What is the American Express authorized user age requirement?

Legally, there is no minimum age for an authorized user on a credit card. That’s because authorized users aren’t entering into any kind of contract or borrowing money in their own name. But some credit card companies have their own requirements. Barclaycard along with American Express authorized users must be at least 13 years old, for example, while Discover requires authorized users to be at least 15 years old. The minimum age requirement for authorized users 16 years old for PNC Bank, while Wells Fargo and Synchrony requires authorized users to be at least 18 years old. None of the other 15 largest credit companies have minimums, though. You could make a newborn an authorized user on your account if you want to. ... read full answer

No matter how old the authorized user is, adding one is an important decision. On the one hand, it’s a great way for a young person to build credit before they’re old enough to qualify for their own account. But on the other hand, the primary accountholder has to be comfortable assuming responsibility for any charges the authorized user makes.

Here’s the minimum age for an authorized user on a credit card:

• Chase: No minimum age
• Bank of America: No minimum age
• Citibank: No minimum age
• American Express: 13 years old
• Capital One: No minimum age
• Discover: 15 years old

• Wells Fargo: 18 years old

• S. Bank: No minimum age

• Barclays: 13 years old

• Synchrony Bank: 18 years old

• USAA: No minimum age, but minors under 18 cannot view the account online. To be eligible for membership, you or a family member must have served in the armed forces.

• Navy Federal Credit Union: No minimum age To be eligible for membership, you or a family member must have served in the armed forces.

• PNC Bank: 16 years old

• TD Bank: No minimum age
• First National Bank of Omaha: No minimum age

If you’re worried about an authorized user being irresponsible with your account, several banks allow you to manage your user’s access to credit. For instance, you may be able to set individual spending limits or get alerts when the user makes new purchases. Sometimes, you can even make it so that all purchases must be approved by you before they go through. That way, you can give someone young experience with credit while still laying down restrictions.

Yes, American Express does report authorized users to credit bureaus. More specifically, American Express authorized users who are at least 18 years old are reported to the three major credit bureaus each month, starting as soon as they are added to an Amex account.

American Express Policies for Reporting Authorized Users to Credit Bureaus... read full answer

• Authorized users on an American Express account can be as young as 13 years old, though additional cardholders will only be reported to the bureaus once they turn 18.
• As long as the account remains in good standing, the authorized user’s credit score will gradually increase.
• If the primary account holder becomes delinquent, American Express will stop reporting credit information for the additional cardholder. This policy helps prevent authorized users from receiving undue negative information on their credit reports.

As a result, if you can’t get approved for credit or don’t yet want your own credit card, being added as an authorized user to someone else’s American Express account can be a great way to start building your credit score.