This publication contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation if you click on links to these products. The content of this page is correct at the time of publication; However, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. For more information see ourDisclosure of Advertising.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Registration may be required for certain American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com for more information.
If you haveDie American Express Platinum Card®, you have tasted the sweet life of a frequent traveller. It's time to share the wealth by adding one or more Amex Platinum Authorized Users.
As with almost every travel card on the market, American Express lets you add authorized users to your Platinum Card account... and with good reason. These additional users receive many of the bestAmex Platinum Benefitslike a quick pass through airport security and customs with a credit to joinTSA PreCheck oder Global Entry, instant status at Hilton or Marriott and the same unbeatable access to airport lounges.
Sharing that lounge access is more important than ever: making your favorite travel companion an authorized user is a smart way to avoid the $50 fee to admit a guest into Amex Centurion or Delta Sky lounges to bring clubs.
American Express loaded the Platinum Cardwith a range of new benefitswhile increasing your annual fee to a whopping $695 per year (see). However, the cost of adding authorized users has remained stable:You can share the love with up to three cardholders for an additional $175 per year– in total, not per person. Also, American Express occasionally sweetens the deal by offering a bonus of to many current cardholders20,000 to 30,000 points when adding an authorized user.
Here's how it works and why you should consider adding one or more authorized Amex Platinum users.
in this post
- What benefits does an authorized Amex Platinum user receive?
- Sharing lounge access with authorized Amex Platinum users
- Other benefits too
- Transfer points to an authorized user's airline account
- Helps achieve minimal spending
- Considerations for adding authorized users
- How to add an authorized Amex Platinum user
- The cost of adding authorized users to your Platinum card
What benefits does an authorized Amex Platinum user receive?
From unrivaled lounge access to complimentary Global Entry or TSAPreCheck membership, the American Express Platinum Card has it allthe widest range of travel benefitson the market. By adding an Amex Platinum Authorized User, your travel companion can share many of these.
Your new authorized user will not receive all the benefits that you receive. That means some of the high-value annual credits don't transfer to your guest, so you can't double-invest there. And none of the new card benefits were added in the summer of 2021, like a new oneCLEAR CREDITor the yearbookAmex hotel credit– transmit to authorized users.
But there's still more than enough value here to offset the additional fee for many travelers. Here is a short summary:
- Access to the American Express Centurion Lounge:And.
- Membership Priority Pass Select Lounge:And.
- Access to Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta):And.
- Up to $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit:And.
- Up to $189 credit for CLEAR:NO.
- Earn 5 points on fares booked directly with airlines and hotels booked through Amextravel.com:Yes.
- Up to $200 in annual flight credit:NO.
- Up to $200 credit on select hotels booked through Amex Travel:NO.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Ride credit:NO.
- Up to $100 in annual credits from Saks 5th Ave.:NO.
- Up to $300 in Equinox Gym Credits:NO.
- Up to $200 in Entertainment Credits:NO.
- Instant hotel status at Marriott and Hilton:And.
- Get access to Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts:And.
- Instant car rental status with Hertz, Avis and National:And.
As you can see, your authorized users don't get their own credits for airlines, Uber or Saks Fifth Avenue and various others. In pure dollar terms, these are some of the biggest benefits the card offers. They immediately take the sting out of the $695 annual fee for Prime users.
But scan the list and you will see that the authorized usersAgainGet almost every benefit to enhance your travels: access to the VIP room, a credit that covers TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, status with hotels and car rental companies and more. In addition to earning 5x the earnings when booking flights directly with the airline (up to $500,000 in total revenue per year), authorized users can also book round-trip flights using their Platinum CardGet great integrated travel insurance.
Sharing lounge access with authorized Amex Platinum users
If you'd like to share lounge access with your favorite travel companion, adding an authorized Amex Platinum cardholder might be a snap.
You can enter thoseDelta-Sky-Clubwhen you show your Delta boarding pass and Amex Platinum card, but a guest is now $50 after a recent walk. This problem is solved by adding an authorized user, since that person will have their own card to enter Sky Club, whether they are traveling with you or not. Just four trips a year to the Sky Club with his authorized user in tow and he gets the additional $175 fee.
And authorized users can also access the growing collection of premium products.Salas VIP Centurion von American Expressalso alone. Considering that Amex hasRestrict free guest access to Centurion ballroomsIf you're coming in early 2023 and charging $50 each (or $30 for minors), adding your spouse or best travel companion as an authorized user is a good solution to take with you on the trip for freeJFK Centurion Halland over a dozen others.
And lounge access goes much further. Your authorized user can also register themselvespriority passMembership, the vast network of over 1,200 salons worldwide. This means that you can enter these rooms alone and also bring up to two guests with you. If you're traveling with your family or planning to travel with a large group, it's helpful to have an authorized user to ensure everyone can enter the lounge.
Also, Amex Platinum cardholders (and their authorized users) get access to other great lounges that are part of the Amex Global lounge collection, includingSalas VIP Plaza Premium, Escape Lounges: The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace Lounges und mehr.
Other benefits too
The benefits go well beyond salon access.
Unlike all other premium travel cards that have an annual balance to cover TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, each of your authorized Amex Platinum users can earn their own balance of up to $100 for participation in either program. Here are some of the best services to enhance your time at the airport, so don't be afraid to spread the love. Just let your authorized users use their new American Express Platinum card to pay for the app, and voila, it's free.
Each authorized user can enroll for their own Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Gold Elite status in the same way as the primary cardholder. This unlocks hotel stay benefits such as available seat upgrades, late check-out, and earning bonus points. And they're also eligible for elite status with several car rental companies, although our favorite is clearState Board of Directors.
When you add it all up, adding an Amex Platinum Authorized User is undeniably valuable, especially when there are three favorite travelers in your life that you trust. Depending on how much you travel, these benefits could easily exceed the additional $175 annual cost.
Transfer points to an authorized user's airline account
This might be my favorite perk of the bunch.
Airlines often make it difficult and expensive to send miles from your frequent flyer account to your spouse or family member. And while some banks allow you to split or pool points with your spouse or family member, American Express is not one of them.
Instead of this,You can transfer Amex points directly to your authorized users' frequent flyer accounts. That's an extra layer of flexibility that can come in handy in an emergency.
A while ago my wife was missing about 1,000 Iberia Avios to make a trip from Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) to Phoenix (PHX). Iberia is one of our favorite programs forBook domestic flights in the USASo instead of paying the rest in cash or buying a few miles to complete the redemption, I just transferred his 1,000 Amex points. And this is only an option for authorized users.
It works just like any other time you send points to Amex's transfer partners, the variety of 20+ airlines and hotel chains to send your points to. There's just one problem: as of September 2019, you can only transfer points to other cardholdersadded at least 90 days ago.
Make sure you select your authorized user's account instead of your own. And remember, some American Express transfers aren't instant.
| program | Typ | transmission ratio | transfer time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Aeromexico | airline | 1:1.6 | 2-12 Take |
| Air Canada Aeroplan | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| AirFrance/KLM | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Alitalia | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Also | airline | 1:1 | 1-2 Take |
| Avianca | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| British Airways | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Cathay Pacific | airline | 1:1 | 1-7 Take |
| Delta | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Emirate | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Etihad | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| hawaiisch | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Iberian | airline | 1:1 | 1-3 Takes |
| Jetblau | airline | 1,25:1 | Immediate |
| Qantas | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
| Singapore | airline | 1:1 | 12-48 hours |
| Virgin Atlantic | airline | 1:1 | Immediate |
Read more aboutAmex-Transferpartner!
Helps achieve minimal spending
It may seem simple, but it can pay off in a big way.
Since your authorized Amex Platinum users receive their own cards, they can help you quickly spend the money needed to unlock this big points bonus. American Express Platinum cardholders must spend $6,000 within six months to receive the welcome bonus of 80,000 pointsThis bonus could be 150,000 pointsif you qualify for an even better welcome offer through CardMatch. Otherwise,Check the personal referral linksor simply search for the Platinum card in an incognito browser to see if you can claim a bigger bonus.
Of course, you also need this person to pay the fees you charge. Otherwise, they will just charge you a higher monthly payment.
Click hereLearn more about the American Express Platinum Card.
Considerations for adding authorized users
Adding authorized users can be a confusing topic in the world of credit cards. Let's clear up a few things.
The first and most important:You are responsible for paying all fees charged to your account by your Authorized User.That means you should only add someone you trust, and preferably someone with large spenders who can pay right away (or charge on your behalf).
Continue reading:Everything you need to know about authorized credit card users
Moreover, it is a situation of good news and bad news:
- The good news:Be an authorized userit does not disqualify you from opening this card directly to earn a bonus later.This means you can add a friend or spouse as an authorized user with a Gold Card and they can still open their own Gold Card andreceive a bonus of 60,000 pointsafter spending $4,000 in six months.
- The bad news:This could make it difficult for your friend to open a chase card. That's becausean authorized user account for yourPursuit Rule 5/24Condition,That means you won't be approved for any Chase card if you've opened five or more credit cards(from any bank, not just Chase)in the last 24 months. YouMayonnaiseBeing able to get Chase to overlook the fact that being an authorized user is overwhelming, but that's not easy.
How to add an authorized Amex Platinum user
Let's go over the practicalities of how it's done.
Once you've decided to add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card, simply log into your account and go to the "Account Services" tab. There you will find the link "Add someone to your account".
Otherwise, keep an eye out for a chance to earn a bonus of 20,000 points when you add an authorized user to your Amex listings.
You'll need to enter some information for your new user, including their social security number, either when you add the user or within 60 days. However, all signs point to itYour authorized user will not be subject to any strict credit request– which could temporarily affect your credit rating. It is simply an accounting measure for American Express.
Once you've added the user, they'll receive their very own Heavy Metal Amex Platinum card in the mail within the next week or so. They have their own unique account number and online account.
But it's important to note thatEverything is linked to your main account.Any charges made to your card by an authorized user will be added to your balance. So it goes without saying that you should only add an authorized user that you trust. You can also allow your new user to use American Express Membership Rewards points.
The cost of adding authorized users to your Platinum card
This is the most overlooked aspect of adding authorized users to your Amex Platinum card.
You can add one to three additional users for the same additional annual fee of $175.Read that again: You can add an authorized user to your Platinum card for $175 per year...or add up to three for the same amount. That's not everyone, it's total.
So if you have multiple family members who could benefit, it won't cost you more to add two more users beyond the initial addition. If you decide to add a fourth and fifth authorized user to your account, each will cost you an additional $175 per year.
It's a very misunderstood aspect of adding users to your card, as most people (understandably) assume that Amex will charge you $175 each. This is exactly what happens when authorized users are added to theReserva Chase Sapphire®,This will charge an additional $75 per year for each user you add to the account.
The ability to add up to three authorized users to your Platinum card for a flat $175 annual fee is great. only theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cardis better: you canAdd up to four authorized userswith this card free of charge.
bottom line
Depending on your situation and how much you receive in benefits, the benefits of adding an authorized user to your Platinum card may easily exceed the $175 additional fee.
Stop paying more for travel!
Receive our daily email with the latest travel and flight deals and how to save on your next trip.
FAQs
Should I add authorized user to Amex Platinum? ›
Amex Platinum Authorized User Benefits and Fees
Adding Card Members to your account can be a great way to maximize points-earning potential and extend benefits to those you care about. For one, you'll earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels purchased by Additional Card Members.
All you need is the person's name, date of birth and, in some cases, their Social Security number. There are no restrictions regarding the authorized user's age. But just because you can add someone as an authorized user doesn't mean you should.
Does being authorized user with Amex help? ›Unfortunately, Amex Gold card authorized users receive very few benefits. In short, Amex Gold card authorized users can make purchases to the main cardholder's account, but don't get travel benefits such as lounge access or an annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit.
What are 2 benefits of being added as an authorized user on a credit card? ›They are “authorized” to make purchases with the credit card. However, they have no legal responsibility toward the debt. Authorized users also gain access to most of the credit card's benefits, such as airport lounge access, rental car protection, purchase protection and other perks.
What are the cons of adding an authorized user? ›- The account holder's actions can negatively impact your credit. If the credit cardholder misses payments or racks up a lot of debt on the card, it could negatively impact your credit. ...
- They can remove you at any time. ...
- It could cause relationship issues.
Does adding an authorized user hurt your credit? Adding an authorized user to your credit card account alone shouldn't have a negative impact on your credit. But keep in mind that if that person uses your credit irresponsibly, negative credit impact could follow.
Why did my credit score drop when I was added as an authorized user? ›If you've added an authorized user to your credit card account, they'll typically get a credit card linked to your account and can use it to make charges, but they're not responsible for paying the balance. Any charges the authorized user makes can increase your credit utilization, which can lower your credit scores.
How much will my credit score go up if I become an authorized user? ›Being added as an authorized user will not have a significant impact on your credit score, because you're not responsible for paying the bills.
Does adding an authorized user cause a hard inquiry? ›Adding an authorized user typically doesn't result in a hard inquiry (also called a hard credit pull) for either the authorized user or the primary account holder. The only exception to this might be if the account holder has rocky credit and already has an authorized user listed on the account.
Is it worth adding authorized user? ›There are plenty of reasons to add an authorized user to your credit card account. It can help someone build their credit and improve their score, net you extra points on both a sign-up bonus and in terms of everyday spending, and it can extend the use of your points to more friends or family members.
Do Amex Platinum authorized users get TSA PreCheck? ›
While these cardholders aren't granted the lounge access and status benefits that Platinum authorized users get, they are given their own TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit and still contribute to Membership Rewards earning.
Can an authorized user be denied Amex? ›Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. American Express authorized users can be denied if they are younger than 13 years old or if they have a bad history with Amex, such as past defaults or lawsuits with the company.
Why should I add an authorized user to my credit card? ›Becoming an authorized user typically helps you build credit by piggy-backing off the primary account holder's responsible use, and you can get this benefit without applying for a credit card of your own.
Why do credit card companies want you to add authorized user? ›Authorized user status can help someone establish credit if the account is managed well. Full payment history is often reported to the three major bureaus, which is how authorized user status works to build credit.
Why would you add an authorized user to a credit card? ›Becoming an authorized user on another person's credit card account is one popular way to establish and build a credit history. A credit card authorized user can make purchases with the credit card as if it were their own. However, the responsibility to pay any charges remains with the primary cardholder.
When should I stop being an authorized user? ›If the account holder made late payments or has a high credit card balance, for instance, the account could hurt you more than it helps. On the other hand, you may want to leave the authorized user account if it's helping your credit score—at least until you've established credit in your name.
Does piggybacking help credit score? ›Building credit takes time and by piggybacking off someone with an established credit history, you can improve your credit score much faster. It can work out well if you do it with the support of a trusted family member or friend.
Will adding my husband as an authorized user help his credit? ›Make your spouse an authorized user on your credit card
By someone as an authorized user on your credit card account adds your credit history to their credit report. The effect is most powerful when you add someone to an account with a great record of on-time payments.
Summary. Removing yourself as an authorized user can lower your credit utilization ratio and the age of your credit history, both of which can have a negative impact on your credit score.
Why is my credit score going down if I pay everything on time? ›Credit utilization — the portion of your credit limits that you are currently using — is a significant factor in credit scores. It is one reason your credit score could drop a little after you pay off debt, particularly if you close the account.
Why does my credit score go down when I pay off my credit card? ›
Similarly, if you pay off a credit card debt and close the account entirely, your scores could drop. This is because your total available credit is lowered when you close a line of credit, which could result in a higher credit utilization ratio.
Is it good to be an authorized user on multiple accounts? ›Benefits of adding authorized users
Adding authorized users can be beneficial to both the primary cardholder and the authorized user for a few reasons: The authorized user can help meet spending requirements on the primary cardholder's account. The authorized user can establish a credit history early on.
If you trust your spouse's money management skills and want to share in building a financial future together, you may want to consider adding them as an authorized user to your card or opening a joint account together.
Do Amex authorized users get their own login? ›Additional Card Members can log in to the Amex app with their own username to keep track of their purchases. Additional Card Members can discover more ways to make life rewarding with Amex Offers.
Do authorized users get their own login? ›You can set up multiple authorized users with their own unique ID and password – which gives them access only to the accounts and services you set. Here's how: After signing in, choose "Account management" and then "Access & Security Manager"
Does Amex Platinum pay for clear and TSA PreCheck? ›Application Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
Additional Card Members on Consumer and Business Platinum and Centurion accounts also receive the benefit when the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee is charged to their eligible Card.
The different fees often make or break a deal for a merchant. This is why many merchants, especially small businesses, don't accept American Express. American Express' interchange fee is just too high. Providers like Visa and Mastercard charge between 1.15% and 2.5%, while Amex charges merchants between 1.43% and 3.3%.
Why does Amex keep rejecting me? ›American Express sends a letter to affected applicants citing why the application was denied. Common reasons an application could be denied include a low credit score, an insufficient annual income, number of open credit accounts, and more.
Is authorized user a good idea? ›It's a good option if you don't have many others, but there are risks for both parties. Before you become an authorized user, find out if you can qualify for a credit card of your own. The best credit cards for no credit history can offer the credit-building opportunity you're looking for, too.
Do Amex Platinum authorized users get lounge access? ›Plus, Amex Platinum cardholders (and their authorized users) get access to other great lounges that are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection including Plaza Premium Lounges, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Airspace Lounges, and more.
Can someone be denied as an authorized user? ›
Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. American Express authorized users can be denied if they are younger than 13 years old or if they have a bad history with Amex, such as past defaults or lawsuits with the company.
Do Amex Platinum members get priority boarding? ›Simply, present your Priority Pass membership card and boarding pass for access. As a Platinum Cardholder, you are entitled to a complimentary membership in Priority Pass. This allows you to wait for your flight in a relaxed atmosphere in one of the more than 1,200 Priority Pass lounges around the world.