What is an authorized user on a credit card?

Trying to build credit can feel like a catch-22. You usually need to open up a credit card or take out a loan in order to start building up your credit scores, but you often can’t qualify for one without a score already in place. 

So, where do you start? 

One of the best ways to get around this is to become an authorized user (AU) on someone else’s credit card. As an AU, you benefit from the cardholder’s history with the card, including their on-time payments. Just be careful who you ask to add you as an AU, because their credit missteps can potentially backfire and harm your scores. 

What is an authorized user on a credit card?

An authorized user is someone whose name is added to a credit card account after the account is…