Andrew’s a lifelong traveler who puts in over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew’s worked at Th...
Edited by: Chris Dong
Chris is a freelance writer and editor with a focus on timely travel trends, points and miles, hot new hotels, and all things that go (he’s a proud aviation geek and transit nerd). Formerly full time ...
& Juan Ruiz
Juan has been involved in credit cards, loyalty, travel, and personal finance for more than 10 years. He has worked for several outlets including The Points Guy and Forbes and was previously Editor-in...
90 comments
Nancy Sempek
March 27, 2021
Do not see a mention of free baggage?
Christine Krzyszton
March 27, 2021
Hi Nancy. The Amex Platinum card does not offer a free baggage benefit.
Mike
March 31, 2021
Does the Amex Platinum card for ‘authorized users’ offer Rental Car Insurance coverage?
Jarrod West
April 02, 2021
Hi Mike,
Yes, Amex Platinum authorized users should receive secondary rental car insurance coverage.
robert mann
April 19, 2021
Does the authorized user get an additional $10K travel insurance coverage for a trip taken by both the primary cardholder and the authorized user cardholder?
Christine Krzyszton
April 19, 2021
Hi Robert. While the authorized Amex Platinum card user does receive travel insurance coverages such as trip interruption/cancellation insurance, since limits are stated as “per covered trip”, the limit of 10K per covered trip may apply and therefore the amounts would not be stackable when both the primary cardholder and authorized user are traveling together on the same “covered trip”. However, you should call the benefits administrator using the number on the back of your card for clarification and how the coverage would actually work under those circumstances.
Leyla Norris
June 10, 2021
Does the fee for AmEx Platinum authorized user’s account gets waived for military spouses?
Jarrod West
June 15, 2021
Hi Leyla,
It sure does!
Manny
June 15, 2021
If you add an authorized user, would they lose the opportunity to receive the sign up bonus if they decide to get their own platinum card in the future?
Jarrod West
June 16, 2021
Hi Manny,
No, they should still be able to apply for the card on their own and receive the sign-up bonus.
Barry
July 08, 2021
If one adds additional Platinum card member mid-year, is full $175 fee charged or is it pro-rated for half year?
Jarrod West
July 09, 2021
Hi Barry,
It should be pro-rated for half of the year. At the time you renew the card is when the full $175 will be charged.
zack
July 10, 2021
I have been an authorized user for more than one year and spend $50K, and have paid all my balances on time. How can I open my own card account?
Jarrod West
July 13, 2021
Hi Zack,
All you would need to do to open your own card is apply for one. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help!
Tom
July 24, 2021
My wife received an Amex Platinum application with a welcome bonus of 150K vs the usual 100K Membership Rewards points. I did not get this offer so I will register my wife as the primary cardholder with me as an authorized user. Who owns the 150K miles? That is, can I transfer the 150K points to my own airline account, or can only my wife do that?
Christine Krzyszton
July 25, 2021
If your wife applies for the card and is approved, she is the primary cardholder and the points will be deposited into her Membership Rewards account. She controls the card and the Membership Rewards account and points cannot be transferred to your account. However, after you have been an authorized user on her card for 90 days, points may be transferred to your frequent flyer program account.
Kate
October 07, 2021
I just want to add that the additional cardholders can also get the new cellphone protection. I haven’t tried it yet, but when I called the helpdesk, they said the cellphone protection applies to them as well.
Frank Lane Clark
October 14, 2021
Does an authorized user of the AMEX Platinum card also get the annual $179 credit on their CLEAR account like the primary card holder does?
Jarrod West
October 19, 2021
Hi Frank,
Authorized users do not get the CLEAR credit, unfortunately.
G.Destin
January 29, 2023
For clarity, if I wanted to go head and get it for someone other than myself as primary, could I still do it and get the credit?
Jarrod West
February 01, 2023
Hi G,
Yes, you can use your CLEAR credit for someone else.
Michael
July 16, 2023
No, only the Primary Holder gets the CLEAR credit. However, when the Primary Holder joins CLEAR they can then add another member for only $60/year. So while not free, it is a $129/year discounted rate. (Note: you can get the discounted CLEAR rate whether or not you are an authorized Amex user.)
Debra
November 05, 2021
Can the authorized user use the International Airline program?
Christine Krzyszton
November 05, 2021
Hi Debra. Yes, Amex Platinum authorized users have access to the Amex International Airline Program.
MoGreen
November 15, 2021
I am still not sure how to add Amex offers to authorized users. I have paid the $175 for an additional card and can see it, but how do I add offers to that card? Or does it happen automatically when I add it to the primary card?
Jarrod West
November 19, 2021
Hi MoGreen,
When you add offers to the primary card they should automatically be added to the authorized user card as well.
DaninMCI
February 18, 2022
I don’t believe this is accurate. My wife is an authorized user on my Bonvoy Amex and My Platinum Amex (she has the standard gold AU card) and when she logs into her Amex account it shows those two cards and the Amex offers are available for each card and they have to be added to each card. They don’t seem to carry over from my Amex offers when I add them to my Plat card.
mike
December 14, 2022
Dani is correct. Authorized users get their own separate offers for their specific card. (as an amex platinum auth user)
Colt
January 07, 2022
Does anyone get any value out of the ShopRunner membership? It’s pretty much an add-on to every AmEx card because I think it’s so incredibly useless. I remember coming across it one time in my last 3 or 4 years, and I shop almost exclusively online. I find it to be an entirely worthless benefit.
Christine Krzyszton
January 08, 2022
I like the free 2-day shipping but it is not a frequently used benefit. I’m sure someone who shops at the 100 or so participating retailers might appreciate the discounts, free 2-day shipping, and free returns. It comes in handy for using the Amex Platinum card Saks credit.
DaninMCI
February 18, 2022
It’s a real hit or miss. I used to get a ton of value out of it from Dominos pizza as they waived delivery fees if you had shoprunner but I moved away from an area that has Dominos so not sure if that is still the cash. The shoprunner site can tell you what merchants are members.
Terry
March 08, 2022
Do the gold authorized users really get Global Entry credit? Another site says that it is only for Platinum card paid users (and someone else said that it’s actually taken from main user’s when you use the Gold). Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
March 12, 2022
Hi Terry. To quote from the American Express website, “Additional Gold Card for Platinum Card Members get benefits like Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ fee credits and access to The Hotel Collection.” Thanks for your question.
Bernice
May 20, 2022
How does the additional authorized user sign up for the Priority Pass?
Chris Hassan
May 23, 2022
Hi Bernice,
To enroll an authorized user, they must call the number on the back of their card. It cannot be done online.
-Chris
Noel
May 24, 2022
If the authorized user is on active duty can they apply their SCRA benefits to the account or does the account holder have to be the service member ?
Chris Hassan
May 24, 2022
Hi Noel,
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) applies to the primary account holder and the credit must be acquired prior to active duty.
Gidget
June 16, 2022
Which is better, adding the Amex Gold card to the Platinum card as an authorized user with no fee or adding it to the Platinum authorized user for $175 or getting a stand alone American Gold card for $250 annually? We want a card that has a lot of travel benefits but also a card that we can use for dining and groceries. Thank you.
Jarrod West
June 17, 2022
Hi Gidget,
The authorized user Gold card for the Amex Platinum card is not the same as the actual Amex Gold card, as it still earns points at the same rate as the Amex Platinum card and does not offer any of the benefits that the actual Amex Gold does. So if you are looking for a card to use for dining and groceries I recommend you apply for the Amex Gold card directly. You’ll also earn an additional welcome bonus as well if you meet the minimum spend requirement!
P. Delancy
April 08, 2023
I also wondered about the pros/cons of adding an authorized member with a Gold Card from Platinum versus getting a separate Gold card. Can I add a Platinum Card to an authorized user after adding that person with a Gold Card? I know that I can get up to 3 Platinum cards for $175).
Jarrod West
April 14, 2023
Hi P,
Yes, you sure can!
K.Simpson
June 30, 2023
I understand that the authorized user Gold card for the Amex Platinum is not the same as the actual Amex Gold card, to make sure I understand on a specific point, does the auth user Gold card not get 4x points on restaurants? (I kind of wish it was a different name, it’s confusing.) Thanks!
Jarrod West
July 01, 2023
Hi K,
No, the Authorized User Gold card earns points at the same rate as the Platinum card.
Rolando
August 25, 2022
If my wife is traveling on her own (without me, holder) and she is an authorized user Platinum Card, can she enjoy the benefits just like the holder if there is cancellation or interruption of the trip?
Jarrod West
August 25, 2022
Hi Rolando,
Yes, she will still receive those coverages.
Dave
November 18, 2022
Can I add myself to be an authorized user on my Amex Platinum and have Platinum and Gold both for different spending categories?
Jarrod West
November 18, 2022
Hi Dave,
You cannot add yourself as an authorized user on your own card. Also, the gold authorized user card for the Amex Platinum is not the same as the standard Amex Gold card.
Rita
December 17, 2022
Can I add my son as an authorized user who is 3 yrs old so that he can benefit from the Centurion lounge? Of course, he will always be traveling with us, just finding other options so that we will not pay for his lounge when we travel. Since I am paying AU for my husband and I can have 3 members to add for $175. Just out of curiosity. Thanks.
Christine Krzyszton
December 18, 2022
Hi Rita. Unfortunately, authorized users must be 13 years of age or older. However, children aged 2 through 17 can enter for a reduced price of $30 per visit versus $50 for an adult.
Wendy S
December 28, 2022
Do additional card users get the benefit of CLEAR membership reimbursement as well?
Katie Seemann
December 29, 2022
Hi Wendy,
Authorized users can use the CLEAR benefit, but it’s capped at $189 total for all cardholders on the account. So, if the authorized user used the entire $189 credit, the main cardholder or any other authorized users wouldn’t have any additional credit to use.
Per Amex’s terms, “Purchases by both the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on the Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, the total amount of statement credits for eligible purchases will not exceed $189 on the Card Account per calendar year.”
I hope that clears it up!
JJ
March 30, 2023
Thanks!
nycityny
December 29, 2022
Does the authorized Gold card added to a Platinum account come with extended warranty, return protection and purchase protection benefits?
Jarrod West
January 10, 2023
Yes, authorized users still receive those coverages.
johnnyfusace
May 05, 2023
Hi Jarrod, the authorized user have their own coverage limits for return protection, extended warranty and purchase protection benefits?
Jarrod West
May 05, 2023
Hi Johnny,
Yes, they receive the same coverage as the primary cardholder.
Walt
January 14, 2023
Hello,
I have the Platinum Card, and my wife is an authorized user on my account, as I paid the $175 for her. I also have the Delta Reserve American Express Card. Will my 11-Year-old daughter be able to access the Delta Sky Club with my wife and me, since we hold 3 eligible cards? How about the Centurion Lounges? Thanks! Walt
Jarrod West
January 16, 2023
Hi Walt,
She should be able to visit the Delta Sky Club with you, but starting on February 1st there will not be any guest access into Amex Centurion lounges.
Walt
January 18, 2023
Thanks, Jarrod!
I understand that guest access to the Centurion Lounge is still available if you spend at least $75,000 on the American Express Platinum Card, correct?
Walt
Jarrod West
January 18, 2023
Hi Walt,
Yes, that is correct. If you spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum card each year you’ll continue to have guest access.
Ray
April 17, 2023
Hi Jarrod,
If the Primary Card Holder spends $75,000 on his Amex Platinum card each year, but the Authorized User DOES NOT, can the Authorized User also have Centurion Lounge guest access and bring in a guest for free?
Jarrod West
April 17, 2023
Hi Ray,
Sadly not, only the primary cardholder can bring in a guest.
Juan
January 18, 2023
Do additional users get the same benefits as the primary user card?
Christine Krzyszton
January 18, 2023
Hi Juan. Authorized users receive most of the same benefits — we’ve mentioned several of them in this article. However, authorized users do not receive statement credits for specific purchases, for example.
Jessica
January 20, 2023
Hi! My fiancé just got an Amex gold and I have my own Amex gold. Would it be beneficial to apply to for a free Amex gold authorized user on his account so we can pool points on joint purchases for the wedding?
Jarrod West
January 28, 2023
Hi Jessica,
Amex doesn’t allow you to pool points between accounts, even for authorized users. However, being an authorized user on each other’s accounts allows you to send your Membership Rewards points to each other’s respective airline and hotel loyalty programs 90 days after being added. So if that is something you think you might want to do in the future then yes it’d be best to go ahead and add each other as authorized users. Thanks for reading!
Joon
February 03, 2023
I just called AMEX and they said authorized users DO NOT get Priority Pass. So only the primary cardholder gets it. I just tried calling and they confirmed. Just sharing.
Christine Krzyszton
February 05, 2023
Hi Joon. It is correct that Gold card authorized users added to the Amex Platinum card do not receive Priority Pass Select membership. However, Amex Platinum authorized users do receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
Travis Lamar
February 05, 2023
Does being added as an authorized user help your relationship with Amex for when I am able to get my own Amex Platinum directly?
Jarrod West
February 06, 2023
Hi Travis,
Yes, that certainly can help you.
Ellen
March 03, 2023
Hi. Are authorized users on the Amex Platinum card able to earn their own points for their purchases? Or is this only for the primary user?
Christine Krzyszton
March 04, 2023
Hi Ellen. Rewards earned from authorized user purchases are deposited into the primary cardholder’s account.
Jonathan
March 06, 2023
Do Authorized users receive guest access to the Centurion Lounge if the primary card holder spends $75,000 or do they need to spend $75,000 on their own.
Christine Krzyszton
March 08, 2023
Hi Jonathan. Once a total of $75,000 has been spent on the card in a calendar year, both the primary cardholder and authorized users will have access for 2 additional guests.
Miko
June 13, 2023
Jarrod contradicted your statement Christine on 4/17/2023. He says that “only the primary cardholder can bring in a guest” after spending $75K. So regardless of which cardholder, primary or AU, spends $75K, only the Primary cardholder can bring in 2 guests. I think that someone may need to clarify what the correct answer is.
Christine Krzyszton
June 13, 2023
Hi Miko. The terms and conditions do not specifically state that authorized users receive guest access once the primary cardholder unlocks the guest access benefit, therefore the confusion. I have reached out to American Express and confirmed that authorized users do receive guest access when the primary cardholder unlocks that benefit by spending $75,000 on the card in the year. My question to American Express: “Does the Amex Platinum (and Amex Business Platinum) authorized user also receive the guest access when the primary cardholder reaches the $75,000 threshold?” American Express Representative: “You’re correct. The access permits 2 complimentary guests for each Card Member (Primary or Additional Platinum Card) per lounge visit.”
John Loucks
March 14, 2023
How soon after signing on an authorized user on my AmEx Platinum card can they use the Centurion lounge?
Jarrod West
March 14, 2023
Hi John,
As soon as they receive the card in the mail they should be able to access the lounge as they will need to show it upon entry.
Katie Seemann
March 14, 2023
Hi John,
They should get access to Centurion Lounges as soon as they receive the physical card.
Ranjan
April 14, 2023
Do additional card members for the platinum card have to go through a credit check before the card is isued?
Jarrod West
April 14, 2023
Hi Ranjan,
No they do not.
Amy
April 18, 2023
Just want to make sure I understand the points piece. My spouse wants to cancel his Amex gold card. If I add him as an authorized user to my platinum, will he get to keep his existing points or does he need to open a no-fee Amex to hold on to them?
Jarrod West
April 18, 2023
Hi Amy,
He would need to hold an Amex Membership Rewards earning card in order to keep his points, being an authorized user does not qualify.
Aj
June 05, 2023
Is there a limit to the number of family members a platinum user may add as additional card holders before the fee is no longer waived?
Jarrod West
June 05, 2023
Hi AJ,
You can add up to 99 free authorized users of the free Gold version of the card.
Ben Short
July 14, 2023
Do authorized users get separate travel credit reimbursement?
Keri Stooksbury
July 14, 2023
Hi Ben – Authorized users do not get their own allotment of these credits. Thanks for reading!
Justin Pollnow
August 29, 2023
Since the branding changed, does the new authorized user Platinum provide sky club access when traveling on Delta?
Jarrod West
August 29, 2023
Hi Justin,
Yes, authorized users still have lounge access.
Ron
September 26, 2023
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) applies to any credit card that you take out while you’re on active duty, for as long as you remain on active duty, you do not need to have had the card before you were on active duty. (I thought that point needed clarification from the May 24, 2022 post).
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