Chase Sapphire Reserve Authorized User Fee & Benefits Explained 2026
The Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $195 per authorized user on top of the $795 primary annual fee.
Authorized users receive the same Priority Pass Select membership (two free guests), Chase Sapphire Lounge access, select Air Canada Maple Leaf access on Star Alliance departures, per-person DoorDash DashPass and monthly promos, and full travel/purchase protections on their own charges.
Major statement credits ($300 travel, $300 dining, $300 StubHub, up to $500 The Edit) and the $120 Global Entry/TSA/NEXUS credit remain single shared pots; only the primary can redeem or transfer points, and IHG Platinum Elite is primary-only.
Roaming Cactus · Fact-checked against Chase product pages, Pricing & Terms, DoorDash terms, and Rewards Agreement · as of September 21, 2026 (PT). This page answers the authorized-user fee and which benefits transfer — not a full Chase Sapphire Reserve product review. Confirm live terms on Chase before you add an authorized user.
At a Glance: CSR Authorized User Fee & Benefits
- Authorized-user annual fee is $195 per person , billed in addition to the primary’s $795 fee.
- Priority Pass Select for primary and each authorized user, with a maximum of two free accompanying guests per visit; additional guests cost $27 each.
- Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club (up to two free guests) plus select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges/Cafés on Star Alliance departures (typically one free guest).
- Per-person DoorDash DashPass (at least 12 months when activated by December 31, 2027) plus monthly promo credits totaling $25 through September 30, 2026 and $35 beginning October 1, 2026 .
- The $300 annual travel credit , $300 dining credit , $300 StubHub/viagogo credit , and up to $500 The Edit credit are single shared pots; AU spend can trigger them but does not create separate pots.
- One $120 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS statement credit every four years per account, usable by primary or authorized user.
- AU purchases earn Ultimate Rewards at the same rates; only the primary can redeem or transfer (transfers limited to the primary or one household AU; the first AU transfer locks future eligibility).
- Travel and purchase protections apply on AU charges; IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status is primary-only.
Real-World Examples
Example 1 — Frequent-Flyer Household Adds One AU
A household adds one authorized user who flies often. Both the primary and the AU each receive Priority Pass Select with two free guests and Chase Sapphire Lounge access. The single $300 travel-credit pot can still be triggered by either person’s eligible travel spend — it does not double.
Takeaway: Lounge rights move with each plastic; the $300 travel credit stays one shared pot.
Example 2 — AU Activates DoorDash Independently
An authorized user adds the Sapphire Reserve as the default payment method on DoorDash and completes activation. That person receives their own monthly promo credits ($25 structure through September 2026, then $35 structure starting October 1, 2026) independent of the primary’s activation.
Takeaway: DoorDash monthly promos are per activated person — one of the clearest AU-specific values for the $195 fee.
Example 3 — AU Spend Earns Points; Primary Controls Redemption
Points earned on an authorized user’s dining and travel charges accumulate in the same Ultimate Rewards pool. Only the primary account holder can redeem them or transfer them — and any transfer to one household AU permanently limits future transfers to that same AU.
Takeaway: AU spend feeds the pool; redemption and transfer authority stay with the primary.
TL;DR – Verdict
The $195 authorized-user fee buys lounge access (Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounges + limited Air Canada Maple Leaf), per-person DoorDash value, and full protections on the AU’s own charges. Statement credits and the Global Entry/TSA credit remain shared account pots, points redemption stays with the primary, and IHG Platinum does not transfer. Whether the fee is worthwhile depends on how often the authorized user will use the lounge and DoorDash benefits that actually move with the plastic — not on separate credit pots that do not exist.
Last updated: September 21, 2026 (PT).
Introduction
After the 2025 Chase Sapphire Reserve refresh, the authorized-user fee rose to $195 per person — billed on top of the primary’s $795 annual fee. That jump sparked a clear search question: what does an authorized user actually get for $195, and what stays locked to the primary or shared at the account level?
This page is an authorized-user fee and transfer-rules explainer . It is not a full Chase Sapphire Reserve product review, not an “is the $795 worth it” analysis, and not a deep dive into maximizing every statement credit. The scope stays on the AU plastic: lounge rights, DoorDash DashPass and monthly promos, shared versus primary-only credits, points and transfer rules, protections, and a few account-administration notes.
The transfer map below is drawn from Chase product pages, Pricing & Terms, DoorDash terms, the Rewards Agreement, and the Sapphire Lounge network page as of September 21, 2026 (PT) . Where a benefit is shared, primary-only, or per-person, that distinction is called out explicitly so you do not over-count value when deciding whether to add someone.
Sections follow in locked order: the $195 fee versus the $795 primary fee, lounge access (Priority Pass Select, Chase Sapphire Lounges, Air Canada Maple Leaf), DoorDash pre- and post–October 1, 2026, shared statement-credit pots, the Global Entry/TSA/NEXUS credit, points earning and transfer rules, protections, benefits that do not transfer, when the fee can make sense, and account administration — then a short conclusion and FAQ.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Authorized User Fee ($195 vs $795 Primary)
The authorized-user annual fee is $195 per authorized user . It is billed in addition to the primary cardmember annual fee of $795 . Chase charges the AU fee for each authorized user added to the account.
| Fee line | Amount (as of September 21, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary cardmember annual fee | $795 | Billed to the primary account |
| Authorized-user annual fee | $195 per AU | In addition to the primary fee; each AU billed separately |
Older secondary articles may still quote a prior $75 authorized-user fee. Current Chase product and Pricing & Terms language lists $195 . Confirm on Chase before you add anyone — this page does not invent future fee changes.
Priority Pass Select, Sapphire Lounges & Air Canada Maple Leaf Access for Authorized Users
Lounge access is one of the clearest benefits that moves with an authorized-user card on the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Priority Pass Select
Primary cardmembers and authorized users receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Each (primary or authorized user) may bring a maximum of two accompanying guests free of charge per visit. Additional guests are charged $27 per guest per visit . Membership does not include Priority Pass restaurants.
Activation timing matters. For accounts opened on or after June 23, 2025 , Priority Pass Select is automatically activated for the primary cardmember and any authorized users. For accounts opened before June 23, 2025 , the primary cardmember must request activation for themselves and any authorized users.
Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club
Primary cardmembers and authorized users receive complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club . Each may bring up to two guests free of charge ; additional guests cost $27 each . Access requires an eligible departing boarding pass (typically within three hours of scheduled departure) and the physical or digital membership credential.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges / Cafés
Primary cardmembers and authorized users of the personal Chase Sapphire Reserve receive access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés when departing on a Star Alliance flight. Guest policy at these locations is typically one complimentary guest per eligible cardmember (additional guests charged a fee that varies by location/currency).
| Lounge network | AU access? | Free guests |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Pass Select | Yes (primary and each AU) | Up to 2; then $27 each (no restaurants) |
| Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club | Yes | Up to 2; then $27 each |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf / Cafés | Yes (personal CSR; Star Alliance departure) | Typically 1 complimentary guest |
DoorDash DashPass + Per-Person Monthly Credits (Pre- and Post-2026-10-01)
DoorDash is the other major per-person benefit for authorized users. The primary cardmember and authorized users each receive at least 12 months of complimentary DashPass (DoorDash and Caviar) when activated with a Chase Sapphire Reserve card by December 31, 2027 . The membership period for all users on the account begins and ends based on the first activation date on the account.
Each person who activates (primary and each authorized user) receives their own monthly DoorDash promos while enrolled:
| Period | Monthly promo structure (per activated person) | Potential monthly total |
|---|---|---|
| Through September 30, 2026 | One $5 credit on a qualifying restaurant order + two $10 credits on qualifying non-restaurant (grocery/retail/other) orders | $25 |
| Beginning October 1, 2026 | $15 credit usable on any eligible DoorDash order + two $10 non-restaurant credits continue | $35 |
Credits reset monthly, do not roll over, and cannot be stacked on a single order. Activation requires adding the Chase Sapphire Reserve card as the default payment method on DoorDash or Caviar and completing the activation step. The same login credentials must be used on both apps.
Practical note: Because monthly promos are per activated person, an authorized user who actually orders on DoorDash can capture value that does not depend on the shared travel or dining credit pots.
Shared Statement-Credit Pots (Travel, Dining, StubHub, The Edit)
This is where many households over-count. The major annual statement credits on Chase Sapphire Reserve are single shared pots at the account level . Authorized-user spend can trigger them, but it does not create a separate pot for the authorized user.
| Credit | Structure | AU role |
|---|---|---|
| $300 annual travel credit | Account anniversary year; reimburses eligible travel purchases | AU spend can trigger; one pot per account |
| $300 dining credit | Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables on OpenTable; up to $150 Jan–Jun + up to $150 Jul–Dec | Shared pot; AU spend can qualify |
| $300 StubHub / viagogo credit | Through December 31, 2027; up to $150 Jan–Jun + up to $150 Jul–Dec after activation | Shared pot; AU spend can qualify |
| Up to $500 The Edit credit | Two $250 statement credits per calendar year for prepaid two-night-minimum stays booked through The Edit | Shared pot; AUs may book and trigger |
Other lifestyle credits (Lyft monthly, Peloton monthly, Apple TV+/Music, and similar) are account-level or primary-linked. Authorized-user spend may count toward eligibility where the terms allow, but they do not create separate per-user pots. Never assume an authorized user gets their own $300 travel, dining, StubHub, or Edit credit.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit (One Pot Per Account)
Chase provides one statement credit of up to $120 every four years for the application fee of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS when the fee is charged to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card by the primary cardmember or an authorized user.
Only one credit per four-year period per account is available, regardless of who incurs the fee. An AU can charge the application and trigger the credit — but a second person on the same account does not unlock a second $120.
Points Earning, Redemption & Transfer Rules for Authorized Users
Authorized-user purchases earn Ultimate Rewards points at the same rates as the primary cardmember: 8x Chase Travel including The Edit, 4x flights and hotels booked direct, 3x dining worldwide, and 1x other.
Only the primary account holder can redeem or transfer points. Points may be transferred in 1,000-point increments to participating airline/hotel programs belonging to the primary cardmember or to one additional household member who is listed as an authorized user . Once a transfer is made to an authorized user, that person becomes the only authorized user eligible for future transfers under the program.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
When you are ready to move Ultimate Rewards to an airline or hotel program — whether for the primary or the one eligible household AU — it helps to check award availability before you transfer. Search award availability on Seats.aero so you transfer into space that actually exists.
Travel & Purchase Protections on Authorized-User Charges
Authorized users receive the same travel protections and purchase protections as the primary cardmember for eligible charges made on their authorized-user card. Covered benefits include primary car-rental collision/damage waiver (up to the stated limits), trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, baggage, and purchase protection.
Coverage is tied to the charge being made on the Sapphire Reserve plastic. The authorized user is not financially responsible for the account — the primary remains solely responsible for repayment of all balances.
Benefits That Do Not Transfer to Authorized Users
Three clear primary-only items sit outside the AU fee:
- Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status — primary cardmember only.
- Separate annual-fee-linked statement-credit pots beyond the shared account-level credits listed above — authorized users do not get their own travel/dining/StubHub/Edit pots.
- Independent ability to redeem or freely transfer Ultimate Rewards points — primary only (with the one-household-AU transfer lock described above).
If you are adding an AU mainly for IHG status or a second $300 travel credit, the published terms do not support that expectation.
When the $195 Authorized-User Fee Can Make Sense
Without inventing break-even math beyond the explicit fee and credit figures, the $195 fee purchases a defined set of moveable benefits — and does not purchase others.
What $195 buys
- Priority Pass Select with two free guests
- Chase Sapphire Lounge access with two free guests
- Limited Air Canada Maple Leaf access (Star Alliance departures)
- Per-person DoorDash DashPass + monthly promos ($25 structure through Sept 30, 2026 / $35 from Oct 1, 2026)
- Full travel/purchase protections on the AU’s own charges
What $195 does not buy
- A separate $300 travel credit pot
- Separate dining / StubHub / Edit pots
- Independent points redemption
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
A practical trigger: an authorized user who will repeatedly use lounge access and/or activate and use the per-person DoorDash monthly credits . If the AU will mainly spend for points while the primary alone uses lounges and DoorDash, the $195 buys less of what actually moves with the plastic.
Account Administration & Credit-Reporting Notes
All correspondence, statements, and notifications are sent to the primary cardmember . The primary cardmember remains solely responsible for repayment of all balances.
Chase reports account information to credit bureaus for all account users ; this may affect an authorized user’s credit file. That is an administrative and credit-reporting consequence of being added — separate from lounge or DoorDash benefits — and worth discussing before you add someone.
Conclusion / Final Thoughts
The core transfer map is tight: $195 buys lounge access (Priority Pass Select, Chase Sapphire Lounges, limited Air Canada Maple Leaf), per-person DoorDash DashPass and monthly promo value, and protections on the AU’s charges. Statement credits and the Global Entry/TSA/NEXUS credit stay shared. Points redemption and IHG Platinum Elite stay primary-only.
Decide based on actual usage of the benefits that move with the authorized-user plastic — not on separate credit pots that do not exist. All figures and rules on this page are as of September 21, 2026 (PT) ; re-check Chase before you add or remove an authorized user.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Chase Sapphire Reserve authorized user cost in 2026?
$195 per authorized user, billed in addition to the primary cardmember’s $795 annual fee.
Do authorized users get Priority Pass Select with the Chase Sapphire Reserve?
Yes. Primary cardmembers and authorized users each receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and may bring a maximum of two accompanying guests free of charge per visit. Additional guests cost $27 each. Restaurant access is not included.
Can an authorized user access Chase Sapphire Lounges?
Yes. Primary and authorized users receive complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and may each bring up to two guests free of charge (additional guests $27).
Does an authorized user receive DoorDash credits?
Yes. Each person who activates (primary and each authorized user) receives their own monthly DoorDash promos. Through September 30, 2026 the structure is $5 restaurant + two $10 non-restaurant credits ($25 potential). Beginning October 1, 2026 the restaurant credit becomes a $15 any-order credit, raising potential monthly value to $35 per activated person. DashPass itself is complimentary for at least 12 months when activated by December 31, 2027.
Do authorized users get their own $300 travel credit?
No. The $300 annual travel credit is a single shared pot at the account level. Authorized-user spend can trigger it, but it does not create a separate pot for the authorized user.
Can an authorized user use the Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit?
Yes. The fee can be charged by the primary or an authorized user, but only one $120 credit is available every four years per account.
Do authorized users earn Ultimate Rewards points at the same rates?
Yes. Authorized-user purchases earn at the same rates (8x Chase Travel including The Edit, 4x direct flights and hotels, 3x dining, 1x other). Only the primary can redeem or transfer the points.
Can points be transferred to an authorized user’s airline or hotel account?
Points may be transferred to the primary cardmember’s programs or to one additional household member who is listed as an authorized user. Once a transfer is made to an authorized user, that person becomes the only authorized user eligible for future transfers.
Does an authorized user receive IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status?
No. Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status is primary cardmember only.
Is an authorized user financially responsible for the Chase Sapphire Reserve account?
No. The primary cardmember remains solely responsible for repayment of all balances. Chase does report account information to credit bureaus for all account users, which may affect an authorized user’s credit file.
Written by JP
Miles & Points Expert and Enthusiast | 200,000+ Points Redeemed in 2026
I personally test every credit card, redemption, and loyalty program strategy so you get honest, up-to-date 2026 advice and real results.
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