If you hold the American Express Platinum Card and want to add someone in your household, Amex gives you two choices: the Companion Platinum Card and the Additional Platinum Card. They sound similar, but the fees and benefits are very different.
This guide compares them using current 2026 terms so you do not pay for perks a household member will never use.
Key facts at a glance
| Companion Platinum Card | Additional Platinum Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Authorized user (basic tier) | Authorized user (full tier) |
| Annual fee | $0 | $195 per card |
| Lounge access | No | Yes (Centurion, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass) |
| Elite status | No | Yes (Marriott/Hilton Gold) |
| Global Entry/TSA credit | Yes | Yes |
| Earns points for primary | Yes | Yes |
| Max add-on users | Counts toward authorized user limit | Up to 3 |
All figures as of June 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
What each card actually is
Both cards are authorized user cards tied to a primary Platinum Card member. The primary stays responsible for all charges, and all spending posts to the primary's account.
The Companion Platinum Card is the no-fee, basic version. The person gets a card they can spend on, and that spending earns Membership Rewards points for the primary cardmember.
The Additional Platinum Card costs $195 per card per year, but it unlocks a near-full set of Platinum travel benefits for that user. Think of Companion as a spending tool and Additional as a second traveler's premium card.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Companion Platinum | Additional Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $195 per card |
| Centurion Lounge access | No | Yes |
| Delta Sky Club / Priority Pass | No | Yes |
| Hotel elite status | No | Yes (Marriott/Hilton Gold) |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit | Yes | Yes |
| Earns points for primary | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Tracking household spending | A second person who travels solo |
As of June 2026.
The lounge and status difference
The biggest gap is airport lounge access. The Additional Platinum Card gives its holder their own entry to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass lounges, plus hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton.
The Companion Platinum Card does not include any of that. A Companion cardholder is not eligible for the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, on their own card.
There is a workaround. The primary Platinum member can still bring guests into lounges under the standard guest policy, though Amex has tightened those rules. As of 2026, free guest access at Centurion Lounges generally requires spending $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Both the Platinum and its add-ons sit at the top of the credit ladder, though. If your score is not there yet, an unsecured starter card like the Arro Card charges no security deposit and runs no hard credit check, starting you with a limit up to $300 that grows toward $2,500 as you complete in-app tasks, while it reports to all three bureaus to help you reach the scores these cards want.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
What both cards share
Both card types get the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, worth up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck. That is a genuine benefit even on the free Companion card.
Both also earn Membership Rewards points for the primary account on everything the add-on user spends. So even the no-fee Companion card helps the household pile up points faster.
Neither type gets its own separate statement credits, like the airline or hotel credits the primary enjoys, beyond the Global Entry/TSA credit. Those high-value credits stay with the primary cardmember.
When the $195 fee is worth it
The Additional Platinum fee pays off when the second person travels on their own and would actually use lounge access and hotel status. One Centurion Lounge visit on a solo trip, plus a few hotel upgrades, can cover the $195 quickly.
If the household member rarely flies alone, or only travels alongside the primary, the fee is hard to justify. In that case the free Companion card gives you spending power and point earning without the cost.
A simple test: if the person flies solo a few times a year, the Additional card likely earns its fee. If not, the Companion card is the smarter pick.
If you are still working toward a card like the Platinum and would rather skip a security deposit, Perpay lets you shop and pay over time straight from your paycheck while it reports your payments to all three bureaus, with members seeing an average 32-point increase, so you can establish history and graduate toward premium cards once your score qualifies.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
Who should choose which
Choose the Additional Platinum Card for a spouse, partner, or adult child who travels independently and values lounges and elite status. They get a premium experience for a fraction of a new full membership.
Choose the Companion Platinum Card to add a household member for everyday spending and point earning without paying extra. It is ideal for tracking shared expenses on one account.
Remember that all spending on either card affects the primary's balance and credit, so set clear expectations before handing over a card.
If you are building toward a premium card
The Amex Platinum and its add-ons sit at the top of the credit ladder, and the full list of Amex Platinum benefits shows just how premium the card is. Approval generally requires strong credit and a healthy income. If you are not there yet, building your score first is the right move.
If you would rather build credit without any security deposit, the unsecured Aspire Mastercard is aimed at people with limited or rebuilding credit and reports to all three bureaus, making it a practical first step toward premium cards down the road.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Companion Platinum Card and an Additional Platinum Card?
The Companion Platinum Card is free but offers no lounge access or elite status. The Additional Platinum Card costs $195 per year and gives the holder their own Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club access, and hotel elite status. Both earn points for the primary account.
Does the Companion Platinum Card get lounge access?
No. As of June 2026, the Companion Platinum Card does not include any lounge access, including Centurion Lounges. Only the Additional Platinum Card or the primary card unlocks lounge entry for the holder.
Do both add-on cards get the Global Entry credit?
Yes. Both the Companion Platinum and Additional Platinum cardholders are eligible for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, worth up to $120 every four years for Global Entry.
How many authorized users can I add to the Amex Platinum?
As of June 2026, you can add up to three authorized users, and they must be at least 13 years old. Companion cardholders are counted separately from full authorized users in Amex's terms.
