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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Amex Platinum authorized user card vs. companion card: Which is best for your family and friends?
Augusta Stone is a credit cards writer for TPG. She joined the TPG team in 2023 and is excited to take points and miles beginners with her on a journey toward maximizing rewards.
September 30, 2025 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
The article compares two ways to share premium card benefits: adding a companion card at no extra cost or paying a fee for an authorized user card.
Companion cards allow another person to access select perks and help the primary cardholder earn rewards, but lack key travel benefits like lounge access and elite status.
Authorized users receive expanded benefits, including lounge access, hotel and car rental elite status and access to premium hotel programs, but require an additional fee.
Neither option provides individual statement credits (except for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck) or a welcome offer to the added person.
What to consider
Companion cards are ideal for those who do not need travel perks such as lounge access or elite status, making them suitable for teenagers or those building credit history.
Authorized users must be at least 13 years old and can access more comprehensive travel benefits, making this option better for frequent travelers or close companions.
Membership Rewards points are valued at 2 cents each as of September 2025 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison table outlining which benefits each type of additional cardholder receives and scenarios for choosing the best option.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The Companion Platinum Card comes with no fee (see rates and fees) but fewer benefits, while you'll pay an additional $195 authorized user fee (see rates and fees) on top of the Amex Platinum's existing $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) if you go that route.
So, which one is right for you? Let's compare these two products to help you decide.
Companion Platinum vs. authorized user benefits
Benefit
Companion Platinum
Authorized user
Access to Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection programs
No
Yes
Amex Offers
Yes
Yes
Car rental and hotel elite status
No
Yes
Cellphone protection (when you pay your monthly bill with the card)
Yes
Yes
Earns Membership Rewards points
Yes
Yes
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit
Yes
Yes
Lounge access
No
Yes
Platinum Nights by Resy dining experiences
Yes
Yes
Travel and shopping protections
Yes
Yes
Additional fee
$0
$195
Which benefits do neither Companion Platinum Card members nor authorized users receive?
It's important to note that neither Companion Platinum Card members nor authorized users receive their own individual statement credits except for the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. However, they can help the primary cardmember maximize their credits by spending on the card.
Companion Platinum Card members and authorized users also don't receive a welcome offer unless they apply for their own Platinum Card as a primary cardmember.
Can you earn bonus points for adding a Companion Platinum Card member or authorized user?
It's worth checking your Amex Offers to see if you can earn bonus points for adding an authorized user. (You're unlikely to earn bonus points for adding a Companion Platinum Card.)
For example, TPG contributing credit cards editor Matt Moffitt had an offer to earn 20,000 bonus points after the first authorized user added spent $2,000 on their card within the first six months of card membership.
When considering a Companion Platinum Card, remember it does not include lounge access or elite status, benefits that come with an Amex Platinum authorized user card. If you're fine without, consider these perks.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck statement credit
Primary cardmembers, authorized users and Companion Platinum Card members receive statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You'll receive a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4 1/2 years with TSA PreCheck.
If you are already enrolled in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, you can use this benefit for someone else. Since you don't have to pay to add a Companion Platinum Card, this provides excellent value.
Earning more points
The primary cardmember earns bonus points on every purchase made by a Companion Platinum Card member. Companion Platinum Cards earn points in the same bonus categories as the Amex Platinum:
5 points per dollar spent on airfare purchased directly with the airlines or through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel
When you should pay for an Amex Platinum authorized user
There are some circumstances where it makes sense to pay the extra $195 and add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum. An authorized user receives all the benefits of the Companion Platinum Card, plus the following perks:
Lounge access
Eligible authorized users receive access* to the American Express Global Lounge Collection — even when they aren't traveling with the primary cardmember — including:
**When traveling on same-day Delta Air Lines-operated flights, eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card, per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go locations, unless they spend $75,000 or more on their card to unlock unlimited visits.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Amex doesn't allow most Platinum Card members to bring complimentary guests to Centurion Lounges, so adding your traveling companion as an authorized user could be a great idea.
That's because it normally costs $50 for each adult guest over 18 and $30 for each child between 2 and 17 (children under 2 are still free). An adult would need to visit a Centurion Lounge four times to earn back the value of the $195 authorized user fee.
However, if you spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum in a calendar year, you can bring two guests into Centurion Lounges.
Car rental and hotel elite status
Authorized users will also receive complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programs, as well as Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World. (Enrollment is required.)
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status benefits include room upgrades and priority late checkout (both subject to availability).
While they'll receive the benefits below, they don't get their own up to $300 biannual hotel statement credit, which is reserved for the primary cardmember only.
MONICA GALLARDO/SMALL LUXURY HOTELS
Booking through The Hotel Collection provides elitelike benefits to both primary cardmembers and authorized users, including:
Noon check-in***
Late checkout***
Room upgrade upon arrival***
$100 credit toward eligible charges
***Benefits are subject to availability.
And the Fine Hotels + Resorts program provides all the above benefits, plus:
The Companion Platinum Card allows another person to earn Membership Rewards points on behalf of the primary cardmember and redeem Amex Offers for no additional fee. Examples of who this option is best for include:
Someone who would benefit from receiving a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credit
JLCO-JULIA AMARAL/GETTY IMAGES
If you add someone as an authorized user, they'll receive perks similar to those available to you as the primary cardmember, such as lounge access and elite status — but it comes at a price.
For an authorized user, you'll have to pay an additional $195 on top of the Amex Platinum's $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). You can add up to three authorized users, and they have to be at least 13 years old. So, this option would be best for:
A partner, parent or close friend who is a frequent traveler
A Companion Platinum Card is best for teenagers and young adults just starting out to earn Membership Rewards points (for your account), while an authorized user card is a great option for frequent travelers who would better appreciate the card's travel benefits like lounge access and elite status.
If you're weighing whether your authorized user should get their own Amex Platinum — and potentially earn their own welcome bonus — we also have a full guide on how to make that decision.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
