6 Reasons Why I’m Adding Authorized Users to My Amex Business Platinum Card

I’ve been impressed by premium benefits and rewards on The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express and have learned how to maximize its value. But I’ve realized I can share those perks with others by adding 5 authorized users for a $350 fee per card (rates & fees).

While I haven’t added anyone yet, I plan on extending this perk to close friends, family members, and employees who travel with me on business. Whether it’s lounge access, hotel upgrades, or TSA PreCheck access, I’m sold on the value I can share by adding authorized users to my Amex Business Platinum card.

What Is an Authorized User?

An authorized user is a trusted employee, friend, or family member I can add to my account to give them a card to make business purchases. However, as the primary cardholder, I’m responsible for paying off the charges they make on their cards. That said, Amex allows me to set spending limits and alerts to track purchases on authorized user cards, and I can freeze their cards at any time.

What’s in it for me? Well, any authorized user spending contributes to my overall rewards earnings. It gives them some — though not all — of the same benefits I get as the primary cardholder, including lounge access, expedited security, hotel status, and rental car status and benefits (enrollment required).

The Amex Business Platinum card has a $695 annual fee (rates & fees). However, there are 2 options for adding authorized user cards as employee cards:

• Employee Business Expense Card: This card has no annual fee, and I can add up to 99 of these employee cards to my account (rates & fees). Purchases on the expense cards earn rewards on my account, but cardholders don’t get any benefits.
• Employee Business Platinum Card: This card has a $350 annual fee (rates & fees). Purchases on these cards can add to my rewards earnings and come with travel and shopping benefits, as outlined below.

The authorized user cards I’m considering adding are the $350 annual fee Employee Business Platinum Cards since they come with numerous benefits.

Bottom Line:

I can add up to 99 authorized user business expense cards to my account with no annual fee or pay $350 for up to 5 employee cards, and they can take advantage of some cardholder benefits.

Who Can Be an Authorized User?

You can add anyone as an authorized user on a personal card. On a business card, you should only add users involved with your business, such as employees or contractors.

My business involves writing about travel. Anyone who travels with me, including some of my family and friends, contributes to that as a business associate. I have business reasons for wanting them to share Amex Business Platinum card benefits, such as expedited airport security and lounge access.

Any business with employees or contractors or that relies on family and friends for support can add these individuals as authorized users. For example, a family-owned restaurant could add a family member who regularly purchases supplies. A baker could authorize a friend who delivers orders to pay for gas using a business card. Or a small business owner might enlist a trusted friend to handle client appreciation gifts.

Adding Authorized Users to My Amex Business Platinum Cards

Rewards-earning potential and travel benefits are compelling reasons to add authorized users to my Amex Business Platinum card. The $350 annual fee is about half of what cardholders would pay to have their own account, so I can share some of the card’s best benefits with them at a much lower cost. 

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.49% - 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 cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Below are the benefits that Amex Business Platinum card employee cardholders will receive. Remember, authorized users may need to enroll in some of these benefits in order to fully take advantage of them.

• Worldwide lounge access, including the Centurion Lounge Network and Priority Pass Select
• Complimentary hotel program status and benefits, including Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status, Hilton Honors Gold elite status, Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection benefits
• Complimentary car rental program benefits, including National Emerald Club Executive status, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status, and Avis Preferred status
• Global Entry and TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
• Travel insurance coverage, including car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, baggage insurance, and Premium Global Assist Hotline benefits
• Shopping protections, including extended warranty coverage, purchase protection, return protection, cell phone protection, and a ShopRunner membership
• Access to Amex Offers

1. Bonus Points

When I started considering adding authorized users to my Amex Business Platinum card, the bonus points offer was the first perk that caught my eye. Upgraded Points recently reported on targeted bonus offers for some cardholders when they add authorized users, and I have one available.

Amex Business Platinum cardholders can receive up to 15,000 Membership Rewards points per authorized user and add up to 5 authorized users for 75,000 bonus points.

My offer isn’t quite that high, but still compelling. I can add up to 5 employee cards and earn 7,000 bonus points after the cardholder spends at least $4,000 in the first 6 months. If I add all 5 and meet the spending requirement, I’ll earn 35,000 bonus points.

We value Membership Rewards points at 2.2 cents per point, so if I earn the 7,000-point bonus for each authorized user, that’s $154 in points value for each card, or a total of $770. At more than $150, that makes up for almost half the $350 annual fee value in the first year.

Cardholders who get the full 15,000-point offer per card can earn $330 in bonus points value. That’s a great way to earn thousands of bonus points without applying for a new credit card with a welcome bonus offer.

2. Lounge Access

I use my Amex Business Platinum card to visit airport lounges almost every time I fly. Granting authorized user status to business travel companions makes it easy to bring them along with me and enjoy lounge amenities without paying an entry fee.

Let’s say I’m flying on business accompanied by my best friend and want to visit a Centurion Lounge. As an Amex Business Platinum cardholder, I can enter the lounge without paying a fee. But my friend doesn’t have the same access, and we’d have to pay $50 for her visit. If she got an employee card on my Amex Business Platinum card, it would only take 7 visits annually at $50 each to make up the $350 annual fee.

3. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement

Having TSA PreCheck saves me so much time in airport security. I am almost always through security in 15 minutes or less. That’s a stark contrast to when a friend without TSA PreCheck traveled with me on a business trip and got stuck in the security line for about an hour. That added a lot of stress for her and cut into airport lounge time. If we’d planned better and added her as an authorized user, we could have sped through the TSA PreCheck line together and enjoyed a relaxing lounge visit much sooner. 

I’m also eyeing this benefit for when my teen becomes an adult. He can pass through TSA PreCheck with me now but will need his own once he turns 18. It will likely make sense to add him as an authorized user of my Amex Business Platinum card at that point so he can use this and other benefits when he travels with me on business.

4. Hotel and Rental Car Status

Status almost always makes travel easier and more convenient. I’m thankful for it whenever I pick out any car on the Emerald Aisle with my National Emerald Club Executive status or get free breakfast, an upgraded room, and a $100 property credit with Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits. It would be great to pass on some of my hotel and rental car status benefits to authorized users.

This is great for business trips that involve extended family. For example, we often need to book multiple hotel rooms and rental cars when traveling with my parents and sister. If I add my parents and sister as authorized users on my Amex Business Platinum card, they can join us at the hotel breakfast without paying extra and get upgraded when they rent a car.

5. Travel Insurance Coverage

I’ve been fortunate not to have to make a travel insurance claim yet, but I’m always glad it’s there in case I need it. Even without a claim, it saves me money whenever I rent a car because I can confidently decline the rental car agency’s insurance coverage and use my card’s benefits instead. 

This is another great benefit on business travel as a large group. All authorized users can access the Premium Global Assist Hotline if anything goes wrong, never pay for car rental insurance, and are covered if they need to cancel or interrupt a trip, experience trip delays, or lose baggage.

6. Shopping Benefits

I put my Amex Business Platinum card’s travel benefits to work, but I can’t overlook its shopping benefits value. I get extended warranty coverage, purchase protection, return protection, and cell phone protection. There’s also access to Amex Offers, which can give me extra money back or elevated points earned for purchases with participating merchants upon enrollment. And enrolling for ShopRunner gives me free 2-day shopping and discounts with participating retailers. 

I can pass all of these benefits on to authorized users. For example, I can ensure employees can easily replace their cell phones if they’re lost or stolen or get free shipping and solid return and warranty protection when shopping.

Final Thoughts

Adding authorized users to any card isn’t a decision to take lightly, as I’m taking responsibility for their purchases and managing the overall account. Still, increasing convenience and protection is worth the cost. Factoring in the bonus points, travel perks, and protection, adding authorized users to my Amex Business Platinum card is valuable.

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For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the return protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express^® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.