22 Benefits of Adding Authorized Users to the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

An authorized user on a credit card is someone a primary cardholder adds to their account — they get their own credit card on the account, but aren’t responsible for paying the bill.

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card authorized users have many of the benefits of primary cardholders, but they don’t have access to others. Still, adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card can benefit both parties. Primary cardholders don’t pay any additional fees for authorized user cards, and the authorized users’ spending earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points for the primary cardholder.

If you want to add family or friends as authorized users to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card and want to know more about how it works, you can find those answers here. When you add an authorized user, you’re responsible for paying the bill for any spending by that user.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Snapshot

Before we dive into the how and why you’d want to add an authorized user to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, let’s look at an overall snapshot of the card.

Quick Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred Authorized Users

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

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.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

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

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

There’s $0 cost to add authorized users to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and each authorized user receives their own card and can make purchases on the primary cardholder’s account.

Adding authorized users to a new Chase Sapphire Preferred card account can help primary cardholders meet the spending threshold, as all authorized user spend in the first 90 days counts toward the welcome offer. Authorized users earn points at the same rate as primary cardholders (5x via Chase Travel, 3x on dining, 2x on other travel, and 1x on all other purchases).

Authorized users on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card get the same travel and shopping protections as the primary cardholder, though they can’t transfer or redeem points independently. Being an authorized user on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card (or any Chase card) is reflected in your credit score, as Chase reports authorized user activity to credit bureaus for users ages 18 and up.

Core Benefits of Adding Authorized Users

Before we get into the earning, redemption, travel, and shopping benefits of adding an authorized user, let’s look at reasons you might consider doing so.

1. No Additional Fee for Adding an Authorized User

Add as many authorized users as you wish to the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Neither you nor the additional cardholder pays an extra fee for doing so.

2. More Cost-Effective Than Applying for a Separate Additional Card

Although the additional cardholder can’t get all of the same benefits as the primary cardholder, adding an authorized user is more cost-effective than applying for a separate credit card and paying an additional annual fee.

3. Can Help To Establish Good Credit

Adding an authorized user, regardless of age, helps establish credit for that person, even if they don’t use their card. As long as the primary cardholder keeps their own credit in good standing and that activity is reported to the credit bureaus, the authorized user benefits.

Note that the opposite is also true: If the primary holder ends up tanking their own credit score, the credit scores of any authorized users suffer, too.

4. Establishes Credit History

One factor that affects your overall credit score is the length of your credit history. Adding an authorized user, especially one who is young, can help establish initial credit and start the clock ticking to build that history.

Earning Benefits of Adding an Authorized User

5. Spending Counts Toward the Welcome Offer Requirement

All purchases made by the primary cardholder and any authorized users count toward the minimum spending requirement (in the first 90 days after the primary cardholder’s initial card approval) for achieving the welcome offer bonus.

6. Earning With Bonus Category Purchases

Travel and dining purchases made by the authorized user earn 5x points on travel purchased through the Chase Travel portal; 3x on dining, streaming services, and online grocery stores; and 2x on all other travel purchases. These points are deposited into the primary cardholder’s account.

7. Earn Rewards on Every Purchase

Every other purchase made by the authorized user, even outside the bonus categories, earns 1x points.

Redeeming Rewards

8. Redeem Rewards for the Authorized User or the Primary Cardholder

While authorized users don’t have redemption privileges, the primary cardholder controls the rewards account and can use the earned Ultimate Reward points to book travel via the Chase Travel portal.

9. Transfer Ultimate Rewards Points to Loyalty Program Accounts

One benefit of adding an authorized user is that you can transfer Chase points to their airline frequent flyer account or hotel loyalty program account to use for award flights or free hotel nights. In some cases (e.g., World of Hyatt), the authorized user must be a member of your household.

Bottom Line:

Adding an additional user to your card can help you qualify for the initial welcome offer bonus and allow you to build rewards faster to reach individual or family travel redemption goals.

Travel Benefits and Protections

10. Car Rental and Ride-Hailing Program Benefits

• Lyft benefits: Primary cardholders receive 5x Ultimate Rewards points (through September 30, 2027) for their own purchases and those made by authorized users.
• Visa Signature discounts on car rentals: Authorized users receive up to a 25% discount and other perks at Hertz, Budget, and Avis.

11. Primary Rental Car Coverage

When you use the Chase Sapphire Preferred card (or a combination of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and your Chase Sapphire Preferred card) as an authorizer user to reserve and pay for the rental car, you get primary rental car coverage.

Hot Tip:

Make sure to decline the rental car agency’s CDW or LDW coverage for damage, theft, loss of use, and applicable towing so you’re eligible for coverage from your Chase card.

12. Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Coverage

This benefit provides protection should your trip as an authorized user be canceled or disrupted for covered reasons. Eligible travel expenses are reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered person and up to $20,000 total per covered trip, up to a maximum of $40,000 within a 12-month period per account.

13. Trip Delay Reimbursement

Receive up to $500 per trip for covered expenses for a trip delay of greater than 12 hours or overnight as an authorizer user.

14. Baggage Insurance

Receive up to $100 per day in reimbursement for covered expenses for up to 5 days if your baggage is delayed more than 6 hours as an authorized user. Additionally, lost or damaged baggage is reimbursed up to $3,000 per person for each covered trip. Limits and conditions apply.

15. Roadside Dispatch

Receive help as an authorized user when you have a roadside breakdown and pay a set fee that includes standard towing, tire changing, jump-starting, lockout service, fuel delivery, and standard winching. Limits apply.

16. Travel Accident Insurance

In the case of specific severe injury or death when an authorized user travels by common carrier, a benefit of up to $500,000 may apply.

17. Travel and Emergency Assistance Service

Help is available 24/7 via the hotline if you’re an authorized user on a covered trip. Receive medical and legal referrals, assistance with emergency transportation, and more.

Bottom Line:

Authorized users can share several travel benefits and protections. Many can be utilized by calling the number on the back of the card or presenting the card at the time of purchase.

18. Free GigSky eSim Data

Visa Signature cardholders, including authorized users, get 1GB of complimentary data on a 15-day GigSky plan and 20% off all plans. Redeem by entering your card number into the GigSky app.

Shopping Benefits and Protections

19. DoorDash Benefits

Cardholders, including authorized users, receive free DoorDash DashPass membership so long as it’s activated by December 31, 2027. The benefit is activated on the first use and includes free delivery and reduced fees on orders of $12 or more. Both primary cardholders and authorized users also get a $10 monthly credit on 1 qualifying nonrestaurant DoorDash order if their Chase Sapphire Preferred card is entered in their DoorDash account as the primary card.

20. Extended Warranty Protection

The original manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or less is extended for 1 additional year on purchases made with the card by an authorized user. Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive up to a maximum of $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.

21. Purchase Protection

Covered items purchased with the card by the primary holder or an authorized user are protected against theft, damage, or accidental loss for up to 120 days from the date of purchase. A limit of $500 per item and $50,000 per account applies.

22. No Foreign Transaction Fees 

Purchases made by either the primary cardholder or any authorized users aren’t subject to foreign transaction fees. This benefit can save you a significant amount of money each year, depending on how often you travel.

What Is an Authorized User?

An authorized user is someone whom a primary cardholder adds to their credit card. Authorized users receive their own credit cards linked to the primary cardholder’s account. Authorized users can spend on the card and receive certain cardmember perks and benefits, but the primary cardholder is responsible for paying the bill.

Adding an additional user can be cost-effective compared to paying an extra annual fee to have that person approved for their own separate card. It’s also a way for the user to establish or repair credit.

Can You Set Spending Limits for Authorized Users on the Chase Sapphire Preferred?

Although you can set limits on certain Chase business credit cards (such as Chase Ink cards), you can’t set spend limits for authorized users on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card (Source: Chase).

The primary cardholder’s credit limit must be shared with any existing authorized users. Remember that primary cardholders are responsible for any and all charges made by authorized users.

How To Add an Authorized User

To add an authorized user, simply log in to your Chase Sapphire Preferred card online account at chase.com and click the dropdown. You need to provide the first name, last name, date of birth, and address of the additional user to complete the short form.

You can also add an authorized user by calling the number on the back of your card. Chase will send the authorized user card within 7 to 10 working days.

How To Remove an Authorized User From the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Either the primary cardholder or the authorized user of a Chase Sapphire Preferred card can request removal. In most cases, you either have to contact Chase via phone or log in to your online banking portal and do it there (Source: Chase).

In most cases, removal is processed immediately and their card will no longer work, but it’s best to also destroy the physical credit card, too. Before removing an authorized user, consider the impact on their credit history.

Important Limitations of Chase Sapphire Preferred Authorized Users

While there are very few downsides to adding an authorized user, you should understand the following:

• The primary cardholder is solely responsible for repaying any charges the authorized user makes.
• Chase reports the authorized user account to the credit bureaus.
• All correspondence is sent to the primary cardholder.

Benefits the Primary Cardholder Retains (Perks Not Available to Authorized Users)

While an authorized user enjoys many of the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, some benefits are granted only to the primary cardholder.

• Transfers of Ultimate Rewards points to airline and hotel partners
• Redemptions of Ultimate Rewards points for statement credits, cash-back, merchandise, and gift cards
• Access to view and add Chase Offers (both authorized users and the primary cardholder can use these offers)
• The annual bonus of 10% of the points of your total qualifying purchases from the previous year (only the primary cardholder receives it, though authorized user spending counts toward it)
• The $50 annual Chase Travel hotel credit

Final Thoughts

Adding an authorized user to the Chase Sapphire Preferred is free and allows their spending to earn Ultimate Rewards points in the primary cardholder’s account. Sharing card benefits and helping the user establish credit can be positive outcomes of adding authorized users.

Authorized users on the Chase Sapphire Preferred can benefit from many perks, but not all of them. They share benefits like travel and shopping protections, but can’t redeem or transfer points. No matter who spends on what, the primary cardholder remains solely responsible for all the charges, so set expectations regarding spending limits, repayment, and potential consequences before adding the authorized user.