We did it when our teen were young (14). All 3 have them now.

Interesting to learn that a child can absorb a parent’s good credit history!

OP

Anonymous wrote:How can I check if the cc reports child's own credit history even if we are both on the card?

I asked the BOA rep when I called to add my DS to my card as an authorized user. She said they report both users to their credit report. I checked about 6 months after he turned 18 (I added him around age 16). He has excellent credit now at age 19. Once he gets a FT job after he graduates, he can get his own card (he gets tons of CC offers in the mail).

How can I check if the cc reports child's own credit history even if we are both on the card?

Child was unable to get a cc until 18 yo. On her 18th bday, applied for cc on her own (no co-sign or link to me) and was approved.

Anonymous wrote:At what age can you get a credit card for a minor?

I thought it was 18 but it sounds like some people have gotten stand alone cards for their kids at the age of 16.

Not sure if there's an age limit but all it takes is a year on your cc to build enough credit to get their own card.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At what age can you get a credit card for a minor?

I thought it was 18 but it sounds like some people have gotten stand alone cards for their kids at the age of 16.

Some issuers have no age limits.

https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/children-authorized-users-credit-cards/

My parents did this for me and it was incredibly helpful having a decade of credit history when I bought my first car and rented my first apartment.

PP here. The link is super helpful! Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:At what age can you get a credit card for a minor?

I thought it was 18 but it sounds like some people have gotten stand alone cards for their kids at the age of 16.

Some issuers have no age limits.

https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/children-authorized-users-credit-cards/

My parents did this for me and it was incredibly helpful having a decade of credit history when I bought my first car and rented my first apartment.

At what age can you get a credit card for a minor?

I thought it was 18 but it sounds like some people have gotten stand alone cards for their kids at the age of 16.

Anonymous wrote:Do I just call the credit card company to add my college student?

Is there anything to be aware of when adding a student to your credit card?

Most cc companies allow you to add an authorized user online. Check to make sure they report to credit bureaus separately. Once added, you can pretty much use their credit card for everything and let them get the credit benefit of the spend. Ideally, you should've done this at least a year before they start college and get them their own card when they start college. Even without doing this, your kid may get credit offers from their bank which you can take advantage of.

Yes...your child will inherit your credit score which can be very helpful to them, My 19 year old's credit history says he has had a card for 25 years.

Anonymous wrote:I did it for high school kid. My kid turns 18 at the beginning of next year and next step is to get them off of my credit with their own cards.
Not all cards help build credit. Make sure the one you will use for this does. I also lowered available credit on that card to only $1000. So far they have been responsible users.

We did what you did except out kid also has one of our higher limit cards in their name for use in emergencies

I did it for high school kid. My kid turns 18 at the beginning of next year and next step is to get them off of my credit with their own cards.
Not all cards help build credit. Make sure the one you will use for this does. I also lowered available credit on that card to only $1000. So far they have been responsible users.

Personally, I opened a new credit card when our youngest was 16 and started driving solo. I set a $3K limit and both of us were on the card. Added the younger sibling once they started driving as well.

So when they went to college they already had a credit card. Now the "out of college kid" uses that card when we want to pay for something for them. Easier than transferring $$.

I prefer to keep them on a card with a lower limit (my cards are significantly higher), that is easier to track what they are charging as well.

That way they cannot go crazy and ruin theirs or my credit.

Do I just call the credit card company to add my college student?

Is there anything to be aware of when adding a student to your credit card?