Individual customers

What is a supplementary credit card? 6 things to know before opening a card

BIDV • November 2, 2025 09:18

A supplementary credit card is a type of credit card issued in addition to a primary card without the need for proof of income. So who is this type of card suitable for and what should be noted when using it?

Follow the article below to understand more about this type of card, thereby making the most accurate decision before opening a supplementary credit card.

1. Should I open a supplementary credit card?

A supplementary credit card is a card issued in addition to a primary credit card and shares the same credit limit as the primary card. The bank does not require customers to prove their income when opening a supplementary credit card; however, supplementary cards will only be issued with the consent of the primary cardholder.

The primary cardholder's agreement to open a supplementary credit card for a relative means that the cardholder agrees to let the supplementary cardholder share the credit limit granted by the bank. Normally, a primary credit card is opened from 2 - 3 supplementary credit cards for personal cards and unlimited for corporate cards.

In addition to having the same features as the main credit card, the supplementary card also receives benefits and promotions from the Bank or card organizations such as: Cashback, spending points, miles, discounts when paying for services, etc.

*Supplementary credit cards help your loved ones spend flexibly and you can also easily control their finances.*

2. Compare primary credit cards and secondary credit cards

Alike:

Primary credit cards and secondary credit cards have the same features: Spend now - pay later, cash withdrawal, 0% installment payment,...
Both types of cards enjoy the same preferential policies such as: Cashback, spending points, air miles, shopping discounts,...

Differences: In addition to the above similar features, primary credit cards and secondary credit cards will have the following basic differences:

Content	Major credit cards	Supplementary credit card
Age requirements	Customers aged 15 and over who are living, studying and working in Vietnam, have stable income or collateral assets with value in accordance with bank regulations.	Supplementary credit cardholder must be 15 years of age or older
Conditions for opening a card	Proof of income or assets/insurance contracts/travel history to assess ability to pay	Just open based on major credit card, simple procedure.
Card issuance fee	Free of charge	Free of charge
Annual fee	Ranging from 100,000 - 30,000,000 VND and can be free when reaching the spending limit.	Depending on the fee schedule from time to time, it will usually be lower than the annual fee of the main card.
Card class	The main card class and the secondary card class are the same because they are the same card product.	Same as main card.
Credit limit	The main credit card limit is issued by the bank when opening the card and can be increased during use.	The supplementary credit card limit is fixed from the date of issuance. The supplementary credit card limit is shared from the primary credit card.
Effective date	5 years from the date of card issuance	According to the validity of the main card

Note: The information in the comparison table above is for reference only and may change depending on the bank's policy at each period.

*The fee for using a supplementary credit card is much lower than that of a primary credit card.*

3. Who should open a supplementary credit card?

The primary cardholder can easily register to open a supplementary card for relatives such as parents, spouse and children, etc. This is a suitable option to help the cardholder easily support and control the spending of relatives.

However, cardholders should note: Opening a supplementary credit card has benefits but also has limitations including:

Credit limit shared between primary and secondary cardholders: Secondary cardholders can spend freely within the limit granted by the bank. Therefore, primary cardholders need to monitor the spending of secondary cards to control finances and have a suitable debt payment plan.
Risk of information leakage: If the supplementary credit card holder is inexperienced in using the card, there is a risk of information leakage. Therefore, the primary cardholder should instruct relatives on how to use it properly and have a reasonable spending plan.

If you ensure the above two things, a supplementary credit card will be a powerful "right-hand man" for your family!

4. Conditions and procedures for opening a supplementary credit card

4.1. Conditions for opening a supplementary credit card

Opening a supplementary credit card is quite easy because the supplementary cardholder does not need to prove income. The conditions for opening a supplementary credit card will vary depending on the policies and requirements of each bank. Normally, banks will require supplementary credit cardholders to meet the following conditions:

Have a parent or sibling who owns a primary credit card. Each primary cardholder is issued a maximum of 03 supplementary cards;
Must be 15 years or older.
Depending on the regulations of each bank, there will be some other regulations.

*The conditions for opening a supplementary credit card are very simple if the customer has a relative who owns a primary credit card.*

4.2. Procedures for opening a supplementary credit card

The procedure for opening a supplementary credit card may vary from bank to bank. Typically, customers will need to prepare the following documents:

Original and notarized copy of ID card/CCCD of primary cardholder and secondary cardholder.
Notarized copy of household registration book to prove the personal relationship between the primary cardholder and the supplementary cardholder.
Application for issuance of supplementary card according to each bank's form.

5. Procedure for opening a supplementary credit card

When opening a supplementary credit card, customers need to do it directly at the bank's transaction office because the supplementary card issuance application form requires the signature of the primary cardholder.

The process of opening a supplementary credit card at the counter is usually done as follows:

Step 1: Customers bring their ID card/CCCD and necessary documents to the nearest bank branch.
Step 2: Customers ask bank staff to provide an application form for issuing a supplementary credit card.
Step 3: Fill in the supplementary card application form completely and accurately and submit the application and documents to the bank officer.
Step 4: The bank staff will help the customer check the information after filling in and notify the completion of card opening. After that, the customer provides information about the location and time to receive the supplementary credit card so that the bank can deliver it to the customer's residence/workplace after about 5 - 14 days from the date of completion of the card opening procedure.

6. Tips for using supplementary credit cards effectively

To use supplementary credit cards effectively, cardholders should note the following:

Ensure information security: To avoid unwanted risks when card information is disclosed, customers should pay attention to security principles such as: Do not let others use the card, avoid shopping on unreliable websites and absolutely do not share card information with anyone,...
Pay the amount spent on time: All transactions on the primary and supplementary credit cards are included in the main card balance. The primary cardholder is usually responsible for paying the balance on both cards. However, if the primary cardholder is unable to pay, the responsibility for payment falls on the supplementary cardholder.
Controlling supplementary cards: The primary cardholder can control the supplementary card by requesting the bank to grant a credit limit to the supplementary card. Controlling helps the primary cardholder closely manage the supplementary card's spending and ensure the ability to pay off the outstanding balance.
Learn carefully before registering to open a supplementary card: Each bank will have different policies and operating conditions for supplementary cards. Therefore, before opening, you need to take the time to learn. Especially related issues such as: Annual fees, card usage statement services of each card, ...
Controlling supplementary cards: The primary cardholder can control the supplementary card by requesting the bank to grant a credit limit to the supplementary card. Controlling helps the primary cardholder closely manage the supplementary card's spending and ensure the ability to pay off the outstanding balance.

*You need to control your supplementary card spending to avoid insolvency.*

See also:

Customers who want to open a supplementary credit card or learn more about credit card services can visit the website www.bidv.com.vn or contact BIDV via hotline 1900 9247 or BIDV transaction points nationwide for quick and accurate support.