, I can confirm that Authorized Users appear on that persons credit report just as if they were an account holder. The payment history will also appear from the date the card was opened, not the day she was added as a user.

I believe adding someone you know as an AU to piggyback them into the credit world is the best idea and best thing you could do.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

Emdee_MD — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:43:56 GMT

So she would recieve the whole 18 months of the Chase card, as well as the 5 1/2 years of the Capital one? I wasn't sure if this was creditor specific, and varied by creditor. Or if they all treated it the same. How will Chase associate it with her if all they asked for was her first and last name. They did not even ask for a SSN or address (even though its the same) or employment or anything :/

Re: Authorized User ?'s

ksantangelo23 — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:47:49 GMT

Yes, your entire payment history will be copied onto her report as if she was added the day you got your credit account.

Chase doesnt ask for a SSN or employment information for AU's, that is true, but it should still appear on her credit report. I looked into that issue specifically earlier this week.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

Emdee_MD — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:48:27 GMT

Thanks, I appreciate the response. Both cards just reported for me recently. So I suppose I will have to wait till Mid November to pull her last free report of the year and see how it looks!

Re: Authorized User ?'s

MoreRewards — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 01:04:22 GMT

I did the same for mine with Discover & Chase. Neither asked for SSN, only name but both are on his report with full history. I was also added to a family members card a couple years ago with only my name& ddifferent address. It's on my report. Everything is the same except it says "authorized user" as the account type.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

awiser — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 01:15:29 GMT

At least one of my AU accounts took a couple months to show on my reports, but they did eventually show with entire account history. Amex requested SSN while I don't think Citi did. It definitely varies by lender.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

09Lexie — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 01:57:53 GMT

It certainly varies with lenders and whether or not the information can be synced with the CRAs. Keep in mind, ACM's for Amex will not inherit the primary cardholders information.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

awiser — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 02:11:07 GMT

@09Lexie Could you elaborate? What does this necessarily mean in regards to an Amex AU?

Re: Authorized User ?'s

09Lexie — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 02:33:16 GMT

@awiser

With Amex, the ACM does not inherit the primary cardmembers information. Amex cc's have different account numbers and the reported information will be based on that individualized account.

Re: Authorized User ?'s

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:09:48 GMT

@Emdee_MD wrote:
Thanks, I appreciate the response. Both cards just reported for me recently. So I suppose I will have to wait till Mid November to pull her last free report of the year and see how it looks!

With the exception of AMEXs, adding someone as AU will give a duplicate tradeline on that AU's credit report with the addition of a AU notation. Remember do not be fooled by the potentially high credit score that might result as most lenders discount AU accounts to one extent or another.

As for credit reports, you might want to sign her up for creditkarma.com and creditsesame.com. Creditkarma will basically pull TU and give you pseudo credit report like reporting and free. Creditsesame does the same for Experian but only updates once a month.