Credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

There are many advantages to adding an authorized user to a credit card account. For one, it can help the primary cardholder hit certain spending requirements and earn rewards much faster. In turn, authorized users can benefit from the primary cardholder’s credit score and length of credit history in many instances, thus improving their own credit scores.

Certain credit cards also extend some benefits to additional cardholders, such as lounge access and statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications.

Here are some reasons you might want to consider adding other cardholders to your accounts, the best rewards cards for doing so and the perks given to these authorized users.

What is an authorized user?

An authorized user is someone who is allowed to use your credit card. The person is issued their own physical card, but it’s linked to your credit card account. Many cards allow authorized users to take advantage of some of the benefits offered to the primary cardholder.

Given that authorized user fees are typically less expensive than annual fees for primary (main) account holders, adding family members or spouses as authorized users on your account is a way to share some of the advantages of a card without shelling out another annual fee.

Adding your child as an authorized user can also help them start to build their credit history. But before you add them, check your issuer’s minimum age requirements.

Related: Should my partner get their own card or be added as an authorized user?

Reasons to add authorized users

There are many compelling reasons to add authorized users to your credit card accounts. Here are the most significant decision points:

Bonus point offers

Some cards offer bonus points for adding authorized users. For instance, American Express has sent out targeted offers to cardmembers of various products, including the American Express Gold® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express, allowing them to earn as many as 20,000 bonus points for adding authorized users.

Note that not everyone will be targeted with these offers, and offers can vary.

Hit spending thresholds

Any spending on an authorized user’s card will count toward the primary cardholder’s spending activity and help them hit the spending requirements for earning a welcome bonus. If you’re working on a large welcome bonus, having someone else help you meet the spending requirements is useful.

Rack up rewards faster

Similarly, all the rewards an authorized user earns through everyday spending are credited to the primary cardholder.

Plus, activity on additional cards will also go toward achieving any of the card’s spending-based annual benefits, such as elite status. Of course, the primary cardholder is also responsible for ensuring those payments are paid off.

Help others build credit

Although your goal might be more points and more rewards for yourself, one of the best reasons to add authorized users to your credit card account is to help them build their own credit and raise their credit score.

This can be especially beneficial for someone who might have bad or damaged credit or for a teenager who is just starting their credit journey and might not be able to qualify for a credit card on their own.

When someone is added as an authorized user, the account is added to that person’s credit report. So if the account is handled responsibly, all the factors that can boost your score with your own accounts — on-time payments, low amounts owed, etc. — will eventually begin to raise the authorized user’s score, too.

Additional account transfer options

Adding a friend or relative as an authorized user can allow you to share your points and miles together. The process varies by issuer, so be sure to check your issuer’s specifications before counting on this as an option.

Overview of the best cards for authorized users

We’ll compare the following cards and highlight why these are the best credit cards for adding authorized users:

Capital One Venture X

The Capital One Venture X shook up the premium rewards credit card market with its launch in November 2021 with a very competitive $395 annual fee. Despite its low cost for a top-tier card, it still offers great perks for frequent travelers.

What’s also groundbreaking about this card is the ability to add up to four authorized users for no cost. Even better — authorized users get some great benefits.

Authorized user benefits

Authorized users have complimentary access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges. Furthermore, Hertz’s partnership with Capital One allows the authorized user to receive complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite status.* Last but not least, your authorized user will receive important trip and purchase protections when paying with their card.

*Upon enrollment, accessible through the Capital One website or mobile app, eligible cardholders will remain at that status level through the duration of the offer. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

Cardholder fees

The Venture X has an annual fee of $395. There is no fee to add up to four authorized users on the account.

To learn more, see our full review of the Capital One Venture X.

Related: Why you should add authorized users on the Capital One Venture X

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Chase Sapphire Reserve

Although Chase Sapphire Reserve primary cardholders can expect plenty of perks, authorized users can only rely on a few in their own right.

Authorized user benefits

Authorized users receive their own Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide.

Aside from lounge access, the only partner benefit that authorized users will currently enjoy is at least 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (must activate by Dec. 31, 2027). Authorized users are also covered by Chase’s extensive travel protections.

Cardholder fees

The annual fee for the primary account is $550, and additional cards cost $75 each per year.

To learn more, see our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Related: How to maximize earnings with the Chase Sapphire Reserve

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The Platinum Card from American Express

One of the top all-around premium rewards cards available, the Amex Platinum offers comprehensive perks for the primary cardmember and some great benefits for authorized users.

Authorized user benefits

Authorized users are entitled to their own Global Entry ($120 every four years) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85 every 4½ years) application fee reimbursement, can register for hotel and rental car elite status and get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club lounges (limited to 10 annual visits when flying on Delta) with the same entry privileges as the primary cardmember.

Authorized users also have access to booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts, along with all the extra benefits that conveys.

Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.

Cardholder fees

You can additional authorized users for $195 per card. You can also add complimentary Companion Platinum Cards to your account.

The complimentary companion card earns 5 points per dollar on flights booked through Amex Travel or directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar) and on prepaid hotels on Amex Travel and 1 point per dollar on all other spending.

However, these complimentary companion cardmembers are not eligible for Priority Pass Select membership or access to Centurion Lounges. Also, they do not qualify for other perks such as annual Uber Cash and elite status at certain hotels and rental car agencies.

To learn more, see our full review of the Amex Platinum.

Related: Complete guide to authorized users on the Amex Platinum

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The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Like the personal Platinum card, the Amex Business Platinum offers some outstanding perks to primary cardmembers and authorized users, including some the personal version does not include.

Authorized user benefits

Like the personal version, authorized users are eligible for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck statement credits ($120 every four years for Global Entry and up to $85 every 4½ years for TSA PreCheck) and receive access to Centurion, Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club lounges (limited to 10 annual visits when flying on Delta)— among other benefits.

Authorized users will also get access to the Amex Business Platinum’s suite of travel and purchase protections.

Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.

Cardholder fees

Business Platinum cardmembers can tack on additional cards for $350 each, so it’s not nearly as good a deal as with the personal card. That said, it’s still worth considering if you have an employee who travels frequently.

To learn more, see our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.

Related: How to maximize your earnings with the Amex Business Platinum

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Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

The benefits offered by the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business are very similar, so let’s consider them together. Both of these cards carry annual fees of $650.

Authorized user benefits

Authorized users of both cards get access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when they travel on flights marketed and operated by Delta and present a same-day Delta boarding pass.

Reserve Cardmembers will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more per calendar year.

Cardholder fees

Additional cards cost $175 per year each for both the Reserve and Reserve Business. Since these cards offer the same perks for their authorized users, the choice comes down to which card makes more sense for your wallet long-term.

To learn more, see our full reviews of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.

Related: Delta SkyMiles Reserve vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

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Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

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Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Citi’s top-tier American Airlines cobranded card has an annual fee of $595 per year. For that hefty fee, however, cardholders can expect multiple value-added benefits. Authorized users won’t have access to all of these perks, but they will be able to enjoy a couple of them.

Authorized user benefits

The best feature of this credit card is that additional cardholders can access select American Airlines Admirals Clubs and bring immediate family members or up to two guests into the lounge with them for free. They won’t have access to partner lounges, however.

Additionally, authorized user spending counts toward earning bonus Loyalty Points each year.

Cardholder fees

You can add up to three authorized users for $175 annually. Additional cards are $175 each.

To learn more, see our full review of the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.

Related: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard worth it?

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Does adding authorized users affect your credit score?

Adding an authorized user won’t affect your credit score directly. However, remember that you are responsible for that person’s spending.

If your authorized user overspends on their card, you’ll be accountable for the balance, associated fees and interest charges — and any impact on your credit score related to this spending.

Because payment history and credit utilization both play significant roles in the calculation of your credit score, the behavior of your authorized users can end up negatively affecting your score.

Drawbacks to adding authorized users

Despite all the benefits, there are a few drawbacks to adding authorized users to your credit card accounts.

First, the primary cardholder is responsible for paying off all purchases, so you should only add someone you trust and put in place any spending controls you deem necessary. Many issuers will let primary cardholders track spending and set spending limits on additional accounts.

Second, additional cards sometimes come at a cost. Before you open any, be sure you know whether you will have to pay annual fees for adding users to your account.

Third, many credit cards do not confer the same benefits upon authorized users that the primary cardholder enjoys. Some cards require an authorized user to accompany the primary account holder to take advantage of benefits like preferred boarding.

If you know the requirements and limitations of taking on additional cards with your account, you should be able to maximize their value and benefits.

Bottom line

There are many reasons to add an authorized user to your credit card account. It can help someone build their credit and improve their score, net you extra spending toward a welcome bonus and extend the use of your points to friends or family members.

Certain high-end credit cards also bestow value-added benefits on authorized users, such as lounge access, Global Entry reimbursements and inflight purchase discounts.

As always, when considering a credit card, consider your spending habits and needs and then determine whether adding authorized users will provide enough value to justify any annual fees you might incur.

Related: As an authorized user, can I open my own account for the same card?

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve Business card, click here.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.