American Express Membership Rewards - getting additional user when too young

I want to get my son a American Express Card, probably a Gold as I use that as my personal card, under my account. So basically I am adding an additional user/account under my primary account. My wife already has an aditional account under my account as well. He will be turning 18 this October 10, however he needs it now (he will be traveling for a few days by himself to visit colleges before that date.) I see that the online application to add an aditional user to my account that the additional user must be 18, but when I look at the Terms & Condiitons for a new application it does not say anywhere how old the applicant must be.

Do you all think I could just call up AMEX (from the number on my Gold card or on my Platinum card???) and ask them to add another user, but not immediately disclose his birthday/age, or should I just try to do it online and hope it works, or just mistype the year for his birthday online and "fib" a bit.


Thank you.

Although it doesn't exactly answer your question, I wanted to tell you about an AmEx option about which you may not be aware, as I haven't really seen it publicized much.... It's called the Cobalt Card, and is essentially a stored-value AmEx, and you don't need to be 18 to get it. While not as convenient as a card on your account, perhaps it might help you out in the interim. (You can fund it using your regular AmEx.) Check out http://www.cobaltcard.com

I would advise against putting in the wrong birthdate, as it would start off his credit history with incorrect information. As soon as the additional card is issued, all your AmEx card related info is reflected on his credit report--balances, etc.

[Oops...had the wrong link...fixed now!]


[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 08-21-2001).]

Thanks for the reply and info. I would rather have him have a true credit or charge card as he will use it through college. Thank sofr the suggestions.

Anyone else have any info.

Do you think that since I have a Platinum Card, have been offered Centurion, but declined, and a member in very good standing and multiple customer service issues to hold them up to, would do any help?

I had an Amex on my parents account when I was 15 (obviously things may have changed). I don't think Amex asked or cared when they got me the card. However, if you are concerned, fill out the paper application for an additional card and write sloppy. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

You would be suprised at the various numbers and words they make up from my handwriting.

I've had a <<major trade card name here>> card since I was 14. I lied on the application and my credit report does not contain my incorrect birth year, although it did some years ago. It has since updated itself. I would not, however, do that again as I believe that being dishonest in order to obtain something that you are not entitled to is wrong.

I regularly add additional persons to my account (new staff members ect.) and I've never been asked for a birthday. Only thing asked for beside the name as your would like it to appear on the card is a social security number.

Thanks for the replies. Another question. Do you always sign your name as it is engraved on the front of the card, or just exactly like it is signed from the back of the card. My elderly mother has her full name with no middle initial on the front, but when she signs she just signs with the first letter of her first name and then her full last name all as one word virtually.

I think it is possible in certain cases for amex to issue cards to young people under 18. I had friends who had amex cards way before they turned 18. However, personally I feel that it might not be so wise to give a younge person an amex, since it has no pre-set credit limit. Maybe it would be better to give him a visa or a mastercard with a reasonable limit. It will be good to let them learn how to manage their money. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by STAM4NICK:
Do you always sign your name as it is engraved on the front of the card, or just exactly like it is signed from the back of the card.</font>

Goodness no! My full name doesn't even fit on most credit cards, but even on those where it does I have just one standard shorter signature that discards some elements of the name.

Another question is do you always sign the way the card is signed on the back? In Germany they often do check, but in most places I go in the US one gets to scan his own card, so that the clerk never sees it, let alone check the signature. So much for security...

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SMessier:
Another question is do you always sign the way the card is signed on the back? In Germany they often do check, but in most places I go in the US one gets to scan his own card, so that the clerk never sees it, let alone check the signature. So much for security... </font>

A merchant can refuse to accept the CC if your signature is not on the back of the card. I have seen people try to use their CC, and the back is not signed, and they present their drivers license as signature proof, and the merchant says "sorry..."

Most cards say "not valid unless signed" on the back.

I charge a fortune every month and not a single one of my CC's is signed. I have never had a problem. Sometimes (like in an electronics store) they might ask for ID.

Why wouldn't you sign your card? If I steal your AmEx and sign it, I could charge thousands of dollars on it (until you realized the card was gone and notified AmEx) because whenever I signed for a charge, the signature would be the same as the one on the card.

If I were a merchant, I wouldn't accept a card that wasn't signed.

d

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by auh2o:
I charge a fortune every month and not a single one of my CC's is signed. I have never had a problem. Sometimes (like in an electronics store) they might ask for ID.</font>

Well, again, so much for security. I can't remember not having a credit card that didn't say "not valid unless signed." I'm pretty curious as well about why you would apparently make a point of not signing your cards.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Why wouldn't you sign your card? If I steal your AmEx and sign it, I could charge thousands of dollars on it (until you realized the card was gone and notified AmEx) because whenever I signed for a charge, the signature would be the same as the one on the card.</font>

There are a few people that are under the misguided impression that signing the card reduces security, under the theory that someone finding/stealing the card would then have a sample signature to work with. These people are never able to answer the question of why the card issuers are so insistent on having people sign the cards. Since the card issuer ends up eating virtually all fraudulent charges, why would they strongly promote something that reduces security? Of course, the answer is they would not.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">If I were a merchant, I wouldn't accept a card that wasn't signed.</font>

The local CompUSA has a sign at every register from Visa, explaining that cards must be signed in order to be valid, and that the merchant can refuse to honor an unsigned card. I believe that their policy is that if the card is unsigned, they require you to sign the card before they will accept it.

I don't know if it's still this way but I've gotten an additional card for someone and didn't even give them the SSN# for 'em. Had NO troubles. It's like playing the OnePass game. If one rep tells you one thing, call back until you find one that will do what you need.

(deleted)

[This message has been edited by ahrz (edited 08-25-2001).]

Stam4Nick,

I called and got one for my son on my account and they didn't ask for anything but his name.

Try it.

RayinMaui,
How old is your son? And on what card did you get it on? Gold or Platinum or other. Thanks.

You have to be eighteen and they will require the DOB and SSN of the additional card holder.

You have to be 18 (in most states, if not all) to enter into a legally binding agreement such as signing a credit card receipt. Most credit card companies (virtually all of them) have no problem with ignoring that issue on the basis that they can stick it to the primary card holder. However, AmEx is significantly more strict when it comes to this issue.

From a business perspective, I agree with AmEx on this one. The risk is pretty high and the amount of potential lost business from the &lt;18 crowd is (generally speaking) minimal by comparison.

Regardless, if you mislead AmEx about his age, it will not be a problem as long as your account is kept without incident. There might be a bit of confusion when your son applies for his own card once he's &gt;18, but it's trivial to clear up.

Hope this helps. Cheers.

My son is now over 18, but I got it for him when he was younger. I had a Platinum and got him a Gold. I have a Centurion card now and got him a Platinum. Amex never asked for SSN or DOB. I just figured that they didn't care since it was on my account and I was responsible.

I never sign any credit card. Instead I stamp "Photo ID Required" in the signiture field. I have never had anyone refuse to honor the card.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R-:
I never sign any credit card. Instead I stamp "Photo ID Required" in the signiture field. I have never had anyone refuse to honor the card.</font>

It can be a problem overseas. I had a bad time with that in Sydney, Australia.

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum11/HTML/006021.html

About using "See ID" in signature panel....All someone would have to do if they acquired your Credit Card with this on the back is to make a fake ID with your name on it and put their picture and signature (using your name). Voila, a pefect signature match. The police here locally in So CA frown upon people not signing their Credit Cards. I know, I'm a merchant and also do volunteer work for the local department.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Steve M:
There are a few people that are under the misguided impression that signing the card reduces security, under the theory that someone finding/stealing the card would then have a sample signature to work with. These people are never able to answer the question of why the card issuers are so insistent on having people sign the cards. Since the card issuer ends up eating virtually all fraudulent charges, why would they strongly promote something that reduces security? Of course, the answer is they would not.
</font>

I think your logic is a bit flawed. There is an important distinction to be made concerning whose "security" you are talking about. Having your signature on your card probably reduces the risk of the card being mis-used which is why the credit card companies promote it. But, let's say you lose your signed credit card and your check book at the same time. Doesn't matter the least to the credit card company although it may matter to you.