6 Best Credit Cards For Authorized Users: Lounge Access Perks & More

There are a variety of reasons to pick up credit cards, from big welcome offers, to generous return on spending, to valuable perks. Generally when we talk about the value proposition of credit cards, we do so in the context of the value for the primary cardmember.

However, for some cards there’s a lot of value to be had for authorized users as well, and I think that’s an interesting angle to discuss. Yes, authorized user spending can generally rack up rewards at the same rate as the primary cardmember’s spending, but sometimes it goes beyond that. This could be especially useful if you have a big family and you want them to reap the benefits of your credit cards as well.

Best value credit cards for authorized users

In this post, I’d like to share the cards that I tend to think offer the most value for authorized users, starting with the most generous. Unfortunately we’ve seen some significant cuts to authorized user perks on some cards over time, but I’d say there’s still value to be had. Note that I’m only covering cards that are open to applicants.

Before I get into this, let me just make a few points to be aware of regarding adding authorized users:

• If you add someone as an authorized user on your card, that typically doesn’t preclude them from getting that card in the future on their own as the primary user, and still earning the welcome offer
• Be careful with who you add as an authorized user on your credit card account, since you’re obviously on the hook for any purchases they make, their spending can impact your overall credit utilization, etc.
• There’s obviously generally value to having authorized users in terms of racking up points, them helping you hit credit card spending thresholds, etc., so that’s also worth considering

Below is a consolidated chart with some of my favorite authorized user cards, and then I’ll get into more details below.

1. Citi Strata Elite Card

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (learn more) has a $595 annual fee for the primary user, and the card offers benefits that can help offset that, including up to $300 in annual hotel credits, up to $200 in annual retailer credits, up to $200 in annual Blacklane credits, and more.

Citi Strata Elite authorized users cost $75 each. Crucially, authorized users receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to guest up to two people each into lounges. If you’re looking for the cheapest authorized user Priority Pass membership option nowadays, this would be it, as it’s really hard to argue with that cost.

2. Bilt Palladium Card

The Bilt Palladium Card has a $495 annual fee (Rates & Fees) for the primary user, and this card is excellent, particularly for the return on spending that it offers. The primary cardmember receives a Priority Pass membership, along with some other perks.

Bilt Palladium authorized users cost $95 each. Authorized users receive a Priority Pass membership, with the ability to guest up to two people each into lounges, so that’s only a slightly higher cost option than the Citi Strata Elite, and I think it’s worth presenting as an alternative. The benefit of the Bilt Palladium is how lucrative it can be for authorized user spending, particularly in terms of having even more options for redeeming Bilt Cash.

3. Citi AAdvantage Executive Card

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® (learn more) has a $695 annual fee. While there are lots of great benefits to the card (like the ability to earn bonus Loyalty Points), one of the biggest perks is that the primary cardmember receives an Admirals Club membership.

Citi AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users can be added at a cost — you can add three authorized users to the card for a total of $175, so that’s potentially under $60 each (authorized users beyond that cost $175 each).

Each authorized user receives Admirals Club access as well. If you have family or friends who value Admirals Club access, getting that for under $60 each is a great deal. Authorized users can each bring up to two guests or their immediate family into Admirals Clubs when flying American or an eligible partner airline the same day.

4. Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (learn more) has a $795 annual fee, though that’s potentially not that hard to justify based on perks like the $300 annual travel credit, the excellent bonus categories, and more.

Chase Sapphire Reserve authorized users cost $195 each. The primary benefit of adding an authorized user is that they’d also get a full Priority Pass™ membership, including unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, with the ability to bring two guests with each visit. They also receive access to select Air Canada Lounges, without complimentary guesting.

While the authorized user fee is higher than the two cards above that offer a Priority Pass membership, the benefit here is how you also get access to the network of Chase Sapphire Lounges. So which option represents a better value depends on how much value authorized users would get from being able to visit Chase Sapphire Lounges and select Air Canada Lounges.

Note that on the business version of the card, the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (learn more), there’s no cost to add authorized users, but they also don’t receive airport lounge access.

5. Amex Platinum Card

The American Express Platinum Card® (learn more) has a  annual fee (Rates & Fees), and there’s lots of value to be had with the card, including an up to $600 annual hotel credit, an up to $400 annual Resy credit, and more.

Amex Platinum authorized users cost $195 each (Rates & Fees). They receive all kinds of perks, particularly lounge access, including access to Amex Centurion Lounges, access to Delta Sky Club®, a Priority Pass™ membership (Enrollment required), etc. However, guesting privileges are complicated, as they vary based on how much total annual spending there is on the account.

On top of that, they receive some other perks, including the card’s hotel and rental car status, and they even get their own Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. (Enrollment is required for select benefits)

I don’t want to say that adding authorized users is a slam dunk for everyone, but I think there are situations where the math could make sense. I should also mentioning that adding authorized users on the business version of the card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (learn more), isn’t nearly as good of a value, as you’ll pay $400 (Rates & Fees) per user.

6. Capital One Venture X Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (learn more) has a $395 annual fee, and that’s quite easy to justify thanks to perks like a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, plus 10,000 anniversary Capital One bonus miles.

The Capital One Venture X authorized user fee situation is complicated. While you can add authorized users at no extra cost, they don’t receive lounge access as a default. Instead, it’s possible to pay a fee of $125 per authorized user (for up to four authorized users) for them to get lounge access. This includes a Priority Pass membership, access to Capital One Lounges, and access to Capital One Landings.

However, you can only guest people into lounges if there’s a total of $75,000 in spending per calendar year across the card account. Otherwise lounge access is just for the person with the card, whether it’s the primary cardmember or an authorized user.

I should mention that the business version of the card, the Capital One Venture X, the Capital One Venture X Business (learn more), has a very similar setup for lounge access, in terms of the fee.

Bottom line

There are many angles from which you can look at the value offered by credit cards. Typically we’re focused on the primary cardmember benefits, but there’s also tons of value to be had with authorized user benefits. In particular, just as premium cards sometimes offer lounge access for the primary cardmember, there are also some lucrative opportunities for authorized users.

While there are lots of different directions to go here, spending as little as $75 to add an authorized user and getting them a Priority Pass membership with guesting privileges is potentially a great deal.

What’s your favorite credit card for authorized user perks?

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees).