You would possibly wish to add licensed customers to your journey bank cards for a lot of causes. For instance, your licensed customers can assist you hit a minimal spending requirement to earn a welcome provide, otherwise you would possibly wish to construct your kid’s credit score historical past early on.
However some playing cards additionally provide licensed customers lots of the identical advantages as the first cardmember — one of the crucial in style being The Platinum Card® from American Categorical.
On this information, we’ll take into account the varied perks that might nonetheless make including licensed customers to your Amex Platinum worthwhile. We’ll additionally take into account how the brand new annual payment construction could change this calculus (see charges and charges).
Overview of Amex Platinum licensed customers
The Amex Platinum comes with a $695 annual payment (see charges and charges) and has so many advantages that it is sometimes called a “membership card” (in some circles) — a card that you just preserve for its advantages reasonably than its incomes potential. That mentioned, it does include a welcome bonus new cardholders can earn of 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after spending $8,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership — or you might be focused for a fair larger provide utilizing the CardMatch software (topic to alter at any time).
Nonetheless, not like another premium journey playing cards, including licensed customers to the Amex Platinum incurs a further price.
You’ll be able to add youngsters as licensed customers, however American Categorical requires them to be at the very least 13 years outdated.
Amex additionally presents further non-Platinum playing cards, generally known as companion Platinum playing cards, you can add to your account. These playing cards do not incur annual prices (see charges and charges) however characteristic very restricted advantages.
Nonetheless, including further Platinum cardmembers to your account (and paying $195 for every further cardmember in additional annual charges; see charges and charges) unlocks quite a lot of perks.
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Which Amex Platinum advantages apply to further cardmembers?
This is a rundown of the important thing advantages that further Amex Platinum cardmembers will take pleasure in. As famous above, these solely apply to further Amex Platinum playing cards, not companion playing cards.
Lounge entry
The primary key profit that extends to further Amex Platinum cardmembers is lounge entry, even when touring with out the first cardmember. The American Categorical International Lounge Assortment consists of a number of networks, together with American Categorical Centurion Lounges, Precedence Move lounges, Delta Sky Golf equipment on same-day Delta flights (restricted to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025), Plaza Premium lounges and varied different sorts of lounge entry. (You’ll be able to view a full listing of collaborating areas at this hyperlink.) Phrases apply. Enrollment is required.
American Categorical would not enable most Amex Platinum cardmembers to herald two complimentary visitors when visiting Centurion Lounges. As a substitute, it will price you $50 for every grownup visitor over 18, and you will pay $30 for every baby between the ages of two and 17 (youngsters below two are nonetheless free).
There are two methods to keep away from this visitor payment. First, you’ll be able to cost $75,000 in your Platinum Card in a calendar yr, unlocking the earlier advantage of bringing in two visitors.
Alternatively, for those who steadily journey together with your partner (or youngsters over 12), you’ll be able to add them as licensed customers.
Word that Centurion Lounges aren’t the one ones that may be troublesome or costly to entry for Platinum cardmembers. When you maintain the Amex Platinum, you’ll be able to enter the Sky Membership for those who’re touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight (restricted to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025). The payment for bringing visitors with you is $50 every time you go to — a part of Delta’s efforts to fight lounge overcrowding.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to keep away from these expenses altogether when including further Platinum cardmembers to your account.
When you assume Amex or Delta lounge entry is well worth the $50 cost for visitors, you’ll cowl the $195 annual payment for licensed customers after 4 visits annually.
In fact, this would possibly not assist households with youngsters below 12 (like mine). My 8-year-old daughter cannot turn into a licensed person on my card. Nonetheless, the $50 visitor payment at Delta Sky Golf equipment ought to set off the Platinum Card’s as much as $200 annual airline payment credit score since I’ve designated Delta as my eligible service (enrollment is required).
Lastly, it is price declaring that you will need to enroll in Precedence Move to be eligible to entry Precedence Move lounges (you may get into the opposite lounges within the American Categorical International Lounge Assortment by merely exhibiting your Platinum Card). Further cardmembers cannot enroll on-line; they should name the quantity on the again of their Amex Platinum to enroll.
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International Entry/TSA PreCheck utility payment credit score
One other nice perk that extends to further Amex Platinum cardmembers is the assertion credit score for International Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85) utility charges. Similar to the profit offered to major cardmembers, every licensed person can use this profit as soon as each 4 years for International Entry or as soon as each 4½ years for TSA PreCheck. Additionally, you do not even want to make use of the credit score in your personal membership — any qualifying cost for a pal or member of the family will set off the credit score.
When you add a licensed person who applies for International Entry within the first yr, you will obtain $120 price of advantages proper off the bat, which covers greater than half of the $195 licensed person annual payment.
Nonetheless, it is price declaring that the above chart signifies that every one further members added to an Amex Platinum account — each further Platinum Card and extra companion playing cards — are eligible.
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Marriott and Hilton elite standing
Amex Platinum licensed customers may also reap the benefits of complimentary Gold standing with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Each the first cardmember and licensed customers ought to be capable to enroll for these statuses on-line. When you frequent Marriott or Hilton properties, this could deliver you room upgrades (when obtainable), bonus factors and extra on-property perks.
Remember that there are different methods to get Marriott and Hilton standing by bank cards:
Nonetheless, having an authorized-user Platinum Card covers each applications and thus could also be simpler than sustaining a number of different playing cards.
The data for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
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Entry to the Nice Accommodations + Resorts and Resort Assortment
As a further Amex Platinum cardmember, it’s also possible to use the Nice Accommodations + Resorts and The Resort Assortment advantages on the cardboard (minimal two-night keep required for The Resort Assortment). Whenever you ebook a pay as you go keep by the Nice Accommodations + Resorts program, you will earn 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback and get entry to this system’s elitelike advantages. Phrases apply.
These advantages embrace a room improve upon arrival (when obtainable), each day breakfast for 2, assured 4 p.m. late checkout, midday check-in (when obtainable), complimentary Wi-Fi and a $100 expertise credit score.
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Automobile rental elite standing
Further Platinum cardmembers obtain complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Most popular Plus and Nationwide Emerald Membership Government standing. You’ll be able to enroll in every of those memberships on Amex’s web site.
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Different advantages
Amex Platinum licensed customers may also entry the Cruise Privileges and Worldwide Airline Applications. In the meantime, further Platinum cardmembers and companion cardmembers can entry Amex Presents and the Auto Buying Program. Word that enrollment is required for Amex Presents and that not all cardmembers might be focused for a similar presents.
Which Amex Platinum advantages are shared amongst cardmembers?
Past the above perks, major and extra cardmembers share a number of Amex Platinum advantages. In different phrases, these perks are granted as soon as per account — however purchases by any card on the account will set off them.
- Airline payment credit score of as much as $200 per calendar yr, offered as assertion credit for incidental charges charged by the airline you choose*
- As much as $100 Saks credit score break up into two as much as $50 assertion credit for the 2 halves of the calendar yr*
- As much as $200 annual lodge credit score, legitimate on pay as you go reservations at Nice Accommodations + Resorts or The Resort Assortment properties (requires a minimal two-night keep) made by Amex Journey*
- As much as $199 annual Clear Plus assertion credit per calendar yr, offered as assertion credit for a Clear Plus membership*
- As much as $240 annual digital leisure credit score, break up into as much as $20 month-to-month assertion credit for choose retailers, together with The Disney Bundle, Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Instances and The Wall Road Journal*
- As much as $300 annual Equinox assertion credit score every calendar yr to eligible Equinox memberships or entry to the Equinox+ app (topic to auto-renewal)*
- As much as $155 in Walmart+ credit yearly, the place you’ll be able to obtain an announcement credit score every month that covers the total price of 1 $12.95 (plus tax) Walmart+ membership (topic to auto-renewal). Plus Up Advantages not eligible*
It is a smart way to make sure you maximize these assertion credit. For instance, you could not wish to use the Equinox credit score for those who use a distinct gymnasium or health supplier. Nonetheless, in case your licensed person expenses an Equinox membership to the cardboard, these purchases will set off the assertion credit score till the $300 annual most is reached.
*Enrollment is required for choose advantages. Phrases apply.
What advantages will not be included?
Word that just a few advantages aren’t granted to licensed customers.
Most significantly, there is no further welcome provide. Whereas all purchases depend towards the cardboard’s minimal spending necessities, it is a single deposit of factors.
As well as, the Amex Platinum consists of Uber VIP standing (the place obtainable) and as much as $200 Uber Money — break up into month-to-month $15 credit for U.S. rides or U.S. Uber Eats orders, plus a bonus of $20 in December. Nonetheless, this Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account if you add the Amex Platinum Card as a cost technique and redeem it with any Amex card. To make use of it in a licensed person’s Uber account, you will need to delete the cardboard from the unique account and reenroll utilizing your licensed person’s account.
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Is it nonetheless price including licensed customers to your Amex Platinum?
The annual payment construction for extra Amex Platinum cardmembers has present prospects questioning whether or not it is price it. Extra informal vacationers could not profit sufficient to warrant the $195 annual payment for every further Amex Platinum cardmember.
When you’re eager about including new licensed customers (or looking forward to your subsequent renewal and contemplating eradicating present licensed customers), listed here are some inquiries to ask:
- Will your licensed customers join International Entry or TSA PreCheck? In that case, that may be an instantaneous $120 in advantages. Nonetheless, this is not an annual perk.
- How steadily will your licensed customers use the cardboard’s lodge perks? Semi-frequent vacationers who will not earn Gold standing with Marriott or Hilton in their very own proper may nonetheless get a whole bunch of {dollars} in worth from these advantages annually. The identical holds true for stays at Nice Accommodations + Resorts or The Resort Assortment properties. A single FHR keep in your further Platinum cardmember (with complimentary breakfast and an on-property credit score) may cowl the $195 annual payment all by itself.
- How useful is lounge entry in your licensed customers? As famous earlier, it will price you $50 per go to to deliver visitors into Centurion Lounges and Sky Golf equipment as a Platinum cardmember. At face worth, you’d want at the very least 4 visits per yr to cowl this added price. Nonetheless, this can be much less useful for those who hardly ever go to these areas (or can offset Sky Membership visitor charges with the cardboard’s airline payment credit score).
Use these inquiries to estimate the yearly worth your further Platinum cardmember will get. If that is considerably larger than the brand new $195 annual payment, it is price it. In any other case, you could wish to rethink.
Key concerns
In fact, including a licensed person shouldn’t be so simple as getting access to further advantages. As the first cardmember, you might be chargeable for all expenses in your account, together with these charged by others. Because of this, you must solely add different cardmembers you belief to keep away from operating up your stability. Keep in mind, too, that you will need to pay your Amex Platinum stability in full every month (although you must actually do that with all bank cards).
If performed proper, including a licensed person to the cardboard will be an effective way to construct up their credit score historical past. This could go a great distance towards serving to a pal or member of the family with poor credit score since American Categorical will report the on-time cost historical past for each cardmember in your account to the respective credit score bureaus. Once more, make sure that the licensed person is somebody you’ll be able to belief.
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The right way to add further cardmembers
When you’ve determined so as to add further cardmembers to your Amex Platinum account, the method is comparatively easy:
- Log into the dashboard in your Amex Platinum account
- Click on on the “Account Providers” hyperlink on the high
- Click on “Handle Different Customers” on the left-hand facet
- Click on “Add Somebody to Your Account”
- Guarantee you will have the Amex Platinum chosen, then click on “Proceed”
- Select the kind of card you wish to add (Platinum or companion), enter the person’s data, then click on Agree & Submit
Word that you do not have to instantly enter the brand new licensed person’s Social Safety quantity or date of start, however Amex requires that data inside 60 days of the cardboard being issued. In any other case, the cardboard might be canceled.
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Backside line
Having further cardmembers can increase your incomes potential, and on sure playing cards, it might probably unlock quite a lot of perks in your licensed customers as properly. On the Amex Platinum, it prices $195 for every new licensed person, however given the array of advantages they’re going to take pleasure in, this is usually a strong choice below the fitting circumstances. Simply ensure that this extra price is price it.
To study extra, learn our full evaluate of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: The Platinum Card® from American Categorical
Associated: 5 methods you is perhaps lacking the worth of your Amex Platinum card
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
