There are various benefits to including a certified consumer to a bank card account. For one, it may possibly assist the first cardholder hit sure spending necessities and earn rewards a lot sooner. In flip, licensed customers can profit from the first cardholder’s credit score rating and size of credit score historical past in lots of cases, thus bettering their very own credit score scores.
Sure bank cards additionally prolong some advantages to extra cardholders, akin to lounge entry and assertion credit for World Entry or TSA PreCheck functions.
Listed here are some causes you may need to contemplate including different cardholders to your accounts, the perfect rewards playing cards for doing so and the perks given to those licensed customers.
What’s a certified consumer?
A licensed consumer is somebody who’s allowed to make use of your bank card. The individual is issued their very own bodily card, however it’s linked to your bank card account. Many playing cards enable licensed customers to benefit from a number of the advantages supplied to the first cardholder.
On condition that licensed consumer charges are usually cheaper than annual charges for main (essential) account holders, including relations or spouses as licensed customers in your account is a option to share a number of the benefits of a card with out shelling out one other annual payment.
Including your little one as a certified consumer may also assist them begin to construct their credit score historical past. However earlier than you add them, verify your issuer’s minimal age necessities.
Associated: Ought to my associate get their very own card or be added as a certified consumer?
Causes so as to add licensed customers
There are various compelling causes so as to add licensed customers to your bank card accounts. Listed here are probably the most important determination factors:
Bonus level provides
Some playing cards provide bonus factors for including licensed customers. For example, American Categorical has despatched out focused provides to cardmembers of assorted merchandise, together with the American Categorical Gold® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Categorical, permitting them to earn as many as 20,000 bonus factors for including licensed customers.
Each day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
By signing up, you’ll obtain newsletters and promotional content material and conform to our Phrases of Use and acknowledge the information practices in our Privateness Coverage. You could unsubscribe at any time.
Observe that not everybody shall be focused with these provides, and provides can fluctuate.
Hit spending thresholds
Any spending on a certified consumer’s card will rely towards the first cardholder’s spending exercise and assist them hit the spending necessities for incomes a welcome bonus. Should you’re engaged on a big welcome bonus, having another person make it easier to meet the spending necessities is beneficial.
Rack up rewards sooner
Equally, all of the rewards a certified consumer earns by means of on a regular basis spending are credited to the first cardholder.
Plus, exercise on extra playing cards can even go towards reaching any of the cardboard’s spending-based annual advantages, akin to elite standing. After all, the first cardholder can be accountable for making certain these funds are paid off.
Assist others construct credit score
Though your aim may be extra factors and extra rewards for your self, probably the greatest causes so as to add licensed customers to your bank card account is to assist them construct their very own credit score and lift their credit score rating.
This may be particularly helpful for somebody who may need dangerous or broken credit score or for a teen who’s simply beginning their credit score journey and won’t be capable of qualify for a bank card on their very own.
When somebody is added as a certified consumer, the account is added to that individual’s credit score report. So if the account is dealt with responsibly, all of the elements that may enhance your rating with your personal accounts — on-time funds, low quantities owed, and so forth. — will ultimately start to boost the licensed consumer’s rating, too.
Further account switch choices
Including a good friend or relative as a certified consumer can can help you share your factors and miles collectively. The method varies by issuer, so make sure to verify your issuer’s specs earlier than relying on this as an possibility.
Overview of the perfect playing cards for licensed customers
We’ll evaluate the next playing cards and spotlight why these are the perfect bank cards for including licensed customers:
10 miles per greenback spent on motels and automotive leases booked by means of Capital One Journey
5 miles per greenback spent on flights and trip leases booked by means of Capital One Journey
2 miles per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
Chase Sapphire Reserve$795$195 per extra cardholder
8 factors per greenback spent on all purchases made by means of Chase Journey℠ (aside from purchases coated by the annual $300 journey credit score)
5 factors per greenback spent on Lyft rides, plus $10 month-to-month in-app credit score (by means of Sept. 2027)
4 factors per greenback spent on flights and motels booked direct (aside from purchases coated by the annual $300 journey credit score)
3 factors per greenback spent on eating purchases
1 level per greenback spent on different purchases
The Platinum Card from American Categorical$695 (see charges and charges)$195 for every extra licensed consumer; companion Platinum playing cards may be added without cost
5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked immediately with airways or with American Categorical Journey® (on as much as $500,000 on these purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
5 factors per greenback spent on pay as you go motels booked with American Categorical Journey
1 level per greenback spent on different eligible purchases
Phrases apply
The Enterprise Platinum Card from American Categorical$695 (see charges and charges)$350 per extra cardmember
5 factors per greenback spent on flights and pay as you go motels booked by means of Amex Journey
1.5 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases of $5,000 or extra and on eligible purchases in choose enterprise classes (as much as $2 million of those purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback)
1 level per greenback spent on different purchases
Phrases apply
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card$650 (see charges and charges)$175 per extra cardmember
3 miles per greenback spent on eligible Delta purchases
1 mile per greenback spent on different eligible purchases
Phrases apply
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise American Categorical Card$650 (see charges and charges)$175 per extra cardmember
3 miles per greenback spent on eligible Delta purchases
1.5 miles per greenback spent on eligible transit, U.S. transport, and U.S. workplace provide retailer purchases plus all different eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in your card every calendar yr
1 mile per greenback spent on different purchases
Phrases apply
Citi / AAdvantage Government World Elite Mastercard$595Up to three extra cardholders for $175, then $175 for every extra licensed consumer
10 miles per greenback spent on eligible motels booked by means of aadvantagehotels.com and eligible automotive leases booked by means of aadvantagecars.com
4 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases (or 5 miles per greenback after spending $150,000 in a calendar yr)
1 mile per greenback spent on different purchases
1 Loyalty Level towards AAdvantage standing for every eligible mile earned
Capital One Enterprise X
The Capital One Enterprise X shook up the premium rewards bank card market when it launched with a really aggressive $395 annual payment. Regardless of its inexpensive price for a top-tier card, it nonetheless provides nice perks for frequent vacationers.
What’s additionally groundbreaking about this card is the power so as to add as much as 4 licensed customers for no price. Approved customers even have implausible advantages, although new lounge entry insurance policies are on the way in which for extra cardholders from February 2026.
Approved consumer advantages
Starting Feb. 1, 2026, licensed customers on the Enterprise X will not obtain complimentary entry to Capital One lounges and Precedence Move lounges. As an alternative, extra cardholders might want to pay $125 per card to retain lounge entry.
Hertz’s partnership with Capital One permits the licensed consumer to obtain complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite standing.* Final however not least, your licensed consumer will obtain necessary journey and buy protections when paying with their card.
*Upon enrollment, accessible by means of the Capital One web site or cell app, eligible cardholders will stay at that standing degree by means of the period of the provide. Please notice, enrolling by means of the conventional Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g. at Hertz.com) is not going to routinely detect a cardholder as being eligible for this system and cardholders is not going to be routinely upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Further phrases apply.
Cardholder charges
The Enterprise X has an annual payment of $395. There is no such thing as a payment so as to add as much as 4 licensed customers on the account, until you need to add lounge entry to your extra cardmember from February 2026 — then, it is $125 per card.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Though Chase Sapphire Reserve main cardholders can count on loads of perks, licensed customers can solely depend on a couple of in their very own proper.
Approved consumer advantages
Approved customers obtain their very own Precedence Move Choose membership, which provides entry to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide, in addition to entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Apart from lounge entry, the one associate profit that licensed customers will at the moment take pleasure in is a minimum of 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027). Approved customers are additionally coated by Chase’s intensive journey protections.
Cardholder charges
The annual payment for the first account is $795, and extra playing cards price $195 every per yr.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
American Categorical Platinum
One of many high all-around premium rewards playing cards accessible, the Amex Platinum provides complete perks for the first cardmember and a few nice advantages for licensed customers.
Approved consumer advantages
Approved customers are entitled to their very own World Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4½ years) utility payment reimbursement and may register for resort and rental automotive elite standing. In addition they obtain entry to the American Categorical World Lounge Assortment, together with Delta Sky Membership*, Centurion and Precedence Move lounges with the identical entry privileges as the first cardmember.
*When touring on same-day Delta flights; eligible Platinum cardmembers will obtain 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card per yr to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Approved customers even have entry to reserving by means of Positive Motels + Resorts, together with all the additional advantages that confers.
(Enrollment is required for choose advantages, and phrases apply.)
Cardholder charges
You possibly can add licensed customers for $195 per card.
You too can add Companion Platinum playing cards to your account for no payment.
Companion playing cards earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked by means of Amex Journey or immediately with airways (on as much as $500,000 of those purchases per yr, then 1 level per greenback spent) and on pay as you go motels on Amex Journey and 1 level per greenback spent on all different spending.
Nonetheless, Companion cardmembers will not be eligible for Precedence Move membership or entry to Centurion Lounges. Moreover, they don’t qualify for different perks akin to annual Uber Money and elite standing at sure motels and rental automotive businesses.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Platinum
American Categorical Enterprise Platinum
Like the non-public Platinum card, the Amex Enterprise Platinum provides some excellent perks to main cardmembers and licensed customers.
Approved consumer advantages
Like the non-public model, licensed customers are eligible for World Entry/TSA PreCheck assertion credit ($120 each 4 years for World Entry and as much as $85 each 4½ years for TSA PreCheck) and obtain entry to Centurion, Precedence Move and Delta Sky Membership lounges* — amongst different advantages.
*When touring on same-day Delta flights; eligible cardmembers will obtain 10 visits per eligible card per yr to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Approved customers additionally get entry to the Amex Enterprise Platinum’s suite of journey and buy protections.
(Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.)
Cardholder charges
Enterprise Platinum cardmembers can tack on extra playing cards for $350 every, so it is not practically nearly as good a deal as with the non-public card. That mentioned, it is nonetheless price contemplating in case you have an worker who travels incessantly.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Amex Enterprise Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Enterprise Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Categorical Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise American Categorical Card
The advantages supplied by the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise are very related, so let’s contemplate them collectively. Each of those playing cards carry annual charges of $650.
Approved consumer advantages
Approved customers of each playing cards get entry to Delta Sky Golf equipment* and Amex Centurion Lounges after they journey on flights marketed and operated by Delta and current a same-day Delta boarding move.
*Reserve cardmembers will obtain 15 Visits per yr to the Delta Sky Membership; to earn a limiteless variety of Visits every year, the entire eligible purchases on the Card should equal $75,000 or extra per calendar yr.
Cardholder charges
Further playing cards price $175 per yr every for each the Reserve and Reserve Enterprise. Since these playing cards provide the identical perks for his or her licensed customers, the selection comes right down to which card makes extra sense to your pockets long-term.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluations of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise.
Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
Apply right here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise
Citi / AAdvantage Government World Elite Mastercard
Citi’s top-tier American Airways cobranded card has an annual payment of $595 per yr. For that hefty payment, nonetheless, cardholders can count on a number of value-added advantages. Approved customers will not have entry to all of those perks, however they may obtain lounge entry.
Approved consumer advantages
The very best function of this bank card is that extra cardholders can entry choose American Airways Admirals Golf equipment and produce fast relations or as much as two visitors into the lounge with them without cost. They will not have entry to associate lounges, nonetheless.
Moreover, spending by licensed customers counts towards incomes bonus Loyalty Factors every year — these are credited to the first cardholder’s account.
Cardholder charges
You possibly can add as much as three licensed customers for $175 yearly. Further playing cards are $175 every.
To be taught extra, see our full evaluate of the Citi AAdvantage Government World Elite Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Government World Elite Mastercard
Does including licensed customers have an effect on your credit score rating?
Including a certified consumer will not have an effect on your credit score rating immediately. Nonetheless, bear in mind that you’re accountable for that individual’s spending.
In case your licensed consumer overspends on their card, you may be accountable for the stability, related charges and curiosity fees — and any affect in your credit score rating associated to this spending.
As a result of fee historical past and credit score utilization each play important roles within the calculation of your credit score rating, the habits of your licensed customers can find yourself negatively affecting your rating.
Drawbacks to including licensed customers
Regardless of all the advantages, there are a couple of drawbacks to including licensed customers to your bank card accounts.
First, the first cardholder is accountable for paying off all purchases, so you need to solely add somebody you belief and put in place any spending controls you deem essential. Many issuers will let main cardholders observe spending and set spending limits on extra accounts.
Second, extra playing cards typically come at a value. Earlier than you open any, ensure you recognize whether or not you’ll have to pay annual charges for including customers to your account.
Third, many bank cards don’t confer the identical advantages upon licensed customers that the first cardholder enjoys. Some playing cards require a certified consumer to accompany the first account holder to benefit from advantages like most popular boarding.
If you recognize the necessities and limitations of taking over extra playing cards together with your account, you need to be capable of maximize their worth and advantages.
Backside line
There are various causes so as to add a certified consumer to your bank card account. It will probably assist somebody construct their credit score and enhance their rating, web you additional spending towards a welcome bonus and prolong using your factors to pals or relations.
Sure high-end bank cards additionally bestow value-added advantages on licensed customers, akin to lounge entry, World Entry reimbursements and inflight buy reductions.
As at all times, when contemplating a bank card, contemplate your spending habits and wishes after which decide whether or not including licensed customers will present sufficient worth to justify any annual charges you may incur.
Associated: As a certified consumer, can I open my very own account for a similar card?
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here.For charges and charges of the Amex Enterprise Platinum Card, click on right here.For charges and charges of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click on right here.For charges and charges of the Amex Delta Reserve Enterprise card, click on right here.
For Capital One merchandise listed on this web page, a number of the advantages could also be supplied by Visa® or Mastercard® and should fluctuate by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
