18 Benefits of Adding Authorized Users to the Amex Business Platinum Card

We frequently discuss the benefits of top premium travel rewards cards such as The Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express.

These cards are known for earning valuable Membership Rewards points and for the associated flexible redemption options. The cards also come with the best airport lounge access available, statement credits that offer savings or bonus earnings, and a nice selection of travel and shopping benefits.

It often makes sense to have some of these valuable card benefits extended to key employees within your business or even to members of your family.

Fortunately, American Express makes it easy to do just that.

We previously covered the benefits of adding additional users to the Amex Platinum card, so today we’re building on that information as we discuss the benefits of adding authorized users to the Amex Business Platinum card.

Amex Business Platinum Card

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

19.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $189 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Before we proceed, check out the key attributes of the Amex Business Platinum card in the snapshot above. Before applying for any card, you’ll want to investigate the current welcome bonus, fees, rates, and any additional terms and conditions. Follow the links above to do just that.

What Is an Authorized User?

An authorized user is someone you add to your Amex Business Platinum card account and give permission to make purchases on your account. Additional card users do not have a separate card account with American Express, just the ability to make purchases using a card on your account.

Here is some additional useful information regarding the addition of an authorized user:

• You are responsible for paying the authorized users’ charges
• Authorized users will have access to their own online accounts through a separate username and password, as will you; charges on your statement will be separated based on which person made each specific purchase
• Authorized users do not have access to your account unless you designate them as an account manager
• Once authorized users turn 18 years old their transactions are reported to the credit bureaus
• You agree that purchases made by the authorized user will be for “the company’s commercial or business purposes”

Now that we know the basics of adding an authorized user, let’s talk about the benefits.

Select the Level of Authorized User Cards

The first benefit of adding additional users to your Amex Business Platinum card is that you can select the level of the card you want to be issued to the user. Having options is important, as the benefits and cost of each additional card vary widely.

1. Select Amex Business Platinum Cards for Extended Benefits

Adding an authorized user to your Amex Business Platinum card extends many of the benefits that the primary cardholder receives to the additional user. You’ll pay dearly for the privilege, though, as each additional user will incur a fee of $350 each year (rates & fees).

This option may be desirable for a key employee or spouse for the purpose of extending airport lounge access, utilizing Global Entry and TSA credits, or for the additional user to take advantage of travel benefits and protections.

This option can be of great value if the leading benefits are utilized.

2. Select American Express^® Business Gold Cards or Business Green Rewards Card from American Express for Employee Expense Management

Additional user cards issued as an employee Amex Business Gold card or employee Amex Business Green card do not receive the extended benefits or level of earnings of Amex Business Platinum card additional users.

The cost to add these authorized users is much less than adding Amex Business Platinum card users. You’ll pay $45 each year for each employee Amex Business Gold card (rates & fees), and no extra charge for employee Amex Business Green cards.

One of the key benefits of adding these authorized user cards is to be able to manage and track their purchases. This feature also offers the convenience of having the employee make necessary purchases directly.

There is a limit of 99 additional users that can be added to the Amex Business Platinum card.

All information about Business Green Rewards Card from American Express has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Earn Membership Rewards Points and Statement Credits Faster

Purchases made by both the primary cardholder and any authorized users count towards the initial welcome bonus, earn Membership Rewards points, and can trigger promotional offers.

3. Purchases Count Towards Minimum Spending Requirements

Once you’ve added an additional user, their purchases will count towards the minimum spending requirement to earn the initial welcome bonus.

4. Ongoing Authorized User Purchases Earn Membership Rewards Points

Every purchase your additional users make earns valuable Membership Rewards points, just as if the purchase was made by the primary cardholder. Authorized users will earn 5x points on flights purchased on prepaid hotels and flights via AmexTravel.com. Additionally, you’ll earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else. Cap applies.

5. Authorized User Purchases Trigger Statement Credits

While the authorized user does not receive statement credits, their purchases do trigger any statement credit offers on the primary cardmember’s account.

You can earn these statement credits for qualifying purchases on the Amex Business Platinum card (upon enrollment):

• Up to $200 airline incidentals per calendar year
• Up to $400 Dell Technologies credits (up to $200 January to June, up to $200 July to December)
• Up to $360 Indeed credit (up to $90 per quarter)
• Up to $150 Adobe credit
• Up to $120 wireless credit (up to $10 per month)

Authorized user purchases earn the same as the primary cardholder earnings categories, but points and statement credits are only accumulated in the primary cardholder Membership Rewards account.

Bottom Line: Purchases made by authorized users earn Membership Rewards points at the same rate as the primary cardmember. Purchases also count toward minimum spending requirements for the card’s initial welcome bonus. 

Extended Travel Protections and Benefits

6. Redeem Points for Employee Travel

The Amex Business Platinum card offers several flexible redemption options, including the ability to redeem points for travel via AmexTravel.com, using the Amex transfer partners, and more.

One of the best redemption options is to redeem points for flights using the Pay with Points feature and receive a rebate. The Amex Business Platinum card issues a flight credit bonus rebate of 35% of the points redeemed when you use this option.

Qualifying flights include business or first class flights with any airline or any flight with your preselected airline (the same airline as for incidental fee statement credit).

While authorized users do not have access to redeem rewards, they do have this capability if designated as an account manager.

Also, Amex cardholders can only transfer points to frequent flyer accounts in the primary cardholder’s name and authorized users or employees that have been explicitly added as additional cardholders.

So, if you need to transfer points to book a flight for an employee, it’ll be much easier to transfer points to a frequent flyer account in the employee’s name.

7. Complimentary Worldwide Lounge Access

This may be one of the most valuable benefits of adding an authorized user if your business involves traveling. Worldwide lounge access membership can cost hundreds, even thousands, of dollars each year.

An Amex Business Platinum card’s authorized user receives the same worldwide lounge access as the primary cardholder and is able, in most cases, to bring in 2 additional guests (upon enrollment).

Your authorized user will enjoy worldwide lounge access at the following properties:

• The Centurion Lounge Network
• Delta Sky Club
• Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner
• International American Express Centurion Lounges
• Select Lufthansa Lounges
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass Select (upon enrollment)
• Select Virgin Clubhouse Lounges

Access requirements and the number of guests allowed can vary. Check each individual lounge network requirement prior to traveling.

8. Complimentary Hotel Program Status and Benefits

Additional users enjoy complimentary hotel program elite status and benefits:

• Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status — Enjoy upgraded rooms, late checkout, fifth night free on award stays, and more (upon enrollment)
• Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status — Receive benefits such as complimentary breakfast, preferred room upgrades, late checkout, bonus points, fifth-night free on award stays, and more (upon enrollment)
• Fine Hotels & Resort Benefits — On eligible stays, receive complimentary breakfast for 2, upgraded room when available, late checkout and early check-in when available, a unique-to-the-property amenity worth at least $100, and more
• The Hotel Collection Benefits — On eligible stays of at least 2 nights, get a room upgrade when available and a $100 property credit

9. Complimentary Car Rental Program Benefits

• National Emerald Club Executive Status — Receive vehicle upgrades, no second driver fee, and a free rental after 6 car rentals (upon enrollment)
• Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle Status — Receive guaranteed upgrades, no second driver free, a 50% points bonus, a free additional driver, and a dedicated Hertz Rewards line (upon enrollment)
• Avis Preferred Benefits — Receive discounted rates and vehicle upgrades (upon enrollment)

10. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck Fee Reimbursement

Authorized users on the Amex Business Platinum card and additional Amex Gold card users receive an application fee statement credit of up to $100 for Global Entry  or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 5 years.

11. Extended Travel Insurance Coverage

Authorized users have access to travel insurance coverage when using their card to make a qualifying purchase:

• Car Rental Insurance — Receive secondary car rental insurance with the option to purchase Premium Protection for 1 low fee between $12.25 and $24.95 that covers the entire rental period
• Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption — Receive up to $10,000 per trip, $20,000 maximum per card each 12-month period
• Trip Delay — If your trip is delayed 6 hours or more, you could receive up to $500 in reimbursement for qualifying expenses
• Baggage Insurance — Receive up to $2,000 per checked bag, $3,000 per carry-on bag for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage
• Premium Global Assist Hotline —Receive emergency transportation at no cost when utilizing the network; planning and emergency services are available 24/7 when traveling more than 100 miles from home

Check the card’s Guide to Benefits for a complete list of travel insurance coverages and the terms and conditions for each one.

Bottom Line: The value received for adding an authorized user is demonstrated most in the travel benefits and protection category. Worldwide lounge access alone can exceed $1,000 annually if you had to purchase memberships. 

Extended Shopping Protections and Benefits

12. Purchases Qualify for Protection Coverages

Qualifying purchases, made by authorized users, get extended coverage on items purchased with the card:

• Extended Warranty — For manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less, a qualifying item purchased with your card may receive 1 extra year of warranty
• Purchase Protection — If a qualifying item is accidentally damaged or stolen within the first 90 days after the purchase date, you could receive up to $10,000 per item with a maximum of $50,000 per card account
• Return Protection — If the merchant will not accept a return within 90 days of the purchase date, you may receive up to $300 per qualifying item, up to $1,000 per cardmember per calendar year
• Cell Phone Protection — Cardholders receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection (2 claims per year with up to $800 for each claim) against theft and damage, including cosmetic damage (like a cracked phone screen). Each claim has a $50 deductible.

13. Save More and Earn More With Amex Offers

Amex Offers are an additional option for elevated earnings or statement credits. The authorized user can log in to their online Amex account and select offers that will trigger these extra earnings or savings when applicable purchases are made.

14. ShopRunner Membership

Receive free 2-day shipping and discounts at dozens of retailers with your complimentary ShopRunner membership. Authorized users can sign up for ShopRunner membership here.

Bottom Line: Authorized user purchases can qualify for additional protections, trigger Amex Offers savings and earnings, and receive free shipping with specific retailers. 

Business Management Tools

Manage your authorized user purchases, set up alerts that set spending boundaries, or utilize extended payment options on large purchases with these business management tools.

15. Keep Track of Authorized User Purchases

Adding an authorized user allows you to manage that person’s purchases. If you have a key person in your operation, for example, you could add them as an authorized user and manage their purchases.

Keep in mind that you can also set maximum spending limits and set alerts for unusual transactions. Utilize the Amex mobile app for additional account management.

16. Pay for Qualifying Purchases Over Time

Purchases of $100 or more, even those made by authorized users, qualify for the Pay Over Time feature that allows you to repay that purchase over time, with interest.

17. Authorized Users Can Access Online Accounts

Authorized users will receive their own physical Amex Business Platinum card and be able to log into their accounts online to manage and track transactions.

Additional Benefits of Adding Authorized Users

18. Additional Benefits Extended to Authorized Users

• American Express Preferred Seating and Access — Enjoy presale access before the public and preferred seating for a variety of sports, concerts, and theatrical events
• Access to Amex Business Platinum Card Concierge — Receive help with planning business meetings, booking transportation, making travel arrangements, securing event tickets, and more

Check the benefits guide for additional information and details on the terms and conditions.

Bottom Line: Managing the purchases of authorized users is made easy with several available business management tools. You can set up spending limits, set alerts for unusual spending, and elect to pay for authorized user purchases over time.

What Benefits Aren’t Available to Amex Business Platinum Card Authorized Users?

Even though the Amex Business Platinum card comes fully loaded with benefits, many of these benefits, especially statement credits, are only available once.

For example, the Dell credits of up to $400 per year can only be used to get a cumulative benefit of $400, no matter how many employee cards you have.

Qualifying purchases from employee cards count towards the benefit, but employees will not receive their own benefit.

Employees will not have their own statement credits, except for the $100 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck application fee credit benefit.

Other than that, if you decide to add an Amex Business Platinum card authorized user, employees will get almost all of the other benefits, including access to Fine Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, and worldwide lounge access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection (upon enrollment).

How To Add an Authorized User to the Amex Business Platinum Card

Adding an authorized user to your card is a simple process. You’ll need the person’s full name to initiate the process, then you’ll add their Social Security number and date of birth. The authorized user will be removed if you do not add this information within the allotted time period.

Log in to your Amex Business Platinum card account online and select Account Services, then Add Employee Card. After that, you’ll be prompted to click the button that says Add Employee Card on the resulting page.

After that, select the account for which you would like to add Employee Cards.

Next, select the type of card you want the authorized user to have. Enter the employee’s name, how you want the name to appear on their card, and their email address — your authorized user will receive their card within 7 to 10 business days.

Final Thoughts

While it’s easy to add an additional user to your Amex Business Platinum card, the decision is a serious one. You (and your business) are taking on the responsibility of repaying debt incurred by another individual’s spending.

For this reason, you’ll want to select your authorized user(s) wisely. There can be significant value added if your authorized user is traveling and can utilize worldwide lounge access, hotel and car rental benefits, and travel benefits and protections.

If none of these benefits are helpful but you have a need for employees to make purchases on a regular basis, you may select one of the other card options such as the additional Amex Business Gold card ($45 fee) or the Amex Business Green card ($0 fee) to accomplish the objective.

If you’re in the process of making a decision between the personal consumer Amex Platinum card vs. the Amex Business Platinum card, our article comparing the 2 is a must-read.