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By adding an authorized user to your rewards credit card, you can often share valuable perks. Getty Images

• Adding an authorized user help others build credit — handy for anyone just getting started with credit cards.
• Some cards don't charge a fee for authorized users, but many of the best do (such as The Platinum Card® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve®).
• Even though additional fees don't sound great, authorized users can get a bunch of benefits like airport lounge access and travel coverage.
• See Insider's guide to the best rewards credit cards.

If you've opened a rewards credit card that earns you valuable points, miles, or cash back, there are several reasons why you might consider adding an authorized user to your card.

For one, adding someone as an authorized user can help improve their credit score — as long as you make all your payments on time and in full, since your account record will be reflected in their score. Plus, when you add someone as an authorized user, you'll earn points on all the purchases they make (though the flipside to this is you'll only want to add someone you trust to not make purchases without your permission). 

Most credit cards don't charge an additional fee to add authorized users. Premium cards, on the other hand, usually do charge fees to add a partner, family member, or spouse to your account. It can be worth paying the fee, though, because authorized users on premium cards like the aChase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express can get benefits like airport lounge access and even hotel elite status.

If you're considering paying to add an authorized user to your credit card, it makes sense to perform a cost/benefit analysis first, taking into account your personal situation. It's also essential to fully understand the risks and benefits of adding an authorized user.

What is an authorized user?

Authorized users aren't the main account holder; instead, they're using a credit card that's tied to the main account. Being added as an authorized user means the main account holder is assuming the risk. 

Although the bank will have identifying information for the other person, the account will usually be reported on both your and their credit report. And although they may have the ability to make payments to the account from their own bank account, you are ultimately responsible for paying the bill.

Accordingly, adding an authorized user isn't something to be taken lightly. However, in many situations, this is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. Some issuers, such as Amex, allow you to set a credit limit (even as low as $200) to limit your risk exposure. 

The benefit for the authorized user is that they can build credit this way — since the main account holder's payments will be added to the authorized user's credit report, if they're starting from zero this can help them develop good credit and eventually pave the way to them getting approved for credit cards and other financial accounts of their own.

Being added as an authorized user vs. getting your own account

There are two primary reasons to add an authorized user to an existing credit card account versus setting up a new account: cost savings and access.

Authorized user cards are usually cheaper than card annual fees

When it comes to premium credit cards with high annual fees, it can be much less expensive to add an authorized user to an existing account than to set up a separate account and pay the card's full annual fee. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee, but each authorized user costs only $75. Given that many of the same card benefits apply both to authorized users and the primary account, it can make sense to save money.

And a couple of premium cards — like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® — don't charge a fee at all for a limited number of authorized users, making them an even better value.

Authorized users won't receive a welcome bonus offer, but purchases authorized users make will earn you rewards.

Credit history isn't a factor in adding an authorized user

For people who are building or rebuilding credit, getting approved for a premium credit card usually isn't a possibility in the short term. These products are typically reserved for those with above-average incomes and credit history.

However, credit history isn't a factor that a card issuer considers when you add an authorized user. You can add anyone who is over the age of 18 as an authorized user to your account with any bank, and the activity on your account will be reported on their credit report. Some banks will even allow you to add an authorized user under 18 to your account — read our guide to adding children as credit card authorized users for all the details.

Compare the best premium cards for adding authorized users

We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.

The best premium cards for adding authorized users reviews

Best overall: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Cost to add an authorized user: $0 for up to four authorized users.

Included benefits:

• Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership
• Access to Capital One Lounges
• Access to Plaza Premium airport lounges
• Hertz President's Circle elite status (which entitles you to car rental upgrades, improved earning rates, etc.)
• Excellent travel coverage, such as primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, and travel accident insurance.

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

• Up to $300 in annual travel credits when booking travel through Capital One Travel
• TSA PreCheck/Global Entry statement credit (worth up to $100 every four years)
• 10,000 bonus miles each year after your account anniversary

Best for airport lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Cost to add an authorized user: $175 for up to three authorized Platinum users, then $175 for each additional one after that; $0 per authorized Gold user.

Included benefits:

• Airport lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select** membership, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta
• Gold elite status with Hilton and Marriott**
• Up to $100 to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Access to Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts, which gives you elite-like perks at fancy hotels around the world

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

For Amex Platinum authorized user cards:

• Up to $200 in airline incidental fee credits per year**
• Up to $200 in Uber credits per year
• Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits per year**
• Up to $200 in hotel credits per year when making prepaid bookings through Amex Travel.
• Up to $189 in CLEAR statement credits per year**
• Up to $155 in Walmart+ statement credits per year**
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits per year (for things like Audible, Peacock, Hulu, etc.)**
• Up to $300 Equinox credit each year**

For the free Gold cards, nearly all premium benefits are subtracted except category bonuses for spending and Global Entry fee reimbursement. Standard Gold-level benefits, such as secondary rental car insurance, do still apply.

Best for travel insurance: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Cost to add an authorized user: $75 per authorized user

Included benefits:

• Top-tier travel insurance, including primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, etc.
• Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access
• Free access to Chase Sapphire Lounges
• 5 points per dollar on air travel and 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals purchased through the Chase Travel Portal (after earning the $300 travel credit)
• 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

• Annual travel credit which reimburses you for the first $300 you spend on travel each cardmember year
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS fee credit (worth up to $100 every four years)

Best for American Airlines Admirals Club lounge access: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Cost to add an authorized user: $0 for up to 10 authorized users

Included benefits:

• Admirals Club airport lounge access (with up to two guests)

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

• Full-fledged Admirals Club membership (which comes with perks authorized users won't get, such as access to other airline lounges and clubs partnered with American Airlines)
• Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on your reservation
• Priority boarding
• 10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 on purchases within a qualifying status year

Best for Delta Sky Club lounge access: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Cost to add an authorized user: $175 per authorized user

Included benefits:

• Access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when traveling on Delta flights

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

• Free first checked bag for you and up to four companions on your reservation
• Annual Delta companion certificate (potentially worth hundreds of dollars)
• 15,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles after spending $30,000 on purchases within a calendar year, up to four times (your authorized user won't get this perk, but their spending will count towards your thresholds)
• Access to complimentary upgrades and upgrade priority
• Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee credit (worth up to $100 every four years)

Best for restaurant and grocery spending: American Express® Gold Card

Cost to add an authorized user: Free for up to five authorized users; $35 per user above five

Included benefits: 

• 4 points per dollar on restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets up to $25,000 per calendar year (then 1x)
• 3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel

Primary cardholder benefits which are not included:

• No dining credits of up to $120 per year
• No Amex Travel Collection membership

Bottom line

Premium credit card benefits can be extremely valuable. For example, Chase, Capital One, and Amex all offer a full Priority Pass Select membership for each authorized user. Have a family of four? By adding your partner as an authorized user and signing up for a second Priority Pass membership, the whole family will be able to access Priority Pass lounges when you take a trip — since you're generally limited to two guests per Priority Pass account.

Some cards, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, allow you to add authorized users for completely free — making them no-brainers to gift valuable perks to friends and family.

Adding someone as an authorized user to the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express can be a tougher decision, because you'll have to pay up. Plus, there's so much value to be had as a primary account holder. But if someone wouldn't be able to be approved for either of these higher-end cards, gaining access as an authorized user could be an excellent decision, allowing them to enjoy some great perks while also helping them build credit.