What is the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card authorized user bonus?

Yes, authorized users do build credit. You can actually build a good or excellent credit score just as an authorized user on a credit card. When you become an authorized user, the account is added to your credit report, which means on-time payments by the primary cardholder will help you build good credit history. But because authorized users are not responsible for paying the bills, credit scores don’t give authorized user accounts as much weight. So you won’t ... read full answerbuild credit as fast as an authorized as you would with your own credit card account.

Still, the fact that most credit card companies don’t have a minimum age for authorized users, means becoming one is a great way to build credit before you can get your own account. But there are a few positives and negatives you should know about before becoming an authorized user.

Here’s how authorized users build credit:

1. A friend or family member adds you to their credit card account as an authorized user.
2. The credit card account gets added to your credit reports, just like if it were your own account.
3. The issuer gives updated account information to the credit bureaus on a monthly basis.
4. Your credit standing improves if the account owner has on-time payments, low credit utilization and other signs of financial responsibility.
5. Your credit gets hurt if the account holder behaves irresponsibly.
6. You can get an account with negative information removed from your report, since you aren’t responsible for making payments.

Authorized users do build credit, but that credit can be good or bad, depending on how the primary accountholder manages balances and bill payments. So you only want to become an authorized user on an account owned by someone responsible.

But in the event that an authorized user account does end up hurting your credit, you can dispute the account to get it removed from your credit report. That’s because any mistakes made won’t be your responsibility.

Finally, you’ll build credit faster if you also have your own credit card account that you use responsibly. You can get a starter credit card once you turn 18 years old, as long as you have enough money to pay the bills.

If you have bad credit and are worried you won’t get approved, try applying for a secured credit card. Secured cards require security deposits, but they have the highest approval odds of all credit cards and accept people with bad credit.

To remove an authorized user from a credit card, call the customer service phone number on the back of your card or make the request through your online account. You can also mail your request to the issuer, though it would be much slower. Either the primary cardholder or the authorized user can request removal. ... read full answer

You will need to provide the card number, the primary cardholder’s name, and the authorized user’s name. Some credit card companies require other info such as the primary cardholder’s date of birth, Social Security number, or the answer to a security question.

How to Remove an Authorized User From a Credit Card

• Over the phone: Call the number on the back of your card and provide your card number to identify yourself. When you speak with a representative, tell them you’d like to remove an authorized user.
• Online. Go to the account management page. Find the section for authorized users, select the user you’d like to remove, and confirm removal. Most credit card issuers allow you to remove authorized users online.
• Via mail. Some issuers also allow you to remove an authorized user by mail. Just note that this method is the slowest. Use certified mail if you’d like confirmation of receipt.

Most credit card companies allow either the primary cardholder or the authorized user to request removal. Just note that an authorized user cannot remove another authorized user from a credit card. You should also keep in mind that the specifics of removing an authorized user vary by credit card company.

Ways to Remove an Authorized User with Major Credit Card Companies

It is also worth noting that the primary cardholder can remove an authorized user for any reason. However, there are a few common ones that tend to arise.

Common Reasons for Removing an Authorized User

• Decision to take control of one’s own debt without others making purchases
• Divorce or separation
• The authorized user has built up a decent credit history and can now qualify for a card of their own
• Termination of employment of a worker who is listed as an authorized user on a business credit card account

After you remove an authorized user from a credit card, make sure the user knows. That way, they won’t be surprised when they try to use the card and are unable to purchase anything.

What to Watch Out for After an Authorized User’s Removal

Once you remove an authorized user from your credit card, the card’s past payment history, whether negative or positive, will usually remain on the authorized user's credit report. But no new activity from the card will be added. The authorized user may contact the credit bureaus to ask them to remove the history. It is also worth noting that the authorized user’s credit score could either improve or drop slightly when they are removed from a credit card, depending on the situation.

Most credit card issuers will remove an authorized user immediately after the request is made. In the meantime, some issuers will allow you to freeze the authorized user’s card or set its spending limit to $0 through your account settings.