Potential drawbacks associated with authorized users include possible fees, unequal financial responsibility, credit score impact and more.
Your authorized user may also qualify for online access, which allows them to use their own credentials to sign in and easily view details related to their card and spending.
No, credit card authorized users generally do not receive a separate monthly statement; only the primary cardholder does. That's because authorized users aren't responsible for making bill payments. That obligation exclusively falls on the shoulders of primary cardholders.
The authorized user will likely not receive a monthly statement for the credit card. However, some credit cards can break out spending made by the authorized user within the balance statement so the cardholder can understand which charges were made by whom.
Authorized users on credit cards can make purchases, review their transaction history and dispute unauthorized charges. However, they don't have complete access to or control over the credit card account, and they aren't ultimately liable for the debt.
A card issuer must report the authorized user account to the three nationwide consumer reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion and Experian) in order for it to appear on your credit report.
Authorized users on credit cards can make purchases, review their transaction history and dispute unauthorized charges. However, they don't have complete access to or control over the credit card account, and they aren't ultimately liable for the debt.
If you have an authorized user on your account, you may find their transactions listed on a separate line or section on the statement. It's important to read this section over to confirm that you authorized all of these transactions.
Adding an authorized user can also benefit the primary cardholder by organizing expenses, maximizing rewards earnings and more. Potential drawbacks associated with authorized users include possible fees, unequal financial responsibility, credit score impact and more.
How can I add my spouse as an authorized user? You can typically add your spouse as an authorized user to your account by calling your card issuer or going through the issuer's online portal.