Getting a credit card
Using your credit card
Credit card rewards
Explore credit cards
See if you're pre-approved > , Opens new tab

Getting a credit card

What is a Joint Credit Card Account? contents
See if you're pre-approved > , Opens new tab
Happy couple walking and carrying bags after shopping together

What is a Joint Credit Card Account?

Last Updated: July 9, 2024
5 min read
Getting a credit card

Table of contents

What is a joint credit card account?
Pros and cons of joint credit card accounts
Alternative ways to share a credit card account
How can you build credit history on your own?

Key points about: joint credit cards

  1. A joint credit card account is shared between two people who have access to the account and responsibility for the balance.

  2. All activity on the account equally affects both parties.

  3. Alternatives to a joint credit card include opening an account with a cosigner, adding an authorized user to an account, or using a secured credit card.

Joint credit card accounts are an option for those looking for a convenient way to share finances with someone else. But it’s important to know what you’re signing up for before you decide to open a joint credit card account. Going into a financial agreement with someone else requires a significant amount of trust and communication.

What is a joint credit card account?

A joint credit card is like a traditional credit card, but instead of belonging to just one individual, there's an additional cardholder who holds equal responsibility. This can make it complicated to predict how responsibly the account will be used.

With a joint credit card account, two parties (from couples and business partners to friends and family members) have access to the account and are jointly responsible for the debt. Most major issuers don't offer joint credit card accounts, as they prefer credit card accounts to be the responsibility of a single individual.

If your credit card issuer doesn’t allow joint credit card accounts, there are alternatives and other ways you may be able to approach sharing and building credit history.

Do joint credit card holders share a credit score?

Joint credit card holders don’t share a credit score, but as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes, joint credit card accounts will affect both of your credit scores individually.

 

Using a joint account responsibly may positively impact both of your credit scores, but how much depends on your individual credit histories. The flip side can also be true: late or missed payments, or consistently carrying a high balance may negatively impact both of your scores, but the total affect to your credit score may differ for you both.

Can I add someone as a joint account holder to my Discover Card?

No, Discover doesn’t allow joint account holders on credit card accounts.

See if you’re pre-approved

With no harm to your credit score2

Check now →

Pros and cons of joint credit card accounts

If you’re considering a joint credit card account, there are important factors you should weigh to help inform your decision.

Pros:

  • If cardholders make on-time payments and keep their balance low, joint credit card accounts may help build credit history.
  • Getting a joint credit card could help the person with a lower credit score secure credit and terms they may not have otherwise.

Cons:

  • Carrying a high balance can negatively impact each cardholder’s credit score, regardless of who did the spending.
  • Both cardholders are equally responsible for the debt of a joint credit card account. If one person runs up a considerable balance, the second person is also accountable for that balance.
  • Disputes about paying the joint credit card debt on the account can arise between cardholders. This can strain relationships and even lead to legal battles.

Alternative ways to share a credit card account

Perhaps a joint credit card account isn’t right for you, but you’re still in search of a way to address your financial needs, whether it’s gaining access to new credit or building a credit history. Here are some alternatives to consider.

Cosigning for a credit card

While not many credit card issuers offer it, opening a credit card account with a cosigner is an alternative to having a joint credit card account and may help the primary cardholder build credit history. Please note that Discover doesn’t allow cosigners on its credit cards.

Unlike joint credit card accounts, the cosigner doesn’t have access to the account but does agree to take responsibility and repay the balance should the account holder default on payments, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Adding a user to an existing credit card account

An authorized user agreement is another option worth exploring. In this type of agreement, a user is added to an existing account but isn’t responsible for repayment of the debt, only the primary cardmember is. For example, a parent may want to add their child as an authorized user to a credit card account, as long as the child is old enough per the card issuer’s terms. Age requirements may vary by card issuer.

Authorized users receive their own cards and access to the primary cardmember’s credit limit to make purchases. Because the primary cardmember is solely accountable for payments, this account-sharing method is typically less risky for the card issuer.

If your purpose to become an authorized user is to build your credit history, then first check that the credit card issuer reports both the primary and authorized user account details to the credit bureaus. If not, you may not see any impact by becoming an authorized user.

If both parties use the credit responsibly, becoming an authorized user can be an excellent way to build credit history.

How can you build credit history on your own?

There are ways to build (or rebuild) credit history without involving another person.

If you’d prefer to do it alone, use a secured credit card. Secured credit cards require a deposit, which acts as your credit limit. If you default on your payments, the deposit serves as collateral.

Did you know?

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card can help you build credit with responsible use.1

See if you're pre-approved

By creating smart habits, like making on-time payments, you could eventually qualify for an unsecured credit card, which may further strengthen your credit history.

Joint credit cards aren’t for everyone, and their terms vary depending on the credit card company, so it’s essential to be as educated on them as possible before deciding to open one with someone else. You may be ready for a joint account if you’re comfortable with the fact that the actions of each joint cardholder affect you both. That means both of your credit scores are impacted by each other’s habits. Whatever your decision, just know that you have other options available.

Important Information >
Inward Curve
Discover credit cards

See if you’re Pre-approved before you apply

There’re no impact to your credit
Check now

Next steps

Application Icon
See if you're pre-approved

No impact to your credit score

Check Now
Card Icon
View all Discover credit cards

See rates, rewards and other info

Learn More

You may also be interested in

Share article

Was this article helpful?

Glad you found this useful. Could you let us know what you found helpful?
Sorry this article didn't help you. Can you give us feedback why?

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your feedback

Learn more

  1. Build credit with responsible use: Discover reports your credit history to the three major credit bureaus so it can help build/rebuild your credit if used responsibly. Late payments, delinquencies or other derogatory activity with your credit card accounts and loans may adversely impact your ability to build/rebuild credit.

  2. There is no hard inquiry to your credit report to check if you’re pre-approved. If you’re pre-approved, and you move forward with submitting an application for the credit card, it will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit score. Receiving a pre-approval offer does not guarantee approval. Applicants applying without a social security number are not eligible to receive pre-approval offers. Card applicants cannot be pre-approved for the NHL Discover Card.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.