Does Discover Report Authorized Users to Credit Bureaus?

Discover does report authorized users, so the AU appears on the credit report as a linked account. The reporting typically reaches Equifax, Experian and TransUnion once the primary account holder's card is active and in good standing.

If the primary misses payments or the account is closed, the AU's line may drop off or show negative activity, which we'll explore in 'Risks when primary skips Discover payments.' For details on how this reporting builds credit, see the next section.

Discover does not send an authorized‑user (AU) account to any major credit bureau, so the AU receives no credit‑building benefit from a Discover card. Since the primary's activity stays on the primary's file only, the AU's credit report shows no payment history, utilization, or age tied to that account.

• No reporting: AU information never appears on Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion records.
• No payment‑status impact: The primary's on‑time payments do not boost the AU's score.
• No utilization calculation: Balances on the Discover card are invisible to the AU's credit file.
• No age transfer: The account's opening date does not extend the AU's length of credit history.
• No monthly updates: Credit bureaus receive no fresh data about the AU's relationship to the card.

(As we covered above, the primary's behavior alone determines any score changes.)

• Boosting a thin or no‑credit file. Adding an AU to a well‑managed Discover card lets the primary's positive payment history, credit limit, and age of account typically report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, giving the AU a solid credit foundation faster than standing alone.
• Accelerating a credit‑score rebound after a setback. When a primary repairs late‑payment issues but keeps the Discover account current, the AU continues to inherit the improving payment record, helping the AU's score climb while the primary works on their own blemishes.
• Leveraging a high‑limit card for a lower‑utilization ratio. The AU's credit report shows the Discover card's total limit; if the primary maintains low balances, the AU benefits from a reduced overall utilization rate, a key factor in scoring models, as explained in 'how Discover AU builds your credit.'

If the primary account holder misses a Discover payment, the missed payment can damage both the primary's and the AU's credit profiles.

• Late‑payment is reported to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, causing a score drop for any linked AU.
• Balance remains unchanged while the available credit shrinks, spiking utilization ratios for both accounts.
• Discover may flag the account for delinquency, increasing the risk of a higher APR or a freeze on the line.
• Repeated skips can trigger a closed‑account status, erasing the positive history the AU relies on.
• Late fees and possible collections add negative entries that linger on the reports for up to seven years.

Staying current on Discover balances protects the credit building benefit an AU provides, a theme we'll explore further in the 'Add Yourself to Someone's Discover Card' section.

You can become an authorized user on a Discover card by having the primary account holder add you through Discover's online portal or mobile app.

1. Verify the primary's account is open, in good standing, and set to report AU activity to the major bureaus.
2. The primary logs into Discover.com, selects 'Add an Authorized User.'
3. The primary enters your full name, date of birth, and optionally your Social Security number, then confirms the relationship.
4. Choose whether you need a physical card; if yes, provide the mailing address where the card should be sent.
5. After submission, Discover processes the request within 24‑48 hours; the AU line typically appears on Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion in the next reporting cycle.

For a step‑by‑step walkthrough, see Discover's authorized user guide.

You'll see a Discover AU on your credit report as a separate line‑item that carries the Discover logo and the words 'Authorized User' next to the account name. The entry usually mirrors the primary's account number, balance, and payment history, but it lists the AU's name instead of the primary's.

When you pull a report from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion, look for any Discover card entry that includes AU or 'Authorized User' in the account description. The line may show the same credit limit and payment dates as the primary account, confirming it's linked. If the primary has not opted into reporting, the AU line may be absent altogether. For a visual guide, see Discover's authorized‑user instructions.

Here are the four myths about Discover AU reporting and why each is inaccurate:

• Myth: Discover never reports AU activity. In reality, Discover typically reports the AU's account history to all three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), though exact timing can vary.
• Myth: Adding an AU instantly spikes the credit score. The AU's data is added to the credit file, but score changes depend on the overall credit profile, utilization, and payment history; a boost may be modest or delayed.
• Myth: Removing an AU will always damage the primary's score. If the AU's account remains in good standing, taking them off simply stops future reporting; it rarely causes a sudden drop unless the primary relies on the AU's positive history for weight.
• Myth: Only the primary benefits from AU reporting. The AU receives a separate credit‑file entry, so responsible use can help the AU build or improve their own credit, even while the primary continues to benefit.

You can remove an AU from a Discover card without hurting the primary's credit score by simply asking Discover to delete the authorized‑user entry. Discover typically reports AU activity to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, so the removal only stops that reporting line.

Call Discover's customer service or use the online chat, tell the representative you want the AU removed, and confirm the primary account stays open and paid on time. Schedule the change for after the next billing cycle to avoid a mid‑cycle balance jump that could affect utilization.

After the AU disappears from the account, check the credit reports a month later to verify the entry is gone; the primary's score should remain unchanged, while the former AU may see a brief dip if they relied on the card. For the official steps, see Discover's authorized user FAQ page.

Discover AU activity typically appears on all three major bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - with the full account balance, payment history and original opening date reflected on the AU's credit file. Discover authorized user reporting treats the AU much like a secondary primary, so utilization and age affect the AU's score in the same way as the primary holder's.

Chase AU activity usually reports only to Experian and does not include balance or payment history; the credit file shows just the allotted limit and a 'Authorized user' notation. Chase authorized user reporting therefore impacts the AU's score mainly through the additional limit, with little effect on utilization or account age, and removal of the AU rarely changes the primary's credit profile.

Add yourself as an AU on a trusted primary's Discover card and the account will usually begin reporting to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion within a billing cycle.

Doing this works because the primary's payment history, credit limit, and utilization appear on your file, giving a new immigrant an instant credit line without needing a personal loan or secured card.

To maximize speed and safety, follow these steps:

• Choose a primary with at least 12 months of on‑time Discover payments and a low balance‑to‑limit ratio;
• Ask the primary to keep the card's utilization below 30 % each month;
• Verify that the primary reports the AU to all three bureaus (you can check via your free credit report);
• Monitor your credit score weekly and dispute any missing AU activity promptly.

Keeping the primary's account healthy essentially jump‑starts your credit, setting you up for future products like secured cards or personal loans. The next section will cover what happens if the primary skips a Discover payment while you're listed as an AU.