Sep 26, 2022 By Susan Kelly
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a premium credit card for travellers, offering numerous perks such as a yearly travel credit of $300, access to airport lounges, elite status with rental car companies, and lucrative bonus categories.
Additionally, authorized users have access to many of these benefits, which can significantly save costs. Let's look at the Chase Sapphire Reserve approved user advantages, the process for adding a new user, and the value of having authorized users on your account.
Authorized users are individuals who have been granted access to a primary cardholder's credit card account. The primary cardholder is responsible for all charges regardless of whether or not the authorized user makes a purchase using their card.
The Sapphire Reserve charges an annual cost of $75 for each additional cardholder, but some cards don't charge anything extra for adding approved users. This is because authorized customers will enjoy perks in addition to the line of credit itself. The annual fee for the primary cardholder is $550. Thus each additional card is a significant saving over opening a new account for each additional user.
Authorizing a Chase Sapphire Reserve card is easy. Go into your account and pick your Reserve card. "More" than "Account services" and "Add an authorized user" appear under this tab. Easy to navigate application page. You'll need the user's name, birthday, and address. When you're done, click "Add approved user."
A primary incentive to consider adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the cost savings over applying for a second Chase Sapphire Reserve card. One year's worth of fees for an authorized user is $75, whereas the annual price for the primary cardholder is $550.
In most circumstances, you will add members of your immediate family, such as your spouse or children, as authorized users. If you have a stellar payment history on your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can make your spouse or children authorized users and help them build their credit.
Keeping tabs on your money may get tricky fast. Suppose the principal cardholder and authorized users put all their household spending on a single Chase Sapphire Reserve card. In that case, they'll only have to keep track of one set of transactions, one statement, and one account.
The last and most important motivation to add an authorized user is to provide that person with as many possible privileges. We'll start with incentives to determine why adding an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card makes sense.
Adding an authorized user does not count as a fresh account sign-up. Therefore neither you nor the additional cardholder will be eligible to get a second welcome bonus.
The Sapphire Reserve programme offers up to $300 in statement credits each year to be used as reimbursement for travel expenses charged to your account. Your authorized user or yourself can use the card to make the qualifying purchase(s), but only one of you will be eligible for the $300 credit.
Similar to the Platinum Card from American Express, the Sapphire Reserve® card reimburses you, up to $100, for the cost of applying for certain Trusted Traveler programmes, such as TSA Pre® or Global Entry. The purchase can be made with either card, but only one reimbursement will be issued.
Instead of signing up as an authorized user, some people may opt to enroll for their own standalone Sapphire Reserve account. They can get their welcome bonus and annual travel credit and use their points however they like by signing up for their account. In contrast, $550, rather than $75, will be deducted from a different account.
You and the person you make an authorized user of on your credit card can benefit from the arrangement. If you are the primary cardholder, you can speed up redeeming your points by having other people use your card. For just $75 a year, you may be added as an authorized user on a key card and enjoy all the perks that come with it. All in all, it's a solid plan of action for those who don't need or desire a personal card.