What an Amex Authorized User Account Does
An authorized user on an American Express card is someone you add to your account who can make purchases using a card linked to your account, but you remain responsible for all charges. The authorized user does not own the account — you do. You set the spending limit, you receive the bill, and you pay it. Amex sends the authorized user their own physical card with their name on it, and that card draws from your credit line.
The authorized user can use the card when ready for purchases anywhere Amex is accepted. They cannot change the account, add other users, or access your billing online without separate permission. If they run up charges, those charges appear on your statement, and the debt is yours to pay.
Key Takeaways
- You remain the account owner and are legally responsible for all charges made by the authorized user, even if they refuse to pay you back.
- Amex reports the account to credit bureaus under your name, so the authorized user's credit score may improve if the account stays in good standing, but you bear the risk if it does not.
- You can set a spending limit for the authorized user, remove them at any time, and freeze their card without closing the account.
- Adding an authorized user does not give them access to your online account, change your password, or let them see your full billing history unless you grant it separately.
- Amex does not charge a fee to add an authorized user, though some card products may have different policies.
How to Add an Authorized User to Your Amex Account
Log into your American Express online account or mobile app and look for the option to manage authorized users — this is usually under Account Settings or Card Management. You will need the person's full name, date of birth, and home address. Amex will ask whether you want to set a spending limit for this person; you can choose a dollar amount or leave it unlimited.
Once you submit the information, Amex processes the request and mails a physical card to the address you provide. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. The authorized user can begin making purchases as soon as the card arrives, though some Amex products allow temporary digital card access before the physical card shows up. You will see all charges on your statement when ready.
Credit Report Impact for Both of You
Amex reports the account to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — under your name as the primary account holder. The authorized user's credit report may also receive a record of the account, depending on how Amex reports it and which bureau you check. If the account has a low balance, on-time payments, and a long history, this can help the authorized user's credit score. If the account misses payments or carries a high balance, it can hurt their score.
You cannot control whether Amex reports the account to the authorized user's credit file — that is Amex's policy. If you are adding someone to help their credit, understand that the benefit depends entirely on your payment behavior. If you miss a payment or let the balance grow, their credit suffers along with yours. If you close the account, the authorized user loses the account history, which can lower their score if it was helping them.
Setting and Changing Spending Limits
When you add an authorized user, you can set a daily or monthly spending limit, or leave it unlimited. This limit is a safeguard — if the authorized user tries to spend beyond it, the transaction will be declined. You can change this limit at any time through your online account without notifying the authorized user.
If you want to prevent the authorized user from spending without closing their card entirely, you can temporarily freeze or suspend their card through your account settings. This stops new transactions but keeps the card active on your account. You can unfreeze it later. This is useful if you suspect fraud or if you want to pause their access while you sort out a billing dispute.
Removing an Authorized User or Closing Their Card
You can remove an authorized user at any time by logging into your account and selecting the option to delete or remove them. Amex will cancel their card when ready, though the account itself stays open under your name. The authorized user will no longer be able to use the card for new purchases.
Removing an authorized user does not affect your credit score, but it may affect theirs if the account was helping their credit history. Once removed, the authorized user loses access to the account's payment history and credit benefit. If you later add them back, Amex treats it as a new authorization, not a reinstatement of the old one.
When Authorized User Status Ends
If you close the entire Amex account, all authorized user cards are canceled automatically. The account will no longer appear on anyone's credit report, including the authorized user's. If you downgrade to a different Amex card product, authorized users on the old card do not automatically transfer — you must add them to the new card if you want them to have access.
If an authorized user dies, you should contact Amex to remove them from the account. Amex does not automatically remove deceased users, and their card can still be used for fraudulent purchases if it is not canceled. Provide Amex with a death certificate or obituary to speed up the removal.
Liability and Fraud Protection
You are responsible for all charges made by an authorized user, even if you did not authorize a specific purchase or if the authorized user refuses to reimburse you. If an authorized user makes a $5,000 purchase without your permission, you still owe Amex the $5,000. This is a legal obligation tied to the account, not a dispute you can win by proving you did not make the charge.
If the authorized user's card is stolen or used fraudulently by a third party, Amex's fraud protection applies. You and the authorized user are both protected against unauthorized charges made by someone other than the authorized user themselves. Report suspected fraud to Amex when ready by calling the number on the back of the card or logging into your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an authorized user see my full account balance and payment history?
Not automatically. Amex does not give authorized users access to the online account by default. If you want them to see statements or make payments, you must grant them separate online access through your account settings. You control what information they can view.
Does adding an authorized user hurt my credit score?
No. Adding an authorized user does not trigger a hard inquiry or lower your score. Your credit score may change based on the account's balance and payment history over time, but the act of adding the person itself has no negative impact.
What happens if the authorized user runs up debt and I cannot pay?
Amex will pursue you for payment, not the authorized user. If you do not pay, the account goes to collections and damages your credit. You can sue the authorized user in small claims court to recover what they owe you, but that is a separate legal action — Amex will not do it for you.
Can I add an authorized user who does not live with me?
Yes. You can add an authorized user at any address. Amex will mail the card to the address you provide. There is no requirement that the authorized user live with you or be related to you.
If I dispute a charge, can the authorized user dispute it too?
You can dispute charges on your statement. The authorized user cannot file a separate dispute — disputes go through the primary account holder. If you and the authorized user disagree about whether a charge was legitimate, you will need to resolve that between yourselves, not through Amex.