Amex Business Platinum Card Increases Authorized User Fee

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express currently has a $400 annual fee for authorized users (rates & fees).

Prior to June 1, 2022, the fee was only $300. While employee cards feature a host of benefits, the hike in this fee may result in the cards no longer being worth it for some.

Let’s have a look at all you need to know.

What Is an Authorized User?

American Express accounts involve a primary cardholder who can add authorized users to a given account. The primary cardholder is responsible for the transactions of all authorized users and has access to transactions, payments, and other pertinent account information.

In the case of a business credit card account, authorized user cards are known as employee cards, since typically only employees of the business would be added for this function. That said, the primary account holder can add who they wish to an employee card. This person does not necessarily need to be associated with the business itself and can be a friend or family member.

Amex Business Platinum Card Authorized User Benefits

The current annual fee to add employee cards to an Amex Business Platinum card is $350, but previously, it was just $300.

An authorized user — despite not being the primary cardholder — still does receive some benefits with their card, including:

• The ability to earn Membership Rewards points on transactions according to the bonus earning structure on the card (these are credited to the primary cardholder’s account)
• Hotel and car rental elite status and benefits upon enrollment, including Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, and National Emerald Club Executive status
• Ability to book hotels through the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges (both in the U.S. and abroad), Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same-day), Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa same-day), Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass lounges upon enrollment, and select Virgin Clubhouses
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, up to $120 every 5 years
• Purchase benefits, including purchase protection, trip protection, extended warranty, and more
• Amex Offers
• Platinum Concierge
• Preferred Seating and Access (at restaurants, theater shows, etc.)

Authorized users do not receive certain statement credits offered to the primary cardholder, like the $200 airline incidentals credit, as well as the annual Dell credits of up to $1,150 with qualifying purchases, but their purchases can trigger these offers on the primary cardmember’s account.

Is the Fee Hike Worth It?

If your employees are frequent travelers and tend to spend a lot on airfare and value access to airport lounges, there’s a good argument to be had that the fee is worth it.

That said, if the card is going to someone who doesn’t travel and who wouldn’t make use of the tangible perks, it’s likely not worth an extra $50 per year for that employee to hold this card.

Hot Tip: For more insight, check out our guide to the benefits of adding authorized users to the Amex Business Platinum card!

Final Thoughts

It’s unfortunate that the price for an authorized user is increasing on the Amex Business Platinum card, but with the changes American Express has made to other consumer and business cards, this is something that was to be expected.

For large corporations that value employee travel benefits, the annual fee can definitely be justified, though a lot of smaller businesses may have to look and see if the increased annual fee changes the value proposition of the card.