What an Authorized User on an Amex Platinum Card Can Do
An authorized user is a person you permit to use a card linked to your Amex Platinum account. They get their own physical card with their name on it, can make purchases anywhere the Platinum is accepted, and the charges go to your bill. You remain the account holder and responsible for all payments.
The authorized user does not need to have their own credit history or income. Amex does not run a credit check on them. They cannot change account settings, add other users, or access your online account — only you can do those things. If you want to remove them later, you can do so at any time without their permission.
Authorized users are different from cardholders. A cardholder has their own account, their own credit line, and their own responsibility for the bill. An authorized user is using your credit line and your account.
Key Takeaways
- You can add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum account by calling American Express or logging into your online account, and they will receive their own card within one to two weeks.
- The authorized user's spending counts toward your account balance and your credit limit, so you are responsible for paying all charges they make.
- Amex reports authorized user activity to the credit bureaus under your account, which can help their credit score if the account is in good standing.
- You can set a spending limit for an authorized user, and Amex will decline charges that exceed it.
- Removing an authorized user takes a phone call or online request and takes effect when ready, though their card will still work until they physically destroy it.
How to Add an Authorized User to Your Account
Call American Express at the number on the back of your Platinum card, or log into your online account and select the option to add an authorized user. You will need to provide the person's full name, date of birth, and home address. Amex does not require a Social Security number for an authorized user.
The new card typically arrives within one to two weeks. Until it arrives, the authorized user cannot make purchases. Once they have the card, they can use it when ready at any merchant that accepts American Express.
You can add up to 15 authorized users to a single Amex Platinum account. There is no fee to add an authorized user, though Amex may charge a fee to replace a lost or damaged card.
How Authorized User Spending Affects Your Account
Every purchase an authorized user makes is charged to your account and counts toward your credit limit. If your limit is $10,000 and an authorized user spends $3,000, you have $7,000 remaining. You receive one combined bill for all spending on the account, including theirs.
You are legally responsible for paying the full balance, regardless of who made the charges. If the authorized user overspends or the account falls behind, the late payment appears on your credit report, not theirs. If you dispute a charge the authorized user made, you will need to contact Amex directly — the authorized user cannot dispute their own charges.
Amex does not separate authorized user charges on your statement. You will see each transaction listed individually, but you will need to track which ones belong to which person if you want to know how much each person spent.
Credit Score Impact for the Authorized User
Amex reports authorized user accounts to the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This means the account's payment history, credit limit, and balance appear on the authorized user's credit report under your account name.
If your Platinum account is in good standing — you pay on time and keep your balance low — the authorized user's credit score may improve. The account adds to their available credit and demonstrates a history of on-time payments. This can be useful if the authorized user is building credit or recovering from past problems.
If your account falls behind or carries a high balance, the authorized user's credit score will be harmed. They have no control over the account and cannot prevent damage if you miss a payment. This is why authorized user status works best when there is trust between you and the other person.
Setting Spending Limits and Monitoring Activity
You can set a daily or monthly spending limit for each authorized user through your online account or by calling Amex. Once you set a limit, Amex will decline any charge that would push the user over that amount. For example, if you set a $500 monthly limit and the user has spent $450, a $100 purchase will go through but a $200 purchase will be declined.
You can view all transactions on your account in real time through your online account or the Amex mobile app. You can see the date, merchant, and amount of each charge, and you can identify which card was used. This lets you monitor what the authorized user is spending without waiting for the monthly statement.
You can change or remove a spending limit at any time. There is no notification sent to the authorized user when you adjust their limit, so you may want to tell them directly if you lower it.
Removing an Authorized User
Log into your online account and select the option to remove an authorized user, or call Amex and ask them to remove the person. The removal takes effect when ready. The authorized user will no longer be able to make new charges, and Amex will no longer report the account to their credit bureaus.
The physical card will still work for a short time after removal because the merchant does not know it has been deactivated. For security, ask the authorized user to destroy their card or return it to you. You can also request that Amex cancel the card number entirely, which prevents any further use.
Once removed, the authorized user's credit report will no longer show the account. If the account was helping their credit score, that benefit ends. The account's history remains on their report for seven years, but new activity will not be added.
When an Authorized User Might Make Sense
Adding an authorized user works well if you want to give a family member or trusted person access to your card without opening a separate account. It is common for spouses, adult children, or aging parents. It costs nothing and takes minutes to set up.
It also works if you want to help someone build or repair their credit. If they are new to credit or recovering from past problems, being added as an authorized user to an account in good standing can improve their credit score without them needing their own account or credit history.
It does not work well if you do not fully trust the person with spending, if you cannot afford to cover their charges, or if your account is not in good standing. Once someone is an authorized user, they can spend up to your credit limit, and you are responsible for the full amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the authorized user need good credit to be added?
No. Amex does not run a credit check on authorized users and does not require them to have a credit history. They only need a name, date of birth, and address. This is one reason people add family members or friends who are just starting to build credit.
Can an authorized user see my account balance and payment history?
No. An authorized user cannot log into your account, see your balance, view your full statement, or change any settings. They can only use the card to make purchases. You remain the only person with access to account details.
What happens to the authorized user's credit if I don't pay the bill?
Late payments on your account will appear on their credit report because Amex reports the account to their credit bureaus. A single late payment can lower their credit score by 50 to 100 points or more, depending on their overall credit history. This is why authorized user status requires trust.
Can I add an authorized user who lives in another country?
Amex requires an authorized user to have a U.S. address. If the person lives outside the United States, you cannot add them. Some international American Express offices may have different rules, so calling Amex directly is the best way to confirm.
Is there a fee to add or remove an authorized user?
No. Adding or removing an authorized user is free. Amex only charges a fee if you request a replacement card due to loss or damage, and that fee varies by card type.