authorized user : credit card

Good question. Can't help here. I use my real name.

For what it's worth, I guess it adds to my "coming out" process. I've found that online merchants love CDs and always respond kindly to any questions.

I have my own credit card separate from my SO (we also have a joint card). She's too has her own card and we ask no questions about our own purchases (it's not like we're gambling all night racking up the line-of-credit! LOL).

Please let us know what happens, Wendy!

Barb :B

I applied for a credit card some years ago in my femme name. ( I am U.K. based) I added my date of birth and was given a card without any hassle at all. I have had it for many years now.I do not know if it would be as easy now due to changes in regulations. Maybe just talk to an agent on the phone.

The other issue was a debit card I use regularly. I spoke with an agent from my bank and, due to laws I couldn't have a second card without name change documentation. However the bank could remove my title from the card and only use my initials and surname thus rendering it gender neutral. If you can't get a second credit card maybe they could just remove the title and go to initials.

Good luck

I read the terms for an authorized user for my bank, and they said you can add up to 9 authorized users, for family, friend, ...

Any charges will show up under the primary user (me); the authorized user will not be responsible for any charges incurred, only the primary user (me).

Yes, I get the bill showing any transactions on the card. Theoretically you shouldn't have a problem to get one in your femme name with same date of birth and address. You could apply and see what happens or, as I suggested, call the card company as I would believe this isn't the first time this has been requested.

OK, think I can field this one, wife worked in banking, and was also a broker, etc. for many years. I got to listen to it all every night when she got home, all the behind the scenes stuff.  🙂

Banks don't care. They don't care who you authorize a credit card for, they don't care who you lend it to, or any other authorized use of it. They only care that the charges get paid, and they get their interest and fees. It can even be difficult to get them to care about illegal use of it sometimes! The bottom line is, they only care about their bottom line. All the more reason to be vary cautious of who uses your card, and to keep it secure.

As the primary card holder, you will be responsible for any legal charges, but they don't even care who pays the bill as long as it's paid. But! Be sure to pay the bill in the primary cardholder's name, as their system can really foul things up when names don't match up. Heh, believe me, their system can foul things up even without any additional help! 🙂

It is not illegal or usually a violation of bank policy (at least in the U.S., can't speak for other countries) for you to do this, and you've checked your bank's policy, so you are good to go. In fact, I think it's an awesome idea, would never have thought of that!

Just check "other" and do use your real birth date, keeps everything above board if there is ever any question about it, and does not give anyone an opening to accuse you of attempting fraud somewhere down the line if there is ever a problem. Also helps lessen confusion if there is ever a system error, too.

"Other" is a general catch-all they throw in just for these sorts of situations. They know they can't anticipate every possible situation, and don't want to miss out on getting that card used!

It is unlikely that a real human being is even going to ever see the application. Their system uses optical character scanning to read it, and so long as the information is there, and meets the parameters set by the bank, the system approves it automatically. If there is an issue the system can't resolve, it kicks it out for manual review.

In the worst case scenario, they simply deny the application, No harm done. At that point you may be able to get it approved by speaking to someone in the approval department and explaining things.

The only real issue you may encounter is if you want to use the card in person. It is rather rare these days, but if you are requested to show ID, and don't have a driver's License or ID card that matches the name on the credit card, the merchant may decline the sale. Online shouldn't be an issue of course.

Just my 2 cents.

I’ve found that online merchants love CDs

I guess they love anyone who buy stuff from them, no matter what they are.

/kt

Hi Wendy,

Call your bank and speak to a representative.  Tell the rep you as the credit card owner want to add an authorized user.  They really don’t care as Dianne mentioned.  You as the card owner pay the bill.  When asked for your birthday use your true birthday.  As for the relationship to the card owner simply tell them the truth.  You’re a CD and want to shop with your femme name.

Alice

I have a second card, In Regine's name, with drab as the primary.
I just used my proper birthdate, and other.
No issues, here in Canada.
Hugs, Regi👸💖

I got a 2nd card from AMEX. They asked exactly the same questions. So I called them and explained that I was trans but hadn't legally changed my name yet. It went very smoothly. I was on the phone less than 10 minutes. I got the card a few days later. I use it often.

And it's about time too!

Years ago when purchasing pantyhose, the sales clerk needed a manager to sign off on the sale (I'm going back to the 1970s). It never went that far after I said, "Is my money no good?" Now when I get to the cash with anything from make up to nylons, the sales clerk simply asks, "Do you have your points card with you? 🙂

Barb :B

Hi Wendy,

I live in Canada and tried to get an Air Miles card as Aurora Eden. There was no way that they would agree to it. Well, there was one way and that is if I can send proof that I have changed my name legally. They did, however, offer to send two cards in my legal name.

Also, I ordered a backpack from them using Air Miles points and addressed it to me as Aurora Eden.
When it arrived, even though the postmistress knows that I am Aurora Eden, she said she could not let me take it as it had been insured and I had to show identification in that name.

I have ordered jewellery and such as Aurora Eden that has been sent uninsured and I have had no trouble picking those items up.

Aurora

Wendy, I havnt tried. But I am thinking about it. I have read here where other Girls were able to get a card in their Femme name. Good Luck!!     Hugs

Thanks everyone for your responses !!  Alot of great insight.

I may just go ahead and sign up using their online form to get an authorized user card in my femme name, using my real address/birth date.  One of my credit cards stopped working (the strip and chip) so I went online, signed up for a replacement card, and got it in a few days.  Just had to activate it online.

I hope if I get the femme name card, I can just sign into my own bank account to activate it.

Another issue I see that may happen is if the package is sent signature required, and if I am not home to accept it, mail guy drops it off at a physical post office.  I'll have to produce ID to pick it up, but it is flexible as if the names don't match but the address does, the post office will release it.  I had my wife pick up stuff for me at the post office, and the package was under my name and she had no problems.

Just basing on my current line of work, I see quite a few trans gendered names cross my desk, and no one asks questions, if they are eligible for an email name change then it gets processed.  I am sure banks come across this all the time, we can't be the first ones and definitely not the last to ask for a card in a femme name.