Update 5/9/25: Offer went out via email for 20,000 points with $2,000 spend. Note, this offer is for the $195 authorized user card, not or free AUs. (Hat tip to reader MM)
Update 7/13/24: Deal is back, requires $2,000 in spend.
Update 3/28/22: More people targeted, showing in the AmEx offers section. Hat tip to MtM
Update 3/8/22: More people targeted.
Update 12/20/21: More people targeted.
Update 8/28/21: More people targeted, new link here. Hat tip to MtM
Update 8/4/21: More offers have been sent out, some seeing 30,000 points as well.
Update 6/14/21: Another round has been sent out.
Contents
The Offer
- American Express is offering 20,000 Membership Rewards points when you add an authorized user and they spend $2,000 within six months
- There is also another offer but for only 5,000 Membership Rewards, but can add up to 4 users for a total of 20,000 points. Potential link here.
The Fine Print
- Valid until September 7, 2021
What You Should Know
- If you aren’t targeted, call American Express to see if they can add the offer to your account. This is usually possible. At the moment the direct links don’t seem to be working either, so calling in regardless of whether you received an e-mail or not seems like it’s required.
- SSN is not required when you add an authorized user, but you need to provide one within 60 days of account opening (people have been denied the bonus in the past for not providing this in time)
- American Express authorized user accounts do count towards your Chase 5/24 status/total.
F.A.Q
No, you can be added as an authorized and then sign up for the card as the primary cardholder and still receive the sign up bonus.
Who needs to spend the money to trigger the bonus?
Authorized user needs to complete the spend requirement. Keep in mind authorized users have their own unique card number so this is easy to track. It’s highly unlikely that spend completed by the primary cardholder will trigger the bonus.
Our Verdict
Very nice deal if targeted, normally the bonuses are for 2,500 or 5,000 but with lower spend requirements. Interesting that American Express has upped this offer and also the pay over time offer. Adding a Platinum authorized user will cost $175, but Platinum cardholders can also add a ‘gold’ authorized user for free.
Hat tip to FM
View Comments (249)
Got an offer on BCP for AU for $25 credit for $1k spend. I mean its a low amount, but its better than nothing and its spending I'd be doing anyway.
I have a rotation of people that I like having as AUs for lounge benefits, and I cancel their AU after a year. But when these offers come around, it's time to re-add Mom.
so for platinum this is like buying 20k points for $195 or about 1c/p. Then 2k points for whatever your next-best option is (maybe 2.625% or $52.50). Blended that’s 1.125c/p. Not great but could be worse. But then there’s a recurring $195 fee. Does additional card user get priority club or some benefits? I forget.
I remember that I got something like this last year, but it was a really low amount, like ~10k points in 3 months for $2k spend. So I didn't do it.
Getting a 10k for a gold AU, nothing for platinum.
I had this offer the last year or so on my account added my P2 and got the bonus + Free Global entry fee waive like 5 months ago
had the offer this morning and now not able to find anywhere in ap.
Read the fine print carefully. Especially if this is for Amex Plat personal version to see if the requirement is adding the AU card without fee (the white companion no fee card most likely not for this offer) or the additional AU card with $195 fee (Additional Card Member) which most likely this case and this offer is.
I got this offer shown under offers (still showing now) couple weeks ago for adding Additional Card Member ($195 fee) & Get 20,000 Points on my Amex Plat personal and don't do it because of any $195 fee which is like buying points @ ~= $1.
Title/Caption should be more clear and should read "Add Additional Card Member" instead of "Add An Authorized User" since
"Authorized User" could be a "Companion" no fee card (most likely no offer) and "Add Additional Card Member" which most likely this offer is which cost $195 and require for the 20K MR.
Over a year ago, it wasn't matter no fee or with fee cards and "Add An Authorized User" was correct but not any more as of today.
I'll add a note about the $195 fee, missed that initially
Even higher than my Amex Gold Biz retention offer :D I just cancelled it.
"American Express authorized user accounts do count towards your Chase 5/24 status/total."
Hmmm. Really? I thought AU cards did not count...