25 Benefits of Adding Authorized Users to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the credit cards that kicked off the war of ultra-premium credit cards.

With amazing bonus earning structures that’ll add up to huge ROI on your spending, awesome travel benefits, and other shopping features, it’s easy to see why the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most popular cards today.

The vast majority of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s benefits carry over to authorized users, which could demonstrate even more value to you if you’re a cardholder looking to spread the love.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through all of the benefits that authorized users receive from the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, as well as the benefits that authorized users don’t get.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Snapshot

If you’re looking for a high-level summary of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, check out the table below:

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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 top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% 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 cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

What Is an Authorized User?

Although you’re probably familiar with the concept of an authorized user, it’s helpful to spell out what it actually is.

An authorized user is an individual added to a credit card account. For example, if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card that was opened under your name and information, you’re generally referred to as the primary cardholder.

If your spouse and/or children have cards under your account, they are known as authorized users.

The primary cardholder assumes all financial and legal responsibility for any activity performed by an authorized user, so you should generally trust whoever you add as an authorized user.

Core Benefits of Adding an Authorized User

1. Cheaper Than Applying for a Separate Additional Card

The first reason why you might want to add an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that it’s much cheaper than applying for another Chase Sapphire Reserve card altogether.

The annual fee for the primary cardholder is $550, while the annual fee for an authorized user is $75.

2. Build Credit History

In general, you’re going to add your direct family members as authorized users — and in some cases, this might include children or your spouse.

Assuming you have excellent payment history and habits on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can add your children or spouse as authorized users to give them that extra credit history, which can boost their credit scores.

3. Aggregate Spending Patterns

Tracking finances can get very complicated very quickly. If all of your household spending falls under the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, whether it’s from the primary cardholder or authorized users, you can conveniently track all your expenses under 1 dashboard, 1 statement, and 1 account.

4. Get Perks

The last major reason why you’d want to add an authorized user is to confer as many perks as possible to that authorized user.

Now, let’s get into the specific benefits of adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, starting with rewards.

Earning Benefits of Adding an Authorized User

5. Easier To Meet Bonus Requirements

Usually, when you apply for a Chase Sapphire Reserve card and are approved, you will qualify for a welcome bonus if you meet the minimum spend requirements.

For example, if you need to spend $4,000 in the first 3 months to get a welcome bonus, you can add authorized users to help you make purchases on everyday spending.

In effect, your authorized user is helping you meet that spending requirement and speeding up the process.

6. Earning More Points with Bonus Categories

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns up to 10x points, and all of those bonus points apply to authorized users, too:

• Earn 10x Ultimate Rewards points on hotels, rental cars, and dining booked through the Chase Travel portal
• Earn 10x Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
• Earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on airfare booked through the Chase travel portal
• Earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on all other travel
• Earn 3x Ultimate Rewards points on dining
• Earn 1x Ultimate Rewards points on all other purchases

So for example, if your authorized user spends $100 at a local restaurant, you’ll earn 300 Ultimate Rewards points.

Redeeming Rewards

7. Transfer Points for Authorized Users

If you have an authorized user on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card and your authorized user has his or her own card that earns Ultimate Rewards card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card), you can actually transfer your Ultimate Rewards points to your authorized user’s Ultimate Rewards card!

In order for this to work, you must share the same household address, and you will need to call the number on the back of your card to accomplish this.

8. Transfer Ultimate Rewards Points to Authorized Users’ Loyalty Program Accounts

If your authorized user doesn’t have his or her own Ultimate Rewards credit card, you can transfer your Ultimate Rewards points directly to your authorized user’s loyalty account, such as United MileagePlus, in most instances.

Travel Benefits and Protections

9. Priority Pass Select Membership

One of the biggest benefits of adding authorized users to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is that they will get their own complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which is valued at $469 per year.

10. 50% Redemption Bonus on Travel Through Chase Travel

One of the most popular benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the ability to redeem Ultimate Rewards points at a value of 1.5 cents each, as opposed to the normal value of 1 cent per point, on travel through the Chase Travel portal.

Authorized users also get the ability to redeem Ultimate Rewards points for 1.5 cents each. So instead of redeeming 15,000 points for a $150 plane ticket, you can redeem 10,000 points for the same flight.

11. Up to 50% Redemption Bonus on Pay Yourself Back

Another newer perk of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the ability to get a 25% to 50% redemption bonus on Pay Yourself Back redemptions.

That means you’ll get a redemption value of 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point on select categories beyond travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

12. Access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can book stays at select properties from The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection and enjoy complimentary benefits such as breakfast, free Wi-Fi, property credits, early check-in, late checkout, and welcome amenities.

Authorized users have the ability to book these stays, too.

13. Primary Car Rental Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card actually offers some of the best rental car insurance out there, and as you can imagine, coverage is primary.

Authorized users are eligible for up to $75,000 in theft and collision damage.

14. Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Coverage

If your authorized user is traveling, and their trip is canceled or cut short by a covered event, he/she can enjoy reimbursement of up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 per trip towards eligible travel expenses.

This coverage is identical to the coverage offered to the primary cardholder.

15. Trip Delay Reimbursement

For delays of more than 6 hours (or delays requiring an overnight stay), the authorized user and their covered family members can get reimbursed for up to $500 per ticket.

Again, this matches what is offered to the primary cardholder, too.

16. Baggage Insurance

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with both baggage delay insurance and lost/damaged baggage insurance.

Baggage delay reimbursement is offered for $100 per day (up to 5 days) if your baggage is delayed by more than 6 hours.

Similarly, lost luggage coverage is offered for up to $3,000 per covered person per trip, with a limit of $500 for jewelry and watches, as well as an additional limit of $500 per covered person per trip for cameras and other electronic equipment.

Authorized users can enjoy both baggage insurance plans.

17. Premium Roadside Assistance

One of the rarest perks in today’s day and age is premium roadside assistance.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers up to 4 complimentary service calls every year and there’s a maximum complimentary benefit of up to $50 per service call. Additional fees apply for charges above that threshold.

Authorized users get their own allocation of service calls for premium roadside assistance.

18. Emergency Medical and Dental Coverage

If you require emergency treatment while traveling on a covered trip, you can receive reimbursement for up to $2,500 with a $50 deductible.

And if your attending physician determines that you need to recover in a hotel immediately after being discharged from the hospital, you can get an additional $75 per day for up to 5 days.

Authorized users and eligible family members can access this perk, as well as the primary cardholder.

19. Emergency Evacuation and Transportation

Emergency evacuation and transportation services are offered for up to $100,000 when you or your family members are injured or become ill while traveling, resulting in emergency evacuation.

Even though nobody probably wishes to use this, it could come in handy if you are in a dire emergency.

20. Travel Accident Insurance

Authorized users also receive the same $1,000,000 loss of life benefit through the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s travel accident insurance coverage.

Hot Tip: Learn more about the travel insurance benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card in our detailed guide.

Shopping Benefits and Protections

21. DoorDash DashPass Subscription

Authorized users are entitled to a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription (for at least 12 months if activated by December 31, 2027), which can be used for DoorDash and Caviar orders.

The primary cardholder and up to 7 authorized users will also receive $5 per month in DoorDash credits each, which could be equivalent to maximum total credits of $40 per month.

22. Purchase Protection

You can shop with confidence using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft (up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per year).

23. Extended Warranty

With extended warranty, the items you buy will enjoy an additional year of extended warranty on top of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty, as long as the original warranty is 3 years or shorter.

24. Return Protection

A unique perk, return protection, allows you to get reimbursed for items you attempt to return at the original store but are rejected for returns.

This coverage kicks in if you attempt to return an item within 90 days of purchase, and it covers up to $500 per item and $1,000 per year.

25. No Foreign Transaction Fees

The primary cardholder and authorized users won’t be liable for pesky foreign transaction fees, which are otherwise usually around 3%.

What Benefits Do Authorized Users Not Receive?

There are 3 main benefits that authorized users on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card do not receive.

1. Welcome Bonus

To start off, the welcome bonus is only awarded once to the primary cardholder’s Ultimate Rewards account.

Even if purchases made towards the welcome bonus count from the authorized user’s spending, the authorized user will not qualify for another welcome bonus.

2. $300 Annual Travel Credit

One of the biggest perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is up to $300 in travel credit every cardmember year.

Authorized users do not have their own $300 travel credit, but eligible authorized user purchases that are eligible for the travel credit will count towards the primary cardholder’s $300 travel credit.

3. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS Application Fee Credit

Also, another benefit that authorized users, unfortunately, cannot enjoy is their own Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit.

Authorized users are certainly able to use the primary cardholder’s credit every 4 to 4.5 years, but they will not get their own fee credit.

How To Add an Authorized User to the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

To start with, you’ll want to log into your Chase online account.

You’ll see a row of buttons that say Pay card, Statements, Paperless, and More. Click More. Then, click Account services.

After clicking the Account services button, click the button that says Add an authorized user.

You’ll be redirected to the form to start adding an authorized user. Click Get started.

The first page is the authorized user’s personal info. Fill out the name and date of birth of the authorized user. Then, click Next.

Enter the authorized user’s address. If it’s the same as the primary cardmember, you can check off the appropriate box. Then, click Next.

On the next screen, you’ll be shown the mailing address, as well as the eligible shipping method. Click Next.

Lastly, all of the details will be summarized on the final page. Confirm all of the details are correct and click Add authorized user.

Everything Else You Need To Know

While adding authorized users can be a great move, especially for direct family members, you should also remember that all activity conducted by the authorized user is the sole responsibility of the primary cardholder.

Additionally, all authorized user cards show up on the authorized user’s credit report, which can affect their eligibility to get new cards from rules like the Chase 5/24 rule.

Final Thoughts

All in all, there’s a lot to love about the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Although authorized users don’t get their own welcome bonus, $300 travel credit, Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, they’ll virtually enjoy every other benefit in the same way that the primary cardholder would.

Just remember that the primary cardholder is completely and solely responsible for any transactions that occur on the authorized user’s card.

Other great reasons to add an authorized user (beyond the scope of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card’s benefits) include building credit history, combining expenses into 1 account, and saving money from having to apply for an extra Chase Sapphire Reserve card.