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How to Find the Best Credit Card for Couples

6 min read

Last Updated: June 3, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

A credit card could help couples manage their finances and earn rewards.
One partner may add the other partner as an authorized user on their credit card.
Couples should consider their financial goals, credit histories, and spending habits when choosing a card.

A credit card can have many benefits for you and your partner, from helping you manage your budget to earning miles for your next trip.

Credit card issuers don’t usually offer a joint credit card account. However, you could still share an account by adding one partner as an authorized user on the other partner’s credit card. Alternatively, you can keep your accounts separate. If you do this, choosing cards that complement each other can maximize your credit card rewards.

How to choose a credit card for couples

The best credit card for a couple depends on each person’s preferences and financial background. Your credit scores may determine which cards you qualify for. Card issuers look for applicants with high credit scores. This indicates that the person is likely to pay their debts. That makes credit card companies more likely to approve your application for a card.

Asking some simple questions may help you identify the best card for you.

What do you need a credit card for?

The best credit card for you and your partner may depend on how you plan to use your card.

Suppose you and your partner are preparing for a major project, like a wedding or home renovation. In that case, you might want a card with a high credit limit. That way, your card won’t restrict your spending. Typically, credit card issuers assign credit limits based on factors like your income and credit history. If you want a higher credit limit, the partner who applies for the card should have a stable income and a high credit score.

If you plan on financing major purchases, you may want to take advantage of a low interest rate introductory promotion. A credit card issuer may offer new cardmembers a lower intro APR for a fixed period after they open their credit card account. Paying off major purchases during the promotional period may minimize the interest you pay.

Maybe you just want a credit card to cover everyday costs, like gas or groceries. In that case, you may want a credit card that rewards your most frequent purchases with cash rewards or miles.

Are you looking for credit card rewards?

With rewards credit cards, you can earn cash back or miles as you shop. Some credit cards offer flat-rate rewards for each eligible purchase. This may work well for couples who want a straightforward reward option.

Many cash back credit cards offer bonus rewards in certain categories. The Discover it^® Cash Back Credit Card, for example, lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.

Couples can maximize their credit card rewards by choosing a cash back card that aligns with their spending habits. If you go out to eat every weekend, for example, you may want a card that lets you earn bonus cash back for purchases at restaurants.

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If one partner already has a rewards credit card, a little strategic thinking could help you take your rewards even further. Consider what combination of cards could best serve your budget and your shopping habits.

For example, maybe you already earn rewards on groceries. Your partner may want to apply for a credit card that offers bonus cash back in another category, like gas or streaming services.

Do you plan to travel?

Maybe you’re planning a major getaway, like a honeymoon or anniversary vacation. Or maybe you just love adventuring together. Either way, a travel credit card may let you earn and redeem rewards in a way that works for your traveling lifestyle.

Instead of cash back, you earn miles based on the amount you spend. Rates vary across cards. Some credit card issuers offer bonuses for travel-related transactions, like flights or hotels. Others offer bonuses in everyday shopping categories.

With a Discover^® travel credit card, you can turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more.² That way, you can pay yourself back for your travel expenses.

Does one partner need to build or rebuild credit?

If one partner doesn’t have a credit history or has a low credit score, there are ways they may be able to improve their credit score.

The partner with a stronger credit history may be able to help their partner by adding them as an authorized user on one of their cards. Authorized users get their own card to use, but the account holder is financially responsible for charges on the card. The primary cardmember’s activity appears on both parties’ credit reports. That means the main account holder’s spending affects both partners’ credit scores. If the account holder makes payments on time and doesn’t carry credit card debt, both users’ scores may rise.

A secured credit card may also help the partner with no credit history or a low credit score. These cards may build or rebuild credit with responsible use.³ Secured credit cards require a deposit. The credit limit typically equals the security deposit. If the cardmember doesn’t repay their balance, the credit card company may use the deposit to cover their loss and close the account. Because of this safety net, credit card companies may approve an application from someone with a lower credit score. This could allow the partner with no credit history or a low credit score begin building or rebuilding their credit.

Did you know?

There’s no credit score required to apply for a Discover it^® Secured credit card.⁴

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Card issuers report credit activity on a secured credit card to the major credit bureaus. Positive habits like maintaining a low balance and making consistent, on-time payments may help build good credit over time.

Are you looking to consolidate your credit card debt?

Credit card debt can be stressful for anyone. And if one partner is carrying credit card debt, it could be stressful for both partners.

If one person is carrying credit card debt—or managing several credit card payments each month—you may want to use a balance transfer credit card offer. A balance transfer offer transfers one or more debts to a credit card with a low introductory APR. This can reduce the number of credit card bills you have to keep track of and may reduce the interest you pay on your debt.

You may be able to consolidate both partners’ debt onto a single card, too. Check the terms and conditions of a balance transfer offer to see if that’s an option.

Risks of sharing credit cards as a couple

When adding one partner as an authorized user to a credit card, you may plan on sharing the financial responsibilities equally. But from the bank’s perspective, the primary cardholder takes on financial responsibility for making payments.

That means late payments affect the primary cardholder’s credit score. And if your card goes delinquent or you default on a card payment, that will go on the main account holder’s credit report.

That’s why it’s important to have open discussions about finances if you’re sharing a credit card as a couple. Planning your spending and payments together can prevent misunderstandings that could negatively impact the primary card holder’s credit.

You may also choose to only use a shared credit card for shared expenses. For example, if one partner is buying groceries for the household, they may use the shared credit card. If they’re buying something for themselves, they would use their own card. This can make it simpler to manage the shared card and payments and reduce the risk of overspending on a card.

The most important thing is to have a plan and clear guidelines on which expenses go on the card, how it’s going to get paid, and who’s going to take responsibility for making sure the payments are made on time.

The bottom line

A credit card could help couples manage their budgets, earn rewards, or build their credit history. To find the best fit, approach the decision thoughtfully and carefully consider your priorities.

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