Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
also contributed to this story
October 19, 2026 • 14 min read
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Frequently Asked Questions
An authorized user is someone who is allowed to use your credit card. The person is issued their own physical card, but it’s linked to your credit card account. Many cards allow authorized users to take advantage of some of the benefits offered to the primary cardholder.
Given that authorized user fees are typically less expensive than annual fees for primary (main) account holders, adding family members or spouses as authorized users on your account is a way to share some of the advantages of a card without shelling out another annual fee.
Adding your child as an authorized user can also help them start to build their credit history. But before you add them, check your issuer’s minimum age requirements.
Adding an authorized user won’t affect your credit score directly. However, remember that you are responsible for that person’s spending. If your authorized user overspends on their card, you’ll be accountable for the balance, associated fees and interest charges — and any impact on your credit score related to this spending. Because payment history and credit utilization both play significant roles in the calculation of your credit score, the behavior of your authorized users can end up negatively affecting your score.
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Quick summary
Adding an authorized user to your credit card allows another person to make purchases on your account, potentially helping you reach spending thresholds for bonuses and benefits.
Authorized users may gain access to valuable perks such as airport lounge entry, statement credits for travel programs and travel protections, depending on the card.
Some cards allow authorized users to benefit from the account's positive credit history, which may help them build or improve their own credit.
There are both paid and complimentary options for adding authorized users, with varying levels of benefits and costs.
What to consider
Primary cardholders remain responsible for all charges made by authorized users, regardless of repayment arrangements.
Authorized users may not receive all the same benefits as primary cardholders, and additional cards can come with extra costs.
Eligibility for certain perks, such as lounge access or travel credits, may require enrollment or meeting specific usage criteria.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the specific benefits, costs and limitations for authorized users across leading premium rewards cards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Adding an authorized user to your credit card allows someone else, such as a family member or trusted friend, to make purchases on your account. Their spending can also help you earn rewards faster and meet spending requirements for welcome bonuses or other benefits.
Dependin on the card, authorized users may also benefit from the account's positive credit history and receive valuable card perks, such as lounge access and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications.
Here's a look at the best rewards cards for authorized users, the benefits they offer and what to consider before adding someone to your account.
Overview of the best cards for authorized users
Here are some credit cards that offer valuable benefits to authorized users:
$195 for each additional authorized user; companion Platinum cards can be added for free (see rates and fees)
5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
5 points per dollar spent on prepaid lodging booked with American Express Travel
1 point per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
5 points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid lodging booked through Amex Travel
2 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more and on eligible purchases in select business categories (up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases
1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases plus all other eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 on your card each calendar year
Up to 3 additional cardholders for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user
12 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com and eligible car rentals booked through aadvantagecars.com
4 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (or 5 miles per dollar after spending $150,000 in a calendar year)
1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases
1 Loyalty Point toward AAdvantage status for each eligible mile earned
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X offers premium travel benefits for a $395 annual fee, with the option to extend select perks to authorized users.
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Authorized user benefits
Venture X authorized users can receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status* upon enrollment, along with eligible travel and purchase protections. They can also receive access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges for an additional $125 annual fee per authorized user.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
Authorized-user fees
You can add up to four authorized users at no additional cost. If you want an authorized user to receive eligible lounge access, you'll pay $125 annually for that card.
The annual fee for the primary account is $795 and primary cardholders can expect plenty of perks. Authorized users, however, can only rely on a few in their own right.
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Authorized user benefits
Authorized users receive access to Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés when departing on a Star Alliance member airline flight, and their own Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide. They also receive unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges.
In addition to lounge access, authorized users can also enjoy at least 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (must be activated by Dec. 31, 2029). Authorized users are also covered by Chase’s extensive travel protections.
Authorized-user fees
Each additional Sapphire Reserve card costs $195 annually.
The has an $895 annual fee and offers two types of additional cards: a paid additional Platinum Card and a no-annual-fee Companion Platinum Card. The paid version provides a broader range of premium travel benefits.
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Authorized user benefits
Paid authorized users are entitled to their own Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every four years) application fee reimbursement and can register for hotel and rental car elite status. They also receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Delta Sky Club*, Centurion and Priority Pass™ lounges with the same entry privileges as the primary cardmember.
*When traveling on same-day Delta flights; eligible Platinum cardmembers will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Authorized users also have access to booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts, along with all the extra benefits that it confers.
(Enrollment is required for select benefits)
Authorized-user fees
Additional Platinum Cards cost $195 each annually. You can also add Companion Platinum Cards at no additional annual fee.
Companion cards earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar spent) and on prepaid lodging on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar spent on all other spending.
However, Companion cardmembers are not eligible for Priority Pass membership or access to Centurion Lounges. Furthermore, they do not qualify for other perks such as annual Uber Cash and elite status at certain hotels and rental car agencies.
Like the personal Platinum card, the offers premium travel benefits to eligible additional cardmembers, although the cost is higher.
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Authorized user benefits
Business Platinum authorized users are eligible for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credits ($120 every four years for Global Entry and up to $85 every four years for TSA PreCheck) and receive access to Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club lounges* — among other benefits.
*When traveling on same-day Delta flights; eligible cardmembers will receive 10 visits per eligible card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Authorized users also get access to the Amex Business Platinum’s suite of travel and purchase protections.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Authorized-user fees
Business Platinum cardmembers can tack on additional cards for $400 each, so it’s not nearly as good a deal as with the personal card. That said, it’s still worth considering if you have an employee who travels frequently.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
The benefits offered by the and the are very similar, so let’s consider them together. Both of these cards carry annual fees of $650.
Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Authorized user benefits
Authorized users of both cards get access to Delta Sky Clubs* and Amex Centurion Lounges when they travel on flights marketed and operated by Delta and present a same-day Delta boarding pass.
*Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more per calendar year.
Authorized-user fees
Additional cards cost $175 per year each for both the Reserve and Reserve Business. Since these cards offer the same perks for their authorized users, the choice comes down to which card makes more sense for your wallet long-term.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard
Citi’s top-tier American Airlines cobranded card has an annual fee of $695 per year. While authorized users don't receive all the primary cardholder's benefits, they can still access eligible Admirals Club locations.
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Authorized user benefits
Additional cardholders can access eligible American Airlines Admirals Clubs and bring immediate family members or up to two guests at no additional charge, subject to the lounge's entry requirements. However, they don't receive access to partner lounges through this benefit.
Additionally, spending by authorized users counts toward earning bonus Loyalty Points each year — these are credited to the primary cardholder's account.
Authorized-user fees
You can add up to three authorized users for $175 annually. Each additional authorized user beyond those three costs another $175 per year.
Beyond the perks offered by individual cards, there are other reasons you might consider adding someone to your account.
Adding an authorized user can help you earn rewards faster, since their purchases count toward your account's spending activity. This can be especially useful when working toward a welcome bonus or spending-based benefits, such as elite status. Some issuers also offer targeted bonuses for adding authorized users.
Authorized users may also benefit from the primary cardholder's positive credit history, potentially helping them build or improve their own credit. Depending on the issuer, adding an authorized user may also provide additional options for sharing or transferring rewards.
Of course, there are also a few potential downsides to consider before adding someone to your account.
The biggest consideration is that the primary cardholder is responsible for all purchases, even those made by authorized users. Authorized users generally aren't responsible for repaying the account balance, although issuer policies and individual circumstances may vary.
Additional cards may also come with annual fees, and authorized users don't always receive the same benefits as primary cardholders.
Before adding someone to your account, make sure you understand the costs, benefits and available spending controls.
There are many reasons to add an authorized user to your credit card account. It can help someone build their credit and improve their score, net you extra spending toward a welcome bonus and extend the use of your points to friends or family members.
Certain high-end credit cards also bestow value-added benefits on authorized users, such as lounge access, Global Entry reimbursements and inflight purchase discounts.
As always, when considering a credit card, consider your spending habits and needs and then determine whether adding authorized users will provide enough value to justify any annual fees you might incur.
And remember that as the primary cardholder, you're responsible for purchases made by authorized users.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve Business card, click here.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
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.
