Which Credit Cards Help Authorized Users Build Credit?

Adding an authorized user can be an effective strategy, but it helps first to know how issuers and credit bureaus handle this information.

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

Updated Nov 7, 2025 10:57 a.m. PST · 1 min read Written by Managing Editor + more + more Edited by Managing Editor + more + more SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED

This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.

Adding someone to your credit card as an authorized user is a simple way to potentially buoy their credit scores, assuming you’ve paid the account on time and haven’t used too much of your available credit. But to make this strategy actually work, you’ll want to be sure that information about that account is included on their credit reports. Otherwise, adding someone to your card — whether it’s a child, partner or parent — won’t do a thing for their scores. Getting that same account to appear as a "tradeline" on your authorized user’s credit reports will depend on two major factors: The issuer’s policy. All major issuers NerdWallet surveyed reported authorized user activity to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — in some form. But some noted that they don’t report information if the primary account includes negative information or if the authorized user is under a certain age. The issuer’s policy. The credit bureau’s policy. Even when issuers report an authorized user account, the credit bureaus might not include it in the authorized user’s credit report if it includes negative information or if the authorized user is under a certain age, depending on their policy. The credit bureau’s policy. Ultimately, if you want to help someone establish a credit history by adding them to your account, you can save time and energy by knowing beforehand about how issuers and bureaus handle this information. After all, you don’t want to add someone to an account in an effort to help their scores, only to find out months later that it had no effect. » MORE: View authorized user purchases with these credit cards » MORE: Ready for a new credit card? Create a NerdWallet account for insight on your credit score and personalized recommendations for the right card for you. GET STARTED

Issuer policies on authorized users

All the major issuers NerdWallet surveyed below said they reported authorized user activity to all three major credit bureaus, which generally means this information shows up on the authorized users’ credit reports. However, their reporting policies vary. Here’s how they stack up as of March 2022: Issuer Does the issuer report authorized user activity to the credit bureaus? American Express Yes, if the account isn’t delinquent and the authorized user is at least 18 years old. (American Express allows authorized users — which it calls "additional card members" — as young as 13 but doesn't start reporting until age 18.) Yes Bank of America Yes. Yes Barclays Yes, if the authorized user is at least 16. Yes Capital One Yes. Yes Chase Yes, if the authorized user is at least 18. Yes, Citi Yes. Yes Discover Yes. Discover requires its authorized users to be at least 15. Yes U.S. Bank Yes, unless the primary account is delinquent. Yes Wells Fargo Yes, if the authorized user is at least 18. Yes

Credit bureau policies on authorized users

Here’s how the three major credit bureaus handle authorized user information that issuers report: Credit bureau Is reported authorized user activity included on an authorized user’s credit report? Equifax Yes; if the authorized user is at least 16. Both positive and negative information will be included. Experian Yes; but if the information on the primary account becomes derogatory, the account is removed from the authorized user’s credit report. TransUnion Yes. Both positive and negative information will be included. » MORE: What's the difference between authorized user and a joint account? » MORE:

Why isn't the account showing up on the authorized user's credit report?

Issuer and credit bureau policies can give you a good basic understanding about why a tradeline may or may not be included on your authorized user’s credit reports. But aside from the exceptions laid out in these policies, here are a few other reasons an account might be missing: Your issuer doesn’t report any authorized user activity. While it’s common for issuers to report authorized user accounts, it’s not mandatory. “In some cases, although rare, lenders may choose not to report authorized user accounts,” says Rod Griffin, the director of consumer education and awareness at Experian, in an email. Your issuer doesn’t report any authorized user activity. You left out required information when creating the account. Under the National Consumer Assistance Plan, an initiative launched by the three major credit bureaus, lenders reporting to credit bureaus must report certain information about authorized users, including their date of birth. While you might be able to add someone to your account without providing this information initially, it won’t be reported to credit bureaus unless you include this information. You left out required information when creating the account. The authorized user account was closed by the issuer. Issuers generally reserve the right to close an authorized user account if they determine any of the information is fraudulent, or the authorized user didn't give consent to be added to the account. In some cases, the account might have been closed in error. If the account isn’t showing up on your authorized user’s credit reports and you’re not sure why, call your issuer’s customer service line and ask. The authorized user account was closed by the issuer.

What's next?

» Adding someone as an authorized user isn't the same as having a joint account. Learn the key differences. » Adding someone as an authorized user isn't the same as having a joint account. Learn the key differences. Does American Express report authorized users to credit bureaus? American Express reports authorized user information to the credit bureaus if: The authorized user is at least 18 years old. (AmEx allows authorized users — which it calls "additional card members" — as young as 13.) The card account is not delinquent. AmEx says that if the primary account becomes delinquent, "we will discontinue reporting on the Additional Card Member’s Card in order to retain positive history on the Additional Card Member." Does Bank of America report authorized users to credit bureaus? Bank of America® reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Does Capital One report authorized users to credit bureaus? Capital One reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Does Chase report authorized users to credit bureaus? Chase reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. However, its website notes that Chase "does not report the authorized user credit history of minors." Does Citi report authorized users to credit bureaus? Citi reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Does Discover report authorized users to credit bureaus? Discover reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus. Discover requires authorized users to be at least 15 years old. Its website cautions that both positive and negative information will be reported: "Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact yours and the Authorized User's ability to build credit." Does Discover Wells Fargo authorized users to credit bureaus? Wells Fargo reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus, if the authorized user is at least 18 years old. Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the author Claire Tsosie Claire Tsosie is a managing editor for NerdWallet's travel team. Her work has been featured by Forbes, USA Today and The Associated Press. See full bio. Helpful resources Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Credit Cards Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

More like this How to Pick the Best Credit Card for You: 4 Easy Steps By Claire Tsosie Why Nearly Every Purchase Should Be on a Credit Card By Virginia C. McGuire, Paul Soucy