Last Updated: July 17, 2025

The American Express Platinum Card represents the pinnacle of premium travel rewards, offering an impressive array of benefits that most cardholders never fully maximize. But here's something many don't realize: you can share many of these valuable perks with your family and friends through authorized users.

Whether you're considering adding your spouse, adult children, or close friends to your account, understanding how authorized users work on the Platinum Card can help you extract maximum value from your annual fee investment. Let's dive into everything you need to know about sharing your Platinum benefits.

How Authorized Users Work on the Amex Platinum Card

The Platinum Card allows you to add Additional Card Members (what Amex calls authorized users) who receive their own physical card and can access many of the same premium benefits you enjoy. This feature transforms your individual card into a family travel powerhouse.

Key Points:

• Authorized users receive their own Platinum Card with their name
• They can make purchases that appear on your statement
• Most premium benefits are shared, but some remain exclusive to the primary cardholder
• All spending by authorized users counts toward your Membership Rewards balance

Updated Authorized User Fee Structure

American Express significantly changed its authorized user pricing in recent years, making it more attractive for families. Here's the current fee structure:

Current Pricing:

• $195 total for up to three authorized users - This is the total cost whether you add one, two, or three users
• $195 per person for each additional user beyond the first three - If you want four users, you'll pay $390 total ($195 for the first three, plus $195 for the fourth)

This pricing structure makes adding multiple family members much more cost-effective than before. For families with two or three frequent travelers, the value proposition becomes compelling.

Benefits Shared with Authorized Users

The beauty of adding authorized users lies in the extensive benefits they can access. Here's what your Additional Card Members can enjoy:

Premium Travel Benefits

Global Lounge Access

• American Express Centurion Lounges worldwide
• Priority Pass Select membership with guest privileges
• Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta
• Access to International American Express Lounges

Airport Convenience

• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit (one-time benefit)
• Clear membership credit
• Access to Amex's travel booking platform

Elite Status and Travel Perks

Hotel Elite Status

• Hilton Honors Gold status
• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits

Car Rental Benefits

• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards membership
• Avis Preferred membership
• National Emerald Club Executive membership

Annual Credits (Shared Per Account)

It's crucial to understand that these credits are shared across your entire account, not per authorized user:

Travel Credits:

• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit
• Up to $200 annual hotel credit for Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings
• Up to $189 annual Clear membership credit

Lifestyle Credits:

• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit (two $50 credits)
• Up to $240 annual digital entertainment credit ($20 monthly)
• Up to $300 annual Equinox credit
• Up to $155 annual Walmart+ membership credit

Since these credits are shared per account, coordination with your authorized users is essential to maximize their value.

Benefits That Remain Exclusive to Primary Cardholders

While authorized users receive substantial benefits, some perks remain exclusive to the primary cardholder:

Sign-Up Bonuses

Only the primary cardholder receives the welcome bonus. All spending by authorized users counts toward the minimum spending requirement, but the bonus points are deposited into the primary cardholder's account.

Uber Benefits

The Uber VIP status and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash credits are tied to a single Uber account. To share these benefits with authorized users, you'd need to:

• Remove the card from your Uber account
• Add it to the authorized user's account
• Remember that credits can only be used in one account at a time

Membership Rewards Management

The primary cardholder maintains control over transfer partners and redemption decisions. All points earned by authorized users flow into the primary cardholder's account.

Making the Financial Case for Authorized Users

With the current fee structure, adding authorized users often pays for itself through shared benefits. Here's how to calculate the value:

Cost-Benefit Analysis

For Two Authorized Users ($195 total):

• Two Priority Pass memberships: $400+ value
• Two Global Entry credits: $200 value
• Two Hilton Gold memberships: $100+ value
• Shared annual credits: $1,000+ potential value

Break-Even Calculation:Even if your authorized users only use lounge access and Global Entry credits, you're already approaching the $195 fee. Add in hotel elite status and shared credits, and the value proposition becomes clear.

Who Should Consider Adding Authorized Users

Ideal Candidates:

• Spouses or partners who travel frequently
• Adult children who are responsible with credit
• Close family members who can coordinate credit usage
• Business partners who share travel expenses

Consider Carefully:

• Anyone with spending control issues
• People who travel infrequently
• Those who prefer managing their own credit profiles

Age Requirements and Restrictions

American Express has specific guidelines for authorized users:

Age Requirements:

• No minimum age requirement for authorized users
• However, minimum age requirements vary by state for credit reporting
• Parents often add teenage children to help build credit history

Credit Impact:

• Authorized user activity appears on their credit report
• Can help build credit history for young adults
• Payment history is tied to the primary cardholder's responsibility

Maximizing Value with Strategic Coordination

To get the most from your authorized users, consider these strategies:

Credit Coordination

• Assign specific annual credits to different users
• Track usage to avoid duplication
• Plan ahead for high-value credits like the hotel benefit

Travel Planning

• Coordinate lounge access for family trips
• Share elite status benefits across hotel stays
• Plan Global Entry interviews for the entire family

Spending Strategy

• Use authorized user cards for category bonuses
• Ensure all spending contributes to your Membership Rewards balance
• Consider which family member is best positioned to use specific benefits

Comparing Alternatives

Before adding authorized users, consider these alternatives:

Individual Premium Cards:

• Each person gets their own sign-up bonus
• Independent credit building
• More complex coordination required

Other Family Card Options:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred offers lower-cost authorized users
• Gold Card provides good value for dining-focused families

Managing Multiple Authorized Users

Best Practices:

• Set clear spending guidelines upfront
• Regular communication about credit usage
• Monthly statement reviews
• Coordinate travel plans to maximize benefits

Potential Challenges:

• Tracking multiple users' spending
• Coordinating annual credit usage
• Managing different travel preferences
• Ensuring responsible spending habits

When Authorized Users Make Sense

Adding authorized users to your Platinum Card makes most sense when:

Travel Frequency: Your family travels frequently enough to justify premium benefitsBenefit Utilization: You can effectively coordinate and use shared annual creditsFinancial Responsibility: All users demonstrate responsible spending habitsValue Alignment: The combined benefits exceed the $195 annual fee

Removal and Changes

If circumstances change, you can:

• Remove authorized users at any time
• Add new users throughout the year
• Adjust your strategy based on family needs

Alternative Strategies

For Infrequent Travelers:Consider whether the Green Card or Gold Card might better suit your family's needs.

For Heavy Spenders:Look into business cards like the Business Gold Card for additional earning potential.

The Bottom Line

At $195 for up to three authorized users, the Platinum Card's authorized user program offers exceptional value for families who travel regularly. The shared lounge access, elite status benefits, and coordinated annual credits can easily justify the additional cost.

The key is honest assessment of your family's travel patterns and coordination abilities. If you can effectively manage the shared benefits and your authorized users will genuinely utilize the premium perks, adding them to your account is often a smart move.

For families serious about maximizing their travel rewards, the Platinum Card's authorized user benefits represent one of the best values in premium travel cards. Just remember that success depends on coordination, communication, and strategic planning among all cardholders.

Ready to maximize your Platinum Card benefits? Consider adding authorized users to share the premium experience with your family while extracting maximum value from your annual fee investment.

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