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Why it is best to add licensed customers in your Amex Platinum Card

Editor’s be aware: This submit has been up to date with new data.


There are a lot of explanation why you’d need to add licensed customers to your journey bank cards. For instance, your licensed customers will help you hit a minimal spending requirement to earn a welcome provide, otherwise you may need to construct your youngster’s credit score historical past early on.

However some playing cards additionally provide licensed customers lots of the identical advantages as the first cardholder — some of the in style being The Platinum Card® from American Categorical. Nevertheless, current shifts with sure lounge entry insurance policies make it much more essential to contemplate this selection, though it comes at a price.

On this information, we’ll contemplate the varied perks that make it worthwhile so as to add licensed customers to your Amex Platinum.

ISABELLE RAPHAEL/THE POINTS GUY

Overview of Amex Platinum licensed customers

The Platinum Card comes with a $695 annual payment (see charges and costs) and has so many advantages that it’s also known as a “membership card” — a card that you simply maintain for its advantages slightly than its incomes potential. That mentioned, it does include a welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards factors after you spend $6,000 on purchases inside the first six months of cardmembership — or you may be focused for a good greater provide utilizing the CardMatch instrument (topic to vary at any time).

Nevertheless, not like another premium journey bank cards, there’s an extra value to including licensed customers on the Amex Platinum.

Particularly, you may incur a flat $175 (see charges and costs) annually so as to add as much as three extra cardholders. It is then an extra $175 per licensed consumer past that. Be aware you can add youngsters as licensed customers, however American Categorical requires them to be 13 years outdated (or older).

When you add precisely three folks to your Amex Platinum, it breaks down to only underneath $60 per extra cardholder. Finally, relying in your journey habits, you possibly can simply make this up (after which some) by the dear advantages which are unlocked for these three people.

Some Amex playing cards incur charges for extra cardholders. AMERICAN EXPRESS

On the identical time, you possibly can add extra Gold Card members free of charge to your Platinum Card. This Gold Card just isn’t the identical as the favored American Categorical® Gold Card that provides 4 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent at eating places and 4 factors per greenback spent at U.S. supermarkets (on as much as $25,000 per calendar 12 months; then 1 level per greenback). As a substitute, extra Gold cardholders get the identical incomes charges as your Platinum Card.

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Nevertheless, these extra Gold Card members don’t have entry to lots of the advantages given to extra Platinum members — which we’ll cowl now.

Which Amex Platinum advantages apply to extra cardholders?

Right here’s a rundown of the important thing advantages that extra cardholders on the Amex Platinum will get pleasure from.

Lounge entry

The primary key profit that extends to extra Amex Platinum cardholders is lounge entry, even when touring with out the first cardholder. 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, Plaza Premium lounges and numerous different forms of lounge entry. (You’ll be able to view a full record of taking part areas at this hyperlink.)

And this perk is probably much more interesting proper now.

As of Feb. 1, 2023, American Categorical not permits most Platinum cardmembers to usher in two complimentary visitors when visiting Centurion Lounges. As a substitute, it will value you $50 for every grownup visitor over the age of 18, and you may pay $30 for every youngster between the ages of two and 17 (youngsters underneath two are nonetheless free).

There are two methods to keep away from this visitor payment. First, you possibly can cost $75,000 in your Platinum Card in a calendar 12 months, as this may unlock the earlier good thing about bringing in two visitors.

Alternatively, when you often journey together with your partner (or youngsters over the age of 12), you possibly can add them as licensed customers.

Primarily based on the casual ballot we performed within the TPG Lounge Fb group, many readers with the Amex Platinum have been pissed off to study that they may not deliver their journey companions into the Centurion Lounges as visitors. Nevertheless, including them as licensed customers removes this hurdle.

Seating within the Centurion Lounge. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Be aware that Centurion Lounges aren’t the one ones that just lately grew to become more durable (or dearer) to entry. Adjustments are additionally now in impact at Delta Sky Golf equipment. When you maintain the Amex Platinum, you possibly can enter the Sky Membership when you’re touring on a same-day, Delta-operated flight. Beforehand, visitors would set you again $39, however as of Feb. 2, 2023, this has been raised to $50 — a part of Delta’s efforts to fight lounge overcrowding.

Nevertheless, by including three extra cardholders for $175, you possibly can keep away from these fees altogether. In reality, with the brand new visitor insurance policies, you’d cowl your complete $175 (after which some) with simply 5 whole visits to Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Golf equipment throughout the 12 months — and this doesn’t even think about any utilization that the licensed customers would get when touring alone. In fact, this would possibly not assist households with youngsters underneath the age of 12 (like mine). It isn’t attainable for my 8-year-old daughter to grow to be a licensed consumer on my card. Nevertheless, the $50 visitor payment at Delta Sky Golf equipment ought to set off the Platinum Card’s $200 annual airline payment credit score, since I’ve designated Delta as my eligible service (enrollment required).

A Delta Sky Membership. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Lastly, it’s price stating that it’s essential 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 displaying your Platinum Card). Extra cardholders can’t enroll on-line; they should name the quantity on the again of their Platinum Card to enroll.

Associated: Information to lounge entry with the Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum

International Entry/TSA PreCheck application-fee credit score

One other nice perk that additionally extends to extra Amex Platinum cardholders is the assertion credit score for International Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) utility charges. Identical to the profit supplied to main cardholders, every licensed consumer can use this profit as soon as each 4 years for International Entry or as soon as each 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. Additionally, you don’t even want to make use of the credit score in your personal membership — any qualifying cost for a good friend or member of the family will set off the credit score.

A TSA PreCheck line. ZACH HONIG/THE POINTS GUY

When you add three licensed customers and have all of them apply for International Entry within the first 12 months, that’s $300 price of advantages, which simply covers the $175 extra annual payment. All extra members added to a Platinum Card — each extra Platinum Card and extra Gold Card members — are eligible.

Associated: High bank cards for International Entry and TSA PreCheck

Marriott and Hilton elite standing

Amex Platinum licensed customers also can reap the benefits of complimentary Gold standing with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors. Though the first cardholder can enroll for each of those on-line, extra members might want to name the quantity on the again of their Platinum Card to activate these standing advantages. When you frequent Marriott or Hilton properties, this could deliver you room upgrades, bonus factors and extra on-property perks.

(Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy)
Marriott Gold Elite standing will deliver you advantages at Marriott properties just like the Westin Langkawi. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Remember that there are different methods to get Marriott and Hilton standing by bank cards:

Nonetheless, having an authorized-user Platinum Card covers each packages and thus could also be simpler than sustaining a number of different playing cards.

Associated: Information to lodge elite standing with the Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum

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 supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Entry to the Nice Motels + Resorts and Resort Assortment

As an extra Amex Platinum cardholder, it’s also possible to use the Nice Motels + Resorts and The Resort Assortment advantages on the cardboard. While you e book a pay as you go keep by the Nice Motels + Resorts program, you’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback and get entry to this system’s elite-like advantages.

These advantages embrace a room improve upon arrival (when out there), every day breakfast for 2, assured 4 p.m. late checkout, midday check-in (when out there), complimentary Wi-Fi and an expertise credit score valued at $100 or extra.

You'll earn 5x on prepaid Fine Hotels & Resorts stays. (Photo by Katie Genter/The Points Guy on the Park Hyatt Beijing)
You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards factors per greenback spent and get elite-like advantages on pay as you go Nice Motels + Resorts stays at properties just like the Park Hyatt Beijing. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

The Resort Assortment supplies fewer advantages however is bookable by extra Amex Gold cardholders. You’ll earn 5 factors per greenback on pay as you go Resort Assortment stays, and on an eligible keep of two nights or longer, you’ll additionally stand up to a $100 lodge credit score to spend on qualifying eating, spa and resort actions and a room improve upon arrival (if out there).

Associated: Your final information to the American Categorical Nice Motels + Resorts program

Automotive rental elite standing

Extra Platinum cardholders obtain complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Most popular Plus and Nationwide Emerald Membership Govt Elite standing. You’ll be able to enroll in every of those memberships on Amex’s web site.

Associated: Bank cards that provide elite standing for automobile leases

Different advantages

Amex Platinum licensed customers even have entry to the Cruise Privileges Program and Worldwide Airline Program. In the meantime, extra Platinum cardmembers and extra Amex Gold cardmembers can entry Amex Gives and the Auto Buying Program.

Associated: 7 nice nontravel advantages of the Amex Platinum

Which Amex Platinum advantages are shared amongst cardholders?

Past the above perks, there are a variety of Amex Platinum advantages which are shared between the first and extra cardholders. In different phrases, these perks are granted as soon as per account — however purchases by any card on the account will set off them.

This can be a smart way to make sure you’re maximizing all of those assertion credit. For example, you could not need to use the Equinox credit score when you use a distinct health club or health supplier. Nevertheless, in case your licensed consumer fees 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.

What advantages should not included?

Be aware that there are a couple of advantages that are not granted to licensed customers.

Most significantly, there is not any extra welcome bonus. Whereas all purchases depend towards the cardboard’s minimal spending necessities, it is a single deposit of factors.

As well as, the Platinum Card consists of Uber VIP standing 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 $20 in December (enrollment required). Nevertheless, this Uber Money will solely be deposited into one Uber account once you add the Amex Platinum as a fee methodology. With the intention to use it in a licensed consumer’s Uber account, it’s essential to delete the cardboard from the unique account and reenroll utilizing your licensed consumer’s account.

Associated: Finest luxurious playing cards based mostly on annual payment and licensed consumer charges

Different issues

In fact, everytime you add a licensed consumer, it’s not so simple as having access to extra advantages. As the first cardholder, you’re answerable for all fees in your account, together with these charged by others. Because of this, it is best to solely add different cardholders whom you fully belief to not run up your stability. Keep in mind, too, that it’s essential to pay your Amex Platinum stability in full every month (although it is best to actually do that with all bank cards).

If carried out proper, including a licensed consumer to the cardboard could be an effective way to construct up their credit score historical past. This could go a great distance towards serving to a good friend or member of the family with poor credit score since American Categorical will report your on-time fee historical past and credit score utilization charge to the respective credit score bureaus for each cardholder in your account. Once more, make certain the licensed consumer is somebody you possibly can belief.

Associated: All the pieces it’s good to learn about licensed customers

The way to add extra cardholders

When you’ve determined so as to add extra cardholders to your Platinum Card account the method is comparatively easy:

  1. Log into the dashboard in your Platinum Card account.
  2. Click on on the “Account Companies” hyperlink on the prime.
  3. Click on “Handle Different Customers” on the left-hand aspect.
  4. Click on “Add Somebody to Your Account.”
  5. Guarantee you will have the Platinum Card chosen, then click on “Proceed.”
  6. Select the kind of card you need to add (Platinum or Gold), enter the consumer’s data, then click on Agree & Submit.

Be aware that you simply don’t need to enter the Social Safety quantity or date of beginning for the brand new licensed consumer, however Amex requires that data inside 60 days of when the cardboard is issued. In any other case, it will likely be canceled.

Associated: The way to maximize advantages with the Amex Platinum Card

Backside line

Having extra cardholders can develop your incomes potential, and on sure playing cards, it might unlock quite a lot of perks in your licensed customers as properly. On the Amex Platinum, it should value you $175 so as to add three licensed customers, however given the array of advantages they’ll get pleasure from, this could be a discount.

When you’ve been impacted by current modifications to lounge entry with the Platinum Card, now could possibly be a good time to make the most of this selection — even when you’ve by no means thought of it earlier than.

Official utility hyperlink: The Platinum Card® from American Categorical with an 80,000-point bonus provide.

Extra reporting by Stella Shon, Katie Genter and Emily McNutt.

For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.

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