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What is an authorized user?
An authorized user is someone you authorize to use the same credit card as you. The bank will then issue them their own card, with the same number as yours.
Curses of Authorized Users
In the travel hacking world being an authorized user can severely limit your ability to gain more cards.
How does this happen? Your main issue here is going to be Chase cards, and Chase is a King in the travel hacking world. Chase has a rule called 5/24. We have more on this rule HERE, but essentially, you cannot get more than 5 cards in a 24 month period.
If you are an authorized user, that counts against your 5/24 status. This is a problem because it limits you from building up cards and welcome offers.
Blessings of Authorized Users
Where can authorized users come in handy? When trying to get into a lounge is the big one that comes to mind. Lounge access is often limited by one or two people per card, so you will often see people adding more family members as authorized users to get this access. Just make sure you are willing to sacrifice your Player 2‘s 5/24 spot before you make them an authorized user for lounge access purposes.
Hacks for Authorized Users
This concerns a lot of people up front in travel hacking because they worry about how they will share the card with your partner and build up your minimum spend. This is where our world being digital comes in incredibly handy.
Slap that card on an apple watch, samsung pay, or google pay.
They can use digital means of payment almost anywhere and this prohibits you from needing a second card.
Conclusion
I get that this is yet another confusing loophole of travel hacking, but thanks to our digital age, it is a relatively small speedbump. What questions do you have about adding a spouse or significant other as an authorized user?
