 TITLE: How to Get Your First Credit Card CONTENT: Become an Authorized User\n-------------------------\nA primary credit card owner can add an authorized user to his or her account. Authorized users are allowed to make purchases with an account, but they cannot make changes to the account, nor are they held responsible for making payments.\nBeing an authorized user can be a good way to establish or rebuild credit because in most cases, the account activity is reported on both the primary cardholder's credit reports and the authorized user's credit reports (though you should always ask the issuer to confirm). It is also the only way someone under the age of 18 can get a credit card.\nOnce listed as an authorized user on an account, you can make purchases with the card. It's important to establish guidelines with the primary cardholder about how much you can spend. Remember, if the primary cardholder does not make payments on time or if either of you use too much credit, that can drag down the credit scores of both the primary holder and authorized user. END