How to Add an Authorized User with Chase

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:

Log in to your Chase account.
Click on the credit card account you want to add a Chase authorized user for.
Click "More…" to see more options, followed by "Account services."
From the Account services dropdown menu, click "Add an authorized user."
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.

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.

Benefits of adding a Chase authorized user

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

It's more convenient for both of you, as they can use your credit card account without you being there. This is especially helpful for spouses who want to combine finances and business owners who authorize employees to make purchases for the company.
If you have a Chase travel rewards card or cash back card, 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.
It can help improve the authorized user's credit history, which 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. If a Chase card does have an authorized user fee, it will be listed in the card's annual fee section.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is currently the only Chase card with this type of fee, as it charges $75 per authorized user. Each authorized user on this card will get their own Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access. They won't receive any of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® spending credits.

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:

Log in to your account and click on the card.
Click "Things you can do" and select "Set spending limits" from the dropdown menu.
Select the card, enter your desired 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.

About the Author

Lyle Daly

Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.

How to Add an Authorized User With Chase