Some banks require an SSN when adding an AU to an account, while some don't. The question is, which ones fall into which category?

I believe I remember Amex & Barclays asking for that information, but I can't be sure. I don't remember Citi or Chase asking for it. Has anybody recently added an AU to a card with any of these banks? If so, did they ask for an SSN?


I'm actually not trying to cheat the system, as much as this post may sound like it. I've got a couple friends who, as adults, have somehow managed to never do anything credit-related, and find themselves with no credit whatsoever. I'm going to add them as AUs on one of my cards (but not give them the cards, obviously) just to help put something in their credit history. So I'm actually looking to do that with a company that does require an SSN, so that we know that it will indeed show up on their credit report. I know it probably won't give them a hugely impressive score or anything, but it will definitely be better than no history at all.

 

Amex does, Chase does not.......I don't think Citi does either

Amex has a deal now for 2500 DL miles and 2500 SPG points for adding an AU. SPG was emailed to me, DL was under my Amex offers. There are probably offers for other Amex cards as well

 

American Express varies:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...er-no-ssn.html

 

Thanks, I never would have thought about a bonus for adding an AU. So you're saying this good deed might not go unpunished, but may actually be beneficial? Wow.

I should have known mia would come in with a relevant link. Thanks.

 

Do you know if PenFed allows issuing cards for family members who do not have SSN? Want to get a card for my brother who resides overseas. With Chase it is very easy.

A broader question - which banks allow issuing cards and/or add authorized users for family members without SSN?

Thanks

 

Just today I requested from Citi a second card in my name (that a family member will use, though I didn't mention this).

I told them that I had not lost my card, but I just wanted a second card. They are sending one out to me now.

If they had asked why (which they did not), I would have told them that I'd like to keep one card at work and the other with me on my person. I doubt you'd need to provide a reason, but I had one ready just in case.

So, no need to add an authorized user or provide a social security number.

In my experience, few stores ever check to see if the user's name is the same as the name on the card, so that typically is not an issue.
This might work for you.

 

Depends on location...

 

IME it also depends on the store's registers, particularly BestBuy and Lowe's where if I do split tender to avail of Amex sync offers, it shows on the screen the name of the AU card I'm paying. If the last names are the same or if I've checked out with a particular cashier that knows me and I did the same thing in the past with no issue, he/she disregards variety of names on cards I'm using. However, the cashier can and will also abort/cancel any transaction if they notice different names of cards you're paying. I understand that they need to get a go signal from any of the managers and usually, they allow me to proceed with my transaction(s).

Amex is one of those that require SSN and DOB to activate AU cards that's why I've read people making variations of their names for their AU cards to use whenever there are great sync offers.

 

PenFed's form does request a Social Security Number for Authorized Users. I cannot say if they make exceptions:

https://www.penfed.org/content/dam/p...eral/l-657.pdf

 

I'm not sure why this was necessary -- Citi allows you to add an authorized user online with only their name and address.