What is Add-on Credit Card and how does it works?

11 MAY, 2023

Credit cards have become an integral part of our daily lives. They provide us with the convenience of borrowing funds for various purposes like shopping, bill payments, and more. Kotak Mahindra Bank offers the facility of add-on credit cards, which is a secondary credit card and is available against primary credit card. Let’s discuss what add-on credit cards are, how they work, and their benefits.

Understanding add-on Credit Cards - A Secondary Credit Card

Primary credit card users get the facility of an add-on card from Kotak Mahindra Bank. With this facility, they can add their spouse, child, or parent to their credit account. Add-on card holder means those family members to whom you have provided the add-on card. But as the primary cardholder, you will be responsible for paying all expenses incurred on the add-on card.

“What is an add-on card?” the answer is simple, it is a card for family/friends who are authorised to use the credit limit linked to the primary credit card. The benefit of an add-on credit card is that the scope of accruing the rewards widens. So reward points, discounts, and cashback offers are easy to get with an add-on card. It allows the primary cardholder to use the card features and benefits to their fullest without over utilising the credit. An add-on card means spreading the credit limit among family members.

How to get an Add-On Credit Card?

Now that what an add-on credit card is clear, let’s find out how to get them. So if you or any of your family members have a Kotak Mahindra Bank Credit Card, you can ask them to get you an add-on card. It is the primary cardholder who applies for the add-on card, the secondary user has no role in it.

Plus, the primary holder should give access to their add-on card to those who can be trusted with their spending limit. For this, family members and close friends are the best and given the perks of your best credit card in India your rewards points accrue more and more.

How do Add-On Credit Cards Work?

The secondary cardholder gets the same benefits as the primary cardholder, but they don’t get to use them all. For instance, when someone uses an add-on credit card and earns reward points (air miles), the add-on user isn’t the one who is eligible for redeeming them. It means the primary holder gets to use the rewards points as and when they like.

Advantages of Add-On Credit Cards

An add-on credit card can be helpful in case of emergencies. So providing an add-on credit card to a family member or friend can be beneficial. Let’s see the advantages of add-on credit cards below -

Increased credit limit: Add-on credit cards increase the overall credit utilisation, so the primary user can request to increase the credit limit. This way, there will be more available credit for the family. And as there are multiple add-on credit cards, families can make larger purchases without worrying about credit utilisation.
Shared rewards and benefits: An add-on credit card means the primary cardholder can share the benefits with their family members. For instance, Kotak Mahindra Bank credit cards offer rewards and benefits, such as cashback, discounts, and reward points that add-on members can get by using the card. However, only the cardholder can redeem them.
Helps build credit record: When your spouse, child or parents use an add-on credit card, they get to establish their credit history. This can be especially beneficial for young adults as they are just starting to establish their credit.
Convenience: Add-on credit cards offer convenience to families by allowing multiple members to access credit. This means that family members can make purchases or pay bills without having to go through the process of applying for a new credit card.
Emergency backup: In case of an emergency, an add-on credit card can get the family members' emergency cash. If the primary cardholder is unavailable, family members can use the add-on credit card to make necessary purchases, withdraw cash or pay for the medical bill.

Also Read: Benefits of Add-On Credit Card

Risks of Add-On Credit Cards

Add-on credit cards offer many benefits to families and can increase credit limits, offer shared rewards and benefits, help build credit, provide convenience, and act as an emergency backup. However, it's important to use add-on credit cards responsibly to prevent any negative impact on the primary cardholder's credit score.

In case the add-on user uses the available credit limit, the utilisation ratio goes up automatically and it can reduce the primary user score. To avoid this risk, what the primary holder can do is set a limit for the add-on user.

Conclusion

Add-on credit cards are a convenient way for family members or close friends to access credit when needed. They come with many benefits and features and can be used both online and offline. However, it is important to use them responsibly to avoid any negative impact on the primary cardholder's credit score.

Also Read: Buy Laptop at no cost emi with credit card