17 Benefits of Adding Additional Cardholders to the Amex Platinum Card [2026]

The Platinum Card^® from American Express has long been one of the most powerful and popular travel credit cards on the market.

The card offers a long list of benefits, including access to several major lounge networks, numerous statement credits, and various hotel and rental car statuses, which make traveling the world easier and more luxurious.

While most of the card’s benefits are pretty straightforward, we’re often asked how they work for additional cardmembers. Many cardholders are unsure which benefits their friends and family would actually receive if they added them as additional cardholders.

To make things even more confusing, Amex Platinum cardmembers can add additional cardholders as either a Companion Platinum Card or an Additional Platinum Card. Each of these has different costs and benefits, and neither has quite the same set of benefits as the primary cardholder.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t add additional cardholders to your Amex Platinum card. In fact, adding one or more can be quite beneficial to you — the primary cardholder — and to any of the additional cardholders you add to your account.

Here’s a walkthrough of all the benefits of adding an additional cardholder to your Amex Platinum card.

Amex Platinum Card Snapshot

The Amex Platinum card can easily provide thousands in value thanks to its many lucrative perks and benefits, but it carries a hefty $895 annual fee (rates & fees). Understanding how to get value from the card and keeping track of its benefits is an easy to way to maximize it.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted. 

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

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Up to $3,850

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$895

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

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Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Hot Tip: Apply and find out if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of as high as 175,000 points with the Amex Platinum. Welcome offers may vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

 

What Is an Additional Cardholder?

An additional cardholder is someone added to an existing credit card account.

In most cases, additional cardholders are family members. On a business account, additional cardholders may be employees.

Each additional cardholder receives a card with their name embossed on it. However, all charges are the responsibility of the main cardholder.

Companion Platinum Card vs. Additional Platinum Card

There are 2 types of additional cardholders you can add to your Amex Platinum card, and understanding the differences means you can choose the one that’s right for you.

Fees

The fees for these additional cards vary, with one option at no extra charge and the other with a significant fee.

Although adding a Companion Platinum card would save you money in fees, the benefits awarded to that card user are much more limited.

Benefits

Below, we compare the benefits of each Companion Platinum Card and Additional Platinum Card.

Companion Platinum cardholders receive a few benefits. In short, they can make purchases on the main cardholder’s account but don’t receive travel benefits such as lounge access.

However, Companion Platinum cardholders receive a statement credit for the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every 4 1/2 years for TSA PreCheck and every 4 years for Global Entry.

Rewards

Additional cards earn the same way the primary Amex Platinum cardholder does: 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 in charges per calendar year), 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com, and 1x points on all other purchases.

Benefits of Adding an Additional Cardholder To Your Amex Platinum Card

At a basic level, adding an additional cardholder can benefit both the main cardholder and the person added.

1. Cheaper Than Applying for a Separate Additional Card

The Amex Platinum card comes with a hefty annual fee, but an additional cardholder can enjoy the desirable benefits for a fraction of that cost (or even for no cost, depending on which card you choose).

The primary cardholder’s annual fee is $895, followed by $195 per Additional Platinum Card.

2. Build Credit History

Having a good credit score and history is extremely valuable.

If the main cardholder pays off the card in full each month and otherwise has responsible spending habits, an additional cardholder would benefit from this history.

Adding a child as an additional cardholder is an easy way to increase their average credit length and credit-to-debt ratio.

3. Track Spending Habits

Keeping track of family spending can be complicated. But if your spouse and children are additional cardholders, it’s easy to see where the money is going. The main cardholder can easily log in to their account and track who is spending what and where.

4. Share Benefits

The Amex Platinum card offers some of the best perks of any travel card. From lounge access to elite status to reimbursed Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application fees, holders of Additional Platinum Cards benefit the most. But even the Companion Platinum Card is worth getting, as it does offer some benefits, though mostly the less lucrative ones.

Earning Benefits of Adding an Additional Cardholder

Additional cardholders can help you earn more points.

5. Earn Your Welcome Offer Faster

The Amex Platinum card has a very attractive welcome offer, but it requires a fair amount of spending to earn it.

By having multiple users use their cards for everyday spending, you can hit the minimum more quickly and receive those coveted bonus points even sooner.

6. Earn More Bonus Points

The Amex Platinum card is great for building up your Membership Rewards balance.

With 5x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year, then 1x), having an additional cardholder spending on the card helps you earn more bonus points faster.

7. Earn Points on Every Purchase

Whenever a purchase is made on an additional cardholder’s card, the primary cardholder earns points for that purchase. This can be both a good and a bad thing: It’s good because you’re earning extra points, but it’s bad because, if your card falls into the wrong hands, you could be out some serious cash with no recourse.

With this in mind, ensure you only add additional cardholders you trust. Stick with immediate family and other close relatives with whom you may already share finances. Adding people you don’t know well or can’t trust just so that they can use the Amex Platinum card’s benefits can end in disaster.

Redeeming Rewards

Redeeming becomes more flexible with additional cardholders.

8. Transfer Membership Rewards Points to Additional Cardholders’ Loyalty Program Accounts

Generally, transferring points and miles from one member’s airline or hotel loyalty program account to another can be difficult. The process can cumbersome, there are often expensive transaction fees, or both.

However, if you have additional cardmembers, you can simply transfer your Membership Rewards points directly to their accounts.

This makes the process cheaper, easier, and much faster.

Benefits of Adding Additional Platinum Cardholders

While Companion Platinum cardholders may have just a few lackluster benefits, Additional Platinum cardholders receive some worthy travel perks.

9. Access to the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, and Priority Pass Lounges

Additional Platinum cardholders get full access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges. They receive their own Priority Pass lounge membership once enrolled, and 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spending.

Additionally, Centurion Lounges now charge for guests unless you spend more than $75,000 per calendar year on your card, so having your travel companion as an Additional Platinum cardholder makes a lot of sense — then you can both access the lounge without paying additional fees.

10. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Leaders Club Status

Additional Platinum cardholders get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Honors Gold, and Leaders Club Sterling status on their respective accounts. To enroll, the Additional Platinum cardholder must call the number on the back of their Amex Platinum card and enroll with a customer support representative. The additional cardholder needs to provide their Marriott, Hilton, or Leaders Club account number to the representative, so make sure to have those on hand before calling.

11. Help You Use Most Cardholder Credits, but Not Uber

While your Additional Platinum cardholders don’t receive their own statement credits for retailers or travel services, when an eligible charge is posted to any one of your Amex Platinum cards, it comes out of your primary credit. For example, if an Additional Platinum cardholder buys an Oura Ring on your card and you haven’t used your $200 Oura Ring credit yet, this purchase counts toward it.

This is beneficial for cardholders who have trouble spending the credits on their own and would otherwise let a portion go to waste. Note that your additional cardholders can’t access the up to $200 in Uber Cash (up to $15 per month with a $20 bonus in December, valid on U.S. Eats orders and rides), as this benefit is tied to your personal Uber account (you must add your Amex Platinum card to your Uber account and pay with an Amex card to use the benefit).

12. Fine Hotels + Resorts Access

When booking hotel rooms through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts, Additional Platinum cardholders are eligible for the following perks:

• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Daily breakfast for 2 people
• Noon check-in (subject to availability)
• Room upgrade upon arrival (subject to availability)
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout
• A unique property amenity valued at $100 (i.e., spa, food, ground transfers, and beverage credit)

Note that your Additional Platinum cardholder must pay for the reservation with their card to receive these benefits. This will put the hotel bill on your account.

Hot Tip:

Amex Platinum cardholders get up to $600 in annual prepaid hotel credits annually, applicable on bookings at Fine Hotels + Resorts or stays of 2 or more nights at The Hotel Collection. Only the primary account holder is eligible for statement credits to cover these bookings.

13. Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, and National Emerald Club Elite Status

As outlined in our complete guide to credit card rental car elite status, the Amex Platinum card has special privileges with 3 rental car companies upon enrollment: Avis, Hertz, and National. Additional Platinum Cards have access to all included perks.

Hot Tip:

Explore the Amex Platinum card’s rental car benefits for more in-depth information.

Benefits of Adding Additional Platinum Card or Companion Platinum Cards

Companion Platinum Cards don’t offer many benefits (which makes sense, since there’s no annual fee). Still, there are a few worth naming — and Additional Platinum Cards get them too.

14. Reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Additional Platinum cardholders and Companion Platinum cardholders are reimbursed up to $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck application fees. This gives both Companion Platinum cardholders and Additional Platinum cardholders an easy way to speed through airport security and U.S. border control. Amex gives the Global Entry credit every 4 years and the TSA PreCheck credit every 4 1/2 years.

Hot Tip:

Use the Amex Platinum card’s TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credit for Global Entry, as this service includes TSA PreCheck. Once approved, just add your Global Entry Known Traveler Number to your airfare reservation, and you should get the TSA PreCheck stamp on your ticket.

15. Make Use of Amex Offers

Both Companion Platinum cardholders and Additional Platinum cardholders can enroll in Amex Offers on the American Express website or app. These offers usually give extra points or cash-back on purchases at select merchants, so make sure to check the Amex Offers section of your additional cardholder’s online account frequently.

Hot Tip:

Take advantage of Amex Offers to use the same offer multiple times. Simply charge a second transaction to the Additional Platinum Card. After all, it’s all going on the same bill, right?

16. Protections (Shopping, Travel, and Cell Phone)

Both types of additional cards receive purchase and travel protections, as well as cell phone protections. Just remember to charge the purchases you want covered to your card, and ensure that it’s also the card linked to your cell phone bill.

17. Events and Dining Benefits

Additional Platinum Cards and Companion Platinum Cards have access to premium events, Platinum Nights by Resy, and Global Dining Access by Resy. While you won’t be able to have your own set of Resy credits, by adding your card number to your Resy account, you get the aforementioned Resy perks — such as exclusive restaurant reservations on some nights in specific cities.

What Benefits Do Additional Cardholders Not Receive?

So now that you know the benefits that are available to Additional Platinum Cards, it’s only fair that we tell you which features aren’t included.

Though additional cardholders can access shopping and travel credits, they come out of your allowances. Additional cardholders don’t get their own allotment of these credits. So if you add an additional cardholder, make sure to keep an eye on your credits before you make a purchase you expect to be credited for. This is to ensure that credit hasn’t already been tapped by an additional cardholder.

Additional cardholders aren’t given monthly Uber Cash, either. These are reserved for the primary cardholder. But other than that, your additional card is as good as any other Amex Platinum card.

How To Add an Additional Cardholder to Your Amex Platinum Card

Adding an additional cardholder (Amex refers to them as “additional card members”) to your Amex Platinum card is simple. Just head over to the American Express website, log in, and select your Amex Platinum card using the card selector at the top left of the screen (if you have more than 1 Amex card).

From here, click on Account Services at the top of the menu.

On the next page, click on the tab that says “Manage Other Users” on the left. You may also see an option that says “Add Someone to Your Account.” Both will take you to the same place.

The next page has a button labeled “Add Someone to Account.” Click on that.

On the next page, you may see options to choose which card you want to add someone to. Make sure to choose the card you want to add an additional cardholder to, then you’ll arrive at the final page.

You’ll have the option to add an Additional Platinum Card or a Companion Platinum Card here. Choose the type you want, based on the fees and benefits.

Then scroll down to enter the additional cardholders’s personal details and address.

The form will ask for:

• Full name
• Email address
• Date of birth
• Social Security number (optional when applying, must be provided within 60 days of card issuance)

Read the terms and click the button that says “Agree & Submit” at the bottom of the page to order your additional cards. If you want to add more than 1 card, repeat this process.

Final Thoughts

Adding a trusted friend or family member to your card can be lucrative for both you and the additional cardholder. You earn extra points on their purchases, and they receive amazing travel benefits — in some cases, lounge access, Global Entry reimbursement, and elite status with Marriott, Hilton, and Leaders Club, depending on which type of additional card you choose. But remember: Only add someone you trust to your card. In the end, you’re liable for their purchases.