Additional card holder - credit card (eg. Debenhams Credit card)

South_West

I have a few queries about how having an additional card holder on a credit card works. (thinking in particular of Debenhams credit cards , if anyone has any experience of using them)

I know that the main credit card holder is responsible for paying the bills of the additional card holder. But how does it work in terms of the additional card holder managing their card? Does it work like a normal credit card - for instance, if they were to lose or have their card stolen, can they ring up and cancel it or do they have to tell the main card holder to do that? Or what about if their card is blocked for some reason (eg while trying to use it abroad)? Can they also ring up the credit card provider to unblock it or do they have to get the main card holder to do it?

It’d probably only be used occasionally by the additional card holder when they are away travelling as back up emergency funds. (With the main card holder keeping hold of it for most of the time)

Hope someone can help

[Deleted User]

The account holder needs to do all account admin.

Terry_Towelling

Different issuers may adopt differing stances on this. Nationwide and Barclaycard, for example, seem to say that all communication must come from the main cardholder unless you write to them to say they can talk with the additional cardholders.

I think you should talk to your issuer or check the T&Cs just to make sure.

South_West

Thanks for your replies.

Looking at the terms and conditions for the Debenhams one, it seems to say that the main cardholder or the additional cardholder can ring up and cancel the additional cardholder card if it gets lost or stolen. So that's good.

So I guess it would be ok the main cardholder keeping hold of the additional card most of the time - just letting the additional cardholder use it when off on travels, as whoever was in possession of the card at the time of it getting lost or stolen would be able to ring up and get it cancelled.

NoodleDoodleMan

Sounds like you are not comfortable with the additional cardholder having the card except when you are in control ?

Better with his/her own card then.