Authorized User Hacks

Join forces with friends and family to split the high costs of travel credit cards and make each other authorized users.

Card Benefits with Less Fees

Instead of paying multiple annual fees, consider joining with friends and family and adding each other as "authorized users" to get the perks of a premium travel card even if you spend no money on it! You could do this with any card, but I find it especially helpful for American Express Platinum where you can add up to 3 additional users for $175 per year (normally the card is $450). As an added benefit, each authorized user gets a boost to their credit line without a "hard inquiry" on their credit. Major benefits of an American Express Platinum card (as an affiliate user) include:

American Express Centurion Lounge access (plus 2 guests)
Priority Pass Lounge access
Delta Lounge Access (when you fly Delta)
SPG, Marriott, Hilton Gold status
Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold, and National Emerald Club status
Free Boingo Preferred Plan in-flight wifi
Free Shoprunner membership

Bonus Tip: While American Express has a partnership with Delta, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite card gets you into their American Airlines Admirals club lounges and there is no fee to add affiliate users... so this is an even cheaper affiliate option to American Express Platinum if you fly American frequently.