<p>It appears that as of 2009, authorized users again benefit from credit cards in which they are added. There was a while when they didn’t benefit from being authorized users but it appears that has changed back, after some modifications to keep strangers from boosting credit scores by being authorized users.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/fico8.aspx]myFICO[/url”>http://www.myfico.com/crediteducation/questions/fico8.aspx]myFICO[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Daughter applied for CitiBank Student Card, but was declined. When I investigated why, I found out it was because she was an authorized user on one of my credit cards that happened to have a large balance that month. Her credit report had my credit card on it. She got a student Discover card with no problem though, and they were VERY nice. Go figure.</p>
<p>ProfDad and HIMom, both very interesting. USAA told me yesterday that his authorized user status would not show on his credit, but I wonder if the reason he was declined from Citibank is the same reason as ProfDad’s daughter. The card my son is an authorized user on is the one I charge everything on. Our credit is great, but when thousands are being charged monthly and his income is $3000 a year, they might think that is a risk! We ordered his credit report and when it comes, we can confirm. They wuold not allow him to get in automatically on line so I think it is coming in the mail. Still haven’t received approval on USAA card yet.</p>
<p>Our kiddos are only authorized users on a CC with a lower credit limit that only they use. It should only help them, as it has never approached the limit & is well beneath their assets, but who knows?</p>
<p>S had no trouble getting a Gold AmEx when he was waiting to start work with his employer. Got the card even before he started orientation or drawing a salary.</p>
<p>My son had the same problems in getting his first credit card. When I contacted the bank for one of my cards, they suggested that I reduce the limit on one card and transfer it to a new card where he is an authorized user. This way his usage is isolated (I don’t use the card). We checked his credit report about 6 months later and it was listed on the report. The card is mainly for emergencies and for items we told him we would pay. We also let him use it for personal purchases, which he later reimburses us each month.</p>
<p>Another clarification–now he says she WILL be an authorized user. What Chase told him was that up to 2 users–the primary cardholder and one authorized user–have their credit affected by the card. A second authorized user would not. So, if we added my daughter to the card that my husband and I already use, for example, it would not affect her credit. And if I got added to the card as a 3rd user, my credit would not be affected. But by her being the 2nd user–and me not being on the card at all–her credit history is affected.</p>
<p>Declined by Citibank, Declined by Capital One Journey Card. Banging my head against a brick wall would have been preferable to the phone conversations I had with customer service at each. We’re going the authorized user route with my credit card.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input</p>
<p>I went to the bank where we do most of our banking, and where our son has a money market and savings account (company credit union). They issued a debit card for him. His pay from on-campus jobs is direct deposited; I have ability to ‘see’ the accounts online as we linked them. There is no credit union branch in his area, however, he can easily ask for ‘cash back’ at the local grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc. and that seems to work fine. He often orders from Amazon and his card is on file there. He happens to be on a campus in a small town, and his spending is pretty modest, but it’s worked well for us for the past two years. When it comes time for any major purchases (such as books) we chat, move money to his account and just monitor from time to time. He can check his balances online, too. We found that atm fees are not too bad, from time to time; he can use card as a credit or debit card and we can keep tabs on spending.</p>
<p>mycroft - debit cards work well, but they don’t build credit. Also, be really careful to check for fraud and cancel it immediately if he ever loses it. It takes a while to get the money back if someone uses it fraudulently, unlike a credit card where you just report the fraud and don’t pay for those charges.</p>
<p>My S was able to get the Student Citibank Thank You Rewards card at age 18 before starting his freshman year last year. I did not co-sign and we were honest about his income (only summer job - I think around 2,000?). I think it asked about if he had income from other sources and we did put his the allowance that he’d been given while he was away at BS, but that was all. I do recall them sending a letter after his application asking for additional information - I think about where he was going to school? - but can’t remember exactly. He was subsequently approved with an $800 limit. </p>
<p>He’s been responsible about using it sparingly, usually just for train tickets home and books. I’ve actually encouraged him to use it for books (fairly large purchase) and (always) pay off each month in full; that way he’s been accruing “thank you points” which he can redeem for, among other things, Barnes and Noble gift cards which he can then use to purchase future textbooks. </p>
<p>There has been a learning curve, though - scheduling bill payments, etc - so I’m glad he is doing this while we have some input and the credit limit is low.</p>
<p>This is a good and helpful thread - thanks everyone! My son will be a sophomore in college this year and this thread has convinced me we need to start looking into what to do to help him establish credit - he’s just been using his debit cards for things so far.</p>
<p>What do you all think about the Capital One secured card? For $49, you get a small ($200) limit. Is one more likely to get approved for that?</p>
<p>[Capital One</a> Secured MasterCard](<a href=“http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/mastercard-secured-credit-card/r/?linkid=WWW_1010_CARD_TGUNS11_CP91303RF_C0_01_T_CP91303RW]Capital One”>http://www.capitalone.com/creditcards/mastercard-secured-credit-card/r/?linkid=WWW_1010_CARD_TGUNS11_CP91303RF_C0_01_T_CP91303RW)</p>
<p>See no value in secured cards. What would be the purpose? Have heard many unflattering things about that credit card company.</p>
<p>I definitely would not pay a fee for a secured card either.</p>
<p>Here is a lot of info. about secured credit cards…
[10</a> questions before getting a secured credit card](<a href=“What Is A Secured Credit Card And How Does It Work? | Bankrate”>What Is A Secured Credit Card And How Does It Work? | Bankrate)</p>