Last Updated: June 14, 2025

Adding an authorized user to your credit card isn't just about convenience—it's a strategic way to help someone build credit while maximizing your own rewards potential. But not all cards are created equal when it comes to authorized user benefits. Some charge hefty fees that negate the value, while others offer premium perks that make the extra cost worthwhile.

After analyzing dozens of credit cards and their authorized user programs, we've identified seven cards that deliver exceptional value for additional cardholders. Whether you're helping a family member establish credit or looking to share premium travel benefits, these cards offer the best combination of rewards, benefits, and reasonable fees. If you're still weighing whether this strategy makes sense, check out our guide on should you add an authorized user on card for additional insights.

Why Add an Authorized User to Your Credit Card?

Before diving into our top picks, let's explore why authorized user arrangements can be beneficial for both parties. When you add someone to your account, they receive their own physical card tied to your credit line and credit history.

For the primary cardholder, authorized users help you:

• Hit sign-up bonus spending requirements faster
• Earn rewards on additional purchases
• Manage family or business expenses more efficiently
• Qualify for spending-based benefits sooner

For the authorized user, being added to a well-managed account can:

• Help build or improve their credit score
• Provide access to premium benefits they couldn't qualify for independently
• Offer valuable travel protections and insurance coverage
• Give them earning power without the responsibility of payments

The key is choosing a card that maximizes these benefits while minimizing costs and complications. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 9.6% of new consumer credit records are created through authorized user arrangements, making this an increasingly popular credit-building strategy.

How We Evaluated the Best Cards for Authorized Users

Our selection criteria focused on five key factors:

1. Cost-effectiveness: Annual fees for authorized users versus benefits received
2. Benefit sharing: How many primary cardholder perks extend to authorized users
3. Credit building potential: Whether the card helps authorized users establish credit history
4. Earning structure: Rewards rates and bonus categories available to additional cardholders
5. Ease of management: Tools for tracking spending and setting limits

With these criteria in mind, here are the seven credit cards offering the greatest value for authorized users.

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Best Overall Value

Annual fee for authorized users: $0 (up to 4 users)Best for: Premium travel benefits without additional cost

The Capital One Venture X revolutionized the authorized user game by offering premium benefits at no additional cost. This is the rare premium travel card that doesn't penalize you for sharing the wealth.

What Authorized Users Get:

• Full Priority Pass membership with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Hertz President's Circle elite status with guaranteed upgrades and premium vehicle selection
• Comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and rental car coverage
• 2X miles on all purchases with no category restrictions
• Capital One lounge access (until February 2026, when a $125 annual fee will apply)

Why It's Exceptional:

With most premium cards charging $150-$195 annually for authorized users, the Venture X's zero fee structure is remarkable. The Priority Pass membership alone typically costs over $400 annually, making this an extraordinary value proposition. For car rental enthusiasts, the Hertz elite status provides real value through guaranteed upgrades and expedited service.

Potential drawbacks: Starting February 2026, lounge access will require a $125 annual fee for authorized users, though this still represents solid value compared to competitors.

2. The Platinum Card from American Express - Best for Luxury Travel Benefits

Annual fee for authorized users: $195 per yearBest for: Maximum premium benefits and status perks

Despite the $195 annual fee, the Amex Platinum offers the most comprehensive suite of benefits for authorized users, making it worthwhile for frequent travelers. For a detailed analysis of whether the fee justifies the benefits, see our complete breakdown in Amex Platinum Authorized Users: Is It Worth It?.

What Authorized Users Get:

• Global lounge access including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass
• Hotel elite status with Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold (enrollment required)
• Car rental elite status with Hertz, Avis, and National (enrollment required)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit ($120 value every 4 years)
• Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits including room upgrades and breakfast
• Comprehensive travel insurance and purchase protection

Why It's Worth the Fee:

The combination of lounge access, elite statuses, and travel credits often exceeds the $195 fee for active travelers. The Global Entry credit alone recovers much of the cost over its four-year validity period.

Best suited for: Travelers who can maximize hotel elite benefits and frequent flyers who value lounge access.

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve - Best for Chase Ecosystem Benefits

Annual fee for authorized users: $195 per year (with recent updates)Best for: Ultimate Rewards points and comprehensive travel coverage

The recently refreshed Chase Sapphire Reserve now offers even more value for authorized users, though at a higher cost following 2025 updates.

What Authorized Users Get:

• Priority Pass Select membership with lounge access and dining credits
• Primary rental car insurance (rare among credit cards)
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage up to $10,000 per trip
• 3X points on travel and dining purchases worldwide
• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status (new benefit)
• Chase Sapphire Lounge access when traveling

Why It Stands Out:

The primary rental car insurance is exceptionally valuable—most cards only offer secondary coverage. This benefit alone can save hundreds on rental car insurance waiver fees.

Key advantage: Integration with Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem provides excellent redemption flexibility through transfer partners. Learn more about maximizing these opportunities in our Complete Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards.

4. American Express Gold Card - Best for Dining and Grocery Rewards

Annual fee for authorized users: $0Best for: Maximizing everyday spending rewards

The Amex Gold Card strikes an excellent balance between earning power and benefits for authorized users, with no additional fee.

What Authorized Users Get:

• 4X points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 annually)
• 4X points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually)
• 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit ($120 value)
• Travel insurance coverage and purchase protection
• Access to Amex Offers for additional savings

Why It's Ideal for Families:

The grocery and dining bonus categories align perfectly with family spending patterns. Multiple authorized users can help maximize the annual spending caps in these high-earning categories.

Sweet spot: Families who can collectively spend close to the annual caps in bonus categories see exceptional value.

5. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card - Best Mid-Tier Option

Annual fee for authorized users: $0Best for: Chase Ultimate Rewards earning without premium costs

The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers many of the same earning and redemption benefits as its Reserve sibling without authorized user fees.

What Authorized Users Get:

• 2X points on travel and dining purchases
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Rental car coverage (secondary)
• Purchase protection and extended warranty
• No foreign transaction fees
• Ultimate Rewards transfer partner access

Why It Makes Sense:

Authorized users get the valuable Ultimate Rewards earning structure and redemption flexibility without the premium benefits they might not use. It's perfect for building credit while earning flexible points.

Best for: Users who want Chase Ultimate Rewards benefits but don't need lounge access or extensive travel perks. For those deciding between the two Sapphire cards, our Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card comparison provides detailed insights.

6. Apple Card - Most Innovative Family Sharing

Annual fee for authorized users: $0Best for: Transparent family financial management and credit building

The Apple Card takes a unique approach to authorized users through Apple Card Family, offering features no other issuer provides.

What Makes It Special:

• Individual Daily Cash earning for each user based on their own spending
• Transparent spending tracking with detailed merchant information
• Spending controls and notifications for family management
• Equal credit building for co-owners (18+)
• No fees whatsoever - no annual, foreign transaction, or late fees

Earning Structure:

• 3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases and select merchants
• 2% Daily Cash when using Apple Pay
• 1% Daily Cash on physical card purchases

Why It's Different:

Unlike traditional authorized user programs, Apple Card Family allows participants to earn their own rewards and build credit individually while maintaining family oversight.

Ideal for: Families with teenagers learning financial responsibility and households heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.

7. Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express - Best for Grocery Rewards

Annual fee for authorized users: $0Best for: Maximizing cash back on everyday purchases

The Blue Cash Preferred offers the highest grocery earning rate in the market, making it perfect for families looking to maximize everyday spending rewards.

What Authorized Users Get:

• 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually, then 1%)
• 6% cash back on select streaming services (up to $6,000 annually)
• 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage

Why It's Valuable:

The 6% grocery rate is unmatched, and authorized users help families reach the annual spending cap faster. With grocery prices continuing to rise, this card provides substantial value for household spending.

Maximum value: Families spending the full $6,000 annually in grocery stores earn $360 in cash back from this category alone.

Special Considerations When Adding Authorized Users

Credit Impact

Adding someone as an authorized user can positively impact their credit score if your account has:

• Consistent on-time payment history
• Low credit utilization (below 30%)
• Long account history
• Good standing with the issuer

However, negative account activity will also appear on their credit report, so maintain responsible account management. To monitor the impact on credit scores, consider using services like Experian or Credit Karma to track changes over time.

Age Requirements

Different card issuers have varying minimum age requirements for authorized users. Most major issuers allow users as young as 13-15, while some have no minimum age at all. For complete details on age requirements across different cards, check our guide on Minimum Age for Credit Card Authorized Users.

Spending Controls

Look for cards offering:

• Individual spending limits for each authorized user
• Real-time notifications for purchases
• Detailed spending categorization for easy tracking
• Temporary card locking capabilities

Fee Structures to Watch

Be aware of cards with high authorized user fees that may not justify the benefits:

• Some premium cards charge $175-$195 annually per user
• Business cards often have different fee structures
• International cards may have additional restrictions

Maximizing Your Authorized User Strategy

For Credit Building

• Add family members to your oldest, best-managed accounts
• Keep overall account utilization below 10% for maximum credit score impact
• Consider adding teenagers as early as 16-18 to give them a credit history head start

According to Experian, authorized users can see credit score improvements within just a few months when added to well-managed accounts.

For Rewards Optimization

• Choose cards aligned with authorized users' spending patterns
• Use authorized users to help meet sign-up bonus requirements
• Leverage multiple users to maximize bonus category spending caps

For beginners looking to avoid common pitfalls, our guide Credit Card Rookie? Avoid These Costly Mistakes provides essential tips for responsible credit card use.

For Family Management

• Set clear expectations about spending and payment responsibilities
• Use cards with robust tracking and control features
• Consider cards with educational tools for younger users

For frequent travelers looking to maximize flight benefits, tools like Expert Flyer can help track award availability and seat upgrades across multiple airlines.

Bottom Line: Which Card Should You Choose?

For maximum value at zero cost: Capital One Venture X offers unbeatable benefits without authorized user fees, making it our top overall choice.

For premium travelers willing to pay for benefits: Amex Platinum provides the most comprehensive perks, justifying its $195 annual fee for frequent travelers.

For families focused on everyday spending: Amex Gold (dining) or Blue Cash Preferred (groceries) maximize rewards on common purchase categories without additional fees.

For innovative family financial management: Apple Card offers unique transparency and control features perfect for teaching financial responsibility.

For Chase Ultimate Rewards enthusiasts: Choose Sapphire Reserve for premium benefits or Sapphire Preferred for solid earning without extra costs.

The best choice depends on your specific needs, spending patterns, and how much value the authorized users can extract from the card's benefits. Consider the authorized user's lifestyle, spending habits, and credit goals when making your decision.

Remember, the most important factor isn't just the benefits offered—it's ensuring the authorized user will actually use and appreciate them while helping you achieve your own points and travel goals.