Do Additional Platinum Cards Get Benefits?
Understand the full scope of benefits and exclusions for authorized users on premium credit cards, including financial considerations.
Understand the full scope of benefits and exclusions for authorized users on premium credit cards, including financial considerations.
The American Express Platinum Card offers extensive luxury travel and lifestyle perks. Primary cardholders can extend these advantages by adding additional users to their account. This allows multiple individuals to access select benefits, enhancing the card’s utility for families or business associates. Understanding transferable benefits is important for maximizing the card’s value.
Adding an additional Platinum cardholder designates an individual as an authorized user. The primary cardholder initiates this process online or by contacting customer service. This grants the authorized user a physical Platinum card linked to the primary account.
The primary cardholder provides the authorized user’s personal details, including name, date of birth, and Social Security number. All charges incurred by authorized users are the primary cardholder’s responsibility. The primary cardholder maintains control, including setting spending limits for each additional card.
Additional Platinum cardholders access many premium benefits, mirroring those of the primary cardholder, especially for travel and purchase protections. They gain access to various airport lounge networks, including Centurion Lounges with complimentary food, beverages, and Wi-Fi. Priority Pass Select lounges are also available upon enrollment, offering a global network of airport lounges. When flying Delta, additional cardholders can access Delta Sky Club lounges on Delta-operated flights.
Beyond lounge access, additional cardholders receive elite status with select hotel loyalty programs, such as Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite. These statuses provide benefits like complimentary room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. Similar advantages extend to car rental programs, with elite status at companies like Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental. These statuses offer perks like expedited service and vehicle upgrades.
Additional Platinum cardholders receive a credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. This credit streamlines airport security and customs, enhancing travel. The card also provides robust insurance and protection, including purchase protection against accidental damage or theft for eligible items.
Extended warranty coverage prolongs the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases. Travel insurance benefits include trip cancellation and interruption, car rental loss and damage, and baggage insurance for eligible travel purchases. These coverages provide financial security against unforeseen travel events. Additional Platinum cardholders can access benefits through programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection when booking through eligible channels. These programs offer perks such as daily breakfast, room upgrades, and property credits, enhancing luxury hotel stays.
While additional Platinum cardholders receive many perks, certain benefits and credits remain exclusive to the primary cardholder. Annual statement credits, such as those for Uber Cash, Saks Fifth Avenue, digital entertainment, and airline fees, are linked directly to the primary account. The primary cardholder is solely responsible for utilizing these benefits.
The primary cardholder exclusively holds the ability to refer new card members and earn referral bonuses. Referral programs incentivize the primary account holder to expand the card’s user base. While additional cardholders contribute to Membership Rewards points accumulation through spending, the primary cardholder manages direct point transfers to airline or hotel loyalty programs. This ensures centralized control over point redemption and transfer.
Adding additional Platinum cardholders incurs an annual fee per card, charged to the primary cardholder’s account. This fee is currently $195 per additional card. Despite this fee, additional cardholder spending directly contributes to the primary account’s Membership Rewards points balance. All eligible purchases by authorized users accumulate points under the primary cardholder’s account, allowing faster point accumulation.
Additional cardholders’ financial behavior can impact the primary cardholder’s credit profile. Positive payment history and responsible spending by authorized users can reflect well on the primary cardholder’s credit report. However, late payments or excessive utilization by an authorized user could negatively affect the primary cardholder’s credit score, as the primary cardholder is responsible for all charges.
Primary cardholders can set specific spending limits for each additional Platinum card, providing financial control and risk management. This allows the primary cardholder to manage exposure and prevent unauthorized or excessive spending. The primary cardholder assumes full financial responsibility for all charges made by additional cardholders, as all transactions incurred by authorized users are billed to the primary account.