For My Mom’s Birthday, I Got Her … a Credit Card?!

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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Jasmin:   Don’t we all have friends and family who are impossible to buy gifts for when birthdays or the holidays come around?

My mom is one of those people.  She’s retired and is more interested in getting rid of things than acquiring more stuff.  Usually, I’ll ask her what she wants, and she’ll say “Nothing!  I have everything I need!  Then, when pressed, she suggests items like new socks (not helpful).

So on her last birthday, it was time for a different approach.  As part of her gift, I paid a yearly fee to add her as an authorized user to one of my credit card accounts.  And because of the Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership the card comes with, her recent travels have been much more comfortable.

Gift Idea Authorized User Lounge Access
Here’s My Mom and Daughter Enroute to Paris, Making Short Work of the Buffet at the Priority Pass Plaza Premium Lounge in Toronto

It’s worked out really well for her.  And I’ll show you how you can share similar awesome benefits with friends and family who like to travel!

The Gift of Authorized User Lounge Access

Link:   Are Airport Lounges Worth It?

Link:   Will Authorized Users Get Their Own Priority Pass Membership?

Link:   How Do Authorized Users Activate Their Priority Pass Membership With Chase Sapphire Reserve?

There are a number of premium credit cards which offer complimentary lounge airport lounge access to the primary cardholder.  But a few also allow you to add authorized users who’ll receive the same or similar benefits.

So if you have loved ones who enjoy traveling, this is a terrific way to take them under your wing and treat them to VIP-style amenities on their future trips.

CardLoungesGuest PolicyAnnual Fee (Primary Cardholder)Annual Fee (Authorized User)
Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American ExpressDelta SkyClub access when traveling on a Delta coded or Delta operated flightUp to 2 guests and children under 21 years of age for $29 per person$450 (See Rates & Fees)

Terms Apply
$175 (See Rates & Fees)
Delta Reserve for Business Credit CardDelta SkyClub access when traveling on a Delta coded or Delta operated flightUp to 2 guests and children under 21 years of age for $29 per person$450 (See Rates & Fees)

Terms Apply
$175 (See Rates & Fees)
The Business Platinum Card from American ExpressPriority Pass Select, Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClub (when traveling on a Delta flight), Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges2 guests (except Delta SkyClub which costs $29 per guest)$595 (See Rates & Fees)

Terms Apply
$300 (See Rates & Fees)
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressPriority Pass Select, Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClub (when traveling on a Delta flight), Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges2 guests (except Delta SkyClub which costs $29 per guest)$550 (See Rates & Fees)

Terms Apply
$175 for up to 3 additional cards, $175 each for the 4th or more additional card (See Rates & Fees)
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®American Airlines Admirals Club access2 free guests or immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under age 18)$450Up to 10 free authorized users
Citi Prestige® CardPriority Pass Select access2 free guests or immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under age 18)$450$50
Chase Sapphire Reserve®Priority Pass Select accessUnlimited guests (at lounge's discretion)$550$75
Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card (card no longer available)Priority Pass Select accessUnlimited guests (at lounge's discretion)$450Free

You’ll notice each of these cards has a steep annual fee for the primary cardholder.  But keep in mind, in addition to lounge access, some of these cards offer perks like travel credits, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits, and other valuable benefits that can offset the annual fee cost.

And some, like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® and Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card, don’t charge anything extra to add an authorized user.  So if you have one of these cards, it’s a no-brainer to add a trusted friend or family member and get them into airport lounges for free.

I Added Mom to My Citi Prestige Account

Link:   Citi Prestige

I’ve kept the Citi Prestige in my wallet for a few years now.  Even though it has a $450 annual fee, it’s worth it for the outstanding travel perks and benefits that come with the card, including:

When you take the $250 air travel credit into account, it effectively reduces the annual fee to $200 ($450 annual fee – $250 air travel credit).  And I’ve gotten hundreds of dollars back each year by making the most of the 4th night free hotel benefit.  Plus, having Priority Pass Select lounge access has saved me a ton of cash instead of spending money on expensive airport food and drinks.

Gift Idea Authorized User Lounge Access
My Mom Enjoyed a Light Meal in the VIP Lounge at Clark International Airport in Angeles City, Philippines

Adding my mom as an authorized user to my Citi Prestige was easy to do online through my Citi account.  Her credit card arrived in the mail quickly, but it took ~2 weeks to receive her Priority Pass membership card (which you must present to gain lounge access).

Getting her an authorized user Citi Prestige card has had another benefit as well.  My mom loves to bargain hunt and sometimes she’ll call or text – from a store – saying there’s a great sale on kids’ shoes, or athletic gear, or what have you.  I’ll often ask her to pick up a few things for me.

Before, I’d just pay her back in cash.  But now that she has her own Citi Prestige card, it’s easier for her to use it so that I get billed on my statement.  Plus, I get to keep the points from her spending!  🙂

Just remember, you should only add folks you completely trust as an authorized user on your credit card accounts.  Because you’re responsible for any charges they make.

Mom’s Thrilled With Her Priority Pass Select Membership!

As a retired airline employee, my mom still travels a lot.  She’s always jetting off to fun places, like the Philippines for the winter or to Europe with friends or family in the warmer months.  Now that she’s got her own Priority Pass Select membership, she’s very much enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, free meals and drinks, and comfy seating in the airport lounges she’s visited.

So far, she’s tried out:

Of course, she didn’t get many pictures of herself in the lounges.  Instead, her snapshots are mostly of food and the “very nice” lounge staff who made her feel like a real VIP.

Gift Idea Authorized User Lounge Access
Here’s Part of the Buffet at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong. My Mom Spent a Couple of Hours There Waiting for a Connecting Flight Home

She also loves the complimentary, fast Wi-Fi which makes it easy for her to check her Facebook and chat with friends and family.

Mom’s just getting a big kick out of it.  So I guess she knows what she’s getting (again) for her next birthday!

Bottom Line

Adding a loved one as an authorized user to certain premium credit card accounts is a unique and fun way to give the gift of better travel.

For $50 per year, I added my mom to my Citi Prestige account.  And now, whenever she travels, she gets complimentary Priority Pass Select airport lounge access.  She’s already enjoyed free meals, drinks, and a quiet place to rest at half a dozen lounges around the world!

It’s something to consider if you have friends or family who are super hard to buy birthday and holiday gifts for (if they can use the perk!).  Just remember to only add folks you trust as an authorized user, because you’re responsible for any charges they make.

Come back each Wednesday for a new installment in our Family Travel series! For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Business Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, please click here.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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