You actually can.
I used my hubby's active AP to get a Best Rate Room. Then when it came time to actually book the room, I logged in under MY Disney online account. Then the reservation switched to being in my name, and my hubby the AP holder was the secondary guest. I used my CC, and the reservation came through.
The AP holder has to be a guest in the room and on the reservation, but they do not have to be the primary guest.
(I too will be an AP holder by the time I arrive, but because I travel to WDW more than my hubby does, our APs tend to be on different cycles.)
Carol