Can you get a joint credit card?

In some countries, joint credit cards are associated with joint credit card accounts, but this isn’t the case here in the UK. You can’t get a joint credit card account in the UK, but more than one person can be added to a standard account as a cardholder (although some limitations apply).

A joint credit card offers many potential benefits, such as helping you manage shared finances and helping to improve your credit score. So, it can be a convenient choice for couples and spouses who share finances.

However, getting a joint credit card has potential risks, so it’s important to understand the implications and how it works. In this article, we explain what a joint credit card is in the UK, how it works, eligibility requirements, how to apply for one, and its benefits and risks. 

How do joint credit cards work in the UK?

A joint credit card involves having more than one card linked to the same credit card account. These cards will have different numbers and PINs for security reasons, but being linked to the same account means they’ll have the same credit limit, interest rate, rewards, etc. In some countries, individuals can share a joint credit card account and are both considered primary or main account holders (the authorised person(s) responsible for making repayments and liable for any debt), but this isn’t the case in the UK. 

In the UK, credit card accounts must always have one main account holder who’s responsible for making the monthly repayments and is solely liable for the debt. So you can’t technically have a “joint credit card account”—instead, you can add “additional cardholders” to a standard credit card account (or, you can be added as one to someone else’s account). 

In this article, “joint credit card” refers to a standard credit account with at least one additional cardholder. 

Here’s what you need to know about how they work:

• Evaluation. Only the main account holder applies for the card account and undergoes an affordability and credit check. This means the card provider will allocate a credit limit and interest rate based on the main account holder's personal financial circumstances and credit history.

• Liability. Additional cardholders are not jointly liable for the debt; only the main account holder is liable. Any other cardholders will go through an identity check, and if approved, they’ll receive their own card (with a unique number) and PIN. 

Since additional cardholders aren’t jointly liable for the debt, they won’t appear as a “financial association” on the main cardholder’s credit report.

• Limitations. Some banks and credit card providers also restrict or limit how additional cardholders can use their cards; for example, they might have to go through an extra authentication step for online purchases, or they may be unable to use online banking.

Who can I add as an additional cardholder?

The person you name as an additional cardholder will usually need to be an immediate family member, partner, or spouse, aged over 18, and living at the same address as the main cardholder. Some financial institutions also require the additional cardholder to be a UK resident, but this can vary. To confirm all this, the person you want to add might need to undergo standard identity checks. 

Banks and credit card companies usually don’t perform any additional financial checks (such as a credit application search) on the person you plan to grant access to your account. However, it’s possible that some financial institutions may have additional verification steps or eligibility requirements, so it’s best to check with your chosen provider directly.

Importantly, additional cardholders aren’t allowed to discuss the details of your account with your card provider or make any changes to it.  

How can you get a joint credit card?

In the UK, you can get a joint credit card by having an additional cardholder on a standard credit card account. Most financial institutions let you add cardholders (provided they’re eligible) without charge, and the application process is usually straightforward. 

If you have a credit card account, the steps for adding a cardholder are generally:

1. Check eligibility. It’s important to make sure the person you want to add as a cardholder meets the eligibility criteria - this can vary between providers so it’s best to check before you apply.

2. Consent. You’ll need the other person’s consent to share their information with your bank and to add them as a cardholder.

3. Apply. Some banks let you apply online or by phone, while others require you to download their forms online and print them out. The forms typically ask for your details and those of the additional cardholder.

4. Wait to hear back. Your bank or credit card provider should get back to you with a decision soon. If the additional cardholder is accepted, they’ll receive their own card and PIN. 

If you and the person you want to get a joint credit card with would like a new card account, it’s important to first decide who the main cardholder (a.k.a. main account holder) will be and which credit card to apply for. After deciding this, the main account holder can apply for the card account and proceed to follow the steps above to add an additional cardholder. 

While the decision of who should be the main cardholder is a personal one specific to your circumstances, your credit scores and personal financial circumstances might be one consideration.

Should I get a joint credit card? The benefits and potential risks

If you’re wondering whether to get a joint credit card with someone you plan to (or already do) share finances with, it’s important to carefully consider the benefits, risks, and your personal circumstances. The benefits of having an additional cardholder include:

• Reduces administrative work. Having a joint credit card means you and the other party only need to track expenses and make monthly repayments on one account. It also makes it easier to manage shared expenses, such as bills.

• Potentially better perks and rewards. Having an additional cardholder on an account means two parties are channelling at least part of their spending into one account. This means the account is more likely to hit higher spending limits, which can help you get more rewards. For example, if you have a credit card with a cashback offer, points, or air miles, spending more from one account means you can potentially get more of these perks.

However, there are risks to getting a joint credit account, including:

• Single liability.  If you add an additional cardholder to your credit card account, you would remain fully and solely liable for all spending on both cards, the repayments, and any accrued debt. This is a significant responsibility, so it’s important that you’re ready to take it on. It also means that you’re the only party that can be pursued for debt if it isn’t paid, and only your credit score can potentially be affected.

• Personal risks. Sharing finances with someone requires a lot of trust, and there are situations where your relationship with the other party could possibly come under stress. This can be caused by, or exacerbated by, money troubles if they were to occur. 

So, while adding someone as an additional cardholder has its benefits, there are potential risks to keep in mind, too. That’s why it’s important to carefully consider your individual circumstances and talk things through with your partner before making a decision. 

It might also help to agree beforehand on how the account will be used, e.g. what expenses it’ll be used for and maybe monthly spending limits. 

Summary: Getting a joint credit card in the UK

In some countries, getting a joint credit card means having a joint credit card account, where both parties are primary cardholders and have joint debt liability. However, in the UK, there can only be one main cardholder per credit card account, so you can only get a “joint” credit card by applying for additional cardholders on a standard account. 

Additional cardholders are not liable for the account’s debt, nor are they responsible for making repayments. They also can’t correspond with banks directly about the account’s details or make changes to it. 

Banks and credit card providers only use credit and affordability checks to assess the main account holder, so the terms you’re offered (such as the interest rate and credit limit) don’t depend on the additional cardholder’s credit score and financial circumstances. 

While there are benefits of having a joint credit card—such as making it easier to manage shared finances—having an additional cardholder also comes with risks. So it’s important to consider your personal situation, your relationship with the other party, and both your financial circumstances when making a decision.

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