If you’re looking into authorized user tradelines, chances are you’re trying to move forward—buy a home, get a car, rebuild after a tough season, or just stop feeling stuck because of credit.
Almost everyone asks the same thing:
“If I spend money on tradelines, how much will my score go up?”
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Why This Question Is Complicated
No one can legally guarantee a specific number. Point promises can run afoul of the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), which prohibits deceptive claims about credit improvement. That’s why reputable companies won’t say “you’ll gain exactly X points.” (General CROA guidance.)
What we can do is share what data shows—and be clear about what actually drives results for different kinds of credit files.
What Our Study Found
Superior Tradelines analyzed more than 800 client files in a multi-year review of authorized user additions and found an average 88-point increase after tradelines posted. Results varied by profile, but many saw enough movement to cross key lender thresholds.
Note: That’s an average from a specific population and time period—not a promise. Your outcome depends on your report, the accounts selected, and bureau reporting.
What Really Affects Your Results
Thin file, few or no negatives
If your report has very few accounts and no serious derogatoriness, adding age, limit, and positive history from a seasoned card tends to have more visible impact.
Thick file, with negatives
If you already have many accounts—and late payments, collections, or high utilization—the effect of a single authorized user line is usually smaller. AU lines can add history and lower overall utilization math, but they do not erase derogatories. (General principle; see “how tradelines work.”) How do Tradelines Work?
In short
Thin + clean often responds best. Thick + negative typically sees less impact. (General principle; see sources above.)
- Thin + Clean = Best results.
- Thick + Negative = Less effect.
Why People Consider Tradelines Right Now
Borrowing costs have been elevated.
Throughout 2024, the Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate at 5.25%–5.50%, keeping mortgage and other borrowing costs high by historical standards. Federal Reserve
Housing has been expensive.
The median existing-home price hit a record about $426,900 in June 2024, making approvals and monthly payments tougher—especially for first-time buyers. Reuters
Renters are still stretched.
In 2023, roughly half of renter households (about 49–50%) were cost-burdened, spending 30%+ of income on housing, which keeps many renting longer while trying to strengthen credit. Census.gov
Credit pressure is real.
Experian reports the average U.S. FICO® score held around 715 in 2024, but more consumers told Experian their scores had fallen versus the prior year—often tied to higher balances and missed payments. Experian
Put together, lots of people are trying to make their credit profile look stronger to qualify or get better terms—and adding credit history via authorized user tradelines is one option they consider. What are Tradelines?
What Tradelines Can—and Can’t—Do
Can
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Add account age, positive payment history, and a higher aggregate limit math to your file if the issuer reports AUs.
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Sometimes help move you across lender score bands that matter for approvals. (Study average, contextual—not a promise.)
Can’t
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Remove late payments, collections, or charge-offs (that’s not what AUs do).
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Guarantee a specific score increase or approval. (CROA compliance principle.)
How to Use AU Tradelines Safely
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Work with transparent providers. Look for clear explanations, written timelines, and no guaranteed point claims. (Compliance best practice.)
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Match lines to your goal. Age, limit, utilization, and reporting bank all matter; a random card is not the same as a seasoned, clean line.
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Know reporting cadence. Tradelines typically post on the card issuer’s statement cycle; many report monthly, some more frequently.
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Keep your house in order. Pay on time, lower balances, and avoid new derogatories—AU lines work with good habits, not instead of them. (General principle.)
A Word of Encouragement
If you’re reading this, you’re probably working toward something important. You’re not stuck. AU tradelines are one tool that may help when your main issue is not enough positive history. If your profile is more complex, it may still help—but expectations should be realistic.
If you want someone to look at your actual report and explain options plainly (no point promises, no fluff), that’s where a reputable team adds value. You can also read more about the mechanics of authorized user reporting and typical timelines first.
Matias is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of many companies that help people. He owns Superior Tradelines, LLC, which is one of the oldest and most reliable tradeline companies in the country.
