Authorized user cards: you can still apply outright and earn the welcome bonus

The short answer is yes

Being an authorized user on someone else's credit card does not prevent you from applying for that card yourself and earning its welcome bonus. ^[1] If you are an authorized user, this applies to you, and the answer to whether you are eligible when applying outright is yes. ^[1]

Credit cards frequently offer large upfront welcome offers, where holders earn bonus points for spending a set amount within a limited timeframe. ^[1] This piece covers why authorized users can still collect that bonus and when applying outright makes sense.

Why the bonus rules do not block you

Generally, existing cardmembers cannot apply for a card they already have while also receiving the bonus. ^[1] Welcome bonus rules that restrict existing cardmembers refer specifically to primary cardmembers, not authorized users. ^[1]

You do not need to cancel your authorized user card to apply outright and earn the welcome bonus. ^[1] Across the board, being an authorized user still makes you eligible to apply for that card outright and receive the bonus, assuming you are otherwise eligible for the card. ^[1]

Application rules differ by bank. ^[1] The examples given are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Strata Premier, and Capital One Venture X cards, on which a person can remain an authorized user and still apply outright for the welcome bonus. ^[1]

What an authorized user is

An authorized user is an individual added to a credit card account, and the primary cardholder is the person whose name and information the account is opened under. ^[2] The primary cardholder assumes all financial and legal responsibility for any activity performed by an authorized user. ^[2]

Adding a spouse or children as authorized users can give them extra credit history, which can boost their credit scores. ^[2] Household spending on one card with authorized users can be tracked under one dashboard, one statement, and one account. ^[2]

Authorized users can also help meet a welcome bonus spending requirement, such as $4,000 in the first 3 months. ^[2]

The cost of each route

A main advantage of adding someone as an authorized user is minimizing annual fees, since many cards have lower (or no) annual fees for authorized users than for primary cardmembers. ^[1] Having both people in a relationship apply outright has its own advantages: large welcome bonuses and, for some cards, paying for themselves on an ongoing basis. ^[1]

The Chase Sapphire Reserve shows the fee gap. ^[2] The primary cardholder pays $795 a year, while an authorized user pays $195. ^[2] The vast majority of the card's benefits carry over to authorized users. ^[2] The welcome bonus is 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. ^[2]

Two cards, two answers

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard offers an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardmember, and up to three authorized users can be added for a total of $175. ^[1] Authorized users receive Admirals Club access, and after that each authorized user costs $175. ^[1] The author would consider adding a spouse as an authorized user on this card. ^[1]

The New IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has a $150 annual fee. ^[1] It offers an anniversary free night certificate, IHG One Rewards Gold status (Platinum with $15,000 in spend), a fourth night free on award redemptions, and up to $50 in United credits annually. ^[1] Given those strong perks, the author thinks a spouse should apply separately. ^[1]