Additional cardholders on Amex Platinum get most of the card's core benefits, but not all of them
When you add an additional cardholder to your American Express Platinum card, they receive their own physical card and access to many of the same perks you do — but not every single one. The additional cardholder gets travel credits, lounge access, and concierge services. They do not get the welcome bonus points that came with your original account, and some benefits like statement credits for specific purchases are tied to the primary cardholder only.
The cost of adding a cardholder is $175 per year (as of 2024, though American Express changes fees periodically). This is separate from your primary card fee. Each additional cardholder receives their own card in the mail and their own login access to view charges and statements.
Key Takeaways
- Additional cardholders get their own card and can use travel credits, airport lounge access, and the 24/7 concierge service independently.
- The additional cardholder fee is $175 per year and is charged separately from the primary cardholder's annual fee.
- Statement credits for specific categories — like airline incidental fees or hotel stays — are usually limited to the primary cardholder only, depending on the current card terms.
- Additional cardholders do not receive the welcome bonus points, and their spending does not count toward the primary cardholder's annual spending thresholds.
- You can add up to four additional cardholders per American Express account.
Which benefits transfer to the additional cardholder
The additional cardholder receives a separate card and can use the Centurion Lounge access at airports where American Express operates them. They can also use partner lounges through the Amex network. Each cardholder gets their own lounge visits, so if you and an additional cardholder travel together, you both enter on your own cards.
The 24/7 concierge service is available to both the primary and additional cardholder. Each can call independently to book restaurants, arrange travel, or handle other requests. The concierge has access to the full account history, so they can information with either cardholder's needs.
The airline fee credit (currently up to $200 per calendar year for the primary cardholder) typically applies only to the primary cardholder's purchases. The same applies to hotel credits and other statement credits tied to specific merchants. Check your current card terms, as American Express updates these benefits periodically.
Additional cardholders also receive travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage when traveling. These protections cover the additional cardholder when they are traveling, not the primary cardholder's travel.
What the additional cardholder does not receive
The additional cardholder does not receive the welcome bonus that the primary cardholder earned when opening the account. If you opened your Platinum card and received 150,000 points (or whatever the current offer was), the additional cardholder does not get a separate bonus.
Statement credits for specific purchases — such as the airline fee credit, hotel credits, or dining credits on certain Amex cards — are usually limited to the primary cardholder only. The additional cardholder's spending on those same merchants does not trigger the credit. Again, this depends on the current card terms, so review your benefits guide.
The additional cardholder's purchases do not count toward the primary cardholder's annual spending thresholds. Some American Express cards offer bonus points or credits when the primary cardholder reaches a certain spending level in a year. Only the primary cardholder's charges count toward that threshold.
How to add an additional cardholder and manage their access
You can add an additional cardholder through your American Express online account or by calling the number on the back of your card. American Express will ask for the cardholder's name, date of birth, and address. The card is mailed to the address you provide, usually within 7 to 10 business days.
Once the additional cardholder receives their card, they can set up their own login to view their charges and statements. They cannot change the primary account settings, add other cardholders, or close the account — only the primary cardholder can do those things. The additional cardholder can see their own card activity and request a replacement card if theirs is lost or damaged.
You can remove an additional cardholder at any time by contacting American Express. Once removed, their card is deactivated when ready. You are not refunded the $175 annual fee for that cardholder if you remove them partway through the year.
When adding an additional cardholder makes financial sense
Adding an additional cardholder costs $175 per year, so it only makes sense if that person will use the benefits enough to justify the fee. If they travel frequently and will use the lounge access and travel protections, the fee may pay for itself. A single lounge visit can save $30 to $50 in food and drinks, so a few trips per year can offset the cost.
If the additional cardholder lives with you and shares household expenses, you might add them to consolidate spending on one account and earn points together. However, remember that their spending does not count toward your annual spending thresholds or trigger your statement credits — so you do not get a financial benefit from their purchases beyond the points they earn on their own card.
If the additional cardholder will rarely travel and does not plan to use the lounge access or concierge service, the $175 fee is unlikely to be worth it. In that case, it may be more cost-effective to keep the account in your name only.
How additional cardholder points and rewards work
The additional cardholder earns points on their own purchases at the same rate as the primary cardholder — typically 1 point per dollar spent, with higher rates for certain categories depending on the card. These points are deposited into the primary account, not a separate account for the additional cardholder.
This means the primary cardholder controls how the points are redeemed. The additional cardholder cannot redeem points on their own; they must ask the primary cardholder to do so. If you want the additional cardholder to have independent control over their rewards, you would need to open a separate card in their name instead.
All points earned by both the primary and additional cardholder go into one pool, which can be useful if you want to combine earning toward a larger redemption. However, it also means the primary cardholder has full control over the account's rewards.
Comparing additional cardholders to authorized users on other cards
American Express uses the term "additional cardholder" rather than "authorized user," which is the term other card issuers use. The structure is similar — the additional cardholder gets their own card and can make purchases — but there are some differences in how benefits are shared.
On some other premium cards, authorized users receive fewer benefits than the primary cardholder but may not pay a separate fee. On Amex Platinum, the additional cardholder pays $175 per year and receives most (but not all) of the primary cardholder's benefits. Compare the fee and benefit structure if you are deciding between cards.
If you are considering adding an additional cardholder primarily to earn more points on household spending, calculate whether the $175 annual fee is offset by the points earned and the value of the benefits used. For some households, it is; for others, opening a separate card in the additional person's name might be more cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an additional cardholder use the airline fee credit on their own purchases?
In most cases, no — the airline fee credit is tied to the primary cardholder's account. However, American Express updates its benefits periodically, so check your current benefits guide or contact the concierge to confirm whether the additional cardholder's airline purchases trigger the credit.
What happens to an additional cardholder's points if I close the account?
All points in the account belong to the primary cardholder's account. If you close the Platinum card, the points remain in your account and can be redeemed. The additional cardholder does not have a separate points balance to transfer or keep.
Can I add an additional cardholder if I have not met the welcome bonus yet?
Yes, you can add an additional cardholder at any time. However, the additional cardholder does not receive a separate welcome bonus, and their spending does not count toward your spending requirement for the primary cardholder's bonus.
How many additional cardholders can I add to one Platinum account?
American Express allows up to four additional cardholders per account. Each costs $175 per year. You can add or remove them at any time by contacting American Express.
Does the additional cardholder need to have good credit to be added?
American Express does not run a credit check on additional cardholders. They are added to your existing account and are not responsible for the bill — you are. The additional cardholder straightforward needs to provide their name, date of birth, and address.