Adding an authorized user?

[injustifiiable]

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@nickn86 wrote:

Can someone explains how exactly the AU thing works?  I just added an AU to my United card as part of the 55k miles deal, but all it asked for was the person's name basically.  How would they report to CRAs with just that information?  Do they just ask for SS#, etc... upon activation?

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A couple issuers (I know AMEX does, off hand) ask for SSN. I believe if the AU has the same billing address as the primary cardholder, it automatically matches.

[Anonymous]

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@injustifiiable wrote:

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@nickn86 wrote:

Can someone explains how exactly the AU thing works?  I just added an AU to my United card as part of the 55k miles deal, but all it asked for was the person's name basically.  How would they report to CRAs with just that information?  Do they just ask for SS#, etc... upon activation?

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A couple issuers (I know AMEX does, off hand) ask for SSN. I believe if the AU has the same billing address as the primary cardholder, it automatically matches.

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I believe that is how Chase does it.  I may be mistaken, though, but I seem to recall having read on these forums about AUs having the TL appear on their CR even without having the same address.  

By the way, FWIW, you can add an AU with AmEx without providing DOB or SSN if you call it in.

[Anonymous]

Ahh, ok now that I found this thread I am understanding the AU a little better! I was under the impression that an AU was not granted reporting about the account. Generally in the accounts that I have that have AU's - none of those report on thier credit; nor does the other accounts that I am an AU on report to mine. This is why I was puzzled when barclay reported on mine this Jan.

Ex:

I have a Lane Bryant account that I have added both my mother and grandmother to - it does not reflect on thier reports.

My grandmother opened a VS card and added me as an AU and it does not report on my report.

My grandmother and I both have joint bank accounts (we always have ever since I opened my first one) and have several cards between us that we have added the other as an AU - none of which report to the Au report

Recently she opened a Barclay card and this is the first one to show up on the AU's report.

I am aware that both of these cards are issued by the same bank, when I opened my LB I could wear the clothhing - now I cannot but was denied for a VS card. My grandmother decided to open the VS, add me and I added her and my mom to the LB, since they could utilize it.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Ahh, ok now that I found this thread I am understanding the AU a little better! I was under the impression that an AU was not granted reporting about the account. Generally in the accounts that I have that have AU's - none of those report on thier credit; nor does the other accounts that I am an AU on report to mine. This is why I was puzzled when barclay reported on mine this Jan.

Ex:

I have a Lane Bryant account that I have added both my mother and grandmother to - it does not reflect on thier reports.

My grandmother opened a VS card and added me as an AU and it does not report on my report.

My grandmother and I both have joint bank accounts (we always have ever since I opened my first one) and have several cards between us that we have added the other as an AU - none of which report to the Au report

Recently she opened a Barclay card and this is the first one to show up on the AU's report.

I am aware that both of these cards are issued by the same bank, when I opened my LB I could wear the clothhing - now I cannot but was denied for a VS card. My grandmother decided to open the VS, add me and I added her and my mom to the LB, since they could utilize it.

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It is quite normal for an account to report on the AU's credit report, especially for a major bank card.  For insignificant store accounts such as Lane Bryant and Victoria's Secret, they often do not.  Also, a lot depends on whether the account owner and AU share the same address.  Usually sharing the same address increases the chances of the AU reporting.

[jsucool76]

If a lender only asks for name, the AU will usually only report if you share the same address. If they ask for all the info it usually reports no matter what (provided we're talking about the bigger lenders (chase, cap1,amex,discover,GE))