Companion Platinum Card: Making an Informed Decision with Pros and Cons

The Companion Platinum Card is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits and rewards. It's designed for frequent travelers and those who want to earn points and miles.

One of the main perks of the Companion Platinum Card is its generous sign-up bonus, which can be worth up to $1,000 in travel credits. This is a significant incentive for those who can meet the spending requirements.

However, the card's annual fee is $550, which may be a barrier for some users. The fee is waived for the first year, but it's essential to consider the ongoing costs.

To make an informed decision, it's crucial to weigh the pros and cons of the Companion Platinum Card.

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Adding a partner to your American Express Platinum Card can be done in two ways: as an Authorized User or as a Companion Card holder. The Authorized User option costs $195, while the Companion Card option is free, saving you $250.

You can add your partner as an Authorized User over the phone or online, and they'll receive an Amex Platinum card. To add someone online, log in to your Amex account, select "Account Services", click "Manage Additional Card Members", and then choose "Add someone to account."

The benefits of adding a partner include sharing credit card benefits and saving on annual fees. If both partners use the Amex Platinum, you can save up to $500 annually.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. As the primary cardholder, you'll be responsible for paying off the card, which can impact your credit score if your partner doesn't pay you back. Additionally, adding your partner may not directly build their credit history.

Here are the options for adding a partner to your Amex Platinum Card:

If you're considering referring your partner, they'll need to pay the annual fee themselves, which is currently $695 for the Amex Platinum. However, they may be eligible for a promotion that earns them 80k points and you 30k points for referring them.

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Adding an authorized user to your American Express Platinum card can be a great way to share the benefits with someone special. You can add your partner for a $195 fee, and they'll receive an Amex Platinum card with their name on it.

With an authorized user, you can save up to $500 annually if both partners use the Amex Platinum card. This can be a significant cost savings, especially if you're already paying the high annual fee of $695.

The Amex Platinum card offers 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express and 5x points on hotels booked through Amex. This can be a huge benefit for frequent travelers, especially if they're not already earning points on other credit cards.

One of the best perks of adding an authorized user is the lounge access benefit. If your partner doesn't have their own Amex Platinum card, they can save $50 per lounge visit. This can add up quickly, especially if you're traveling frequently.

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Here are some benefits of adding an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card:

Adding a partner to a credit card, like the Amex Gold companion card, can have both positive and negative impacts on their credit score.

The primary cardholder is always responsible for paying off the card, and any missed payments will affect their credit history more than their partner's.

Adding a partner can help build their credit history if the primary cardholder maintains good credit habits, but if the primary cardholder stops paying, the credit card company may stop reporting to protect the partner's credit history.

Your partner should maintain some cards independently to keep their credit score healthy, especially if they have cards with long, good credit histories.

Here's a quick rundown of the key points to keep in mind:

Your credit score remains primary on the account, and you're responsible for paying off the card, with any missed payments impacting your credit history more than your partner's.

Adding your partner to an account can help build their credit history if the primary cardholder maintains good credit habits.

However, if the primary cardholder stops paying, the credit card company may stop reporting to protect the partner's credit history.

It's essential to ensure your partner maintains some cards independently to keep their credit score healthy, especially if they have cards with long, good credit histories.

Here's a quick rundown of the key points:

Lounge Access is a fantastic perk of certain credit cards, and it's worth understanding how it works. You can get access to airport lounges with the American Express Platinum Card, which includes Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and Delta Sky Club lounges.

One of the best things about adding an authorized user to your account is that they can enjoy lounge access when traveling solo, and even when traveling without the main cardholder. This can be a huge time-saver and stress-reducer on long layovers or early morning flights.

On a similar theme: Amex Platinum Card Delta Lounge

You can access over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries with your Platinum Card, including Aspire Lounges, Escape Lounges, and Select Lufthansa lounges. To access these lounges, you'll need to show your Platinum Card, government-issued identification, and a valid boarding pass.

Some lounges, like Centurion Lounges, have guest policies that can be a bit tricky to navigate. For example, U.S. Platinum cardmembers must pay $50 per guest aged 18 or older and $30 per guest aged 2 through 17. However, if you spend at least $75,000 on your Platinum Card within a calendar year, you'll get complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit.

Here are some details on the guest policies for Centurion Lounges:

Keep in mind that guest policies may vary from country to country in international locations. It's always a good idea to check with the lounge directly before your visit to confirm their policies.

If you're not familiar with the fine print, navigating credit card terms and conditions can be overwhelming. Stopovers, open jaws, and circle trips are generally not permitted on many credit cards, including those that offer travel rewards.

Blackout dates are often subject to the rules of the primary ticket fare purchased. This means you'll need to check the specific terms of your credit card to see when you can and can't use your rewards.

Cancellations and changes to your ticket can be a hassle, but it's good to know that if you cancel your primary ticket, both the primary and companion tickets will be cancelled. If you cancel on or after December 7, 2023, the companion certificate redeemed will be automatically reissued after the cancellation is processed and will retain its original expiration date.

The value of the primary ticket, less any fare difference, may be applied to future travel, subject to the fare rules of the primary ticket. Changes to your ticket after issuance may incur a charge for the fare difference of the primary ticket.

Credit card rewards certificates, like the Delta Platinum Companion Certificate, can be transferable, but the primary ticket and companion ticket are not transferable once issued.

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As an authorized user of the Amex Platinum card, you can enjoy some fantastic shopping perks. Authorized users can qualify for the same purchase credits as the primary cardholder, including a $155 Walmart+ Credit.

You can also get a ShopRunner membership, which offers free two-day delivery from over 100 online stores. Authorized users get their own membership, so you can take advantage of this perk without relying on the primary cardholder.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider the Companion Platinum Card. This alternative offers TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, which can be a huge time-saver when traveling.

If you're an American Express Platinum cardholder, you're in luck because your authorized users can qualify for the same purchase credits as you. They just won't get their own separate credits, but they can use yours.

One of the perks is a $155 Walmart+ Credit, which covers the cost of a Walmart+ membership for free delivery on qualifying goods. This is a great bonus for anyone who shops online frequently.

Authorized users also get a ShopRunner membership, which offers free two-day delivery from over 100 online stores. This is a huge time-saver for anyone who likes to shop online.

You can also get a $100 statement credit at Saks Fifth Avenue, split into $50 for the first six months and $50 for the second half of the year. This is a nice perk for anyone who loves shopping at high-end stores.

If you don't want to pay the Amex platinum authorized user fee, you can opt for a Companion Platinum Card instead. This card comes with its own set of perks, including TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit and Membership points credit.

With an American Express card, you can enjoy access to airport lounges, a great perk for solo travelers. Authorized users can enter these lounges even when the main cardholder isn't present.

You can access lounges from popular international partners like Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Delta Sky Club through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Just be aware that for Delta Sky Club, you need to be flying Delta that day, and there are some restrictions.

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Adding authorized users to your account can be a smart move, especially if you travel frequently. This way, you can bring adult visitors or kids over 12 into the Centurion Lounges without paying the usual $50 fee for adults or $30 fee for kids.

If you spend $75,000 on the Platinum Card in a calendar year, you can bring two guests for free to the Centurion Lounges.

On a similar theme: Centurion Credit Card Limit

Elite Rental Status is a game-changer for frequent travelers.

You'll get elite status in rental car programs, matching that of the primary cardholder, in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, Avis Preferred Plus, and National Emerald Club.

Special discounts and car upgrades are just the beginning.

At Avis Preferred, you'll enjoy faster car service, making your rental process even smoother.

With Emerald Club Executive status, you'll have access to the Executive Area, where you can pick any full-size automobile while paying the midsize price.

Here's an interesting read: Amex Platinum Card Rental Car Benefits

The Centurion Lounge Guest Policy is a bit complicated, but I've got the lowdown. You'll need to pay $50 per guest aged 18 or older and $30 per guest aged 2 through 17, unless you've spent $75,000 on your Platinum card within a calendar year.

If you've hit that spending mark, you'll get complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit for the remainder of the calendar year, the following calendar year, and until Jan. 31 of the next calendar year. This means you'll save $100 per visit, which can add up quickly.

However, guest policies may vary from country to country in international locations, so be sure to check the fine print. And, just a heads up, you can't bring two free guests into the exclusive Centurion Lounges unless you're a main cardholder who's spent $75,000 on your Platinum card.

Here's a quick rundown of the guest fees for Centurion Lounges:

To purchase a Delta ticket with your Amex Delta Platinum companion certificate, you can search for eligible flights on the Trip Summary page. Please note that you need to book and complete your travel by the expiration date listed for your certificate.

You can review your flights and enter payment information on the Trip Summary page, where the Trip Total calculator will show the companion certificate has been applied. The calculator will also display the amount you'll pay for taxes and fees, which can be up to $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and up to $250 for roundtrip international flights.

To use your American Express companion ticket, you can book a flight with a Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card or a Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card through Delta's redemption portal. The companion ticket is an electronic certificate that Amex offers after each account anniversary, allowing you to bring a companion on one round-trip domestic flight without buying another ticket.

You can find your companion ticket by logging in to your Delta online account, or by looking up either the SkyMiles number or the 8-digit certificate code.