Santa Claus comes around just once a year. In the meantime, there are Credit Cards.
Have you ever thought of sharing your credit card with your family? Would you like to give financial freedom to your teens yet want to track their expenses? Here is a solution for all such needs.
An add-on credit card or a supplementary credit card would let you share your credit card with your family members while keeping a track on their expenses. It eliminates the need of having multiple credit cards in a family thus reduces your overall credit card annual maintenance costs.
Let’s look at various thing you need to know about add-on credit cards.
Most of the personal credit cards available in India offer add-on credit cards as an additional facility for the cardholders.
An add-on credit card essentially contains the same features of the primary credit card and can be availed by the immediate family members of the primary cardholder.
Typically, credit card issuers provide limited number of cards, say 2-3, for free. This means no annual fee or joining fee will be charged on the add-on cards. However, some cards do come with a cost. They carry an annual fee, typically much lesser than the annual fee of the primary credit card.
Primarily, add-on credit cards share all the features of the main credit card. All the benefits offered by the primary card are available on the supplementary card. However, there are a few aspects you need to understand while using an add-on credit card.
Some card issuers also allow primary cardholders to set a limit on each add-on credit card. It could be same or lesser than the total credit limit on the account.
The same stands true for cash withdrawal limit or cash limit. While most banks provide a default cash limit of 100% on add-on cards, a few like HDFC provide a lesser cash limit to add-on cardholders.
The accrued reward points get credited to the primary cardholders account. While redeeming the points, you can use the consolidated points.
Especially, the free membership offered on airport Priority Pass Program and others are exclusive for primary cardholders.
However, there are a few card issuers that allow primary and supplementary cardholders to share the free visits.
Thus, the eligible family members of the primary cardholder should apply for an add-on credit card to get one.
The primary cardholder can thus track all the withdrawals and spends made by the add-on credit cardholders. He/she, however, remains responsible for all dues on the card/s.
If the primary cardholder is unable to clear the due or pays only the minimum amount due repeatedly, he/she runs the risk of racking up a debt.
If payments are delayed, late charges will be deducted from the account of the primary cardholder. Any defaults on the account will also be reported to credit agencies like CIBIL and Experian.
Therefore, primary cardholders need to be very careful about the supplementary cardholder’s spends because if anything goes wrong, it will reflect on the primary cardholder’s account and might affect the credit score.
Immediate family members of the primary cardholder can apply for an add-on card. All such applicants should be above 18 years of age. The list of eligible members includes primary cardholder’s -
Some issuers might have some exceptions. Please check with your provider for exact information.
The number of supplementary credit cards availed on a credit card vary for each bank. Listed below are the number of cards offered by major credit card issuers.
| Credit Card Issuer | No: of add-on cards permitted | Annual fee |
| HDFC Bank | Up to 3 add-on cards | Free for life time |
| SBI Cards | Up to 2 add-on cards | Free for life time |
| Citibank | Up to 5 add-on cards on select variants | Free for life time |
| YES Bank | Up to 3 add-on cards | Free for lifetime |
| Axis Bank | Up to 4 add-on cards | Free for lifetime |
| HSBC Bank | Up to 3 add-on cards | Free for lifetime |
| IndusInd Bank | Up to 2 add-on cards | Free for lifetime |
| Kotak Mahindra | On Gold Cards – Up to 2 add-on cards On Platinum Cards – Up to 3 add-on cards | Rs.0 to Rs.599 |
| ICICI Bank | Up to 3 add-on cards |
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Each bank or card issuer offers different methods to apply for an add-on credit card. One thing to remember while applying for the card is that only primary cardholders can send an application on behalf of the applicants. However, the signatures of the add-on card applicants are also required on the application.
Listed below are some common procedures for applying the card. Check your bank’s website to find out which option is available.
If you have net banking access to your credit card, you can apply for an add-on card by logging in to your account.
You might have to fill the required details such as the applicant’s name, contact details, address and identity proof, etc., and submit it.
The concerned department would give you a confirmation call and inform you about further procedure.
Most banks have a separate application form for add-on credit cards. You can visit the bank branch and get the form, or you can also download it from the bank’s website.
Once you have the form, fill the required details, get it signed by the applicants, affix the photographs, if required, attach the self-attested KYC documents and send it through post or hand it over at the nearest bank branch.
You can find the application forms of major banks here -
Calling credit card customer care helpline of the respective bank is another way to apply for an add-on credit card.
The bank may not accept applications or requests over the phone call, but they would guide you with the application process.
Click here to find credit card customer care numbers of all major banks.
Some banks like Kotak Mahindra, Citibank, and others allow you to send an SMS to raise a request for add-on card.
If your card issuer is providing the facility, you need to send an SMS in the required format to the designated number from your registered mobile number (only).
Once the bank receives the SMS, it will contact you on your registered mobile number and will inform you about the rest of the application process.
For instance, to apply for a Kotak Mahindra add-on credit card, send an SMS in the following format.
SMS < ADDON > to 5676788
Again, different credit card providers might require a different set of documents to process your add-on credit card application. Listed below are some common documents sought by most of the providers.
Although the supplementary cardholder does not have complete control over the add-on card, he/she will be able to experience equal number of perks and advantages as that of the primary member. Some other benefits of add-on cards are provided here -
How soon can I receive an add-on credit card?
It typically takes 10-15 days to process an add-on credit card application after submitting a duly filled-in application and complete KYC documents.
Will there be a separate PIN for add-on credit cards?
Yes, a separate PIN will be generated for every add-on credit card and the same will be sent to your mailing address along with the card.
Whose credit score will get affected if add-on credit cards are misused?
Although add-on credit cards are used by the family members, all the transactions on the card will be billed to the main card member. Thus, any late payments, nil payments, and defaults on the account would affect the primary cardholder’s credit score.
Can I use an add-on credit card to avail free lounge access in an airport?
It depends on the card you’re using. Not all the card issuers allow you to share the airport lounge access benefits. However, there are a few cards such as HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card Regalia First Credit Card that offer free membership to airport priority pass program and allow you to share the free visits.
How to cancel or close an add-on credit card?
The process to cancel or close an add-on credit card is similar to that of the primary card. You need to contact the issuer and raise a request for card cancellation.
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