If you frequent Marriott or Hilton properties, this can bring you room upgrades, bonus points and additional on-property perks. Another great perk that also extends to additional Amex Platinum cardholders is the statement credit for Global Entry (Up to $100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) application fees. Just like the benefit provided to primary cardholders, each authorized user can use this benefit once every four years for Global Entry or once every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. Also, you don’t even need to use the credit for your own membership — any qualifying charge for a friend or family member will trigger the credit.
Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. It’s important to choose someone who is responsible and able to repay their debts, even if they’re not legally obligated to do so. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, so here is everything you need to know about authorized users. Note that there are a few benefits that aren’t granted to authorized users.
How Being An Authorized User Affects Your Credit
Aside from benefiting the primary cardholder, adding an authorized user is also highly beneficial to the additional cardholder. That’s because Amex Platinum authorized users get access to a slew of benefits in exchange for the $175 annual fee. However, by adding three additional cardholders for $175, you can avoid these charges altogether. Of course, this won’t help families with children under the age of 12 (like mine). It’s not possible for my 8-year-old daughter to become an authorized user on my card. However, the $50 guest fee at Delta Sky Clubs should trigger the Platinum Card’s up to $200 annual airline fee credit, since I’ve designated Delta as my eligible carrier (enrollment is required).
But some cards also offer authorized users many of the same benefits as the primary cardholder — one of the most popular being The Platinum Card® from American Express. However, recent shifts with certain lounge access policies make it even more important to consider this option, even though it comes at a cost. As you can see, your authorized users won’t get their own credits for airlines, Uber, or Saks Fifth Avenue, and several others. In pure dollar value, those are some of the biggest perks the card offers.
- And none of the brand new benefits to the card added back in the summer of 2021 – like a new CLEAR credit or the annual Amex hotel credit – pass on to authorized users.
- If you’re not sure its selection had the best choice for you, consider top cards from other issuers.
- While its cashback selection is narrow, you’ll find cards with attractive rewards, some of which are the highest on the market.
The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser’s responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered. According to my American Express cards, I’ve been a member since 1988, even though I wasn’t even alive then. Opinions expressed have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
It Could Cause Conflict With Your Family/friends
That unlocks benefits for hotel stays like space-available upgrades, late checkout, extra points earning. And they’ll also be eligible for elite status with several rental car companies – though our favorite is clearly National Executive status. These are some of the best services to improve your time at the airport, so don’t be afraid to spread the love. Just have your authorized users use their new American Express Platinum card to pay for the application and voila – it’s free.
Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service. Kliment Dukovski is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in investments and cryptocurrency. He’s written more than 700 articles to help readers compare the best trading platforms, understand complex investment terms and find the best credit cards for their needs.
The Amex Platinum card is arguably the most popular metal credit card and well-known travel card available — and for good reason. An Additional Card Member can enjoy some of the benefits and convenience of your American Express Membership. You will remain responsible for all purchases made on both your Card and the Additional Card Members’ Card. [newline]Terms apply to all benefits listed below1 and all offers listed are subject to change. You aren’t guaranteed approval with prequalification, but it does give you a good shot at getting the Amex card you’re interested in, among other key benefits.
Find The Best Credit Cards For 2023
Getting added as an authorized user on someone else’s credit card is an effective way to build or establish credit while enjoying premium perks. Just know that becoming an authorized user comes with some risk, since you don’t control the account. If the primary account holder doesn’t pay their bill, has too high of a balance or closes their account altogether, your credit can be negatively impacted. Think carefully before you decide to become an authorized user on a credit card. Adding yourself to an account that’s in good standing can get you one step closer to better credit scores as well as access to products and rates that you may not have otherwise qualified for. But remember, your credit could also be negatively affected if you’re added to an account, then payments are late or missed.
Beyond the above perks, there are a number of Amex Platinum benefits that are shared between the primary and additional cardholders. In other words, these perks are granted once per account — but purchases by any card on the account will trigger them. Depending on your situation and how much you’ll get out of the perks, the benefits of adding an authorized user to your Platinum card can easily outweigh the additional $175 fee.