What an Amex balance transfer is and how it works
An American Express balance transfer lets you move debt from another credit card onto an Amex card, usually at a lower interest rate for a set period. Amex sends the money directly to your old card issuer to pay down that balance. You then owe Amex instead of your original lender, ideally at a rate that saves you money while you pay it off.
The key difference with Amex is that most of their cards charge a balance transfer fee — typically 3% to 5% of the amount you move — and the low introductory rate lasts a fixed number of months, after which the regular purchase APR kicks in. Some Amex cards offer 0% APR for a promotional period; others do not. You need to know which card you have and what its terms are before you start.
Amex does not always approve balance transfers for the full amount you request. They may approve a lower limit based on your credit history and current debt. The transfer itself usually takes 5 to 7 business days to reach your old card issuer, though the fee is charged to your Amex account when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Most American Express cards charge a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, which is added to your Amex balance right away.
- The introductory 0% or reduced APR period lasts only as long as Amex specifies in your card terms — typically 6 to 12 months — then the regular rate applies to any remaining balance.
- You can request a balance transfer online through your Amex account, by phone, or sometimes by mail, and the transfer reaches your old issuer in 5 to 7 business days.
- Amex may not transfer your full requested amount; they set a limit based on your creditworthiness and existing debt with them.
- You must continue making at least the minimum payment on your old card until the transfer clears, to avoid late fees or damage to your credit score.
How to request a balance transfer from your Amex account
Log into your American Express online account or mobile app and look for a "Balance Transfer" or "Transfers" option, usually under the Manage Account or Services section. Click it and enter the card details you want to transfer from — the card number, issuer name, and the amount you want to move. Amex will show you the fee upfront and the promotional APR period before you confirm.
If you prefer not to use the online portal, call the customer service number on the back of your Amex card. A representative can walk you through the request over the phone and answer questions about the fee and timeline. Some older Amex cards also allow balance transfer requests by mail; check your card agreement or call to confirm.
After you submit the request, Amex sends the funds to your old card issuer. Do not close the old card or stop paying it until the transfer shows as complete in your Amex account — usually 5 to 7 business days. Closing the card early or missing a payment can hurt your credit score and may trigger a fee from your old issuer.
What to check before you transfer
Before you move any balance, pull up your Amex card agreement or log into your account and confirm the balance transfer fee percentage and the length of the promotional period. A 3% fee on $5,000 is $150; a 5% fee on the same amount is $250. That difference matters when you are deciding whether the transfer saves you money overall.
Calculate how much you will pay in interest under your current card versus what you will owe Amex after the fee and promotional period ends. If your old card charges 18% APR and you have $5,000 to pay off, and Amex offers 0% for 12 months with a 3% fee, you pay $150 upfront but save roughly $900 in interest if you pay off the balance within the year. If you cannot pay it off by then, the math changes — Amex's regular APR may be higher than your current card's rate.
Also check whether your Amex card has a credit limit high enough to accept the full transfer. Amex may approve only part of your request if your limit is lower than the amount you want to move. You can request a credit limit increase before you explore for the transfer, though that requires a hard inquiry into your credit.
Timing and what happens after the transfer clears
The transfer itself takes 5 to 7 business days from the date you request it. During that time, keep paying your old card's minimum payment on schedule. If the transfer has not cleared and you miss a payment, your old issuer will charge a late fee and report it to the credit bureaus, even though you are in the process of moving the balance.
Once the transfer shows as complete in your Amex account, the balance appears on your Amex statement. The promotional 0% or reduced APR period begins on the date Amex posts the transfer, not the date you requested it. Mark your calendar for when that period ends — usually 6 to 12 months later — because any remaining balance will then accrue interest at the regular purchase APR.
After the transfer clears, you can close your old card if you want, though closing it will lower your average account age and may temporarily dip your credit score. Many people keep the old card open but unused to preserve credit history. Either way, stop using the old card once the balance is paid off.
When Amex may deny or limit your transfer
American Express can deny a balance transfer request or approve only part of it for several reasons. If your credit score has dropped since you opened the card, or if you have missed payments or carried high balances recently, Amex may lower your transfer limit. If you already have a large balance on your Amex card, they may not let you transfer much more.
Amex also cannot transfer balances from certain types of accounts — for example, some business cards cannot transfer balances from personal cards, and vice versa. Check your card agreement or call customer service to confirm your card supports balance transfers at all. Not every Amex product offers this feature.
If Amex denies your request or offers a limit lower than you need, you have a few options: request a credit limit increase on your Amex card and reapply, look for a different Amex card with a higher limit, or explore balance transfer offers from other issuers. Do not explore for multiple cards in a short time, as each process triggers a hard inquiry and can lower your score.
Avoiding common mistakes during and after the transfer
The biggest mistake is using your Amex card for new purchases while you are paying off the transferred balance. New purchases accrue interest at the regular purchase APR when ready — they do not get the promotional rate. If you are trying to pay off the transfer quickly, every dollar you charge for new purchases makes that goal harder.
Another common error is forgetting when the promotional period ends. Set a phone reminder for one month before the 0% period expires so you know how much you still owe and whether you can pay it off before interest kicks in. If you cannot, you may want to look for another balance transfer offer and move the remaining balance again — though each transfer costs a fee.
Do not assume the transfer fee is waived or negotiable. Amex charges it on nearly all balance transfers; it is built into the offer. Some promotional offers occasionally waive the fee for new cardholders, but these are rare and time-limited. Read your offer carefully to see whether the fee applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a balance from another Amex card to a different Amex card?
Yes, you can transfer a balance between Amex cards, though the fee and promotional period still explore. Some people do this to move a balance from a card with no 0% offer to one that does. Call Amex to confirm both cards support balance transfers before you request one.
What happens if I do not pay off the balance before the promotional period ends?
Any remaining balance will start accruing interest at your card's regular purchase APR. If that rate is higher than your old card's rate was, you may end up paying more interest than you would have by not transferring. Plan to pay off the balance during the promotional window, or be prepared for the rate to jump.
Does a balance transfer hurt my credit score?
A balance transfer request triggers a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. Moving the balance also changes your credit utilization ratio, which can help or hurt depending on your situation. Over time, paying down the transferred balance will improve your score.
Can I transfer a balance if I am behind on payments?
Amex is unlikely to approve a balance transfer if you have recent late payments or are currently behind. Pay your old card current first, wait a few months to rebuild your payment history, then request the transfer. Amex reviews your full credit profile, not just your Amex account.
How many balance transfers can I do in a year?
Amex does not publish a limit on the number of transfers you can request, but they review each one individually. Requesting multiple transfers in a short time may signal financial stress and could result in denial or a lower limit. Space transfers out by several months if possible.