Amex US Platinum Card Increases Authorized User Fees

American Express US has substantially increased the cost of adding authorized users on the American Express US Platinum Card.

The intention behind the fee hike is likely to alleviate lounge overcrowding, which has become an issue at its Centurion Lounges, amongst others.

Increased Authorized User Fees on the American Express US Platinum Card

As of today, there are higher fees for adding authorized users on the American Express US Platinum Card.

In the past, cardholders could add up to three authorized users for a flat fee of $175 (all figures in USD). This worked out to be just around $58 per person.

Now, the cost has been raised to $195 per authorized user.

Therefore, if you were to now add three authorized users to your account, the total cost would be $585, which is indeed a substantial increase of $410 compared to before.

It’s worth noting that the fee increase only affects new cardholders who add authorized users as of August 17, 2023.

Existing cardholders won’t be affected by the authorized user fee increased until after their next cardholder anniversary date.

Furthermore, this change is only happening to the American Express US Platinum Card, and not the American Express US Business Platinum Card, which already costs $350 per authorized user.

Will Increased Authorized User Fees Affect Lounge Overcrowding?

One of the best ways to maximize the American Express US Platinum Card was to add three authorized users for the flat fee of $175.

This is because authorized users enjoy the same lounge access benefits as the primary cardholder.

In addition to lounge access, authorized users also get access to the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts Program, as well as Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold status.

Rather than having four people pay the $695 annual fee each to enjoy the above benefits, authorized users cost just $58 each, which was an incredible way to get lounge access and hotel status for a bargain.

However, many lounges in the United States and elsewhere have been experiencing overcrowding issues. Centurion Lounges in the United States have been particularly susceptible to overcrowding, and guests often experience long wait times to enter.

With this drastic increase in authorized user fees, it’ll likely dissuade some cardholders from having three authorized users just for the sake of getting lounge…