Adding authorized users to your Platinum account can come with substantial fees. Still, it can be a cost-effective way for families and frequent travelers to maximize the card’s benefits like access to airport lounges, shared credits and even some travel-related elite status. Forbes Advisor looked at the main perks of both the Additional Platinum card and the Companion Platinum card to help weigh the benefits of adding additional users to your account.
Lounge Access
Authorized users who hold an Additional Platinum card are extended the same lounge benefits the primary cardholder is, gaining access to more than 1,400 lounges across over 140 countries. The Amex lounge network includes access to:
This became particularly valuable since starting February 2023, primary Amex Platinum cardholders can no longer bring guests into Centurion Lounges for free, instead being charged a $50 per person, per visit fee. Members may qualify for complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their card each calendar year. Authorized user Platinum cardholders have access to lounges on their own without needing guest access.
Credits
The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) offers numerous credits. In most cases, authorized users are not granted their own credit. Instead, qualifying purchases using an Additional Platinum card or Companion Platinum card will trigger the primary account holder’s credit.
- $200 hotel credit. Authorized user purchases that qualify under the prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection booked through American Express Travel will trigger up to $200 in statement credit every year. Companion Platinum cards are eligible to purchase only The Hotel Collection bookings.
- $200 airline fee credit. While authorized users cannot make their own preferred airline selection to use the airline fee credit, they will trigger up to $200 in statement credits when charging incidental fees like checked bags or in-flight food and beverages to their cards. The overall credit for the account is $200, independent of how many authorized users are on that account.
- $300 Equinox credit and SoulCycle at-home bike credit. After card member enrollment, if any of your authorized users pay for an Equinox+ or any Equinox club membership or make a SoulCycle at-home Bike purchase in full with their card, this credit will be triggered. Once again, the authorized user does not receive their own $300 credit but rather shares it with the primary card member.
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit. After the primary cardholder enrolls in this benefit, any purchase at Saks Fifth Avenue—including those initiated by the authorized users—will be eligible for up to $50 on a semiannual basis for up to $100 annually in statement credits.
- CLEAR® Plus credit. Upon enrollment in the benefit, anyone on the account who charges a CLEAR® Plus membership to their card will trigger up to $199 in statement credit per year. The total credit for the account is $199, which is the total cost of a year’s membership to CLEAR® Plus. This means only one person can take advantage of this credit.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit. The primary cardholder and each authorized user holding either an Additional Platinum card or Companion Platinum card will receive a statement credit to either Global Entry) every four years or a membership to TSA PreCheck® every 4.5 years when they use their cards to pay for the subscription. Given that there is no annual fee to add a Companion Platinum card, using this credit for an authorized user can help you realize more value out of your primary card’s yearly fee.
- Walmart+ monthly membership credit. When you or your authorized users charge a monthly Walmart+ membership to the Amex Platinum, your account will be credited up to $12.95 plus local applicable sales tax to cover the full cost of one membership per account.
- $240 digital entertainment credit. Upon enrollment, if you or any of your authorized users make eligible purchases from Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal, your account will receive a monthly statement credit of up to $20.
- $200 Uber Cash. Get $15 in Uber Cash for orders with Uber Eats or rides with Uber each month, and a $20 bonus in December, for up to $200 in Uber credits annually. Just add your Platinum card as a form of payment to your Uber account to start receiving monthly Uber Cash. This is a once-per-account benefit, so only one user—primary or authorized cardholder—can take advantage of the credits at a time. Terms Apply.
- ShopRunner. Just by enrolling, you and your authorized users can receive free two-day shipping on eligible items at more than 100 online stores thanks to a complimentary membership with ShopRunner.
Elite Status
American Express Platinum cardholders also qualify for many elite statuses, and Additional Platinum card authorized users qualify for their own elite status benefits, too.
- Hilton Honors Gold™ status. By simply enrolling, authorized users can receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status to enjoy all the program’s perks.
- Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status. Authorized users can receive Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite status simply by enrolling.
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®. Authorized users can enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® so they can enjoy upgrades, discounts and priority service when renting a car from Hertz.
- Avis Preferred®. Get discounts, upgrades and more when enrolling with and renting cars from Avis and receiving automatic Avis Preferred® status.
- National Car Rental® Emerald Club. Enjoy all the perks of being elite with National Car Rental. Requires enrollment to trigger this automatic status.
- Fine Hotels & Resorts® Program. When making a Fine Hotels + Resorts® booking with American Express Travel, you or your authorized users can receive the following benefits:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade upon arrival if available
- $100 amenity (varies by property)
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
- Noon check-in if available
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Amex Offers
All authorized users have the ability to add their own Amex Offers to their accounts, enabling them to receive either additional Membership Rewards® points, discounts or cash back on purchases.
What Benefits Are Not Included?
One of the main drawbacks of adding authorized users to your account is that they do not earn a separate welcome bonus like a primary cardholder would when approved. However, as they are effectively spending through the same account, they do help earn rewards toward the same Membership Rewards account.
As mentioned previously, additional users do not get their own allotment of credits separate from those given to primary cardholders. If you were expecting to multiply those credits based on the number of authorized users, you will be disappointed.
It is also worth noting that if you want your authorized user to have their own travel benefits, such as airport lounge access and hotel and rental car elite status, you’ll have to get them an Additional Platinum card—which charges a separate annual fee—rather than a Companion Platinum card.