What an American Express Authorized User Account Is
An authorized user on an American Express card is someone you add to your account who can use the card but is not legally responsible for the bill. You are the primary cardholder — the person whose name, credit, and income the card is based on. The authorized user gets their own card with their name on it and can make purchases, but the bill comes to you, and you pay it.
American Express sends the authorized user's activity to the credit bureaus under both names. This means adding someone as an authorized user can help their credit score if the account stays in good standing, or hurt it if payments are late or the balance is high. The authorized user does not have to be a family member — you can add a business partner, employee, or friend.
The primary cardholder controls everything: you set spending limits, you can remove the authorized user at any time, and you see all transactions. The authorized user cannot change the account, request a credit limit increase, or close the card.
Key Takeaways
- American Express reports authorized user accounts to credit bureaus, so adding someone can affect their credit score based on how the account performs.
- You as the primary cardholder are responsible for all charges, regardless of who made them, and you receive and pay the full bill.
- You can set a spending limit for each authorized user and remove them from the account at any time without their consent.
- American Express does not run a credit check on the person you add as an authorized user, so their credit score does not have to be good.
How to Add an Authorized User to Your American Express Card
You can add an authorized user online through your American Express account, by calling the number on the back of your card, or by visiting an American Express office if one is near you. Online is usually fastest: log in, go to the card settings or account management section, and look for "Add Authorized User" or similar wording. You will need the person's full name, date of birth, and home address.
American Express does not ask for a Social Security number or run a credit check. The card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days, addressed to the authorized user at the address you provided. You can request a card for someone even if they do not know you are doing it, though that is not a good idea if you want to keep the relationship intact.
You can set a spending limit per transaction or per month for each authorized user. If you do not set a limit, they can charge up to your full credit limit. You can change or remove the limit anytime through your account.
How Authorized User Accounts Affect Credit Scores
When American Express reports the authorized user account to the credit bureaus, it appears on the authorized user's credit report under their name. The account history — payment dates, balances, credit limit — all show up as if they were the primary cardholder. This is why adding someone as an authorized user can raise their credit score if the account has a long history, low balance, and on-time payments.
The effect usually takes one to two billing cycles to show up on their credit report. If the account has missed payments or a high balance, their score can drop. If you later remove the authorized user, the account may stay on their credit report for up to seven years, depending on the credit bureau and whether the account was in good standing.
Some people add authorized users specifically to help them build credit — for example, a parent adding a young adult child. This works only if you actually keep the account in good standing. If you miss a payment, the authorized user's score suffers even though they did not make the charge.
What Happens If the Authorized User Overspends or Misuses the Card
You are responsible for all charges, period. If the authorized user runs up a $5,000 balance and then disappears, you owe American Express the $5,000. The card is in your name, the account is your legal obligation, and the credit bureaus hold you responsible.
If the authorized user commits fraud — uses the card without your permission or for illegal purposes — you can report it to American Express and remove them from the account. American Express will investigate, but you may still be liable for charges made before you reported the fraud, depending on when you caught it and how quickly you acted.
The best protection is to set a low spending limit if you do not fully trust the person, or to check your account regularly for unexpected charges. You can also request that American Express alert you when the authorized user makes a purchase over a certain amount.
Removing an Authorized User or Closing Their Card
You can remove an authorized user from your account anytime by logging into your American Express account, calling the number on your card, or visiting an office. The removal is when ready — their card stops working right away. You do not need the authorized user's permission, and you do not have to tell them in advance, though doing so is courteous.
When you remove someone, the account stays on their credit report but is marked as closed or no longer active. The account history remains visible to lenders, so if the account was in good standing, it can still help their credit score. If the account had problems, removing them does not erase those problems from their report.
If the authorized user wants to remove themselves, they cannot do it directly — they have to ask you to remove them. This is one reason some people do not like being authorized users: they have no control over when the account appears on their credit report.
Authorized User vs. Joint Account Holder
An authorized user and a joint account holder are different. A joint account holder is a co-owner of the card — both names are on the account, both are legally responsible for the bill, and both can make changes to the account. American Express does not offer joint accounts on most of their consumer cards, though they do on some business cards.
With an authorized user, only you are responsible. With a joint account, both of you are. If you want someone to have equal control and responsibility, you would need a different card or a different bank. If you want someone to use the card but you want to stay in control, authorized user is the right choice.
Some people confuse the two because both names appear on the credit report. The difference is in the legal responsibility and the control: authorized users have neither, joint holders have both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an authorized user see my full account balance and payment history?
That depends on how American Express sets up access. Typically, authorized users can see transactions they made and their own spending limit, but not the full account balance or payment history. However, if you give them online login access, they could see everything. Check your account settings to control what they can view.
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
Adding an authorized user does not directly hurt your score. However, if the authorized user makes large purchases and the account balance rises, your credit utilization ratio goes up, which can lower your score slightly. The effect is usually small and temporary.
What if I want to remove an authorized user but they refuse to give back the card?
You can remove them from the account when ready through American Express, and their card will stop working. You can also request that American Express cancel the physical card and issue you a new one. If the card is being used fraudulently after removal, report it to American Express and consider filing a police report.
Can I add an authorized user if I am behind on payments?
American Express will likely allow it, but it is not a good idea. If you add someone while your account is delinquent, their credit report will show a delinquent account, which damages their score. Wait until you are current before adding an authorized user if you want to help their credit.
Do authorized users have to be U.S. citizens or have a Social Security number?
No. American Express does not require a Social Security number or citizenship status to add an authorized user. You only need their name, date of birth, and address. This is one reason authorized user accounts are sometimes used to help people without credit history build a credit file.