In "The Before Times" (i.e. before I started aggressively playing the points and miles game) whenever either my spouse or I got a new credit card we generally always added the other as an authorized user on the account. We share our finances, etc. so this just kept things pretty simple. Once we got serious about points and miles and transitioned to "2 player mode" we generally stopped doing that as keeping 5/24 "slots open" become paramount in my mind. Though occasionally annoying it certainly has worked to our advantage, overall.

However, in the interest of having flexibility with our transferable currencies, and which FFP we need to transfer them too, I've been thinking about getting authorized user cards for each of us on one anothers accounts, specifically for Amex, since that is the only transferable currency we have that does not allow sharing/transferring/combining. We also have some core, long term holding cards (e.g. Chase Sapphire Preserve, WoH, etc.) where having authorized user cards would simplify some things in our day to day life.

So, this brings me to a more general question regarding how adding authorized users to "aged accounts" (i.e. accounts that are greater than 24 months old, in some case much older) appears to, specifically, Chase in terms of 5/24, but even to other banks that have variations of these type of rules, etc.

For example, I have a Capital One Venture X card that will be over 24 months old come January 2024. I would be interested to add my spouse as an authorized at that point if it did not impact her from a 5/24 perspective (I do realize that one can call Chase to explain authorized users when applying for a card, but prefer to avoid that step where possible). Another example, we both have very long term Amex cards (e.g. 7-8 yrs old), where we could add each other as authorized users, thus facilitating MR transfers to an FFP from either of our "pools" of MR points. So again, the question is would the authorized user "inherit" the account open date of the primary user and thus evade a 5/24 hit or would it be seen as a new account?

I did attempt some research/searching before creating this thread. I found some threads that were from 2016, but much of the discussion was around an authorized user trying to improve their credit score by getting added to an older account. That is not what we are trying to do in this case.

Apologies, this got a bit more wordy than I intended. In my mind it's clear, but sort of complex writing it out, but the general question is really "Does adding an authorized user to a card that has been open for greater than 24 months, impact the authorized users 5/24 count or not?" And if not, would be interesting to compile a list of confirmed banks where this is true (particular interested in the main four, Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One)

I probably have three long term "keeper" cards that I'd add my wife as an authorized to if it did NOT impact her 5/24 situation, but obviously if it does then I likely would not.

Any insight or direct experience is greatly appreciated.

Regards