There are several reasons you might consider adding authorized users to your travel credit cards. For instance, these users can assist in reaching a minimum spending threshold to qualify for a welcome bonus, or you may wish to start building your child’s credit history from an early age.
However, some cards also provide authorized users with many of the same benefits as the primary cardholder — one of the most well-known beingThe American Express Platinum Card®.
In this guide, we’ll explore the different benefits that might still make it advantageous to add authorized users to your Amex Platinum card. Additionally, we’ll examine how the updated annual fee structure could impact this decision.
Summary of Amex Platinum additional cardholders
The Amex PlatinumThis card carries a $695 annual fee (refer to rates and fees) and provides such extensive benefits that it is frequently dubbed a “membership card” in various communities — a card retained primarily for its perks rather than its earning potential. Nevertheless, it offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Additionally, you might be eligible for an even higher offer via the CardMatch tool (subject to change at any time).
Nonetheless, compared to certain other high-end travel cards, the Amex Platinum charges an extra fee for adding authorized users.
Children can be added as authorized users; however, American Express stipulates that they must be a minimum of 13 years old.
Amex provides additional non-Platinum cards, referred to as companion Platinum cards, which can be linked to your account. These cards do not have annual fees (refer to rates and fees) but come with very limited perks.
That said, by including more Platinum cardholders on your account—and incurring an extra $195 per cardholder annually (refer to rates and fees)—you gain access to a range of benefits.
Related: Information for authorized users of company credit cards.
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Which benefits of the Amex Platinum card are available to additional cardmembers?
Here is a summary of the primary advantages that additionalAmex PlatinumCardmembers will appreciate. As previously mentioned, these benefits apply solely to additional Amex Platinum cards, excluding companion cards.
Lounge access
One of the main advantages for additional Amex Platinum cardholders is lounge access, even if they are not traveling with the primary cardholder. The American Express Global Lounge Collection encompasses a variety of networks such as American Express Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs for same-day Delta flights (restricted to 10 visits per year starting Feb. 1, 2025), Plaza Premium lounges, and various other lounge access opportunities. (Details of participating locations are available at this link.) Terms and conditions apply. Enrollment is necessary.
Most Amex Platinum cardholders are not permitted to bring two complimentary guests into Centurion Lounges. Instead, it will cost $50 for every adult guest over 18 and $30 for each child aged 2 to 17 (children under two can enter for free).
You can circumvent this guest fee through two methods. One way is by spending $75,000 on your Platinum Card within a calendar year, which reinstates the former perk of allowing two guests for free.
Alternatively, if you often travel with your spouse (or children over the age of 12), you can designate them as authorized users.
It is important to remember that Centurion Lounges are not the only lounges that may be challenging or costly for Platinum cardholders to access. With the Amex Platinum card, you are permitted entry into the Sky Club if you are flying on a Delta-operated flight on the same day. The guest fee is $50 per visitor per visit, which is part of Delta’s strategy to reduce lounge congestion.
Nevertheless, you can completely bypass these fees by adding extra Platinum cardholders to your account.
If you believe that gaining access to Amex or Delta lounges justifies the $50 fee for guests, you will offset the $195 annual fee for authorized users after four visits each year.
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Naturally, this won’t benefit families with kids under 12 years old (such as mine). My 8-year-old daughter isn’t eligible to be added as an authorized user on my card. However, the $50 guest fee at Delta Sky Clubs should activate the Platinum Card’s annual airline fee credit of up to $200, given that I’ve chosen Delta as my designated carrier (enrollment is necessary).
In conclusion, it’s important to note that you must register for Priority Pass in order to access Priority Pass lounges (you can enter other lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection just by showing your Platinum Card). Additional card members cannot enroll online; they need to call the number on the back of their Amex Platinum to register.
Relevant: The top 10 Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
Another excellent perk available to supplementary Amex Platinum cardmembers is the statement credit for Global Entry application fees (up to $100) or TSA PreCheck application fees (up to $85). Similar to the benefit for primary cardmembers, each authorized user can take advantage of this benefit once every four years for Global Entry or once every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck. Additionally, you don’t have to use the credit for your own membership — any eligible charge made on behalf of a friend or family member will activate the credit.
If you add an authorized user who applies for Global Entry within the first year, you immediately gain $100 in benefits. This amount more than covers half of the $195 annual fee for an authorized user.
It’s important to note that the chart above shows that any extra members added to an Amex Platinum account, whether they receive an additional Platinum Card or companion cards, are eligible.
Related: Best credit cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck
Elite status with Marriott and Hilton
Amex Platinum authorized users also have the benefit of complimentary Gold status with both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Both the primary cardholder and authorized users can enroll for these statuses online. If you regularly stay at Marriott or Hilton properties, this could give you room upgrades (subject to availability), bonus points, and extra on-property perks.
Please remember that Marriott and Hilton status can also be obtained through various credit card options.
However, possessing an authorized-user Platinum Card grants access to both programs and therefore might be more convenient than keeping several other cards.
The Points Guy has independently gathered the information regarding the Hilton Aspire card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or supplied by the card issuer.
You might be interested in: A guide to achieving hotel elite status with the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards.
Availability to the Fine Hotels + Resorts and the Hotel Collection.
As an extra Amex Platinum cardholder, you also have access to the benefits offered by the Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs using your card (a minimum stay of two nights is required for The Hotel Collection). Booking a prepaid stay through the Fine Hotels + Resorts program allows you to earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent, along with access to premium benefits provided by the program. Terms and conditions apply.
The perks encompass an upgrade to a better room upon arrival (subject to availability), daily breakfast for two guests, assured late checkout at 4 p.m., early check-in at noon (if available), free Wi-Fi, and a $100 experience credit.
Related: 12 hotels where you can stay for a 50% discount (or at no cost) with your Amex Platinum credit
Elite status for car rentals
Supplementary Platinum cardholders are granted complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, and National Emerald Club Executive memberships. Enrollment for these benefits can be done via the Amex website.
Related: Ways to use points and miles for car rentals
Other benefits
Authorized users of the Amex Platinum card can also benefit from the Cruise Privileges Program and the International Airline Program. Additionally, extra Platinum cardmembers and companion cardmembers have access to Amex Offers and the Auto Purchasing Program. It is important to enroll in Amex Offers, as not every cardmember will receive the same offers.
What Amex Platinum perks are available to all cardmembers?
In addition to the previously mentioned benefits, both primary and supplementary cardholders enjoy several other advantages.Amex PlatinumAdvantages. In essence, these privileges are provided once per account — however, spending with any card associated with the account will activate them.
- You can receive an airline fee credit of up to $200 each calendar year, which is given as statement credits for incidental charges made by the airline of your choosing.*
- Receive up to $100 in Saks credits, divided into two $50 statement credits for each half of the calendar year.*
- Receive up to $200 in annual hotel credit, applicable on prepaid bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties (requires a minimum stay of two nights) made via Amex Travel.*
- Receive up to $189 in Clear Plus credits annually, given as statement credits for a Clear Plus membership per calendar year.*
- Receive an annual digital entertainment credit of up to $240, distributed as up to $20 in monthly statement credits for eligible merchants, such as The Disney Bundle, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.*
- Eligible Equinox memberships or access to the Equinox+ app can receive up to $300 in annual Equinox statement credits each calendar year (auto-renewal applies)*
- Receive up to $155 in Walmart+ credits each year. You can get a statement credit every month that fully covers the cost of a $12.95 (plus tax) Walmart+ membership (which will auto-renew). Plus Up Benefits are not eligible.*
This is an excellent method to make sure you fully utilize these statement credits. For instance, if you frequent a different gym or fitness service, you might not prefer to use the Equinox credit. Nevertheless, if an authorized user on your account charges an Equinox membership to the card, those transactions will activate the statement credit up to the $300 annual limit.
Signing up is necessary for certain benefits. Conditions apply.
Which benefits are excluded?
Please note that some benefits are not provided to authorized users.
Most notably, there isn’t an extra welcome offer. Although all purchases contribute to the card’s minimum spending criteria, the points are provided in one lump sum.
In addition, the Amex PlatinumOffers Uber VIP status (where available) along with up to $200 in Uber Cash (enrollment required), divided into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides or U.S. Uber Eats orders, and an extra $20 in December (enrollment required). Note that this Uber Cash will be credited to just one Uber account when the Amex Platinum is added as a payment method. To enable it in an authorized user’s Uber account, you need to remove the card from the original account and reenroll it using the authorized user’s account.
Related: A comparative overview of the top premium credit cards.
Is it still beneficial to add authorized users to your Amex Platinum?
The yearly cost arrangement for supplementaryAmex PlatinumCardholders have current customers wondering if it’s worthwhile. Occasional travelers might not gain enough advantages to justify the $195 yearly fee for each additional Amex Platinum cardholder.
If you’re considering adding new authorized users or contemplating removing current ones for your next renewal, here are some questions to consider:
- Will your approved users enroll in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? If they do, that provides an instant benefit of $100. Note, though, this is not a recurring yearly advantage.
- How often will your authorized users take advantage of the card’s hotel perks? Travelers who don’t travel enough to achieve Gold status with Marriott or Hilton on their own could still realize substantial value from these benefits yearly. The same applies to stays at Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection properties. Just one FHR stay for an additional Platinum cardmember (which includes complimentary breakfast and an on-property credit) could potentially offset the $195 annual fee by itself.
- How beneficial is lounge access for your authorized users? As previously mentioned, it will cost $50 per visit to bring guests into Centurion Lounges and Sky Clubs as a Platinum cardmember. On the surface, you’d need to make at least four visits per year to justify this additional expense. However, this might be less worthwhile if you seldom visit these lounges or if you can use the card’s airline fee credit to offset Sky Club guest fees.
These questions can help you gauge the annual value your additional Platinum cardmember will receive. If this value is notably greater than the new $195 yearly fee, it would be worthwhile. If not, you might want to rethink your decision.
Key considerations
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Certainly, incorporating an authorized user involves more than just obtaining extra perks. As the main cardholder, you are liable for all expenses on your account, including those made by others. Therefore, you should only add trusted individuals as authorized users to prevent accumulating debt. Additionally, keep in mind that you must pay your…Amex PlatinumPay off the entire balance every month (although it’s advisable to do this with all your credit cards).
When executed correctly, adding an authorized user to the card can significantly help in building their credit history. This can greatly assist a friend or family member with low credit, as American Express will report the prompt payment history of all cardholders on your account to the relevant credit bureaus. However, ensure that the authorized user is someone you trust.
Related: The advantages of including a family member as an authorized user
Instructions to include extra cardholders.
If you’ve chosen to include extra cardholders on yourAmex PlatinumRegarding your account, the procedure is fairly straightforward:
- Access the dashboard for your Amex Platinum account.
- Select the “Account Services” link located at the top.
- Select “Manage Other Users” from the menu on the left side.
- Select “Add a Person to Your Account”
- Make sure you have chosen the Amex Platinum, then press “Continue”
- Select the type of card you wish to add (Platinum or companion), fill in the user’s details, and then click Agree & Submit.
Be aware that you don’t need to provide the new authorized user’s Social Security number or date of birth right away. However, American Express requires you to submit this information within 60 days of the card’s issuance. If not, the card will be canceled.
Related: How to get the most out of the Amex Platinum Card benefits
Bottom line
Adding more cardmembers can boost your rewards potential, and some cards offer numerous perks for your authorized users. For instance, the Amex Platinum charges $195 for each new authorized user. However, considering the wide range of benefits they receive, this could be a worthwhile investment depending on the situation. Ensure the added expense is justifiable.
For further details, check out our comprehensive review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: The Platinum Card® issued by American Express
Similar: 5 potential ways to overlook the benefits of your Amex Platinum card
To view the rates and fees associated with The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
To view the rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, please click here.
To view the rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please click here.
For information on the rates and fees associated with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
To view the rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please click here.
For information on rates and fees associated with the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, please click here.