If you're new to tradelines, the concept can sound complicated. It isn't. This guide explains exactly how authorized user tradelines work, what they do to your credit, what they don't do, and what the full process looks like from order to posting.
Start With the Basics: What Is a Tradeline?
A tradeline is simply any credit account that appears on your credit report. Every credit card, auto loan, student loan, and mortgage on your report is a tradeline. The word "tradeline" just means "account entry on a credit report."
An authorized user tradeline specifically refers to a credit card account where someone else is the primary cardholder, but you've been added as an authorized user — meaning the account appears on your report too.
How Authorized Users Work — The Original Intent
Every major credit card issuer allows the primary cardholder to add authorized users to their account. This feature was designed for families — parents adding children, spouses sharing an account. When an AU is added, most banks report that account to the AU's credit file, including the full history: age, limit, and payment record.
The tradeline industry simply uses this built-in bank feature for a different purpose: connecting people with good credit cards to people who want to benefit from them, for a fee.
The Step-by-Step Process
You choose a tradeline
You pick a card from our inventory based on age, limit, and bank. Each listing shows the exact credit limit, card age, and price per two-month slot.
You submit your information
We need your legal name, address, date of birth, and SSN — exactly as they appear on your credit file. This is the information the bank requires to add an AU. It's collected through an encrypted portal, never by email.
The cardholder adds you
The primary cardholder logs into their bank account and adds you as an authorized user through the standard AU feature. No card is mailed to you. You get no spending access. Only your name goes on the account for reporting purposes.
The statement closes and the bank reports
At the end of the card's billing cycle, the bank reports account activity to the credit bureaus — including the full AU list. Your name is now associated with that account in the bureau's database.
The tradeline appears on your report
Within 5–15 days after the statement closes, the account shows up on your credit report. It will show the card's full age, limit, and payment history — labeled "Authorized User."
You're removed after two cycles
After two reporting cycles the cardholder removes you from the account. The account typically disappears from your active accounts list, though the positive history may remain on your report for some time depending on the bureau.
What Actually Changes on Your Credit Report
When a tradeline posts, here's what you'll see on your report:
- A new account entry under the card issuer's name
- Account type: Revolving / Credit Card
- Account status: Open, Authorized User
- Credit limit: the card's full limit (e.g. $24,000)
- Date opened: the original card open date (e.g. 2002) — not today
- Payment history: all historical on-time payments
- Balance: typically $0 or very low (our cards stay under 15% utilization)
Common Myths vs Facts
You get a physical card and can make purchases.
No card is issued. You are added for reporting only — zero spending access.
Tradelines remove negative items from your report.
Tradelines add positive history. They do not delete collections, lates, or charge-offs.
A guaranteed point increase is possible.
No ethical company guarantees a specific score increase. Results depend on your full credit profile.
Buying tradelines is illegal.
Adding AUs is a standard bank feature. It's not illegal — though misrepresenting your credit to a lender is.
Ready to see our available tradelines?
Aged up to 24 years · Limits up to $29,000 · Post-or-refund guarantee on every slot.
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