questions about adding a SO as an authorized user to boost SO's score

[MF13]

Hello.

My significant other and I have been trying to find out more information about how adding an authorized user would affect said user's FICO scores and the FICO scores of the account holder. I listed some of the questions that I have below (along with some info that may be important).

I'm hoping someone can help us answer these questions. Links to where you are referencing your answers would be appreciated.

Additional Information
- authorized user-to-be is my significant other (SO), we are married
- my FICO scores are significantly higher than my SO (significantly higher = would affect interest rates)
- my SO is employed but I am unemployed (my credit cards were all issued to me when I was employed)
- my credit to debt ratio, payment history, and length of account history would all be beneficial for my SO

1. Are you allowed to add an SO as an authorized user to help boost a SO's FICO score?

2. Would adding my SO as an authorized user trigger any account reviews for me? I ask because I am currently unemployed and my accounts are essential for my personal FICO scores. My credit card companies have never asked me about my employment status after the initial credit card application process. I was just wondering whether adding an authorized user would reopen this question and thus put my account(s) at risk for being closed due to unemployment (despite the fact that my SO has an income that covers all of our expenses). My accounts are all in good standing, used responsibly, and are paid on time every month.

3. Will adding my SO as an authorized user result in a hard inquiry for either my SO or myself?

4. Will the entire history of each account be added to my SO's credit history upon my SO being added as an authorized user? Or, will the account(s) only be reported from the date my SO is added as an authorized user?

5. If we decide to add my SO as an authorized user to multiple accounts, should that be done at the same time, separately, or does it not matter? If it should be done separately, how much time should pass between authorizations? We have already factored in how my available credit and credit usage will affect my SO.

6. Are there any cons to adding my SO as an authorized user other than the fact that my SO would have the ability to charge up my cards and leave me with 100% responsibility to pay those bills? I'm asking in regards to whether this is a bad idea to boost my SO's FICO scores and / or whether this will hurt my FICO scores in any way that I'm not aware of.

7. Have we forgotten to consider anything else before taking this step?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[09Lexie]

Welcome to the forum!

I am in a similar situation and last year added my DH to some of my cc's. He's on my PayPalMC, Discover and PRG. All added within the past 8 months.


1. Are you allowed to add an SO as an authorized user to help boost a SO's FICO score? Yes

2. Would adding my SO as an authorized user trigger any account reviews for me? I ask because I am currently unemployed and my accounts are essential for my personal FICO scores. My credit card companies have never asked me about my employment status after the initial credit card application process. I was just wondering whether adding an authorized user would reopen this question and thus put my account(s) at risk for being closed due to unemployment (despite the fact that my SO has an income that covers all of our expenses). My accounts are all in good standing, used responsibly, and are paid on time every month.

It should not as the AUs credit is not pulled. There was a post regarding an ACM charging more than the primary and that 'may' have initiated a FR.

3. Will adding my SO as an authorized user result in a hard inquiry for either my SO or myself? No, again their credit is not pulled. AFAIK, the only cc that even asks for a social security number is Amex and that is to check for previous history with them.

4. Will the entire history of each account be added to my SO's credit history upon my SO being added as an authorized user? Or, will the account(s) only be reported from the date my SO is added as an authorized user?

All of my previous history reported. Not all lenders report AUs so it would depend on the lender.

5. If we decide to add my SO as an authorized user to multiple accounts, should that be done at the same time, separately, or does it not matter? If it should be done separately, how much time should pass between authorizations? We have already factored in how my available credit and credit usage will affect my SO.

This question would depend on what you are trying to accomplish. What's the SOs current profile? How many cc's are you thinking of adding?

6. Are there any cons to adding my SO as an authorized user other than the fact that my SO would have the ability to charge up my cards and leave me with 100% responsibility to pay those bills? I'm asking in regards to whether this is a bad idea to boost my SO's FICO scores and / or whether this will hurt my FICO scores in any way that I'm not aware of.

No, it will not hurt your CS for reasons other than an increase on util, possibly having more cc's report balances etc. with more people having access to your cr line, the bal and number of cc's reporting bal could affect your CS.

7. Have we forgotten to consider anything else before taking this step?

Again, if your attempt it to solely raise the CS, expounding on the SOs cr history would be helpful.

[MF13]

Thanks for the information Lexie.  Did you find your information from myFICO support pages or was it all from personal experience and other posts on this message board?  

Also, I'm trying to learn all of the acronyms used on this board, but can you explain what "There was a post regarding an ACM charging more than the primary and that 'may' have initiated a FR." means?

Our goal is to raise my SO's scores as much as possible so that we are in a position to get the best interest rates on loans.  Since I am unemployed, we were under the impression that my scores couldn't be used to secure a loan and my SO's (lower) scores would have to suffice.

[09Lexie]

My response was based on personal experience for the most part.

ACM= Additional Cardmember ( Amex uses this term)

FR= Financial review

There was a thread concerning an ACM who used/charged more than the primary cardmember. It is unclear as to the real reason but it was speculation that Amex requested financial documents based on the ACM spending pattern.

[TiggerDat]

Hey Lexie,

What does DH mean?  All that ever comes to mind is Dead Husband. 

I put my sister on my cards and I have seen her report, many show up there!  I am certain it has helped her since she filed BK last year and her score has jumped about 40 points since then.  Her AAoA is actually pretty high even though it shouldn't be.  I think it is because there are a lot of errors on her report, all favorable.  She has 4 or 5 accounts reporting as good, even though they were in the BKK.  I won't advise her to challenge this info!

[09Lexie]

@bernhardtra

DH= dear husband

[TiggerDat]

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@09Lexie wrote:
@bernhardtra

DH= dear husband

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Well missed that by one letter.  I guess dear is better than my option!

[pt310]

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@bernhardtra wrote:

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@09Lexie wrote:
@bernhardtra

DH= dear husband

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Well missed that by one letter.  I guess dear is better than my option!

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Depends on who he is...

(sorry, couldn't help myself with this one!)

[09Lexie]