Add on Card

• Credit Limit – The credit limit for the add-on credit card is same or lower than the primary card, depending on the issuing bank. The total credit limit on the primary card is divided among all primary and add-on cards. Hence, each card will have a sub-limit of credit. Sub-limits are also applicable for the ATM withdrawals
• Tracking the Transactions – Transaction details of each of the add-on cards will be reflected in the primary account. So, all the transactions made by each of the add-on credit card holders could be tracked in the primary account statement.
• Credit Score – The bill payment and usage pattern of add-on cards is linked with the primary account and any glitch or mismanagement of the add-on card might result in the adverse effect on primary card holders’ credit score. Credit history takes long time to establish. So primary account holder has to make sure that add-on cards are used in proper manner and not contribute to adverse credit history

• Add-on credit cards are most suitable for students above the age of 18 years, non-working family members and elderly parents of the primary cardholder.
• Add-on cardholders get to enjoy the same usage benefits as the primary holders, though in certain cases, some premium benefits are extended only for primary cardholders.
• ATM cash withdrawal using add-on card is possible. The limit could be same as the primary card or could be less depending on bank
• Add-on credit cards come with the same rewards, cashbacks and bonus features that come with a primary card. The rewards earned on add-on card are redeemable as per primary card terms.
• Add-on cards give financial independence to those who do not have access to cards otherwise
• Add-on cards also come with the benefit of revolving credit, mobile alerts and interest-free period

• Tracking and monitoring the transactions of all the add-on cards is imperative for the primary cardholder because:
• All expenditure will be reflected in the account of primary holder and the bill payment has to be made by the primary holder
• Any interest payment and penalty has to be paid by primary card holder in case of non-payment or misuse of the add-on cards
• The credit score will get affected for the primary holder in case of misuse of add-on cards. Hence, the primary holder should keep a track of their credit score to avoid any negative impact
• Primary card holder has to educate and explain all the add-on card holders about the potential danger of improper handling of the card so that all the add-on cards are handled properly and with responsibility
• In case the benefits on add-on cards are different from the primary card, the primary holder should be aware of those and explain the same to add-on card users
• Cash withdrawal should be avoided or minimized as much as possible since the interest charged on the amount is excessively high

Most banks offer this facility but the number of add-on credit cards one can avail and the credit limit is decided by bank. The application process varies from one bank to another. Even the eligibility criteria also differ based on the bank.

Application for add-on card could be filed online through the bank’s official website or through their net banking app. Follow the steps below to apply for add-on credit card online:

• Login to net banking or mobile app of your bank account
• Under Credit card section, select ’Add-on cards’ or ‘Supplementary cards’.
• Provide basic information like like Name and Address of the additional card holder, Credit Limit, Cash limit of Add-on card and the relationship with the primary holder
• Upload the documents that need to be submitted, in some case detail or primary cardholder would be enough
• Click submit and you will receive the card in a few days

To conclude, an add-on card is simply an additional card which shares the same credit limit of the primary cardholder and can be issued to a family member who does not have a source of income. This responsibility of payment still lies with the primary holder, thus it becomes important to see who all are being issued an add-on card and how it is being used.

Below are the number of Add-on credit cards offered by some of the prominent banks in the country.

Bank Name	No. of Add-on Cards Permitted	Annual Fee
HDFC Bank	Up to 3 Add-on Cards	Lifetime Free
SBI Bank	Up to 2 Add-on Cards	Lifetime Free
ICICI Bank	Up to 3 Add-on Cards	Varies from card to card
Citibank	Up to 5 Add-on Cards	Lifetime Free
Axis Bank	Up to 4 Add-on Card	Lifetime Free