Authorized User Strategy: Boost Credit with Someone Else's Account

Becoming an authorized user on someone else's credit card is one of the fastest ways to build or rebuild your credit score—if done correctly. This strategy can add decades of positive payment history to your credit report overnight.

How Authorized User Status Works

When someone adds you as an authorized user on their credit card:

• The entire account history is added to your credit report
• You benefit from their payment history (if positive)
• You don't need to use the card or even have physical access to it
• The primary cardholder remains solely responsible for payments

Credit Score Impact

Adding an authorized user account can:

• Instantly add years to your credit history
• Improve your payment history if the account has perfect payments
• Lower your overall credit utilization
• Increase your total available credit

Typical score increase: 20-100 points, depending on your current profile and the quality of the account.

Choosing the Right Account

The Ideal Authorized User Card Has:

• Long history: 5+ years of age (older is better)
• Perfect payment history: Zero late payments ever
• Low utilization: Under 10% utilization at all times
• High credit limit: $5,000+ limit
• Regular use: Account shows regular activity, not dormant

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Any late payments in the account history
• High utilization (over 30%)
• Maxed out cards
• Recent account (under 2 years old)
• Inactive/dormant accounts

Who Should You Ask?

Best Options:

• Parents (especially if they've had the card since before you were born)
• Spouse with excellent credit
• Trusted family member with long credit history
• Close friend with perfect credit (less common)

Important Considerations:

The person must:

• Trust you completely (you could run up charges they're responsible for)
• Have excellent credit themselves
• Be comfortable with this arrangement
• Understand you don't need the physical card

How to Approach the Conversation

Be Transparent: Explain that you're working on building your credit and would like to be added as an authorized user. Make it clear you don't need or want the physical card.

Assure Them: Emphasize that:

• You won't request a card or use the account
• Their credit won't be affected
• They can remove you at any time
• You'll check in periodically to ensure it's still okay

Step-by-Step Process

1. Identify the right person and card based on criteria above
2. Have the conversation using the approach outlined above
3. Primary cardholder calls their card issuer to add you as authorized user
4. Provide your personal information: Full name, SSN, date of birth
5. Wait 1-2 billing cycles for the account to appear on your credit report
6. Monitor your credit reports to confirm it's reporting correctly
7. Thank them! This is a significant favor

Does the Credit Card Issuer Matter?

Most major issuers report authorized users to all three credit bureaus:

• Chase ✓
• American Express ✓
• Citi ✓
• Capital One ✓
• Discover ✓
• Bank of America ✓

Verify beforehand by calling the issuer and asking if they report authorized users to credit bureaus.

Timing and Backdating

One powerful aspect of this strategy is that many issuers "backdate" the account, adding the full history since the account was opened. If someone adds you to a card they've had for 15 years, you instantly gain 15 years of credit history.

Removing Yourself Later

You can request removal as an authorized user at any time. The account will be removed from your credit report. Reasons you might remove yourself:

• The primary cardholder's credit deteriorates
• They start missing payments
• Utilization goes above 30%
• You've built enough credit on your own

Risks and Downsides

For You (Authorized User):

• If the primary cardholder misses payments or maxes out the card, it hurts your credit too
• You have no control over the account
• Lenders may discount authorized user accounts for mortgage applications

For Primary Cardholder:

• If you get the physical card and use it irresponsibly, they're liable for all charges
• Minor inconvenience of calling the issuer
• Very minimal risk if you don't receive/use the card

Combining with Other Strategies

Authorized user status works best when combined with:

• Your own secured credit card (builds independent credit)
• Credit-builder loan (diversifies credit mix)
• Disputing errors with OriumAI (removes negative items)

Don't rely solely on authorized user status—build your own credit foundation too.

Paid Services (Tradelines)

Some companies sell authorized user positions on strangers' accounts for $500-$2,000. While not illegal, these services:

• Are expensive
• May be less effective as FICO adjusts for these
• Carry risks if the seller is fraudulent
• Only provide temporary benefit

We don't recommend paying for tradelines—ask a family member instead.

The Bottom Line

The authorized user strategy can provide a significant, immediate credit score boost—but choose the right account and trusted person. Combine it with your own credit-building efforts for best long-term results.