How to Add a Seasoned Trade Line

The term "seasoned trade line" is credit industry jargon for a credit line or credit account with a longstanding history of on-time payments, typically over three to five years in age. Credit-responsible parents who add their children as authorized users engage in the practice of adding a seasoned trade line or what is known as "piggybacking." The authorized user is afforded the benefit of good credit without having to build her own. Adding a seasoned trade line to improve your credit score is simple.

Instructions

1

Add your name as an authorized user to another person's credit card. This can be a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family member. The only stipulation is that the person has an excellent credit score and impeccable payment history for that particular account. Have this person phone the credit issuer and request to add you as an authorized user.

2

Use the card sparingly for a period of three to six months. Make only nominal, small-ticket item purchases. This can be a purse, a shirt, shoes, movie tickets, gas, game tickets or meals.

3

Repay the purchases before the due date. Give the money equaling the entire purchase or purchases to the person who added you as an authorized user. Have them him regular payments that will post to the account three to five business days prior to the due date to establish an on-time payment history.

4

Check your credit report in three to six month's time to confirm the seasoned trade line was added to your credit file. Get a free copy of your credit report from all three reporting bureaus by visiting annualcreditreport.com (see Resources).