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Don’t Miss a Precious Opportunity to Help Your Kids Develop Credit History and a Miles & Points Strategy

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    Million Mile Secrets reader, Christine, commented:

    At what age should you begin building a credit history and points strategy for a child?

    Team Member Jasmin’s Daughters Are Authorized Users on Her Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Account! They’re Establishing Credit History and Learning About Miles & Points

    One way to help your child establish credit history is by adding them as an authorized user to your account.  But some banks have an age requirement for becoming an authorized user.

    Giving a child a credit card is also an excellent opportunity to teach them about healthy credit and financial habits, including paying balances off in full each month.

    4 Tips to Help Children Establish Credit and Get Started With Miles & Points

    Miles & points enthusiasts love sharing the benefits of the hobby with friends and family.  And teaching children about credit cards and miles & points can encourage their passion for Big Travel with Small Money!

    Here are tips for parents like reader Christine looking to introduce children to the hobby.

    1.   Add Your Son or Daughter as an Authorized User

    Authorized user cards are great for kids because they can help start building a credit history and increase their score.

    Team member Jasmin’s daughters both have authorized user cards on her Chase Sapphire Preferred Card account.  Not only is this helping her daughters establish credit history, but Jasmin also benefits.

    Plus, some cards offer a bonus miles or points just for adding an authorized user.  Just remember that as the primary cardholder, you’re responsible for ALL charges to your account.  So don’t add a child if you’re concerned about them going on a shopping spree (or consider limiting access to the card). 😉

    The Bonus Miles or Points You Earn With Certain Cards Can Go Toward a Trip to Beautiful Destinations, Like Malibu, California

    Being an authorized user can also be an educational experience for your children.  You can teach them about:

    Some card issuers require an authorized user to be a certain age.  Here’s a look at the requirements at the major banks:

    BankMinimum Age
    American Express13
    Bank of AmericaNone
    Barclaycard13
    Capital OneNone
    ChaseNone
    CitiNone
    Discover15
    US Bank16
    Some banks ask for the Social Security Number of an authorized user and some do not.  But the account should link to their credit profile based on home address.

    Keep in mind, even though your children might have a credit history and credit score, it can be difficult to track.  Because to sign-up for helpful tools like Credit Karma, you must be 18 years old.

    2.   Your Child Can Get Their Own Travel Rewards Card at 18

    After establishing credit history as an authorized user, your child can apply for their own travel credit card when they turn 18.

    And remember, authorized users can earn a sign-up bonus on the same card if they decide to apply in the future.

    Because your son or daughter will have a head start with credit cards, it’s possible they might qualify for an excellent miles & points card.  These would be my top card picks:

    At Age 18, Your Child Can Apply for Their Own Credit Card!  Most Banks Allow Applicants to Include Income From Parents If It’s Regularly Deposited and Used to Pay Bills

    Keep in mind, most banks allow you to include income from others (like parents) if it’s used to pay your bills.  So even if your child doesn’t have steady income or a full-time job, they’re still eligible to get a card and earn a new cardmember sign-up bonus!

    3.   Teach Your Kids the Value of Earning Rewards

    Showing your kids the value of miles, points, or cash back can help them get excited about their future in the hobby.

    Team member Keith remembers his mom teaching him about savings accounts as a child.  And this sparked his interest in personal finance.  It can be similar for parents who talk to their kids about miles & points.

    Teaching Your Kids About the Value of Miles & Points Can Help Encourage Travel. So They Can Set Big Travel Goals, Like Flying in a Private Suite in Etihad First Class!

    Your kid might end up like Zac who writes Points From the Pacific.  He started collecting miles and points at the age of 14.  And at age 17 earlier this year, he used miles to fly Etihad’s Residence!

    4.   Sign-Up Your Kids for Frequent Flyer Accounts

    Generally, there’s no minimum age to get a frequent flyer account.  Even if your kids only fly occasionally on family trips, the miles they earn can add up over time!

    I Wonder If Team Member Meghan’s Daughter Earned Extra Miles With This Lie-Flat Seat! 😉

    Team member Jasmin’s 3 children have frequent flyer accounts to earn miles for flights.  And team member Meghan’s 1-year-old daughter has already earned Delta miles!

    Bottom Line

    Help your kids establish credit history by adding them as an authorized user to your credit card account.  Plus, you’ll earn miles, points, or cash back for the purchases they make!

    Having a credit history will help your kids once they turn 18 and can apply for their own travel credit cards.

    Teaching your kids about earning valuable miles & points can spark their interest in travel and encourage healthy credit habits.

    And don’t forget to sign-up for frequent flyer accounts for your children.  Earning miles every so often can add up over time and can be a good starting point once they’re ready to earn lucrative card sign-up bonuses!

    What tips would you share to fellow parents in the miles & points hobby?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)