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What is a Joint Credit Card Account?

Last Updated: July 9, 2024

5 min read

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Key points about: joint credit cards

A joint credit card account is shared between two people who have access to the account and responsibility for the balance.
All activity on the account equally affects both parties.
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.

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.

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