Credit Card Authorized Users

What is an Authorized User

When you add an authorized user to your account, a credit card is issued in their name, and they can use the card for purchases and cash transactions.

An authorized user is not a primary or joint cardholder, and they have no obligation to make payments to your account. They can report a lost or stolen card but cannot close an account or add other authorized users.

Add or Remove an Authorized User

You can call us at 800-233-2328, send a secure message in Online Banking or the mobile app, or visit any BECU location to add or remove an authorized user.

Good to Knows

• Once a credit card account is established, a credit application is not required for either the primary cardholder or the person being added to the account as an authorized user.
• Adding or removing an authorized user does not impact the primary cardholder's credit.
• Cards are sent to the authorized user's mailing address via First-Class Mail and will arrive in approximately seven business days.

Requirements for Authorized Users

• Anyone age 13 and over can be an authorized user on a credit card account. You can have up to four authorized users on your account.
• You'll need to provide the authorized user's name, date of birth, Social Security number and their mother's maiden name.

Benefits of Authorized Users

Being an authorized user on an account can help a person start building their credit history.

We report information to the credit bureaus about the primary cardholder's last 24 months of account activity. If you (the primary cardholder) have kept your account in good standing, the reported activity can improve an authorized user's credit score. Any interruptions in your payment history over the last 24 months could negatively impact an authorized users' credit score.

Credit Reporting & Disputing Information

Accounts are reported monthly to the credit reporting agencies around the time of the statement date. It could take up to 45 days for the tradeline (record of account activity) to be reflected on the authorized user's credit report.

BECU does not report business credit card accounts to the credit bureaus.