How many credit cards should a married couple have?
Rachel Davis
Updated on January 23, 2026
For most people, it’s smart to have at least one or two credit cards in your own name, and to keep your credit score high.
Can a couple apply for a credit card together?
Couples can make one another an authorized user on their credit card accounts. The authorized spouse gets his or her own card to use, but the primary account holder is responsible for the bill. For example, a husband and wife can each apply for separate cards, and then authorize the other to use the cards.
Do credit cards allow joint applicants?
Joint credit cards are not always available through banks or credit card companies, so be sure to do research on the joint credit cards available to you if you are interested in applying for one. When you apply for a joint credit card, the card issuer will review the credit histories of all applicants to earn approval.
How do married couples merge credit cards?
Simply add your spouse as an authorized user on an existing credit card account. Your spouse will get a card that’s tied to your account, with his or her name on it. You’ll retain your account history and any credit card rewards you’ve built up.
Can you get a joint credit card without being married?
Yes, married people who meet the qualifications for approval can get a joint credit card. But you don’t have to be married to apply for a credit card account together.
Can my wife use my credit card without my permission?
When a person uses a card without a card holder’s permission, this is illegal. Under U.S. law, if the person reports unauthorized use, he is only responsible for a maximum of $50 in charges. Either the retailer or the credit card company will be responsible for any charges made without proper authorization.
Can I put my husband on my credit card?
Adding your spouse as an authorized user is simple. Call the credit card company, ask it to issue a card to your spouse on your account, and you’re done. When the card arrives, your spouse can use it to make purchases on your account. Paying your bill on time then improves her credit history as well as yours.
Will adding my husband to my credit card improve his credit?
Adding your spouse as an authorized user to your credit card won’t hurt your credit score, but it could help your spouse’s. Your credit score reflects only your credit history, so your score will not include your wife’s accounts.
Can I be removed from a joint credit card?
Unlike with an authorized-user credit card, where you can easily remove yourself from the primary user’s account, you’ll need to pay off and close a joint account if you no longer want the card. And because it’s a joint account, both cardholders will need to agree to closing it.
Can a married couple get a joint credit card?
Yes, married people who meet the qualifications for approval can get a joint credit card. But you don’t have to be married to apply for a credit card account together. What Is the Difference Between a Joint Account and an Authorized User? Joint credit cards are not the same thing as adding an authorized user to your account.
What can you do with a joint credit card?
To find out how to open a joint account, you’ll want to talk with your bank and/or credit card issuer. You may decide to use a joint credit card account to pay for joint household expenses or for maintenance and repairs on a car that you both drive.
What can a couple do with a credit card?
Authorized users can make purchases on the account, but they generally can’t fully manage the account, make changes to the account or redeem rewards. If one person in a couple has a higher credit score than the other, the person with the higher credit score may have more success when applying for new cards.
Can a joint account holder be removed from a credit card?
The PNC Bank credit card agreement states that you and the other account holder are jointly and individually responsible for all amounts due. U.S. Bank. Only one joint account holder can be added to a card, according to U.S. Bank. Once a joint account holder is added, he or she can’t be removed.