Pay your American Express bill online, by phone, or by mail

You can pay your American Express card through their website, mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. Most people pay online because it takes five minutes and you can see your balance and due date right away. The payment posts within one business day if you pay before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

American Express does not charge a fee to pay your bill through any of these methods. If you use a third-party payment service or wire transfer, you may be charged a fee by that service, not by American Express.

Key Takeaways

  • Pay online through americanexpress.com or the American Express mobile app by logging in with your username and password.
  • Your payment posts within one business day if submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on a business day.
  • You can set up automatic payments so your full statement balance or a fixed amount withdraws on the date you choose each month.
  • If you pay by phone, call the number on the back of your card and have your bank account or another card ready.
  • Mailing a check takes seven to ten business days to reach American Express, so send it at least two weeks before your due date.

Pay online through your American Express account

Go to americanexpress.com and click "Log In" at the top right. Enter your username and password. If you do not have an online account yet, click "Register" and follow the prompts to create one using your card number and other information from your statement.

Once you are logged in, look for "Pay My Bill" or "Payments" in the main menu. You will see your current balance, minimum payment due, and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay and select the date you want it to come out of your bank account. Review the details and click to confirm. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.

The same process works in the American Express mobile app. read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play, log in, and tap the payment option from the home screen.

Set up automatic payments so you never miss a due date

Automatic payments withdraw money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. You can set them to pay your full statement balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount. American Express calls this "AutoPay".

To turn on AutoPay, log into your account online or in the app, go to "Payments" or "Pay My Bill", and look for the AutoPay option. Select whether you want to pay the full balance, minimum payment, or a set amount. Choose the day of the month the payment should come out. Confirm your bank account information and submit. You can change or cancel AutoPay at any time by going back to the same screen.

If your bank account changes or you close the account linked to AutoPay, your payment will fail and you may be charged a late fee. Update your bank account information in your American Express account as soon as you change banks.

Pay by phone if you do not have online access

Call the customer service number on the back of your American Express card. A representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. Have your bank account number and routing number ready, or have another card number available if you want to pay with a different card.

Payments made by phone post within one business day. You will receive a confirmation number during the call. Write it down or ask the representative to email it to you.

Mail a check if you prefer not to pay electronically

Write a check for the amount you owe and include your account number on the check. Your statement shows the mailing address for payments — it is usually different from the address on your card. Mail the check at least two weeks before your due date because postal mail takes seven to ten business days to arrive.

Do not mail cash. If your check is lost in the mail, American Express will not know you sent it and may report the account as late. For this reason, paying online or by phone is safer and faster.

What happens if you miss your due date

If your payment does not arrive by the due date shown on your statement, American Express will charge a late fee. The fee amount depends on how much you owe. You will also be charged interest on your balance if you carry it month to month.

If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, American Express may report it to the credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score. If you know you will be late, call the number on the back of your card and explain your situation. Representatives sometimes can work with you on timing or fees, but they are not required to.

Pay off your balance faster with extra payments

You can make as many payments as you want each month. Some people pay twice a month or make a payment as soon as they receive a paycheck. Each payment reduces your balance and the interest you owe, so paying more often can save you money.

Make extra payments the same way you make your regular payment — through the website, app, phone, or mail. There is no penalty for paying early or paying more than the minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my payment went through?

Log into your American Express account online or in the app and look at your recent transactions or payment history. You will see the payment listed with the date it posted. You should also receive a confirmation email within a few minutes of submitting the payment.

Can I pay my American Express bill with another credit card?

Yes, you can pay by phone or through some third-party payment platforms using another card. However, the card you use to pay may charge you a cash advance fee or treat it as a balance transfer. Check with your other card's issuer first to understand any fees.

What if I pay after the due date but before the statement closes?

A late fee will still be charged because the due date has passed. The late fee appears on your next statement. However, if you pay within 21 days of the due date, American Express typically will not report it to the credit bureaus as a missed payment.

Can I pay my bill in a physical American Express location?

American Express does not have retail payment centers where you can walk in and pay. You must pay online, by phone, by mail, or through an authorized payment location like a Western Union or MoneyGram, though these may charge a fee.

What if I set up AutoPay but want to skip a month?

Log into your account and turn off AutoPay before the payment date. You can turn it back on the following month. If you forget and the payment goes through, you can request a refund by calling the number on the back of your card.