Key takeaways
- Sharing a credit card as a couple typically comes in the form of one person getting the card and the other being added as an authorized user.
- Sharing a credit card this way means that your credit scores are intertwined, so be sure to talk about your spending habits and financial goals before taking that step.
- Couples who successfully share credit cards tend to set clear boundaries with each other, as well as communicate often about expenses.
Bankrate writer Rebecca Betterton and her husband, Jack, are taking an exciting next step — moving in together. They know that means more joint expenses like furniture, groceries and pet care, so they’ve begun researching a credit card to share.
“Our main goal is to avoid having to use Venmo for home expenses,” Betterton explains. “Instead, we want to have a shared credit card.”
As someone who used to play Venmo tag with a live-in partner, I understand where Betterton’s coming from. In fact, more than 1 in 3 (34 percent) of people keep a combination of separate and joint financial accounts with their partner, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Financial Infidelity Survey. That’s also known as the “yours, mine and ours” budgeting method.
I reached out to Michelle Winterfield, co-founder of the expense-sharing app Tandem, for insight on how today’s couples are managing their money. In her role, she’s noticed:
Many couples now move in together before getting married, which is totally different than ever before. Both partners are coming with more complicated financial situations just because they’ve worked longer, they’ve taken on more debt, they’ve started to invest.
— Michelle Winterfield, co-founder of Tandem
Based on my conversations with both an expert and an aspiring card-carrying couple, here are five tips for how to find “the one” — credit card, that is.
1. Consider your shared goals
Before signing on the dotted line of a lease, credit card application or even a Netflix subscription, it’s a good idea to talk about your shared goals.
Are you hoping to plan more date nights? Will you pay for a wedding or an international vacation soon? Are you saving up to buy a house? Whatever your goals, a shared credit card — and its potential rewards — could help with long-term planning.
Betterton and her husband love traveling. “On our third date, we went on a trip,” she says. “It’s a big part of our life.”
Because they hope to travel more, it makes sense for them to explore travel rewards cards for their shared expenses. That way, they can earn rewards to put toward upcoming trips.
If you and your partner see dinner dates or concerts in your future, a cash back card with rewards you can redeem for gift cards or event tickets might be a better fit. You could also explore cards tied to certain expense categories or credit-building opportunities.
2. Determine what expenses you’ll put on the credit card
Talk about what expenses will — and won’t — be charged to the card before you choose one. According to Winterfield, some of the most popular merchants where couples split expenses include Amazon, Uber, Trader Joe’s, Target and Costco.
You can also plan for big purchases during the card’s intro period to cash in on extra rewards.
If you’re moving in together or planning a wedding, and you open up a new card, you can get the big sign-up bonus that’s linked to a minimum spending threshold. My husband and I did that and went on our honeymoon to Greece for free.
— Michelle Winterfield, co-founder of Tandem
Betterton explains that once they choose a card, they’ll buy a couch and other big move-in items during the intro offer period. Those welcome points can go a long way toward their next vacation.
3. Compare cards
With your goals and expenses in mind, it’s time to compare credit cards to pick the one that’s right for you and your partner.
Betterton explains she and her husband have been looking for a card with an annual fee under $200 and that offers rewards and benefits to match their goals. Because they have strong credit and always pay on time, they’re not too concerned about interest rates.
You can compare card factors like rewards, annual fees, recommended credit scores, interest rates, authorized user fees and card benefits like travel insurance or purchase protection. It’s also a good idea to get pre-approved for your top picks before applying.
Winterfield shares that the top connected cards among couples on Tandem are the:
4. Decide how you’ll set up the card and split the bill
The simplest way to share a credit card is for one of you to apply as the primary cardholder and then add your partner as an authorized user. This allows both of you to make purchases, build credit and earn rewards.
Keep in mind:
The primary cardholder is the person who is legally on the hook for repayments and who also “owns” the rewards. However, the credit scores of both the primary cardholder and the authorized user can be affected by how each person uses the card.
It’s also possible to open a joint account or add your partner as a co-signer. But there are only a few banks who offer those options.
You should also discuss how you’ll split the credit card bill. Winterfield says that some couples split expenses 50/50, some 60/40 and others establish a different ratio. It may depend on your incomes, expense types or life stages.
For instance, if you earn 25 percent more than your partner, it could make sense for you to pay 25 percent more of the credit card bill. If your partner buys organic grocery items and you prefer generic brands, they could fork over a little extra. Or if you’re in grad school, you might cover less of the bill as you pay for tuition and books.
Whatever you decide, have the conversation before that first bill comes so you both know what to expect.
5. Communicate clearly
Two in five U.S. adults (40 percent) who are in a committed relationship have kept a financial secret from their significant other, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Financial Infidelity Survey. With open communication about your spending habits and budget expectations, you and your partner could avoid relationship landmines.
“We’re both very communicative about our financial goals,” Betterton says. “It’s a very normal conversation.”
Winterfield encourages couples to talk about money early and often in the relationship.
[Sharing a card or an app] really promotes good habits in your relationship with money,” she says. “The more transparent and involved you both are from the start, the more you can negate that emotional stigma around money.
— Michelle Winterfield, co-founder of Tandem
Weekly or monthly check-ins during which you comb through card transactions and discuss your budget can help the two of you stay on track. And, as in many areas of a relationship, offer each other some room for improvement. It takes time to align your spending with someone else’s. Practice — and purchases over time — makes perfect.
Best credit cards for couples
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The Citi Custom Cash® Card is a no-annual-fee card that offers 5 percent cash back on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle. The rewards rate is lucrative, but it’s also capped at $500 each billing cycle — and after you hit that limit, the rewards rate drops to 1 percent. Even with the spending cap, however, the card could be worth it for couples who want to use it for specific shared purchases only, like gas, groceries, or gym memberships.
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The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has no annual fee and offers boosted rewards on dining, entertainment, streaming subscriptions and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target). Plus, there’s no cap on the rewards you can earn. You can also earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
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The Venture X card has a higher annual fee of $395, but authorized users can be added with no additional fee and get their own Priority Pass Select membership. That means you can get into airport lounges together or separately. Earn flexible rewards, as well as 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months.
The bottom line
Even though it may not sound romantic, discussing finances is an important part of a healthy relationship — especially if you’re going to live together, make big shared purchases or consider getting married. And choosing a shared credit card is a great time to start the conversation. Soon, the two of you and your new credit card could feel like a match made in heaven.
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