Additional card holder

talksr

Hi, I have an American express Platinum money back card. I often leave my card back at home or give it to my mother to borrow. If I was to apply for another card or rather to add another card holder to my account, say my brother, would he also receive statements, or would he simply get a card in the post subject to him applying, and then that is the only correspondence he will get?

Also, will he be credit checked? Because its not him who is paying off the debt, so I am guessing not. This is my first time using credit/money back cards ever, so please excuse the naivety!

Thanks :money:

bitterSTAR

Nope, basically all mail still goes to you, and whatever he spends will be on your bill (not his), and you have to pay for everything he spends. He isn't credit checked - as you're the one taking responsibility for his spending.

exel1966

talksr wrote: »

Hi, I have an American express Platinum money back card. I often leave my card back at home or give it to my mother to borrow. If I was to apply for another card or rather to add another card holder to my account, say my brother, would he also receive statements, or would he simply get a card in the post subject to him applying, and then that is the only correspondence he will get?

Also, will he be credit checked? Because its not him who is paying off the debt, so I am guessing not. This is my first time using credit/money back cards ever, so please excuse the naivety!

Thanks :money:

No, he wouldn't receive statements, only you would. He wouldn't get the card in the post, you would have to apply for an additional card which would be sent to you to pass on to him. He will receive no correspondence whatsoever.
He won't be credit checked, though you could be searched again.

You are legally responsible for all cards regardless of who you give them to. Any debt incurred by your brother is legally yours and not his. It will be you who the card company persue if he cannot repay what he has spent. It will be your credit history alone which is marked in the event of any problem.

I'd think very carefully before putting an additional cardholder on your account. I know you're trying to help your family out, but if for any reason you fall out........

talksr

exel1966 wrote: »

No, he wouldn't receive statements, only you would. He wouldn't get the card in the post, you would have to apply for an additional card which would be sent to you to pass on to him. He will receive no correspondence whatsoever.
He won't be credit checked, though you could be searched again.

You are legally responsible for all cards regardless of who you give them to. Any debt incurred by your brother is legally yours and not his. It will be you who the card company persue if he cannot repay what he has spent. It will be your credit history alone which is marked in the event of any problem.

I'd think very carefully before putting an additional cardholder on your account. I know you're trying to help your family out, but if for any reason you fall out........

Thanks very much for all of the comments. All very useful. :T