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How to Make Money with Credit Cards: Sell Tradelines
How to make money with credit cards is a question most people ask when they have a stack of cards they rarely use.
Selling tradelines is the answer most people haven’t heard of yet.
- You add a buyer as an authorized user on your credit card.
- They pay you so your account history and credit limit show up on their credit report (for a limited time).
- You keep the card.
- They get a credit boost.
- You get paid.
What selling tradelines actually means
A tradeline is just an account that shows up on a credit report. When you add someone as an authorized user, that account posts to their credit file.
Lenders can’t tell the difference between a family member you added and a paid authorized user. That’s why people pay for this, and why it’s legal under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974.
You’re not lending money. You’re not co-signing anything. You’re adding a name to an account you already own.
How much you can earn
Your earnings depend on four things:
- Age of your credit cards
- Credit limits
- Number of cards you sell
- How often you cycle authorized users each month
A card that’s 2 years old with a $3,000 limit earns less than a card that’s 10 years old with a $20,000 limit. Older cards with higher limits are more valuable because they have a bigger impact on the buyer’s credit profile.
Most sellers with 5+ active cards earn between $500 and $2,000 per month. Cards can hold multiple authorized users at once, which multiplies your potential without any extra work.
Which banks are safe to sell tradelines with
Not every bank treats authorized user activity the same way. Some are known to shut down accounts for adding too many users.
Banks that tend to work well for tradeline selling:
- Citi
- Discover
- American Express
- Barclays
Banks to avoid: Bank of America is known for closing accounts tied to authorized user activity. Chase requires caution as well.
Working with a tradeline company that limits how many users get added to your cards reduces this risk significantly.
How to get started selling tradelines
You need at least one credit card that meets these basics:
- 2+ years old
- Perfect payment history
- No recent late payments
From there, you sign up with a tradeline company that handles buyers, payments, and compliance. You provide your card details (bank, limit, age) and add authorized users when the company notifies you. The whole process takes under 15 minutes per transaction.
Use the free Tradeline Seller Earnings Calculator to see what your current cards are worth before you apply.
