How is this even possible?

[CoreyGSHS]

Hi all! So tonight I was dining with my best friend (who is 17) and when the bill came separate for each of us, he whipped out a Chase Sapphire Preferred card! It was his card because his name was printed on the front. I didn't really spark a conversation about it with him, however. He told me he has had the card for a year! How is that even possible with his young age and (assuming) extremely thin credit profile?? Both his 22 year old sister and mother have Sapphire Preferred cards. 

Do you think the parents co-signed the card? Does Chase even let you do that with the Sapphires? How did this happen? 

[Shock]

definitely AU

[Kenny]

I would think 100% AU.

[CoreyGSHS]

I thought an "authorized user" was an individual that had permission to USE the existing card, not add a new account and card to the new user? 

As an example: "Pat has a Chase Sapphire Preferred. She lists her two children as "authorized users" on the card, meaning either one of the children could go out and use her card without being declined."

So when someone says authorized user, that means a whole entire new card is created for that person? What lucky friends I have.. I was so envious! 

[Kenny]

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@CoreyGSHS wrote:

I thought an "authorized user" was an individual that had permission to USE the existing card, not add a new account and card to the new user? 

As an example: "Pat has a Chase Sapphire Preferred. She lists her two children as "authorized users" on the card, meaning either one of the children could go out and use her card without being declined."

So when someone says authorized user, that means a whole entire new card is created for that person? What lucky friends I have.. I was so envious! 

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An authorized user gets their own card with their name on it.. it may or may not be a new card number. (I believe that Chase isn't a new number.. or at least it wasn't for CSP and with my AUs.)

Barclays has issued new card numbers for my AUs previously.

[TiggerDat]

Yeah, it is his card, it was given to him by his mother or father, so it is his card, not his parents.  As an AU he can use his card however he wants.  It is possible for people under 18 to get cards, but often it does not happen as they can legally say no to paying it if they are under 18, since they can't enter into such a contract. 

[takeshi74]

Probably AU but to telling for certain without knowing the details.

[sexy_kitten7]

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@TiggerDat wrote:

Yeah, it is his card, it was given to him by his mother or father, so it is his card, not his parents.  As an AU he can use his card however he wants.  It is possible for people under 18 to get cards, but often it does not happen as they can legally say no to paying it if they are under 18, since they can't enter into such a contract. 

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AUs are never responsible for repayment. The min age of the AU depends on the bank and is usually around 16.

[TiggerDat]

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@sexy_kitten7 wrote:

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@TiggerDat wrote:

Yeah, it is his card, it was given to him by his mother or father, so it is his card, not his parents.  As an AU he can use his card however he wants.  It is possible for people under 18 to get cards, but often it does not happen as they can legally say no to paying it if they are under 18, since they can't enter into such a contract. 

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AUs are never responsible for repayment. The min age of the AU depends on the bank and is usually around 16.

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Correct AUs are never responsible for them, but there is some thought that if a person is using a card, they are probably contributing to payment of what they buy.  So it does help scores.  I meant that even people under 18 can get their own credit card, but most banks don't do it because at any point up to them turning 18 they can disavow the contract.

[CenturyChild]

Def an AU.

My niece is AU on one of my CapOne cards (she lives with me) since its easier for her to get gas and things she needs. As well as in case of emerciencies.

She has her own card with her name on it and everything.  Just turned 16.

Just have to make sure you trust the person you add cause they can charge anything and not respopnsible for it. 

She uses hers to get what she need and any little extras she wants.  I just give her an allowance or "limit" every month she can use without asking me first. I'll just say you can spend "X" amount this month and she doesnt have to ask to use it so long as she stays within her boundries.  Been very good about it too.

Otherwise she needs permission.