Understand some details about a joint credit card

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When a couple opens a joint credit card, the card issuer considers the credentials of both to decide whether to approve them. And both partners share ownership and legal responsibility for the card. This is very different from when one partner is the primary cardholder and adds the other as an authorized signer who can use the card but has no formal legal obligation to pay the bills.

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If you are considering opening a joint credit card with your other half, there are a few things to think about before moving forward.

Tarjeta de c´redito conjunta (Foto: Pixabay)
Joint credit card (Photo: Pixabay)

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Are joint credit cards a good idea?
The joint credit cards they can make sense if you trust your partner and both commit to spending responsibly and paying promptly. Some of the benefits are as follows:

A joint card makes it easier to manage money. If you and your partner share other expenses or have a joint bank account, it may make little sense to have a separate credit card, as this means two bills to pay and a choice over which card to pay first if both cannot be paid on your whole.

qualify for a joint credit card it can be easier. The card issuer assesses the financial situation of both partners when opening a joint credit card. Since your combined income is likely to be higher and the card issuer has two people who promise to pay, creditors may be more willing to give you a card or extend a higher line of credit. If one partner is having a hard time getting credit because of their low credit score, applying jointly with a partner could be key to making approval possible.

A joint card could add to a partner's low credit score. If one partner has a lower credit score or no credit history, approval of a joint credit card and its responsible use could be a great help.

Both partners share the legal responsibility for payments. If you add a partner as an authorized user, they can use the card but are not liable to the creditor for payment of the debt. As the primary cardholder, you risk getting the entire account. This can't happen when you have a joint credit card.
Read More: 5 things to consider before sharing a credit card

There are also some serious drawbacks to a joint credit card

-Both partners have the legal right to use the card. While you can remove your partner as an authorized signer, you cannot remove a co-borrower from a joint card. Your partner could legally use the card to increase the bill, and you would share the responsibility for payment.
-A breakup can lead to big problems. Your partner could use the card to harm you financially by charging you a fortune that you have to pay back. You may also have to close the card, since you usually can't remove a co-borrower and closing the accounts could hurt your credit score.
-Not all card issuers offer joint credit card You will have fewer choices about which cards to apply for if you want one joint credit card with your partner.

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