additional credit card on an account -does this mean I'm financially linked?

turquoiseshed

Hi
I have a Santander credit card and have had an 'additional' card put on there with my husband's name.

I am worried now as I have a good credit rating and my husband's is dire after some recent catastrophes.

Does this mean I am 'financially linked' to him now and that his credit rating will affect mine? I want to apply for a credit card but don't want to affect my credit rating negatively.

Your advice would be appreciated and please let me know if I'm posting in the wrong place! - I'm struggling to find my way round the site...
thanks very much

reclusive46

No, you are not financially linked as you are fully responsible for the card.

InsideInsurance

Only joint accounts create a financial link and credit cards are never issued in joint names. A secondary cardholder is not a joint account holder just someone who has access to your credit.

You are 100% liable for all spending on all cards and so only appears on your report and so no link created. Of cause if your husband is bad at managing their money then they can do much more damage to your rating by excessive spending on your credit card account than being a financial associate would do.

Herbalus

I would hope the catastrophes you mention are due to circumstances beyond your control, like a car that needs replacing, or forgetting to pay, rather than excessive spending or something such as gambling. I have a friend who at one point had late payments every month from talktalk because they wouldn't move the direct debit from 2 days before his payday! So not every catastrophe means you gamble everything away etc.

Just bear in mind that you are solely responsible for all the spending he does. I know you're married, so that should be fine, but I don't know what your marriage is like. Could be absolutely wonderful!

Just out of interest, can anyone be rejected as an additional cardholder? My wife is unemployed, and was told in-store there was no point in applying for a John Lewis partnership card without income, so I've just applied for one, and I assume I can simply add her on.

turquoiseshed

Herbalus wrote: »

I would hope the catastrophes you mention are due to circumstances beyond your control, like a car that needs replacing, or forgetting to pay, rather than excessive spending or something such as gambling. I have a friend who at one point had late payments every month from talktalk because they wouldn't move the direct debit from 2 days before his payday! So not every catastrophe means you gamble everything away etc.

Just bear in mind that you are solely responsible for all the spending he does. I know you're married, so that should be fine, but I don't know what your marriage is like. Could be absolutely wonderful!

Just out of interest, can anyone be rejected as an additional cardholder? My wife is unemployed, and was told in-store there was no point in applying for a John Lewis partnership card without income, so I've just applied for one, and I assume I can simply add her on.

Thanks Herbalus! Yes marriage good, but under some pressure from financial stress over last few years due to my husband being self employed and not getting enough work over last 18mths years to even cover the expenses involved. I have also paid for some training courses to help him keep on top of the skills. So Luckily I have a steady job, but don't think any job is 'safe' nowadays and am still worried.

I am under the impression that you can just add an additional cardholder to any account, because, as you say, the account holder remains responsible for all the debt. However, before applying for my husband, I did double check with them that a credit search would be done.
I am sure you will be able to add your wife onto your card. However if for any reason you can't, she could just use your card.

Herbalus

turquoiseshed wrote: »

I am sure you will be able to add your wife onto your card. However if for any reason you can't, she could just use your card.

Well we'll see if I can add her when the paperwork comes through. I would never advise someone to use somebody else's card though, because a) telling somebody your PIN means you are liable if there is any fraud on the account, b) if anyone checks in a shop then purchases can be refused, and c) I wouldn't be able to use it while she was!