Adding Authorized Users

[Anonymous]

I want to add my son to some of my cards as an AU to build some history for him. He is 15 (will be 16 later this year). Are there any age restrictions? I want to add him to the following cards: Chase, Barclays, Cap1 and Wal-Mart. Thank you in advance!

[ksantangelo23]

15 is the minimum You should be good to go.

[chalupaman]

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@Anonymous wrote:
I want to add my son to some of my cards as an AU to build some history for him. He is 15 (will be 16 later this year). Are there any age restrictions? I want to add him to the following cards: Chase, Barclays, Cap1 and Wal-Mart. Thank you in advance!

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Go for it. I think AU impact isn't as great as it used to be, but I think it could possibly help for Chase if he wants to start building his credit with them when he turns 18. 

[ksantangelo23]

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@chalupaman wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
I want to add my son to some of my cards as an AU to build some history for him. He is 15 (will be 16 later this year). Are there any age restrictions? I want to add him to the following cards: Chase, Barclays, Cap1 and Wal-Mart. Thank you in advance!

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Go for it. I think AU impact isn't as great as it used to be, but I think it could possibly help for Chase if he wants to start building his credit with them when he turns 18. 

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Right. Some issues will disregard all AU accounts while others (espeically AMEX, with my personal experience) fully consider them.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys! Out of the 4, he will only get one physical card to use in case of emergencies to start with! I didn't have anyone teach me about credit when I was growing up so I am hoping this will teach him responsibility and how important good credit is!

[ldavner]

I have a dumb question for the flip side of this, can it impact your scores adding him? I'm thinking of adding a family member (not even sure if they would get the physical card) to help them repair, but I wasn't sure the impact I could have.

[jamesdwi]

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@ldavner wrote:

I have a dumb question for the flip side of this, can it impact your scores adding him? I'm thinking of adding a family member (not even sure if they would get the physical card) to help them repair, but I wasn't sure the impact I could have.

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adding him won't affect your score unless he uses the card and it effects your UTL.  

[Anonymous]

Just do it.  Add him to all of your cards if you can, the more the merrier.  Cut up the cards as soon as they arrive but save the 1 you want to give him for emergencies.

Keep a leash on his spending; preferably make that 1 card a low limit card to minimize the damage if he does do something crazy.

Doesn't affect your credit unless he goes on a spending binge that you can't pay...thus the low limit card.

AMEX cards can actually limit AU's as a separate limit from the main card for this very same short leash reason.

The AU effect is very real, he will have massive spending power by the time he turns 18...of course you will have to teach him ...