Our kids never abused their CC - they would only charge a few minor things every month (eating with friends, movie tickets, ...). Once you hit 18 you are able to get your annual free credit report from the three agencies. They would be listed as authorized user on the Freedom account back to the date they got it at 13. After they turned 18 and filled out the form from Chase to become joint primary owner, the entry in each credit report changed from "authorized user" to "primary owner", but the original opening date remained. I would think Amex, Citi, and the others would have similar procedures.