Credit cards are a helpful financial tool. The best is that it is accessible for all your family members too along with you. Once your loved ones attain the credit card age limit, they can have credit cards issued in their own name.
However, it is important that everyone knows their financial responsibility. Using a credit card can be a good initiation. If you also want your family members to build their credit scores from the ground up to stabilise them on the path to financial freedom, then they must start with their own credit cards.
What is the required age limit for a credit card?
The entire process of getting credit cards for your family members starts with their age limits. The minimum age requirement is 18 years. Other requirements include having a PAN card/Aadhaar number, being a citizen of India, having a high credit score, resident in an approved city or state, and having a stable source of income. But once the age limit is off, no consideration will be given to the other factors.
Your children or relatives must be 18 and above to be considered for a credit card. In the United States and Canada among other countries, teenagers below the age of 18 and children can be allowed to jointly own a credit card with their parents as authorised users. In such a case, the children will also have their own co-signed or co-branded cards linked to their parents’ card, and manageable from the parents’ account.
Benefits of adding your family members to credit card
Here are some of the benefits of credit cards for family members:
- A credit card company allows a customer to add up to five family members to their credit account. The cards are linked to the central account of the main customer and spending limits are set for each user.
- Each of the family members is given their own personalised physical card. The card bears their names with a credit limit managed by the main customer.
- The major customer-linking family members can track, limit, and control the spending of linked users from the central app.
- Each cardholder linked to a major user can earn reward points on their purchases and have the rewards redeemed or converted to cash.
- Each family member is awarded their own credit card offers that can be accepted or rejected based on their needs – independent of the major cardholder.
- Depending on the credit card provider, there may not be any signup or renewal fees applied to the cards.
- All family members can build their credit scores and be trained on financial responsibility through the use of their credit cards.
Although it must be pointed out that any purchase bills or fees incurred by the linked or authorised users will be borne by the major cardholder, the advantages associated with the credit card age limit are immense.
The fastest way to own a credit card if you’re not qualified
If you are 18 and not eligible for a credit card based on several factors, you can still acquire a card as a co-signer. Being a co-signer with a parent, guardian, or senior family member will make you an authorised user and pave the way to having your own card – even though you would not have qualified for one otherwise.
As a co-signer, you will have your own co-branded credit card and be able to make purchases with ease.
In some cases or countries, it is possible to obtain a credit card when you are below 18 if you have a deposit. With a down payment and proof of income, you may be considered for a credit card with features that meet your needs. In this regard, think of a student credit card for entry-level users. The credit card features might include cashback and other perks that make it attractive.
Summary:
You must be 18 years and above to qualify for a credit card. In a case where you are not eligible as an 18-year-old, you may be a co-signer with a qualified individual to become an authorised cardholder with your own card.
