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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.
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Reader credit card question: What are the best luxury cards based on annual fee and authorized user fees
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
April 27, 2020 • 14 min read
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Quick summary
The article compares premium travel rewards cards, focusing on the costs and benefits of adding authorized users.
It outlines differences in primary and authorized user fees, as well as which perks extend to additional cardholders.
Some cards allow authorized users to access lounge networks, elite status, and travel protections, while others limit certain benefits.
Alternative strategies, such as each person applying for their own card or using mobile wallets, are also discussed.
What to consider
Authorized user fees and benefits vary significantly across premium travel rewards cards, with some cards charging extra for additional users and others offering complimentary access.
Not all perks, such as elite status or statement credits, are extended to authorized users—review each card's terms carefully before adding someone.
Some mid-tier travel rewards cards may offer a more cost-effective way to share benefits without extra authorized user fees.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side breakdown of authorized user costs, benefit eligibility, and alternative strategies for maximizing value as a couple or family.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Editor’s note: Every Monday, we answer your credit card questions. If you would like to ask us a question, tweet us at @thepointsguy, message us on Facebook or email us at info@thepointsguy.com. This post has been updated with the latest credit card information.
[pullquote source="Adrienne"]In order to do a true cost comparison for my family, I will need a card for me and my husband. Do you have a comparison among the luxury cards that shows the annual fee AND any additional fees for additional cards?[/pullquote]
We have a guide to the credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users that provides a deep analysis of benefits and fees for both the primary cardholder and authorized users. So, for today's reader credit card question, I'll compare the annual fee, authorized user fees and authorized user benefits across the following premium travel rewards cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Citi Prestige® Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
For all the cards in this article, authorized user cards earn the same number of points as the primary cardholder. However, authorized users may not get elite status benefits, baggage allowances, statement credits and other perks. So, let's take a look at the benefits that are afforded to authorized users on select premium travel rewards cards.
Comparing premium travel rewards cards for authorized users
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
$450
None for up to 10 authorized users
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
$550 (see rates & fees)
$175 for each additional Delta Reserve Card (see rates & fees)
None for additional Delta Platinum Cards (see rates & fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
$450 (see rates & fees)
None (see rates & fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
$650 (see rates & fees)
None (see rates & fees)
The information for the Citi Prestige card and the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Platinum Card from American Express
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Welcome bonus: 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of account opening. But, you may be able to snag an elevated welcome bonus using the CardMatch tool (targeted offer; subject change at anytime).
At least 12 months of complimentary DashPass, although the subscription period will begin and end based on when the first user (primary or authorized user) activates the subscription
Access to American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs when on same-day travel with American Airlines or American's partners for you and either immediate family members or up to two guests (does not include access to American Airlines partner lounges).
Apply here: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Welcome bonus: Earn 95,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of account opening. Offer ends 11/9/22.
Annual fee: $550 (see rates & fees)
Authorized user annual fee: $175 for each additional Delta Reserve Card, but none for additional Delta Platinum Cards (see rates & fees)
Benefits for authorized users:
Same earning rates as the primary cardmember
Travel and shopping protections (based on card type)
Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight. Get access for $39 per person, per visit when traveling on a Delta partner airline flight that is not marketed or operated by Delta. Bring up to two guests or immediate family for $39 per person, per visit. (additional Delta Platinum Cards aren't eligible)
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Annual fee: $650 (see rates & fees)
Authorized user annual fee: None (see rates & fees)
Benefits for authorized users:
Same earning rates, shopping protections and travel protections as the primary cardmember
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Other options for authorized users
(Photo by Jerry Monkman/Aurora Photos/Getty Images)
Adrienne didn't specify why she wanted to add her spouse as an authorized user. So, it's difficult to determine what benefits she is hoping to extend to her spouse as well as whether they might be better off each getting a card. But, here are some other options that may work better for some couples.
Each sign up for a card
It may make sense for both individuals to apply for cards if the benefits provided by both cards can justify the annual fees. For example, one person could apply for a cobranded hotel credit card and the other could apply for a cobranded airline card. Or, one person could apply for a Chase card and the other could apply for an Amex card.
The card's benefits and your lifestyle may justify both individuals having the same card. For example, it could make sense for both individuals to have their own Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card if you can use both airline fee credits and resort credits. Plus, both individuals can utilize Hilton Diamond elite status and Priority Pass Select membership when traveling separately.
I'm able to make purchases on my husband's account using cards of his that are stored in my mobile wallet. So, if you're mostly looking to boost your earning rates, this may be an option. However, many merchants still don't offer mobile payments and some merchants, including airlines, may require that your name match the one on the card -- so this isn't a perfect solution.
If you're looking to share a travel rewards card without any authorized user fees, you may want to consider a mid-tier card like the Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or American Express® Green Card. All of these cards offer modest earning along with a modest annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no fees for authorized users (see rates and fees for the Amex Green Card).
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Before adding an authorized user to your card, it's a good idea to consider your options. If there's a fee to add an authorized user, you should decide whether the benefits offered to the authorized user are worth it. You may also want to consider whether it would make more sense for the potential authorized user to instead sign-up for their own card -- especially if the card offers valuable credits, free nights and a sizeable welcome bonus.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire card, click here. For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex, click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green, 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.
