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How to Add an Authorized User With Chase

Updated
Lyle Daly
By: Lyle Daly

Our Credit Cards Expert

Eric McWhinnie
Check IconFact Checked Eric McWhinnie
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

When you add an authorized user with Chase, that person gets their own Chase credit card tied to your account. This is ideal if you want them to be able to pay for purchases using your Chase card. Cardholders often set this up with spouses and children, and business owners do so with their employees.

While the process to do this is quick and easy, it's not a decision to take lightly. Here's how to add an authorized user with Chase and some details to consider before you do.

How to add an authorized user with Chase

You can add an authorized user with Chase online or over the phone. Here's how to do it online:

  1. Log in to your Chase account.
  2. Click on the credit card account you want to add a Chase authorized user for.
  3. Click "More…" to see more options, followed by "Account services."
  4. From the Account services dropdown menu, click "Add an authorized user."
  5. Fill out the form with your authorized user's full name, date of birth, and address.

Once you've submitted this form, the authorized user will get their Chase credit card within seven to 10 business days.

If you want to add a Chase authorized user over the phone, you can call the number on the back of your Chase card.

Best Chase credit cards for authorized users

You can add an authorized user with any Chase card. If you don't have one yet, you may want to pick one that offers rewards. With two people spending money, you'll earn those rewards even more quickly. You'll see a few of the best Chase credit cards for rewards side by side in the table below.

As of Nov. 27, 2023
Image for
Image for
Image for
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Chase Freedom Unlimited® Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠

On Chase's Secure Website.

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Credit Rating Requirement: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening!

$200 bonus

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.

Up to $300 cash back

Welcome Offer: Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

60,000 bonus points

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases.

5% cash back offer

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases

1.5% - 5% cash back

Rewards Program: Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.

5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases

Intro APR:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Intro APR: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR:

20.49%-29.24% Variable

Regular APR:

20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Regular APR:

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Annual Fee:

$0

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Annual Fee: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$95

Highlights:

  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom FlexSM card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Highlights:

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC

Highlights:

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Apply Now for Chase Freedom Flex℠

On Chase's Secure Website.

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Risks of adding a Chase authorized user

When you add an authorized user with Chase, you're responsible for their transactions on the account. There are several risks to this.

  • You'll need to pay off any charges they make.
  • A high balance could increase your credit utilization ratio (the amount of credit you're using compared to what you have available). That can damage your credit score.
  • If you can't repay your bill in full, you'll incur credit card interest.

You're essentially trusting your credit to the authorized user. Their activity with the card will go on your credit report. Considering the risks involved, you should be very careful about who you add to your Chase account.

There's one more potential downside to adding an authorized user on your Chase card: They won't be eligible for that card's welcome offer. That's something to think about, especially for couples who want to maximize credit card rewards.

For example, let's say you're looking at a Chase card with a welcome offer of 60,000 points. If you and your spouse both get that card separately, you can each earn sign-up bonuses of 60,000 points, for a total of 120,000 points. If you get it and add your spouse as an authorized user, you can only earn those 60,000 bonus points once.

RELATED: How to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards

Benefits of adding a Chase authorized user

There are also perks of adding an authorized user with Chase.

  • The authorized user can use your credit card account without you being present. This is especially helpful for spouses who want to combine finances and business owners who authorize employees to make purchases for the company.
  • Your authorized user's purchases will add to your rewards. Their purchases will also apply to any spending minimums you need to meet for a sign-up bonus. This can be especially helpful if you have a Chase travel rewards card or cash back card.
  • It can help improve the authorized user's credit history. This is one reason parents sometimes make their children authorized users on their credit cards. Your child could start building a good credit score early in life this way.

Is there a fee for a Chase authorized user?

Most Chase credit cards don't charge a fee to add authorized users. The exceptions are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the J.P. Morgan Reserve. Both of those cards charge a $75 annual fee for each authorized user card.

You can double check this in your card's pricing and terms. Chase also lets you know which of its cards charge an authorized user fee when you go through the process of adding an authorized user.

Can you set a spending limit on a Chase authorized user?

With Chase's personal credit cards, you can't set a spending limit on an authorized user. You can, however, lock and unlock an authorized user's card from your online account.

It's different with Chase business credit cards. When you add employee cards, you can set spending limits on each one. Here's how:

  1. Log in to your account and click on the card.
  2. Select "More...," followed by "Account services."
  3. From the Account services dropdown menu, select "Set spending limits."
  4. Choose the employee card, enter the spending limit, and click "Submit."

How to remove an authorized user with Chase

You need to contact Chase to remove an authorized user account. The fastest option is to call the card issuer, but you can also send a secured message. Once you've removed an authorized user, their card won't work anymore.

Note that for Chase personal credit cards, the card number is the same for the primary cardholder and each authorized user. Even if you remove a Chase authorized user, they'll still have your card number. You may want to request a replacement credit card if you're worried about someone using your card number when they're no longer an authorized user.

You won't have this problem with Chase business credit cards because employee cards have different card numbers.

Adding an authorized user with Chase is a useful option in certain situations. Just make sure the person you add is someone you trust completely. You're the primary account holder, so ultimately it's your credit on the line.

Choosing a credit card

Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:

FAQs

  • Yes, Chase allows you to add authorized users. You can do so online in your Chase account or over the phone by calling the number on the back of your card.

  • With most Chase credit cards, you can add authorized users free of charge. The only ones that charge a fee are the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the J.P. Morgan Reserve, which both charge a $75 annual fee per authorized user.

  • Adding an authorized user with Chase can affect that person's credit. Chase reports authorized user activity to all three major consumer credit bureaus, if the authorized user is at least 18 years old.

    That means the activity on the card, including the payment history, can impact the authorized user's credit. If the primary cardholder pays on time and follows other responsible credit habits, then the authorized user's credit score will likely improve.

Our Credit Cards Experts