What an Authorized User on the Chase Sapphire Reserve Can Do
An authorized user is someone you add to your Chase Sapphire Reserve account who gets their own card linked to your account and can make purchases on it. The authorized user's charges count toward your account balance, and you remain responsible for paying the full bill. Authorized users do not have to meet Chase's income or credit requirements, and they do not need their own separate process.
The authorized user receives the same primary benefits as the main cardholder: access to the card's travel protections, emergency services abroad, and the ability to earn points on purchases. However, they cannot change account settings, add or remove other authorized users, or access your online account portal. You control the account and all decisions about it.
Chase allows you to add multiple authorized users to one Sapphire Reserve account. There is no limit stated in Chase's public materials, though most cardholders add family members or travel companions. Each authorized user gets their own physical card with their name printed on it.
Key Takeaways
- You can add an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve by calling the number on the back of your card or logging into your Chase account online.
- The authorized user does not need to meet credit or income requirements and does not have to be a family member.
- All purchases made by the authorized user appear on your statement and count toward your credit limit.
- Chase does not charge an annual fee for authorized users on the Sapphire Reserve, unlike some other premium travel cards.
- You can remove an authorized user at any time through your online account or by calling Chase.
How to Add an Authorized User Online
Log into your Chase account at chase.com and select the Sapphire Reserve card from your card list. Look for a section labeled "Manage Your Card" or "Card Services." Click the option to add an authorized user. You will be asked to enter the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and relationship to you (spouse, family member, friend, etc.). Chase does not verify this information against any external database.
After you submit the information, Chase will confirm that the authorized user has been added and will mail a physical card to the address on file for your account. The card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. The authorized user can begin making purchases as soon as the card arrives, though some cardholders report being able to use the card number before the physical card shows up.
If you prefer not to mail a physical card, you can request a digital card through the Chase app once the authorized user is added to the account. This allows when ready use without waiting for the mail.
How to Add an Authorized User by Phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Sapphire Reserve card. Tell the representative you want to add an authorized user. Have the authorized user's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready. The representative will ask you to confirm your identity by providing your account number, PIN, or other verification details.
Once verified, the representative will add the authorized user to your account and can often expedite the card shipment or arrange for it to be sent to a different address if needed. You can also request a digital card during this call, which the representative can set up when ready over the phone.
The phone line is available 24/7, and the process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. After the call, you will receive a confirmation email with the authorized user's card details.
What Information You Need to Provide
To add an authorized user, Chase requires the following information: the person's full legal name (as it should appear on the card), their date of birth, and their Social Security number. You will also need to specify your relationship to them, though Chase does not verify this claim.
Chase does not run a credit check on the authorized user and does not require proof of identity, income, or residency. The authorized user does not need to sign anything or consent to being added, though most cardholders inform the person before adding them to the account.
If you are adding someone who does not have a Social Security number, call Chase customer service to discuss alternative options. Some cardholders have reported success providing an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead, though this varies by representative.
How Authorized User Charges Appear on Your Statement
Every purchase made by an authorized user shows up on your monthly statement with the merchant name, date, and amount. The statement does not indicate which cardholder made the purchase, so you will need to track this separately if you want to know who spent what. All charges count toward your credit limit and your monthly balance.
Points earned by authorized users are added to your account's total point balance. You own all the points, and the authorized user cannot transfer them or redeem them without your permission. If you remove an authorized user, the points they earned remain on your account.
You can read your statement as a PDF or set up alerts for large purchases. If you want to monitor an authorized user's spending closely, you can set up transaction notifications through the Chase app so you receive an alert each time the card is used.
Removing an Authorized User
You can remove an authorized user at any time through your Chase online account or by calling the customer service number on your card. Online, go to "Manage Your Card" and select the option to remove an authorized user. You will be asked to confirm the removal. The change takes effect when ready, though the physical card will continue to work for a short period until the system fully processes the removal.
If you want the card to stop working right away, call Chase and ask them to deactivate it when ready. You can also request that Chase cancel the card number entirely so it cannot be used even if the authorized user still has the physical card.
Removing an authorized user does not affect your account balance, credit limit, or points balance. All points earned by that user remain on your account.
Authorized Users and Your Credit Report
Adding an authorized user does not require a hard inquiry into your credit, and it does not create a new account on the authorized user's credit report. However, Chase may report the account to the authorized user's credit bureaus as an account they are associated with, which can help build their credit history if the account is in good standing.
If the account carries a balance or has late payments, this can also appear on the authorized user's credit report and harm their credit score. For this reason, some people add authorized users specifically to help them build credit, while others avoid it if they carry a balance.
Removing an authorized user does not remove the account from their credit report when ready. It may take one to three billing cycles for the account to stop appearing on their credit history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone who is not a family member as an authorized user?
Yes. Chase does not require the authorized user to be related to you. You can add a friend, business partner, or anyone else. Chase asks you to specify your relationship, but does not verify it. You remain fully responsible for all charges they make.
Does the authorized user need to have good credit?
No. Chase does not run a credit check on authorized users and does not require them to meet any credit or income standards. The only requirement is that you provide their name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
What happens if an authorized user makes a large purchase I did not approve?
You are responsible for paying the charge. Chase will not reverse it based on lack of approval from you. If you believe the charge is fraudulent, you can dispute it through your account, but if you knowingly added the person and they used the card, Chase will likely hold you liable. This is why it is important to only add people you trust.
Can an authorized user see my account balance and payment history?
No. Authorized users cannot log into your online account or access any account information beyond their own card details. They cannot see your balance, statement history, or other cardholders' information. You control all account access.
Is there a fee to add an authorized user to the Sapphire Reserve?
No. Chase does not charge a fee for adding authorized users to the Sapphire Reserve. Some other premium travel cards charge $75 or more per authorized user annually, but the Sapphire Reserve does not.