There are various benefits to including a certified consumer to a bank card account. For one, it may assist the first cardholder hit sure spending necessities and earn rewards a lot sooner. In flip, approved customers can profit from the first cardholder’s credit score rating and size of credit score historical past in lots of situations, thus enhancing their very own credit score scores.
Sure bank cards additionally lengthen some advantages to extra cardholders, reminiscent of lounge entry and assertion credit for International Entry or TSA PreCheck functions.
Listed below are some causes you may wish to think about including different cardholders to your accounts, the most effective rewards playing cards for doing so and the perks given to those approved customers.
What’s a certified consumer?
A certified consumer is somebody who’s allowed to make use of your bank card. The particular person is issued their very own bodily card, nevertheless it’s linked to your bank card account. Many playing cards permit approved customers to reap the benefits of a number of the advantages provided to the first cardholder.
On condition that approved consumer charges are usually inexpensive than annual charges for major (predominant) account holders, including members of the family or spouses as approved customers in your account is a method to share a number of the benefits of a card with out shelling out one other annual payment.
Associated: Ought to my accomplice get their very own card or be added as a certified consumer?
Causes so as to add approved customers
There are various compelling causes so as to add approved customers to your bank card accounts. Listed below are probably the most vital determination factors:
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Hit spending thresholds
Any spending on a certified consumer’s card will depend towards the first cardholder’s spending exercise and assist them hit the spending necessities for incomes a welcome bonus. In the event you’re engaged on a big welcome bonus, having another person assist you meet the spending necessities is helpful.
Rack up rewards sooner
Equally, all of the rewards a certified consumer earns by way of on a regular basis spending are credited to the first cardholder.
Plus, exercise on extra playing cards may also go towards reaching any of the cardboard’s spending-based annual advantages, reminiscent of elite standing. After all, the first cardholder can be answerable for guaranteeing these funds are paid off.
Assist others construct credit score
Though your purpose is perhaps extra factors and extra rewards for your self, among the best causes so as to add approved 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 might need dangerous or broken credit score or for an adolescent who’s simply beginning their credit score journey and won’t have the ability to qualify for a bank card on their very own.
When somebody is added as a certified consumer, the account is added to that particular person’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 on. — will ultimately start to lift the approved consumer’s rating, too.
Further account switch choices
Including a buddy or relative as a certified consumer can help you share your factors and miles collectively. The method varies by issuer, so make sure to examine your issuer’s specs earlier than relying on this as an choice.
Overview of the most effective playing cards for approved customers
We’ll evaluate the next playing cards and spotlight why these are the most effective bank cards for including approved customers:
| Card | Annual payment | Licensed consumer payment | Rewards charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Enterprise X | $395 | No extra price for as much as 4 approved customers (until you need complimentary lounge entry, then it is $125 per card beginning Feb. 1, 2026) |
|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | $195 per extra cardholder |
|
| The Platinum Card from American Specific | $695 (see charges and charges) | $195 for every extra approved consumer; companion Platinum playing cards may be added without spending a dime |
|
| The Enterprise Platinum Card from American Specific | $695 (see charges and charges) | $350 per extra cardmember |
|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card | $650 (see charges and charges) | $175 per extra cardmember
|
|
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise American Specific Card | $650 (see charges and charges) | $175 per extra cardmember |
|
| Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard | $595 | As much as 3 extra cardholders for $175, then $175 for every extra approved consumer |
|
Capital One Enterprise X
What’s additionally groundbreaking about this card is the flexibility so as to add as much as 4 approved customers for no price. Licensed customers even have implausible advantages, although new lounge entry insurance policies are on the way in which for added cardholders from February 2026.
Licensed consumer advantages
Starting Feb. 1, 2026, approved customers on the Enterprise X will not obtain complimentary entry to Capital One lounges and Precedence Cross lounges. As a substitute, extra cardholders might want to pay $125 per card to retain lounge entry.
Hertz’s partnership with Capital One permits the approved consumer to obtain complimentary Hertz President’s Circle elite standing.* Final however not least, your approved consumer will obtain essential journey and buy protections when paying with their card.
*Upon enrollment, accessible by way of the Capital One web site or cellular app, eligible cardholders will stay at that standing degree by way of the period of the supply. Please be aware, enrolling by way of the traditional Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment course of (e.g. at Hertz.com) is not going to mechanically detect a cardholder as being eligible for this system and cardholders is not going to be mechanically upgraded to the relevant standing tier. Further phrases apply.
Cardholder charges
The Enterprise X has an annual payment of $395. There isn’t any payment so as to add as much as 4 approved customers on the account, until you wish to add lounge entry in your extra cardmember from February 2026 — then, it is $125 per card.
To study extra, learn our full overview of the Capital One Enterprise X.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Though Chase Sapphire Reserve major cardholders can count on loads of perks, approved customers can solely depend on a number of in their very own proper.
Licensed consumer advantages
Licensed customers obtain their very own Precedence Cross Choose membership, which presents entry to over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide, in addition to entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Other than lounge entry, the one accomplice profit that approved customers will at present get pleasure from is not less than 12 months of complimentary DoorDash DashPass (should activate by Dec. 31, 2027). Licensed customers are additionally coated by Chase’s in depth journey protections.
Cardholder charges
The annual payment for the first account is $795, and extra playing cards price $195 every per yr.
To study extra, see our full overview of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Apply right here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
American Specific Platinum
One of many high all-around premium rewards playing cards obtainable, the Amex Platinum presents complete perks for the first cardmember and a few nice advantages for approved customers.
Licensed consumer advantages
Licensed customers are entitled to their very own International Entry ($120 each 4 years) or TSA PreCheck (as much as $85 each 4½ years) utility payment reimbursement and might register for resort and rental automotive elite standing. Additionally they obtain entry to the American Specific International Lounge Assortment, together with Delta Sky Membership*, Centurion and Precedence Cross 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.
Licensed customers even have entry to reserving by way of Nice Motels + Resorts, together with all the additional advantages that confers.
(Enrollment is required for choose advantages, and phrases apply.)
Cardholder charges
You’ll be able to add approved customers for $195 per card.
You can too add Companion Platinum playing cards to your account for no payment.
Companion playing cards earn 5 factors per greenback spent on flights booked by way of Amex Journey or instantly 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 accommodations on Amex Journey and 1 level per greenback spent on all different spending.
Nonetheless, Companion cardmembers aren’t eligible for Precedence Cross membership or entry to Centurion Lounges. Moreover, they don’t qualify for different perks reminiscent of annual Uber Money and elite standing at sure accommodations and rental automotive businesses.
To study extra, see our full overview of the Amex Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Platinum
American Specific Enterprise Platinum
Like the non-public Platinum card, the Amex Enterprise Platinum presents some excellent perks to major cardmembers and approved customers.
Licensed consumer advantages
Like the non-public model, approved customers are eligible for International Entry/TSA PreCheck assertion credit ($120 each 4 years for International Entry and as much as $85 each 4½ years for TSA PreCheck) and obtain entry to Centurion, Precedence Cross 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.
Licensed 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 isn’t practically pretty much as good a deal as with the non-public card. That mentioned, it is nonetheless price contemplating when you have an worker who travels continuously.
To study extra, see our full overview of the Amex Enterprise Platinum.
Apply right here: Amex Enterprise Platinum
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise American Specific Card
The advantages provided by the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise are very comparable, so let’s think about them collectively. Each of those playing cards carry annual charges of $650.
Licensed consumer advantages
Licensed 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 an infinite variety of Visits every year, the whole 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 supply the identical perks for his or her approved customers, the selection comes right down to which card makes extra sense in your pockets long-term.
To study 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 Govt 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. Licensed customers will not have entry to all of those perks, however they are going to obtain lounge entry.
Licensed consumer advantages
One of the best characteristic of this bank card is that extra cardholders can entry choose American Airways Admirals Golf equipment and produce quick members of the family or as much as two visitors into the lounge with them without spending a dime. They will not have entry to accomplice lounges, nonetheless.
Moreover, spending by approved customers counts towards incomes bonus Loyalty Factors every year — these are credited to the first cardholder’s account.
Cardholder charges
You’ll be able to add as much as three approved customers for $175 yearly. Further playing cards are $175 every.
To study extra, see our full overview of the Citi AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard
Does including approved customers have an effect on your credit score rating?
Including a certified consumer will not have an effect on your credit score rating instantly. Nonetheless, bear in mind that you’re answerable for that particular person’s spending.
In case your approved consumer overspends on their card, you will be accountable for the stability, related charges and curiosity costs — and any influence in your credit score rating associated to this spending.
As a result of fee historical past and credit score utilization each play vital roles within the calculation of your credit score rating, the habits of your approved customers can find yourself negatively affecting your rating.
Drawbacks to including approved customers
Regardless of all the advantages, there are a number of drawbacks to including approved customers to your bank card accounts.
First, the first cardholder is answerable for paying off all purchases, so it’s best to solely add somebody you belief and put in place any spending controls you deem essential. Many issuers will let major cardholders monitor spending and set spending limits on extra accounts.
Second, extra playing cards generally come at a value. Earlier than you open any, make sure you understand 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 approved customers that the first cardholder enjoys. Some playing cards require a certified consumer to accompany the first account holder to reap the benefits of advantages like most popular boarding.
If you understand the necessities and limitations of taking over extra playing cards together with your account, it’s best to have the ability to 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 possibly assist somebody construct their credit score and enhance their rating, web you additional spending towards a welcome bonus and lengthen the usage of your factors to buddies or members of the family.
Sure high-end bank cards additionally bestow value-added advantages on approved customers, reminiscent of lounge entry, International Entry reimbursements and inflight buy reductions.
As at all times, when contemplating a bank card, think about your spending habits and wishes after which decide whether or not including approved 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 differ by product. See the respective Information to Advantages for particulars, as phrases and exclusions apply.
