What Are Supplementary Credit Cards and How Do They Work

A supplementary credit card is a secondary credit card issued to a primary cardholder, often with a different credit limit or card features.

These cards are typically offered by banks and credit card companies as a way to expand the primary cardholder's credit capacity.

Supplementary credit cards often have their own separate credit limit, which can be lower or higher than the primary cardholder's credit limit.

They usually share the same account and payment terms as the primary card, but can have different rewards programs or benefits.

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Supplementary credit cards offer a range of benefits and features that make them an attractive option for individuals and families.

One of the key benefits is that supplementary cardholders can enjoy many of the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including membership in rewards programs like Scene+. This means they can earn rewards on their purchases, which are then applied to the primary cardholder's account.

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Supplementary cardholders can also make purchases and cash advances through the primary cardholder's account, with transactions consolidated on the primary account for easy tracking.

Here are some of the key benefits and features of supplementary credit cards:

Overall, supplementary credit cards can be a convenient and cost-effective way to manage multiple credit cards within a family, while also providing financial independence to dependant family members.

Supplementary cardholders can enjoy many of the same benefits as the primary cardholder, including membership in the Scene+ Program.

Supplementary cardholders can earn rewards on their purchases, but the rewards will be applied to the primary cardholder's account.

One of the benefits of having a supplementary card is that transactions are consolidated on the primary account, making it easier to keep track of expenses.

Supplementary cardholders can make purchases and cash advances through the primary cardholder's account.

The primary cardholder can set a credit limit on the supplementary card, giving them full control over the account.

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Here are some features of add-on credit cards:

The primary cardholder is responsible for all charges made by the supplementary cardholder, and will receive the monthly bill addressed to them.

Supplementary cardholders can enjoy the features offered by the credit card at no additional cost, but may not have complete control over the account.

Add-on cards can be useful for avoiding the need for multiple credit cards within a family, and can provide financial independence to dependant family members.

Sign up bonuses can be a great perk for new credit card holders. You'll typically get a bonus for meeting a minimum spend requirement, but there's a catch.

Adding a joint credit card when you sign up for a new credit card won't get you double the sign up bonus. Even if you meet the minimum spend requirement with both cards, you'll only get one bonus.

The good news is that spending on a supplementary credit card counts towards your overall spending for the welcome bonus. This means you can meet the minimum spend requirement with both cards and still get the bonus.

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Some credit card companies have experimented with offering a sign up bonus for supplementary cardholders, but this is rare. TD Bank recently offered a promo that required you to sign up for part of your welcome bonus, but it came with a fee.

American Express is one of the few companies that offers a bonus to supplementary cardholders, but only if you use a referral link.

As a supplementary credit cardholder, it's essential to understand your liability in case of debt. You won't be automatically responsible for paying the debt, but there are still some indirect consequences to consider.

The primary cardholder's bankruptcy can lead to account closure, leaving you without access to the credit line. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can have a significant impact on your financial flexibility.

Here are some key facts about liability and debt as a supplementary credit cardholder:

It's also worth noting that the credit card debt may still show up on your credit report if the primary cardholder's bankruptcy leads to missed payments or defaults.

As a supplementary cardholder, you may be wondering if you're responsible for the debt on the credit card account. Fortunately, you're not automatically on the hook for paying the debt, unless you're also a co-signer or have a specific agreement.

However, being a supplementary cardholder can still have some indirect consequences. The credit card issuer may close the account, leaving you without access to the credit line.

If the primary cardholder files for bankruptcy, the supplementary cardholder's credit score may still be affected. Missed payments or defaults before bankruptcy can show up on your credit history, affecting your score.

Here are the key facts to keep in mind:

It's worth noting that being a supplementary cardholder is different from being a joint debtor. With joint debt, both parties are legally responsible for repayment, whereas supplementary cardholders are not.

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Filing for bankruptcy can have serious consequences for consumers, including loss of access to credit and potential damage to their credit score.

If you're a supplementary cardholder, the primary cardholder's bankruptcy can lead to account closure, cutting off your access to the credit line.

This means you'll need to adjust any financial plans relying on the card, which can be a significant challenge.

Even if you didn't create the debt, the account's payment history could still hurt your credit score, making it harder to obtain credit in the future.

Here are some key effects of bankruptcy on consumers:

As a supplementary cardholder, you might be wondering if bankruptcy will hurt you. The answer is yes, it can. Bankruptcy can have a ripple effect on your credit score, even if you didn't create the debt.

If the primary cardholder's account had missed payments or defaults, that negative history might be reflected on your credit report as well. This can be a problem, especially if you're trying to establish a good credit history.

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You'll also lose access to the credit line when the account is closed. This can impact your financial plans, especially if you were relying on the card for purchases or cash advances.

Here are some potential consequences of bankruptcy on your credit:No Legal Responsibility: You will not be automatically responsible for paying the debt.Account Closure: The credit card issuer will likely close the account, leaving you without access to the credit line.Impact on Credit Score: Missed payments or defaults before bankruptcy can show up on your credit history, affecting your score.

These consequences can be frustrating, but it's essential to understand your rights and responsibilities as a supplementary cardholder.

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To apply for an add-on credit card, you'll need to gather some documents. A duly filled-in add-on credit card application form is the first step.

The credit card provider will also need to verify your identity, so be prepared to provide your KYC documents. This is a standard requirement for most providers.

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A PAN card or Form-60 is also necessary for the application process. This is a common requirement, but check with your provider to confirm.

You'll also need to submit a passport size photo of yourself. This is a standard requirement for most credit card applications.

Here's a list of the common documents required for an add-on credit card application:

The BMO World Elite Mastercard usually has a promo where the annual fee of $150 is waived for the first year, but the annual fee for a supplementary card is $50.

If you add an authorized user credit card to the American Express Gold Rewards Card, you can get one supplementary card for free, which normally costs $50.

The annual fee for a supplementary card is usually lower than the fee that the primary cardholder pays, but you need to consider any promotions available.

You can get an extra 5,000 American Express Membership Rewards points for free when adding a supplementary card using a referral link to apply for the card.

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Adding supplementary credit cards can have a surprising impact on your credit score. The primary cardholder typically sees a decrease in their credit score of 10 points.

If you're the supplementary cardholder, there's no effect on your credit score at the time of application. A hard check is performed whenever the primary cardholder applies for new credit.

The primary cardholder should think carefully before adding supplementary credit cards, especially if it's a friend who has problems getting their own credit card.

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You can get supplementary credit cards from major credit card issuers, but the number of add-on cards permitted varies.

HDFC Bank allows up to 3 add-on cards, while SBI Cards and IndusInd Bank permit up to 2 add-on cards. Axis Bank and HSBC Bank also allow up to 3 and 3 add-on cards respectively.

Here's a quick rundown of the number of add-on cards permitted by each bank:

To submit your application form, you can visit your bank's branch and get the form in person. This is a straightforward process.

You can also download the application form from your bank's website for added convenience. Just head to their website and look for the download section.

Once you have the form, fill in the required details carefully and accurately. This will ensure that your application is processed smoothly.

Get the form signed by the applicants, as this is a necessary step in the application process. Make sure all signatures are genuine and valid.

Affix your photographs, if required, to complete the form. This is usually a standard requirement for most applications.

Attach self-attested KYC documents to the form, as these are essential for verification purposes. This will help your bank to verify your identity and other details.

Finally, send the completed form through post or hand it over at the nearest bank branch. This will ensure that your application is received and processed by the bank.

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Immediate family members of the primary cardholder can apply for an add-on card. They must be above 18 years of age.

The list of eligible members includes:

Some issuers might have exceptions, so it's best to check with your provider for exact information.

So, you're wondering how many add-on credit cards you can get? The number of supplementary credit cards you can have varies depending on the bank, but most major credit card issuers allow you to have between 2 to 4 add-on cards.

HDFC Bank, for instance, allows up to 3 add-on cards, while SBI Cards and IndusInd Bank limit it to 2. On the other hand, Axis Bank and HSBC Bank let you have up to 4 and 3 add-on cards, respectively.

Here's a quick rundown of the number of add-on cards permitted by each major credit card issuer:

Most banks also offer free lifetime annual fees for add-on cards, which is a great perk!

Add-on cards are essentially identical to the primary credit card, offering the same features.

Most credit card issuers provide 2-3 add-on cards for free, meaning no annual or joining fee.

These cards can be availed by immediate family members of the primary cardholder, making them a convenient option for family members.

Some add-on cards do come with an annual fee, but it's typically much lower than the primary credit card's annual fee.

Adding cardholders to your credit card account is a straightforward process. You'll need your existing account number and the supplementary cardholder's details, including their name, address, phone number, and date of birth.

Only the primary cardholder or co-borrower can add supplementary cardholders to their account, so make sure you have the necessary permissions.

To add a supplementary cardholder, you'll need to provide their name, address, phone number, and date of birth. This information is required, so have it ready before you start the process.

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You can add a friend or family member as a supplementary cardholder to your credit card account. Just remember to get their consent to provide their personal details.

Here are the required details to add a supplementary cardholder:

Having a supplementary cardholder can be beneficial, as they'll enjoy many of the same benefits as you, including membership in the Scene+ Program.

An add-on card is essentially an extra credit card that's linked to your primary credit card account. This type of card can be issued to immediate family members, such as spouses, children, or parents.

The benefits of having an add-on card are numerous. For instance, it allows minors below the age of 18 to have a credit card, which can be a huge advantage for families with teenage children.

Add-on cardholders can enjoy the same perks and advantages as the primary cardholder, including membership in the Scene+ Program and earning rewards on everyday purchases. These rewards are then applied to the primary cardholder's account.

One of the main advantages of add-on cards is that they can be used to avoid the need for multiple credit cards within the family, which can bring down overall credit card maintenance costs. This can be a huge cost savings for families with multiple credit card users.

In most cases, credit card issuers provide a limited number of add-on cards for free, typically 2-3, which means no annual fee or joining fee will be charged. However, some cards may come with a cost, such as an annual fee that's usually much lower than the primary credit card's annual fee.

Here are some of the key benefits of add-on cards:

By having an add-on card, you can simplify record keeping and make it easier to track expenses. This can be especially helpful for families with multiple credit card users.

Getting a supplementary credit card can be a great idea, but it's not a decision to be taken lightly.

You should consider getting a joint credit card if you want to pool your points or give someone access to credit.

However, it's essential to check if there's an annual fee first. If getting a joint credit card is free, then it doesn't hurt.

The supplementary user doesn't build their credit score with a joint credit card, so keep that in mind.

Some credit cards share benefits, but often people are more interested in the earn rate. If you can have multiple people in your family pooling their points into one account, it definitely benefits you.

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