Adding a Joint User

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to perk up my husband's credit - currently at around 660 and not budging. I already added him as an AU to my AMEX card opened in 2008 bringing his CL up from $500 to $8000. It basically didn't bump his score up at all (maybe 5 points). I'm thinking maybe he'd need some real length added to his credit to actually bump his score up. I have a card I can add him to from 2003, but it's USBank who doesn't report AUs. I'm thinking that instead I should add him as a joint account holder. Would he still get all of the credit history, or would the date opened change? Would they potentially lower my credit limit or close the card based on his credit history? Or just deny the joint user application based on his credit?

Thanks for any insight!

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm trying to perk up my husband's credit - currently at around 660 and not budging. I already added him as an AU to my AMEX card opened in 2008 bringing his CL up from $500 to $8000. It basically didn't bump his score up at all (maybe 5 points). I'm thinking maybe he'd need some real length added to his credit to actually bump his score up. I have a card I can add him to from 2003, but it's USBank who doesn't report AUs. I'm thinking that instead I should add him as a joint account holder. Would he still get all of the credit history, or would the date opened change? Would they potentially lower my credit limit or close the card based on his credit history? Or just deny the joint user application based on his credit?

Thanks for any insight!

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Hi Mank,  Interesting question.

To me, adding him as joint acct holder should not affect to your current cc's condition.  Have you ask USBank?

I did search "joint" in the search box, but I could not find specific answer.

I am still thinking about adding my daughter (a college student and tells me that she does not need any ccs) to my Discover as AU or joint or let her apply her own.

[Creditaddict]

I have a joint USbank card with my father, when we originally applied my scores where under 600 and he listed himself as primary and me as secondary on the joint, I don't even think they pulled my credit, we were instantly approved for 15k... over the years it rose to 22500, my credit has never been pulled

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, I definitely think it's worth a shot. I also spoke with a CSR and he said he'd never heard of them denying adding someone as a joint user. At worst, he said the impact of DH's credit score might drop the CL - which I'm totally fine with (I have more than enough credit, and this isn't a card I use much). So I faxed in the paperwork! I'll let you know what happens.

Anyone know who USBank pulls?

[Creditaddict]

EX or EQ I believe but I would be surprised if they even pull his credit

[haulingthescoreup]

Just so you realize that once there are two (or more) joint users, one of you can't come back off. The account will have to be closed if one person no longer wants to be on the account.

Each joint user on an account is fully liable for any and all charges, no matter what. Future legal decisions (bankruptcy, divorce, etc.) do not affect this, no matter what a decree might state.

(This info is for anyone reading this thread who might be unaware of the implications of joint credit.)

[Creditaddict]

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@haulingthescoreup wrote:

Just so you realize that once there are two (or more) joint users, one of you can't come back off. The account will have to be closed if one person no longer wants to be on the account.

Each joint user on an account is fully liable for any and all charges, no matter what. Future legal decisions (bankruptcy, divorce, etc.) do not affect this, no matter what a decree might state.

(This info is for anyone reading this thread who might be unaware of the implications of joint credit.)

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This is true for USBANK.

However Chase, you can request to remove a user, but it's like applying for the car yourself, they will pull credit and if you don't qualify on your own the account will remain open as the joint

[haulingthescoreup]

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@Creditaddict wrote:

... However Chase, you can request to remove a user, but it's like applying for the car yourself, they will pull credit and if you don't qualify on your own the account will remain open as the joint

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Thanks for adding this! I had this niggling in the back of my brain that this was true for someone, but I couldn't remember who, or the details. And that makes a lot of sense to me: if the other person's credit is good enough to carry the account alone, they can do so. This must be the first instance I remember reading of anything even remotely pro-consumer on the part of Chase.

Unfortunately, most people who are trying to get off a joint account are doing so because the other person's credit is causing a problem in some way.

[Creditaddict]

Citi and nordstrom use to allow removal of joint too. i think nordstrom still does but citi stopped like 5 years ago, i think they saw to many losses because they were not qualifying the poeple that were taking over the account

[Anonymous]

Thanks to hauling and Creditaddict  ...  I just called Discover and the rep told me exactly what you stated.   And adding someone as AU will help that person's credit history  because they will report to CB.   The rep also said she just added her sister to her acct and and her sister's CR shows she is an AU.   So, I added my daughter to my Discover More as AU.   Moreover, I will keep her card with me ... this is secret!  ....  and this is at most what I can do to help her until she gets her own.

* The Discover rep ask my daughter's name and mailing address only.

* The Discover rep told me it (AU's CR) does not show the detail of cc, which is date of open, CL, balance etc.

* I did not tell the rep that my daughter does not live with me (non-custodial parent), nor she did not ask me.   This may be an issue later on?