Should I Add an Authorized User?

The first question credit card companies ask after approving you for a new card is, “Do you want to add authorized users?” Some companies may even try to sweeten the deal by offering bonus points, often tied to additional spending, to entice you to add one.

If you’re playing two-player mode with a spouse or significant other, our answer is almost always no. While adding an authorized user sounds convenient, it usually works against you if your goal is to maximize signup and referral bonuses.

Why you shouldn’t add your spouse

Adding your spouse as an authorized user creates several downsides when playing two-player mode:

• If your spouse is an authorized user, it will most likely preclude him/her from applying for that same card.
• This means it will also preclude him/her from receiving the signup bonus points themselves.
• It will also preclude you from earning referral points for referring your spouse for that same card.
• Referral points are a key part of 2-player mode, and you could miss out on quite a few by not taking advantage of them.

In most cases, applying separately and earning two signup bonuses and a referral bonus is far more valuable than sharing a single account.

What to do if you’ve already added your spouse

If you’ve already added your spouse as an authorized user, this can usually be undone.

You can fix it by:

• Calling the bank to have your spouse removed from the account as an authorized user
• Having your spouse call the bank to request that the card be removed from their credit report
• In some cases, you can complete both steps on the same call if both of you are present

Once removed, your spouse should again be able to apply for the card independently, assuming all other rules are met.

What if you need help meeting minimum spending requirements?

Not adding your spouse as an authorized user does not prevent them from helping you meet minimum spending requirements.

Options include:

• Having your spouse use your card for online purchases or bill payments
• Adding each other’s cards to your digital wallets so either person can help with spending
• Calling, chatting, or sending a secure message after approval to request expedited delivery of your card
• In our experience, the original card is often already being sent, so by requesting an expedited delivery, you’ll end up with two cards.
• This allows both of you to carry the physical card in your wallet.

Potential exceptions to adding authorized users

As always, there can be exceptions where you may want to add a spouse or household member as an authorized user:

• Helping to build credit for a spouse or child
• A significant bonus is associated with the authorized user, though in our experience it’s never close enough to the welcome offer when applying for a new card
• Adding employees to a business card for operational reasons

One note for tracking purposes: if you do keep your spouse as an authorized user on a personal card, add that card to their card history. Authorized user accounts can affect future applications, and accurate tracking leads to better recommendations on our end.

For most couples playing two-player mode, skipping authorized users and applying separately remains the simplest and most rewarding approach.