Recently Married

[Anonymous]

Would it effect the CL we get having me as AI listed on the app rather than just waiting til afterwards to add me?

[Anonymous]

You could be an au on any card your wife gets approved for after she gets the card. You may not want to do that on every card. You can do better if you each get your own credit. That way you keep your utilization separated.

I don't know your disposable income situation but if you can't afford $300 a month to put on both your cards for the next 5 months you really can't afford any new debt.

[Anonymous]

It won't affect your credit limit if you apply jointly and most lenders don't do joint apps.

You are in good shape if you just knock those 2 balances down and focus on building your wife A FEW accounts that the odds are in her favor of being approved for, and DO NOT charge them up like your cards.

[UncleB]

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@Anonymous wrote:
It won't affect your credit limit if you apply jointly and most lenders don't do joint apps.

You are in good shape if you just knock those 2 balances down and focus on building your wife A FEW accounts that the odds are in her favor of being approved for, and DO NOT charge them up like your cards.

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+1

The only lender I'm familiar with that allows a true joint application is Discover, but I believe that's only offered as an option if an applicant doens't qualify on his/her own.  You might be able to find some lesser-known issuers that still offer a true 'joint' application, but most well-known lenders only allow one name per application (with the option to get an additional card(s) for authorized users)

However, while you might only be able to list one name on the application, you can generally show 'household' income, which could be inclusive of both you and your wife, possibly improving your chances of approval and/or of a higher starting credit line.