Changing existing credit account from individual to joint?

Question

My girlfriend and I, to take advantage of 36 months no interest, signed up for a CompUSA credit card to buy our new $1700 Plasma TV. We have only had it for 3 months and have already paid off half of the TV. We got the credit card in my name since I have better credit. However, since she is making payments on the card too, she has expressed interest in making the account a joint account. Now, we went through a similar situation with Target and after having the card for some months they were able to make it a joint account. However, after calling HSBC (AKA CompUSA) and talking to someone who could barely speak english, we were informed that they couldn't turn the account into a joint account despite there being a joint account offering at the time of application. If I talk to the right person can ANY company technically turn an individual to a joint or do some companies just not want to change them?

I do not wish to add her as an authorized user because that would not help to improve her credit. I want her to be an actual joint user so that her credit looks better as we pay off the purchase(s) together.

Answer 1

I don't know legal-wise if they have to do that, but you should be able to call them and tell them you want to add your gf as an authorized user.

Answer 2

Yes, you can add someone as a joint cardmember and/or a authorized user. I would call your credit card company and ask again. Adding and authorized user is just a request over the phone (if they allow authorized users on the account, not all credit cards accept authorized users), adding a joint cardmember requires signatures, and the credit card company sends the paperwork to you.
Keep in mind, it is MUCH easier to add someone then to remove them, be it a joint cardmember or a authorized user.
Some credit cards don't accept authorized users on the account but I've not heard of a credit card that didn't allow adding at least one joint cardmember.

Good luck!

Answer 3

They already have a contract with you, so they don't HAVE to do anything for you except what is in the existing contract. If they want to keep a good customer, they would at least consider it, or give you a reason why they won't. Call their customer service line back and if you don't get the results you want, ask to speak to a manager for clarification on their policy.