Adding Authorized Users to Aged Accounts (5/24?)
 

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

Much of what you want to know is in this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33937048-post176.html Read the Quoted paragraphs in adition to the new content.

Thanks mia, I do appreciate it. Unfortunately, after reviewing, I'm inclined to agree with RNE's summarizing comment;
Before creating this thread, I really did attempt to search and answer this myself (both on FT as well as via Google). However, it's seems there are simply tiny breadcrumbs and tidbits buried in tangentially related threads, but the discussion seems to to devolve into debating word definitions (e.g. backdating vs. "foredating," etc.) and so forth, with very little in the way of clear, summary conclusions.

My review of the post you quoted, leads me to believe (I think? :confused:):

• Chase does "backdate" AU cards to original opening date (and thus would not count an AU's card as a 5/24 hit if added to an "aged" primary account)
• Amex does NOT "backdate" AU cards to original opening date (and thus would count an AU's card as a 5/24 hit if added to an "aged" primary account)
• Capital One... honestly, no idea...
• Citi... honestly, no idea...

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised more people aren't interested in clarifying this topic, given that some of today's higher end cards often come with benefits applicable to the authorized user. Furthermore, unlike some aspects of the dark art of this game, it seems this question should have a "knowable" answer that could be properly documented once (not sure if it's meaty enough for a Wiki) and easy to reference rather than having to sort through long threads on other topics where it's just briefly discussed in passing, but who knows, maybe I'm the only one interested...

Regards

P.S. To any reading this, really not interested in debating the term "backdating" This isn't a difficult question to frame up (though seems difficult to authoritatively answer): If an individual opens an AU card on a primary account greater than 24 months old, would Chase count that AU card in their 5/24 "tally" when considering their application for a new Chase card? (The answer may differ based on the issuing bank and thus why the discussion of "backdating" comes into play)

The linked post by RNE reports that the AU account shows the same opening date as the primary card.

Base on the below post, AU cards will have their own opening date, since C1 gives AU cards different #s than primary card (at least for me).
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/35393846-post5.html

Unfortunately I added my AU cards on the same date that I opened the card, so I can't confirm or deny 😌.

To use your quote, this is clear as mud to me.

So let's try a couple of clarifying questions:

• If Amex does not "backdate" then if you apply for a new CHASE card, when calculating 5/24, CHASE will include all of your AMEX AU cards that were first issued to the AU in the last 24 months?
• Chase will not include any Chase AU accounts when calculating your 5/24, correct?

Amex does not use 5/24 so presumably it does not matter if you have recent AU cards on your credit report when applying for Amex.

My understanding is the automated approval system does but you can explain it away in reconsideration, but most people in this game want to avoid talking to someone and needing to explain their cards.

Last year I added myself as an AU on my P2's Marriott card as I was being given some issues with using her card at stores while trying to take advantage of a promo. They never even asked for a SSN, so no way for that to show on a credit report.

We try and always have 1 Chase card with transfer partners at any given time, but its not always the same one. Ink Preferred lets you transfer to a co-business owner, so thats the preferred method over adding an AU

This is inaccurate. Capital One does not request SSN's for AU cards, but they do report them to credit bureaus.

See here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/capi...ir-credit.html

Plus here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33934190-post736.html and this post also confirms that Capital One reports the date that the original account was opened, not the date that the AU card was issued.

Well I have been AU on the Chase card for over a year and it is not on my credit report

How could Capital One confidently report something like that? If you have a common name like John Smith, I would imagine they would have trouble ensuring its the same one

Just checked Experian app - my report shows Amex and BofA AU accounts - both specifically marked "Authorized User". So this should not be so hard for Chase to figure out, but I gather maybe that is beyond the capabilities of the 5/24 software that processes apps. Amex reports "date opened" as the date the AU card was received, not the original account open date.

The format of the report shown to consumers is probably not the same as the way the data is supplied to issuers. The "Authorized User" flag may be a relatively new feature.

I think it should be noted that while it is possible to point out accounts as AU on recon for a 5/24 denial, having that work to bypass is a YMMV situation. Probably works most of the time but I've attempted before and been told to pound sand.

As such AU accounts that backdate are much preferred.

My only DPs confirm Chase does use original account opening and AmEx uses date of AU added.

I’ve been wondering about this for years! So glad to get some data points.

I’d like to see when my son’s Cap1 AU card was dated but he’s not yet 18 so he can’t create accounts for the freebie credit apps. Or at least they won’t report the cc as far as I know. How else to check his credit report?

Read here: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-...eport-en-1865/

It seems to be a two-step process. Checking to see if a report exists, then requesting a copy.

AmEx issues a different account number for the authorized user (AU). Chase and Capital One do not.

The issuance of a separate account number would seem to be the determinative factor in reporting when that account was opened. :idea: