My bro added me as an authorized user on his amex gold card so i can build up credit. I was wondering what is the best strategy to take with this card seeing that it is not a revolving account but rather an open account. I have confirmed that the card can be used as a vehicle to build credit, . I have also been dutiful in paying off recent derogatory accounts, on top of that i have disputed inacurate info(pending decission) but i have one account that i reached a settlement agreement with the collections agent but reneged on it. Now my second question is 2 fold. 1. Since i have paid off charged off accts is that good or bad because accordinf to a report of positive thing on my credit, those charged off account appeared. And 2. Does settling help and does reneging on a settlement give the collection agency the right to rereport the debt on my credit. And just out of curiosity has anyone out here raised their credit score 200+ in a span of three months? Any and all help is welcome