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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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Why I have an authorized user Amex Platinum instead of getting my own account
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.
February 25, 2021 • 11 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
The article explores whether it's better to be an authorized user or have your own premium travel card account, focusing on the value and perks available to authorized users.
Authorized users on certain premium cards receive many of the same travel benefits, such as lounge access, hotel elite status and travel protections, though they may not receive all statement credits.
Adding authorized users can be cost-effective, as multiple users can share many perks for a single supplemental fee.
The decision to remain an authorized user may be influenced by eligibility for welcome bonuses, use of statement credits and personal travel habits.
What to consider
Authorized users typically do not receive most statement credits except for select travel application fee credits, and their rewards accrue to the primary cardholder.
Eligibility for welcome bonuses is restricted by prior account history and other issuer criteria, with a pop-up warning provided during the application process if ineligible.
Authorized user cards may not receive the same level of targeted offers as primary accounts, and some benefits require enrollment.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of the specific perks and limitations for authorized users versus primary cardholders, including real-world scenarios and decision-making advice.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
I love using many of the perks provided by The Platinum Card® from American Express. So, you might be surprised to learn I don't have my own Amex Platinum account. Instead, I am an authorized user on my husband's Amex Platinum account. In particular, I have an additional Platinum card, which provides many of the same perks as having my own account.
In case you're not already well-versed in the Platinum card's many perks and benefits, here's a quick rundown.
(Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
The Amex Platinum is one of the best travel rewards cards due to its excellent travel perks. First off, you'll earn:
5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1x)
1x points on other purchases
Amex Platinum cardmembers also have access to several statement credits. These statement credits, which can help offset the $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), include:
Airline fee credit: Up to $200 in statement credits annually for incidental fees charged by one airline you select*
Uber benefits: Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber credits annually, split into monthly $15 credits for U.S. rides or eats orders plus a $20 bonus in December*
Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Up-to-$100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or up-to-$85 fee credit for TSA PreCheck every 4.5 years (depending on which application fee you charge to your card first)
Saks credit: Up to $100 in Saks credits annually, split into a $50 credit for purchases in January through June and a $50 credit for purchases in July through December*
Amex Offers: Enroll in specific offers to get statement credits or extra Membership Rewards points
If you use these credits, it becomes easy to justify the Amex Platinum's $695 annual fee. Plus, Amex Platinum cardmembers also get the following perks that can provide additional value:
The Amex Platinum's unique perks are why the card remains a staple in my wallet. After all, if you want to book hotels through the Fine Hotels and Resorts program, you'll need a Platinum- or Centurion-branded card. Likewise, if you wish to access Amex Centurion lounges when flying any airline, you'll need a Platinum- or Centurion-branded card. So, unless you have a small business and decide to add The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to your wallet, the Amex Platinum is likely your best option if you want these perks.
Despite all those perks, as noted above, I haven't gotten my own Amex Platinum card yet.
Instead, I have an additional Platinum Card on my husband's Amex Platinum account. Here's why … Amex Platinum cardmembers can add up to three additional Platinum Cards to their account for an additional $175 annual fee total for all three additional users (see rates and fees).
But, additional Platinum Cards get many of the same perks as the primary Amex Platinum cardmember. Amex explicitly notes the following perks when you add an additional Platinum Card to your account:
Enjoy Hilton Gold perks at the Conrad Bora Bora (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)
In practice, additional Platinum Cards also get many other perks. For example, additional Platinum Cards get a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit independent of the primary cardmember. And additional Platinum Cards also get access to the Amex Platinum's shopping and travel protections. The only significant Amex Platinum benefits that additional Platinum Cards don't get are statement credits (excluding the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit).
Additional cards do get their own Amex Offers. But, additional cards often don't get the same level of offers as primary cards. For example, my additional Platinum Card didn't get its own set of Home Depot and Best Buy Amex Offers when Amex recently offered easy statement credits to most Amex Platinum cardmembers.
And, of course, additional Platinum Cards earn rewards for the primary cardmember. So, if you want to build your own Amex Membership Rewards balance, you may wish to apply for your own Amex Platinum card. Luckily, the Amex Platinum is currently offering an appealing welcome bonus.
The current Amex Platinum welcome offer allows you to earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Frankly, the welcome bonus I described in the previous section is compelling. The 80,000-point bonus would be useful. But, I've been ineligible for welcome offers the last few times I've applied for Amex cards. So, I expect I wouldn't be eligible for the Amex Platinum's welcome offer. After all, even though I've never had an Amex Platinum account before, Amex considers other factors when deciding whether to offer a potential applicant a welcome bonus.
The Platinum Card from American Express earns valuable Amex Membership Rewards points and offers excellent travel perks. As such, frequent travelers often believe the Amex Platinum is the king of premium rewards cards. However, some travelers might not need their own Amex Platinum account if a friend or family member can add them as an additional Platinum cardmember.
After all, the Amex Platinum extends many of the same perks to primary cardmembers and authorized users, including lounge access. So, getting an additional Platinum card may be a better option for some travelers. In particular, an additional Platinum card may be better if you wouldn't use the Amex Platinum's statement credits at close to face value. An additional Platinum card may also be better if you don't have a high enough credit score for the Amex Platinum or simply aren't eligible for the Amex Platinum's welcome bonus.
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.
