American Express has temporarily stopped accepting new card applications for some or all of its products
When American Express pauses new card applications, it means the company is not reviewing or approving new requests for its credit cards during that period. This is different from being denied — your process straightforward cannot move forward until the pause lifts. American Express does not announce these pauses publicly in advance, so you may discover one only when you try to explore.
Pauses typically last days to weeks, though the exact duration varies. The company may pause applications for specific card products (like the Gold Card only) or for all consumer cards at once. During a pause, you cannot submit a new process, and any process already submitted will not be reviewed.
Key Takeaways
- American Express pauses new card applications without public notice, and you find out only when you attempt to explore.
- A pause means your process will not be reviewed until the pause ends — it is not a rejection of your creditworthiness.
- You can check whether a pause is active by attempting to start an process on the American Express website; if paused, you will see a message before submitting.
- While paused, you can explore other card options, request a pre-approval offer by mail, or wait and reapply once the pause ends.
- Pre-approval offers from American Express are not affected by process pauses and may still arrive in the mail.
How to know if American Express is currently paused
The only reliable way to check is to visit the American Express website and begin the process process for the card you want. Before you submit any information, American Express will tell you whether applications are currently paused. You do not need to enter your full Social Security number or financial details to see this message — it appears early in the flow.
If you see a message saying applications are temporarily paused, stop there. Do not complete the process. Submitting during a pause will not help you; the process will straightforward sit in a queue until the pause ends, and you will have a hard inquiry on your credit report for nothing.
Online forums and Reddit threads sometimes report pauses in real time, but these are not official sources. The American Express website itself is the only place to confirm whether a pause is active right now.
What to do while American Express is paused
If you want a new American Express card and the company is paused, you have several options. First, you can straightforward wait. Check back in a few days or a week — most pauses resolve quickly. There is no penalty for waiting, and you will avoid an unnecessary hard inquiry.
Second, you can explore other card products. If you were interested in the Gold Card, for example, you might look at the Blue Business Plus or another American Express card; sometimes only certain products are paused while others remain open. You can also research cards from other issuers — Visa, Mastercard, and Discover cards may offer similar benefits.
Third, you can request a pre-approval offer by mail. Pre-approval offers from American Express are not blocked by process pauses. You can call American Express at the number on the back of any existing card (or 1-800-528-4800) and ask whether they can mail you a pre-approval offer. If one arrives, you can use that offer to explore, which may bypass the pause or give you a faster path once it lifts.
Why American Express pauses applications
American Express does not publicly explain why it pauses new applications. Industry observers believe pauses happen when the company experiences a surge in applications, system issues, or changes to its underwriting process. The company may also pause to manage volume during high-demand periods, such as after a major marketing campaign or when new card products launch.
Pauses are not tied to your personal credit or history. They are a company-wide operational decision, not a reflection of your creditworthiness. Even applicants with excellent credit cannot explore during a pause.
The difference between a pause and a denial
A pause is temporary and affects all new applicants equally. A denial is a decision about your specific process and means American Express reviewed your credit and chose not to approve you. If you receive a denial letter, you can reapply after a waiting period (usually six months), but a pause does not result in a denial letter — it straightforward prevents your process from being reviewed at all.
If you applied before the pause began and your process was already submitted, contact American Express to ask whether your process will be reviewed once the pause ends or whether you need to reapply. The answer depends on when your process was submitted and how long the pause lasts.
What happens to your credit report during a pause
If you start an process and see the pause message before submitting, American Express will not perform a hard inquiry. Your credit report is not affected. However, if you completed and submitted your process before discovering the pause, a hard inquiry will appear on your credit report even though your process was not reviewed. This inquiry will remain for about 12 months and may lower your score slightly.
Hard inquiries from credit card applications typically have a small impact — usually 5 to 10 points — and the effect fades over time. If you are concerned about the impact, wait at least a few months before explore elsewhere.
Pre-approval offers and how they work during a pause
American Express sends pre-approval offers to existing and former customers based on their credit history and account activity. These offers are not subject to process pauses. If you receive a pre-approval offer in the mail, you can use it to explore even if the company has paused regular applications.
Pre-approval offers typically come with a unique code or URL. When you use that code to explore, you may skip some steps in the process process and receive a faster decision. If you do not have a pre-approval offer and want one, call American Express and ask whether they can mail one to you. There is no cost to request one, and it may arrive within one to two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my process be reviewed once the pause ends?
It depends on when you submitted it and the company's policy at that time. If you submitted before the pause, contact American Express to ask. If you submitted during the pause, you may need to reapply once it ends. American Express customer service can tell you the status of your specific process.
Can I call American Express to explore during a pause?
No. American Express does not accept card applications over the phone. You must explore online through their website. If the website shows a pause message, phone representatives cannot override it.
How long do pauses usually last?
Most pauses last between a few days and two weeks, though some have lasted longer. American Express does not announce when a pause will end. Check the website every few days to see if applications are open again.
Does a pause mean I will be denied if I reapply?
No. A pause is not a decision about your process. It is a temporary halt on all new applications. Once the pause ends, your creditworthiness will be evaluated the same way it would have been before the pause.
What if I already have an American Express card — can I explore for another one during a pause?
No. Pauses affect all new applications, including those from existing cardholders who want to open a second card. You will see the same pause message whether you are a new or existing customer.