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There are many advantages to adding an authorized user to a credit card account. For one, it can help the primary cardholder hit certain spending requirements and earn rewards much faster. In turn, authorized users can benefit from the primary cardholder’s credit score and length of credit history in many instances, thus improving their own credit scores.
Certain credit cards also extend some benefits to additional cardholders, such as lounge access and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications.
Here are some reasons you might want to consider adding other cardholders to your accounts, the best rewards cards for doing so and the perks given to these authorized users.
What is an authorized user?
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 cardholders.
Considering 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 also can help them start to build credit history. But before you add them, check your issuer’s minimum age requirements.
Related: Should my partner get their own card or be added as an authorized user?
Reasons to add authorized users
There are many compelling reasons to add authorized users to your credit card accounts. Here are the most significant decision points:
Bonus point offers
Some credit cards offer bonus points for adding authorized users. For instance, American Express has sent out targeted offers to cardmembers of various products, including the American Express Gold® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express, allowing them to earn as many as 20,000 bonus points for adding authorized users.
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Hit spending thresholds
Any spending on an authorized user’s card will count toward the primary cardholder’s spending activity and help them hit the spending requirements for earning a sign-up bonus. If you’re working on a large welcome bonus, having someone else help you meet the spending requirements is useful.
Rack up rewards faster
Similarly, all the rewards points or miles an authorized user earns through everyday spending are credited to the primary cardholder. Plus, activity on additional cards will also go toward achieving any of the spending-based annual benefits, such as elite status, that certain cards offer. Of course, the primary cardholder is also responsible for ensuring all those purchases are paid off.
Help others build credit
Although your goal might be more points and more rewards for yourself, one of the best reasons to add authorized users to your credit card account is to help them build their own credit and raise their credit score. This can be especially beneficial for someone who might have bad or damaged credit or for a teenager who is just starting their credit journey and might not be able to qualify for a credit card on their own.
When someone is added as an authorized user, the account is added to that person’s credit report. So if the account is handled responsibly, all the factors that can boost your score with your own accounts — on-time payments, low amounts owed, etc. — will eventually begin to raise the authorized user’s score too.
Additional account transfer options
Adding a friend or relative as an authorized user can allow you to share your points and miles together. The process varies by issuer, so be sure to check your issuer’s specifications before counting on this as an option.
Overview of the best cards for authorized users
We’ll compare the following cards and highlight why these are the best credit cards for adding authorized users:
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X shook up the premium rewards credit card market with its launch in November 2021 with a much lower $395 annual fee while still offering luxury benefits comparable to those of more expensive cards. What’s also groundbreaking about this card is the ability to add up to four authorized users for no cost. Even better — authorized users get some great perks.
Authorized user benefits
Authorized users have complimentary access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges. Furthermore, Hertz’s partnership with Capital One allows the authorized user to receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite status.* Last but not least, your authorized user will receive important trip and purchase protections when paying with their card.
*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. 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.
Cardholder fees
The Venture X has an annual fee of $395. There is no fee to add up to four authorized users on the account.
For more details, see our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
Related: Why you should add authorized users on the Capital One Venture X
Apply here: Capital One Venture X
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Although Chase Sapphire Reserve primary cardholders can expect plenty of perks, authorized users can only rely on a few in their own right.
Authorized user benefits
Authorized users receive their own Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to airport lounges and restaurants at select airports.
Aside from lounge access, the only partner benefit that authorized users will currently enjoy is at least 12 months of DoorDash DashPass for free deliveries of $12 or greater (must activate by Dec. 31, 2024). Authorized users are also covered by Chase’s extensive travel protections.
Cardholder fees
The annual fee for the primary account is $550, and additional cards cost $75 each per year.
For more details, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Related: How to maximize earning with the Chase Sapphire Reserve
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Platinum Card® from American Express
One of the top all-around premium rewards cards available, the Amex Platinum offers comprehensive perks for the primary cardmember and some great authorized user benefits.
Authorized user benefits
Authorized users are entitled to their own Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application reimbursement, can register for hotel and rental car elite status and get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection with the same entry privileges as the primary cardmember.
Authorized users also have access to booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts, along with all the extra benefits that it conveys.
Cardholder fees
You can additional authorized users for $195 per card (see rates and fees). You can also add complimentary companion cards to your account, which are different from the American Express® Gold Card. The complimentary companion card earns 5 points per dollar 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) and on prepaid hotels on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other spending.
However, these complimentary companion card members are not eligible for Priority Pass Select membership or access to Centurion Lounges. Also, they do not qualify for other perks such as annual Uber Cash and elite status at certain hotels and rental car agencies.
For more details, please see our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Related: Complete guide to authorized users on the Amex Platinum
Apply here: Amex Platinum
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Like the personal Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum offers some outstanding perks to primary cardmembers and authorized users, including some the personal version does not include.
Authorized user benefits
Like the personal version, authorized users are eligible for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credits and receive access to Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club lounges — among other benefits.
Cardholder fees
Business Platinum cardmembers can tack on additional cards for $350 each (see rates and fees), so it’s not nearly as good a deal as with the personal card but is still worth considering.
For more details, please see our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Related: How to maximize your earning with the Amex Business Platinum
Apply here: Amex Business Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
The benefits offered by the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business are very similar, so let’s consider them together. Both of these cards carry annual fees of $550 (see rates and fees of the personal card and rates and fees of the business card).
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.
Cardholder fees
Additional cards cost $175 per year each for both the Reserve (see rates and fees) and Reserve Business (see rates and fees).
For more details, please see our full reviews of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.
Related: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard
Citi’s top-tier American Airlines cobranded card has an annual fee of $595 per year. For that hefty fee, however, cardholders can expect multiple value-added benefits.
Authorized user benefits
The best feature of this credit card is that additional cardholders can access American Airlines Admirals Clubs and bring immediate family members or up to two guests into the lounge with them for free, a benefit worth up to $850 each year.
Additionally, authorized user spending counts toward earning bonus Loyalty Points each year.
Cardholder fees
You can add up to three authorized users for $175 annually. Additional cards are $175 each.
For more details, please see our full review of the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Related: Annual fees for Citi AA Executive card authorized users
Apply here: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Does adding authorized users affect your credit score?
Adding an authorized user won’t affect your credit score directly. However, remember that you are responsible for that person’s spending. If the user overspends on the 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.
Related: Adding your kids as authorized users
Drawbacks to adding authorized users
Despite all the benefits, there are a few drawbacks to adding authorized users to your credit card accounts.
First, the primary cardholder is responsible for paying off all purchases, so you should only add someone you trust and put in place any spending controls you deem necessary. Many issuers will let primary cardholders track spending and set spending limits on additional accounts.
Second, additional cards sometimes come at a cost. Before you open any, be sure you know whether you will have to pay annual fees for adding users to your account.
Third, many credit cards do not confer the same benefits upon authorized users that the primary cardholder enjoys. Some cards require an authorized user to accompany the primary account holder to take advantage of benefits like preferred boarding.
If you know the requirements and limitations of taking on additional cards with your account, you should be able to maximize their value and benefits.
Bottom line
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 points on both a sign-up bonus and extend the use of your points to more 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, look at your spending habits and needs and then determine whether you will get enough value out of adding authorized users to justify any annual fees you might incur.
Additional reporting by Stella Shon, Benét J. Wilson, Madison Blancaflor, Ryan Smith and Richard Kerr.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold 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 above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
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