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Best Credit Card for Authorized User in 2026
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
Best Credit Card for Authorized User
The Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card is a fantastic choice for helping someone build credit as an authorized user. Since Capital One reports authorized user activity to the major credit bureaus, it allows them to establish a credit history with responsible use of the card.
Top Cards
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
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Why we picked it it
- This card is an excellent tool for those looking to build or rebuild their credit history. Capital One reports your activity to the major credit bureaus, and with responsible use, you may be automatically considered for an upgrade to an unsecured card.
- Unlike many other secured cards, the Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card (See Rates & Fees) offers a straightforward and rewarding cash back program on every purchase. This allows you to earn rewards while you focus on improving your credit, without tracking complicated categories.
- It's also a great option for adding an authorized user, helping a family member or loved one establish their own credit profile under your account. This feature makes it a versatile choice for households looking to build credit together.
Chime Card™
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3069", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "101", "bestForText": "No Credit Check", "headerHint" : "SECURE YOUR PATH TO BETTER CREDIT" } ]]
Why we picked it it
- This card is an excellent tool for those new to credit or looking to rebuild their financial standing, as it does not require a credit check to apply. Your credit limit is determined by the funds you transfer to the secured account, giving you direct control over your spending power.
- It helps you establish a positive payment history by reporting your activity to all three major credit bureaus. The card also offers an automatic payment feature, which simplifies the process of responsibly managing your account and building credit over time.
- The Chime Card™ is linked to a Chime® Checking Account, creating a seamless experience for managing funds and tracking progress through a user-friendly mobile app. It also provides access to valuable features like overdraft coverage and an option to upgrade to a metal card.
Secured Self Visa® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3065", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Credit Builders", "headerHint": "Guaranteed Credit Limit"} ]]
Why we picked it it
- This card is an excellent choice for those looking to build or rebuild their credit because it doesn't require a credit check to apply. Eligibility is instead based on having a Self Credit Builder Account in good standing, making it highly accessible for individuals with poor or limited credit history.
- The Secured Self Visa® Credit Card stands out with its unique structure that combines credit building with saving. Instead of a large upfront security deposit, you build your deposit over time through a Credit Builder Account, and both the account and card activity are reported to all three major credit bureaus to help strengthen your credit profile.
Other Options to Consider
opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1397", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "No Credit Check Required"} ]]
Revvi Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3039", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Boosting Your Credit Score", "headerHint" : "CREDIT BUILDER" } ]]
How to Choose a Credit Card for Authorized User
Adding an authorized user to your credit card can be a savvy financial move, but choosing the right card is crucial to maximizing the benefits and minimizing any potential downsides.
When selecting a card, it's easy to overlook potential traps like high fees for adding users or choosing a card that doesn't report authorized user activity to the major credit bureaus, which negates a key benefit. Furthermore, failing to verify whether perks like airport lounge access extend to authorized users can significantly diminish the value of adding them to your account.
Key Factors
- Annual Fees for Authorized Users: Some cards, particularly premium travel cards, charge a fee to add an authorized user, so it's important to weigh this cost against the value of the benefits they'll receive.
- Credit Bureau Reporting: To help an authorized user build their credit history, confirm that the card issuer reports account activity to all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- Benefit Sharing: Investigate which perks, such as airport lounge access, statement credits, or hotel elite status, are extended to authorized users, as this can vary significantly between cards.
- Spending Controls: Look for cards that offer features like individual spending limits or transaction alerts for authorized users to help you manage the account responsibly.
- Rewards Earning: All purchases made by an authorized user will typically earn rewards for the primary cardholder's account, but it's wise to understand how these rewards are consolidated and redeemed.
What to Watch Out For
One of the biggest traps is choosing a card based solely on its primary benefits, without checking for high authorized user fees or discovering that valuable perks like lounge access don't carry over. Another common oversight is picking a card that doesn't report to all three credit bureaus, which defeats the purpose of helping someone build their credit history. Always remember that you, the primary cardholder, are liable for all spending on the account, making it essential to understand the available spending controls.
Decision Flow
To find the best card for your situation, consider your primary goal for adding an authorized user.
If your main objective is to help someone build credit... your best bet is a card that charges no fee for adding a user and, crucially, reports their activity to all three major credit bureaus. Many no-annual-fee cards fit this description, making it a low-cost way to give someone a financial foothold.
If you want to share premium travel perks... you’ll need to turn your attention to premium travel cards. Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® often extend valuable perks like airport lounge access to authorized users, but they typically charge a significant fee for each one. You'll need to weigh whether the cost is justified by how much your authorized user will actually use the benefits. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
If your goal is to maximize rewards from combined spending... choose a card that aligns with where you and your authorized user spend the most. All their purchases will pool into your rewards balance. For instance, if groceries are a major household expense, a card offering something like “6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%)” could rapidly accelerate your earnings.
If you are most concerned with managing spending... prioritize issuers that offer robust controls for authorized users. Some cards allow the primary cardholder to set specific spending limits for each additional card, giving you financial oversight and peace of mind.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Maximize Your Return with Authorized User
To ensure you're getting the absolute most value when you shop with Authorized User, here are a few tips for maximizing your credit card rewards:
- Stack your rewards: Layer your credit card's bonus categories or card-linked offers with other deals to multiply your earnings on a single purchase.
- Redeem wisely: Get more value from your points by transferring them to high-value airline or hotel partners rather than redeeming them for cash back.
- Focus on welcome offers: Use your shopping to help meet the minimum spending requirement on a new card, as welcome offers are one of the fastest ways to accumulate a large number of points.
- Use the right card: Always pay with the credit card that offers the highest rewards rate for that specific spending category, such as dining, travel, or groceries.
- Take advantage of card perks: Don't forget to use your card's built-in benefits, like annual statement credits or special partner offers, which provide value beyond the points you earn.
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Other Things to Consider
Beyond the card's features, consider the authorized user's spending habits. A store-specific card might be a smart move if they frequently shop at one retailer, maximizing rewards on their regular purchases. It's also critical to establish clear rules for spending and repayment to avoid accumulating unexpected debt, for which the primary cardholder is responsible. This is a good opportunity to discuss overall financial management, including how credit cards compare to using cash or the potential pitfalls of Buy Now, Pay Later plans. Proper oversight ensures the arrangement is beneficial for everyone involved.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an authorized user?
An authorized user is someone added to a primary cardholder's credit card account. They receive a card with their name on it and can make purchases, but they are not the primary account holder.
Does being an authorized user affect my credit score?
Yes, being an authorized user can affect your credit score, often positively if the primary cardholder maintains a good payment history and low credit utilization. However, negative activity on the account can also negatively impact your score.
Am I responsible for the debt as an authorized user?
Generally, authorized users are not legally responsible for paying the credit card bill. The primary account holder is solely responsible for all charges made on the account, including those made by authorized users.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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