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

The Platinum Card^® from American Express has an $895 (rates & fees) annual fee, but it has many benefits for cardmembers to take advantage of.

There are 2 ways to share benefits with cardmembers on your account: by adding either an Additional Platinum Card for an additional $195 or a Companion Platinum Card for $0 (rates & fees).

Both methods confer benefits and perks to additional cardmembers, but they differ in what they offer, and neither provides the same experience as the primary cardmember receives.

This post explains the differences between an Additional Platinum Card and a Companion Platinum Card, as well as the benefits of adding either to your account.

Quick Overview: Amex Platinum Additional Cardholder Benefits

The Additional Platinum Card, at a cost of $195 per year, on top of the primary Amex Platinum card‘s $895 annual fee, provides more perks than the Companion Platinum Card, which costs $0 (Source: American Express).

Additional Platinum Cardmembers can access many of the perks (enrollment is required for some benefits) of the Amex Platinum card, with access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, rental car status, access to the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program, and more.

With a Companion Platinum Card, which comes at no additional cost, users can still earn Amex Membership Rewards points on purchases and access their own statement credit every 4 years to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

No matter the type of additional user you add, all points earned from spending on an Additional Platinum Card or a Companion Platinum Card are deposited into the primary cardmember’s account. The primary cardmember is responsible for paying all charges made on any additional user account.

Some benefits are not duplicated for additional users, such as the airline fee credit and up to $120 statement credit for an Uber One membership and up to $200 in Uber Cash annually, which is delivered as monthly statement credits of $15 and $35 in December for rides or Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (you must add the card to your Uber account and pay with an Amex card to use the Uber Cash).

Amex Platinum Card Snapshot

Check out the table below to more easily track the Amex Platinum card’s costs, perks, benefits, and earning structure so you can better understand how to maximize it.

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, the Platinum Card^® from American Express is a top choice.

The card offers premium perks like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and several annual card credits. The Amex Platinum card is easily worth the annual fee for frequent travelers who use the lounges and travel credits, and hard to justify for those who won’t.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far): Get access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5 points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates & 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 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $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 pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 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 $219 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 late 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: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• 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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American Express Membership Rewards

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.

Companion Platinum Card vs. Additional Platinum Card: Fees and Benefits Compared

Understanding the differences between an Additional Platinum Card and a Companion Platinum Card will help you choose the proper solution for your situation.

Fees

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

Benefits

Below is a summary comparison of the benefits provided for Additional Platinum Card and Companion Platinum Card users. Although adding a Companion Platinum Card would save you money in fees, the benefits awarded to that user type are more limited.

Rewards

Additional cards earn the same way the primary Amex Platinum cardmember 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

Adding a cardmember can benefit both the primary accountholder and the person added.

1. It Costs Less Than Opening a Separate Additional Card

The Amex Platinum card has a high annual fee, but an additional cardmember can access the benefits for a fraction of that cost (or 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 primary cardmember pays the balance in full each month and otherwise maintains responsible spending habits, an additional cardmember could benefit.

Adding a child as an additional cardmember 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 it’s easy to see activity if your spouse and children are additional cardholders. The main cardholder can log in to their account and track who is spending what — and where.

4. Share Benefits

The Amex Platinum card offers many travel perks. From lounge access to elite status and 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 an 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 faster and earn those coveted bonus points even sooner.

6. Earn More Bonus Points

The Amex Platinum card can help you quickly build 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 spend on the card helps you earn more bonus points faster.

7. Earn Points on Every Purchase

Whenever a purchase is made on an additional cardmember’s card, the primary cardmember earns points. This can be both a good and a bad thing: It’s good because you’re earning extra points, but it can also be bad because you foot the bill if your additional cardmember spends more than expected.

Ensure you only add additional cardmembers 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 be disastrous.

Redeeming Rewards

Redeeming becomes more flexible with additional cardmembers.

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

Generally, transferring points and miles between members’ airline or hotel loyalty program accounts can be difficult. The process can be cumbersome, there are often expensive transaction fees, or both.

However, if you have additional cardmembers, you can transfer your Membership Rewards points directly to their accounts, making the process cheaper, easier, and faster.

Benefits of Adding Additional Platinum Cardmembers

Companion Platinum Cardmembers may have just a few benefits, but Additional Platinum Cardmembers receive worthy travel perks.

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

Additional Platinum Cardmembers get full access to the more than 1,550 lounges that participate in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges. They receive their own Priority Pass lounge membership upon enrollment, which provides access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, plus 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta on the same day, with the ability to unlock unlimited visits with $75,000 in spending (Source: American Express).

Additionally, Centurion Lounges now charge for guests — $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 to 17 — unless you spend more than $75,000 per calendar year on your card.

Having your travel companion as an Additional Platinum Cardmember can make sense, since you can both access the lounge without paying extra 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 Cardmember must call the number on the back of their Amex Platinum card and enroll with a customer support representative. The additional cardmember needs to provide their Marriott, Hilton, or Leaders Club account number to the representative — make sure to have those on hand before calling.

11. Help You Use Most Benefits — But Not Uber

Though your Additional Platinum Cardmembers 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.

However, additional cardmembers 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 Cardmembers 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 (e.g., spa, food, ground transfers, and beverage credit)

Your Additional Platinum Cardmember 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 (split into 2 semiannual credits), 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 to receive statement credits for these bookings.

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

The Amex Platinum card offers elite status 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 Cardmembers get them too.

14. Reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

Additional Platinum Cardmembers and Companion Platinum Cardmembers are reimbursed up to $120 for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck application fees. This gives both types of users an easy way to speed through airport security and U.S. border control. Amex gives this credit every 4 years.

Hot Tip:

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

15. Use Amex Offers

Additional Platinum Cardmembers and Companion Platinum Cardmembers can enroll in Amex Offers on the American Express website or its mobile app. These offers usually give extra points or cash-back on purchases at certain merchants, so check the Amex Offers section of your online account frequently.

Hot Tip:

Take advantage of Amex Offers to use the same offer multiple times. Charge a second transaction to the Additional Platinum Card, since it’s all going on the same bill.

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

Both types of additional cards receive purchase and travel protections, as well as cell phone protections. 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. You won’t have a separate set of Resy credits, but by adding the card number to your Resy account, cardholders get Resy perks, including exclusive restaurant reservations on some nights in specific cities.

What Benefits Do Additional Cardholders Not Receive?

Although additional cardholders can access shopping and travel credits, they come from your allowances. Additional cardmembers don’t get their own allotment of these credits. If you add an additional cardmember, check the availability of your credits before you make a purchase you expect to be credited for, as it may have already been used by someone else on your account.

Additional cardholders aren’t given monthly Uber Cash, either. These credits are reserved for the primary cardholder.

Is Adding an Additional User to Your Amex Platinum Card Account Worth It?

Despite the additional fee, an Additional Platinum Card can be a valuable option if the cardholder values travel perks. Having access to more than 1,550 lounges worldwide, hotel and car rental elite status, Fine Hotels + Resorts properties, and more could offset the $195 annual fee.

The no-cost Companion Platinum Card isn’t a bad offering, either. Cardholders won’t have access to the high-profile perks and benefits that Additional Platinum Cardmembers have, but it still boasts a few, and they can earn points at the same rate as the primary cardmember.

Cardholders who would use some of the credits reserved for primary cardholders may benefit from opening a separate Amex Platinum card.

See the comparison table to consider both card types.

How To Add an Additional Cardholder to Your Amex Platinum Card

Adding an additional cardmember to your Amex Platinum card is simple. Head to 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 the “Manage Other Users” tab 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. Choose the account you want to add an additional cardmember to, and then you’ll arrive at the final page.

You 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.

Scroll down to enter the additional cardmember’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

If you have a family member or friend who will use most of the Amex Platinum card’s perks, an Additional Platinum Card can be well worth the additional cost.

But if you simply want to add someone else to your primary account but they don’t need (or won’t use) the benefits, a Companion Platinum Card is a great option that won’t cost you any more money.

Just remember that no matter which type of additional user you add, you are responsible for all charges made on those accounts as the primary cardmember.