Which cards allow extra cardholders?

Most credit cards come with the option to add extra cardholders. Some might only let you add 1, while others let you add up to 9. Others won’t let you add any!

Who can be an additional cardholder?

Most times, anyone above the age of 16 can be an additional cardholder. There’s no credit check – you’ll just need to request it via your credit card’s app and wait for your bank to approve it.

Does the additional cardholder pay for what they spend?

Ok, here’s where the warnings come in. The primary cardholder is still responsible for the account and any charges made to it. Your additional cardholder is spending your money, so make sure you’re checking in on how they’re using the card.

Is there a fee?

Maybe. It usually breaks down like this:

• Low cost cards typically have no fee for additional cardholders.
• Rewards cards in a non-frequent-flyer program may charge a small fee.
• Rewards cards that earn Qantas or Velocity points may charge a higher fee.

For example, ANZ charges $10 per year, per card for some of its rewards cards. But, if the card earns Qantas Points or Velocity Points, ANZ may charge an additional $55 reward program fee. That does add a lot to the annual fee of a card, so you’d need to make sure your additional cardholder would earn enough points to make it worth the extra cost.

Additional cardholder terms and conditions can vary depending on the cardholder’s details and the provider’s discretion, so it is always good to check before submitting an application.

Compare cards with free additional cardholders here.

Managing additional cardholders and credit card rewards

Now to the super fiddly bits: managing your account when you have extra people spending your money.

Very few rewards cards come with a low interest rate option, so it might be a good idea to talk to your extra cardholders about when the statement period ends so you can keep track of interest-free days.

A few other things that will help keep the credit card in order include:

• Agreeing to transfer money when either person makes a purchase on the card
• Reviewing the account details together at the end of each statement period
• Discussing rewards and how they will be shared
• Letting the other person know when there may be a delay in repayments

If you’re sharing the card with your spouse, these conversations might not be necessary.

With a few good habits in place, both you and the secondary cardholder can enjoy the benefits of credit and rewards so that you really are getting the most from your account.

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