Becoming an authorized user on a credit card to boost your credit score

Unless your SSN is on the account, this does nothing for her credit. She will have to apply for one on her own or apply together. You are basically the only one on the hook for that card.

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I have a question relating to this.

I recently authorized my gf to use one of my cards so that she could build credit history. However it didn't ask me for her SSN or anything like that.

Is it even building history or her or no?

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My wife (fiancee at the time) had zero credit history about 3 years ago and had to get a secured capital one card with a $200 CL. She never asked for an increase or to make it unsecured. About 1.5 years after getting that card, I added her as an authorized user to my new card with an 8500 CL. They never asked me for her SSN, however it does show up on all 3 of her credit reports. Mine as "I" for individual, hers as "A" for authorized user.

She did not see a jump in score, but she was already around a 740 Fico at that time. I cannot attest to how much it would've helped her score if she was at a much lower Fico to start. However, I believe that it helped her credit look better even though no score bump. She applied for a credit card on her own about 6-8 months later and got a 6k CL. Not bad for starting with a secured card of 200 CL about 2 years prior.

So to make a long story short, it will help her credit, just not sure how much. Just make sure it is reporting to the CRs.

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Suggestions on building her credit history would be appreciated

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CC's are the easiest to build credit. Sucks she can't get one.
Savings secured loan
Don't go to a finance company to est. a credit history. Shows you are too pathetic and had no choice but to pay 50% interest.
Go to credit union and cosign a secured loan with her.
Once she gets a loan, don't pay it off too early. Banks like to see a good long payment history

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can I get my original question answered?

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at least 3 months.

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CC's are the easiest to build credit. Sucks she can't get one.

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You wouldn't suggest a secured credit card? It worked great for my wife to get everything started.

Completely agree about the finance company and ridiculous rates. Plus they aren't always reliable to report regularly to CRAs.

technically CC companies, banks, etc report to the credit bureaus every 30 days, so I will admend my previous answer. Sorry for not being clear.

1 month.

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im in the process of buying a house. 2 people have told me that adding my fiancé to my CC will boost her score "overnight". now im hearing 3 months?

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I can guarantee you that it will not happen overnight with a score. First of all you are at the mercy of the credit card companies of reporting it to the credit bureaus. Generally they report between the 15th-18th of each month, but can do it at any time. Maybe when you add her you can put in a request for them to report immediately? However, I cannot see a score bump in a matter of a couple of weeks.

I would suggest adding her and also her applying for a secured card on her own. However, run this by your mortgage lender before doing it. Any credit inquiries are highly scrutinized in mortgage process and looked over with a fine toothed comb.

I don't buy that the loophole has closed. I got on my parents chase card that was opened in 1986 this past april and my score jumped tremendously.