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Can You Build Credit as an Authorized User on a Credit Card?

7 min read

Last Updated: June 4, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Authorized users have access to the primary user’s available credit but aren’t responsible for paying off charges.
An authorized user’s credit score may improve if the primary user makes on-time payments and keeps the balance low.
If the primary user doesn’t make their payments on time or carries a high balance, it could negatively impact the authorized user’s credit score.

If you’re looking for a way to build credit history, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account could be just what you need. The primary account holder can add you to their credit account. Then, you may gain access to a credit card and some benefits that come with it—without opening an account or undergoing a credit check. However, this approach may not work in every situation.

While asking to be added as an authorized user might sound like a no-brainer, there are potential risks. So, let’s break it down and find out what it means to become an authorized user of a credit card.

What does it mean to be an authorized user on a credit card?

As an authorized user on a credit card, you have access to the primary cardmember’s credit limit. Authorized users may receive a card in their name that they can use to make purchases. Your purchases could also earn credit card rewards for the primary cardmember.

A credit card account with an authorized user isn’t the same thing as a joint credit card account. Unlike a cardmember on a joint account, an authorized user doesn’t manage the account or pay the credit card bill. The primary cardmember adds the authorized user to the account, usually without an application or credit check.

Did you know?

It’s important to make sure a credit card issuer not only allows authorized users but also reports their activity to a major credit bureau. The primary credit card account holder may also want to choose a card with benefits that suit their needs.

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What are an authorized user’s responsibilities?

As an authorized credit card user, you can use the card normally to make purchases. However, you don’t have the authority to change the account information—only the primary account holder can do that.

Authorized users don’t have to make credit card payments or pay an annual fee. Paying bills and managing the account are the primary cardmember’s responsibilities.

While authorized users aren’t responsible for late fees or other penalties, you should still practice healthy credit habits and minimize credit card debt. That way, both account users can benefit and avoid bad credit consequences.

Do authorized users build credit?

Authorized users can build credit history as long as the credit card issuer reports activity to a major credit bureau. Authorized users can often build credit history even if they don’t use their credit card. Typically, the primary cardmember’s activity and the authorized user’s activity appear on both users’ credit reports, affecting both credit scores.

It’s a good idea to check with your credit card issuer and the credit bureaus that your card issuer reports to. Find out their protocol for reporting about authorized users so you know what to expect since it can vary from one credit card company or credit bureau to another.

How does being an authorized user impact your credit score?

The impact that becoming an authorized user has on your credit score depends on the way you and the primary cardholder manage the account. That means both users should practice good credit habits.

Late and missed credit card payments may stay on your credit report for years and seriously damage your credit score. As an authorized user, you’re not responsible for making credit card payments directly. But if the primary cardholder misses a payment, you’ll still face the negative credit consequence.

So, it’s important to make sure the primary cardmember typically manages payments responsibly. You should also be sure to uphold any agreements you’ve made about paying a portion of the bill.

You should also avoid overspending. Racking up expensive charge after expensive charge may do more than just frustrate the person who has to foot the credit card bill. A high balance can also hurt both of your credit scores by increasing your credit utilization ratio, the sum of all your outstanding credit card balances compared to your overall available credit. Whenever possible, you and the primary account holder should try to repay your balance in full to maintain a low credit utilization ratio and help your scores.

How long does it take to build credit as an authorized user?

The amount of time it may take you to build credit history as an authorized user depends on your situation.

If you’re establishing a credit score for the first time, you can expect it to take several months of consistent, responsible credit activity before you have a credit score. But if you’re starting out with a poor credit score and working to improve it, the process may take longer.

While you may be eager to improve your score, patience and consistency are key.

How old do you have to be to become an authorized user?

For Discover credit cards, you must be 15 years or older to be added as an authorized user on a credit card account. Check the terms and conditions for your card issuer to determine age requirements for authorized users.

Being an authorized user could be helpful for building or rebuilding your credit history. If you’re at least 18, you may also consider a credit card for people with little or no credit, like a secured credit card or a student credit card.

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Best practices to build credit as an authorized user

When you’re an authorized user on a trusted friend or family member’s account, communication is key. Establishing expectations, setting boundaries, and checking in often can set you up for success.

Choose the right primary account holder

Ideally, the primary account holder you choose should have excellent credit habits and a solid credit score. Their responsible credit management can benefit you both. But any missteps—like a late payment—may hurt your score. Plus, someone struggling to manage their own credit card debt may feel overwhelmed by an additional authorized user.

Establish payment expectations

While you can’t directly pay the bills as an authorized user, the primary account holder may want you to contribute. Before they add you to the account, make sure you understand their payment expectations.

Maybe the primary account holder wants you to repay any amount you spend on the account before the monthly payment due date. Or maybe they expect you to cover a portion of each credit card bill. Whatever their preference, make sure you’re on the same page before moving forward.

Set a spending limit

The last thing you want to do as an authorized user is overspend, leaving the primary accountholder with more credit card debt than they can manage. Before you start using the card, set a reasonable spending limit for yourself. Maybe you don’t want to spend anything at all on the account. Remember, you’ll still benefit from the primary user’s activity.

Charging a small amount and repaying it in full each month may help you practice excellent credit habits and build a payment history. By setting a limit that you could also afford in cash, you can avoid overspending.

Check in regularly

You and the primary account holder—whether that’s a parent, another family member, or a friend—should check in often about the account. Make sure you’re still aligned on repayment plans and account management, and discuss any issues. That way, you can avoid stressful conflict.

How do you remove yourself as an authorized user?

If your circumstances change, you may want to remove yourself as an authorized user on someone else’s account. For example, you may want a credit card of your own instead, or to rely mostly on your debit card.

The primary account holder can usually sign into the account online, over the phone, or through an app and remove you from the account. In that case, make sure you dispose of the physical credit card safely to protect your personal information.

The bottom line

If you’re considering becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account, make sure it’s someone you trust who uses credit responsibly. Since each cardmember’s credit habits could impact both of your credit scores, it may be a good idea to check in about responsible credit card use before signing up to be an authorized user on their credit card account.

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