Adding an additional cardholder makes it easier to manage credit card spending, earn more points and improve your chances of getting a card approved. These credit cards let you add one for free.
Most credit cards let you add additional cardholders for free. The average fee is $59 if a charge applies.
As the primary cardholder, you are legally responsible for all transactions and repayments made on the account.
Additional cardholders can earn more points and help with credit card approval, but their credit history is unaffected.
Can I add an additional cardholder on my credit card?
Plenty of credit cards let you add a second cardholder. This is often called an additional cardholder.
Some card providers let you add someone for free, while others charge an additional cardholder fee.
How it works
An additional cardholder is another person, usually a spouse or family member, who can use your credit card account to make purchases.
This can be handy when you want to use one credit card account for household spending, travelling or earning more points (because you'll both be making purchases through the account).
They are issued with their own physical credit card, but the account it still yours. And you are legally responsible for managing the account and paying off the balance as the primary cardholder.
What can additional cardholders do?
It does vary depending on the credit card account, but here are some of the key things additional cardholders can do:
Make purchases
Earn points for eligible spending
Check the account balance and transaction history
Make payments towards the account balance
Report suspicious transactions and/or lost and stolen cards
Set up and change their own personal identification number (PIN)
Order a replacement card
Average additional cardholder fee
Of the 200+ credit cards in Finder's database, 158 let you add an additional cardholder for free. Of the cards that charge a fee to add a cardholder, the average fee is $59.
Source:Finder's credit card database
What’s the difference between an additional cardholder and a joint credit card?
An additional cardholder can make purchases with your credit card account but you remain responsible for managing it. The details of the account are only listed on your credit history. This structure also means it's possible to get an additional card for someone who is under 18 (like a teenager).
A joint credit card account has shared responsibility between both people. Joint accounts are listed on both of your credit files and both of you will need to meet the account's eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old. There are also fewer credit cards that offer joint applications compared to those that offer additional cardholders.
Our expert says
"I am an additional cardholder on my wife's Visa and she is an additional cardholder for my Amex. This allows us both to have two options available in case a retailer charges more for one brand or does not accept it at all."
What are the pros and cons to getting an additional cardholder?
The pros
Easier to manage spending. You and the additional cardholder can manage joint expenses easily with one card.
Share your credit card. If your partner or family member doesn’t have a credit card and may not be eligible to get one, adding them to your account could be a convenient alternative.
Earn more points. With two people spending on the one account, you could be able to earn more points and get rewards faster.
Simple process. It’s relatively easy to apply for an additional cardholder or to remove one from your account.
Increase your chance of approval. A second cardholder can improve your chances of getting a credit card approved. Two incomes are better than one!
The cons
Account responsibility. As the primary cardholder, you will be legally accountable for all transactions and repayments.
Credit history. Details of the credit card will be listed on your credit history, so any issues such as late payments could impact on your credit score. Note that additional cardholders won’t have details of the account added to their credit history.
Additional fees. Some credit cards charge an additional cardholder annual fee on top of the regular annual fee you’ll pay for the account. Make sure you check this cost before you request a secondary cardholder to help stay on top of fees.
How to add someone as an additional cardholder
Each credit card provider has its own process, but here are the basic steps you need to take:
Get an additional cardholder application form. This form is usually available through your credit card provider's website or online banking service. It may also be included when you apply for a new credit card. Some banks let you do this online but some (like CommBank) require you to complete a physical form and submit it at a branch).
Add the additional cardholders details. This will include some key details, such as their name, date of birth, contact details and Australian residential status. They'll also need to agree to the terms and conditions and sign or agree to be added to the account.
Fill in your details as the primary cardholder. If you're applying online, this section may already be pre-filled but you'll typically need to sign a declaration or fill in a section that shows you agree to adding the person as a secondary cardholder.
Submit the form. Your credit card provider will assess the application. If it's approved, your additional cardholder should get their card within 5-10 working days.
Eligibility requirements
Additional cardholders don't have to meet the same eligibility criteria as primary cardholders – including income requirements and credit checks – but they do usually need to meet some key requirements. This typically includes:
Minimum age. Additional cardholders must be at least 16 years of age. Note that some credit cards have a higher minimum age of 18.
Identification. This includes the full name, date of birth, residential address and contact details for the person you want to add. They may also have to provide some personal financial details, such as employment status and income.
"I got rejected the last time I applied for a credit card. It was a fairly high end frequent flyer card. I ticked every box but my spending was way too high. All our bills come out of my bank account, so the card company thought I couldn't afford the card. I re-applied with my wife as the primary applicant and myself as the additional cardholder. We were approved in an hour!"
There are plenty of reasons why adding someone to your credit card is a good idea. It's an easy way to manage spending as a couple, giving you convenience and transparency.
Just keep in mind that primary cardholder is ultimately responsible for the credit card. Imagine the worst case scenario: the secondary cardholder maxes the card out on frivolous purchases and then ghosts you.
Now you're on the hook for their debt.
As with any shared financial decision, trust and open communication are vital.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can cancel an additional cardholder at any time by calling your credit card provider and requesting the cancellation.
Either you or your additional cardholder can report a lost or stolen card through online banking or by calling your credit card provider. Also note that any additional cards linked to your credit card account will get the same security features as your main credit card.
No, additional cardholders will be issued with their own PIN or given the option to set a PIN for their cards.
This depends on the credit card provider. If your additional cardholder is able to access the account through their internet banking service, then they will probably be able to see all the account transactions.
While there are business credit cards that offer customisable limits for employees with additional cards, personal credit cards don't offer this feature.
But there are some personal credit cards that let you set a spending cap or put a limit on certain types of transactions – such as contactless or overseas payments. For example, you can set limits for international transactions on a CommBank credit card via NetBank or the CommBank App, while HSBC's My Card Controls lets you set a limit per transaction amount. With both these options, the limits you set would apply to both you and any other cardholders linked to the account.
Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024.
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