American Express ended its Pay service in Singapore in March 2024

American Express shut down its Pay service — the digital wallet that let you store your Amex card and pay through your phone — across Singapore on March 31, 2024. If you were using Amex Pay on your Android or iPhone, the app stopped working on that date. You can no longer add new cards to it, and any stored payment methods were removed.

This was not a Singapore-only decision. Amex Pay closed globally as the company shifted its payment strategy. The closure affected cardholders everywhere who relied on the app for contactless and online payments.

Key Takeaways

  • Amex Pay stopped working on March 31, 2024, and you cannot use it to make payments anymore.
  • Your Amex card itself is still active — only the digital wallet app was discontinued.
  • You can still pay with your physical Amex card, add it to other digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or use your card details online.
  • If you had recurring payments set up through Amex Pay, you need to update those payment methods before the closure date to avoid failed transactions.

Your card still works — only the app closed

The closure of Amex Pay does not affect your American Express card itself. You can still use your physical card at any merchant that accepts Amex. You can still enter your card details on websites and apps to pay online. The only thing that stopped working was the dedicated Amex Pay app.

If you had set up recurring payments — subscriptions, utility bills, insurance premiums — through Amex Pay, those stopped processing on the closure date. You need to update those merchants with a different payment method to keep those services active.

Moving your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay

The easiest replacement for Amex Pay is to add your Amex card to Apple Pay (if you use iPhone) or Google Pay (if you use Android or any phone). Both services let you tap your phone to pay at contactless terminals, just like Amex Pay did. The setup takes about two minutes.

For Apple Pay: Open the Wallet app on your iPhone, tap the plus sign, select "Credit or Debit Card", and either scan your card or enter the details manually. Your bank will send you a verification code via SMS or email. Once verified, your card is ready to use.

For Google Pay: Open the Google Pay app, tap the plus sign at the bottom, choose "Payment method", select "Credit or debit card", and enter your card details. Google will verify the card with your bank the same way. You can then tap to pay at any contactless terminal.

Both Apple Pay and Google Pay are more widely supported than Amex Pay was. Most retailers in Singapore that accept contactless payments accept both services.

Paying online without the app

You do not need any special app to pay online. Enter your Amex card number, expiry date, and CVV directly into any website or app that takes card payments. This method works for shopping, subscriptions, bill payments, and anything else you were doing through Amex Pay.

If you want to avoid typing your card details each time, many websites let you save your card for future purchases. This is not as fast as a tap-to-pay wallet, but it is faster than entering everything from scratch every time.

Updating subscriptions and recurring payments

If you had set up automatic payments through Amex Pay — Netflix, Spotify, insurance, utilities, gym memberships — those stopped working when the app closed. The merchant tried to charge your card through Amex Pay, the payment failed, and the service may have been interrupted.

Log into each service and update the payment method. You can use your physical card details, add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay and use that instead, or use a different payment method entirely. Most services let you update your payment information in the account settings or billing section.

If a service was interrupted because a payment failed, contact the merchant to explain the situation. Many will reinstate your service once you update your payment method, especially if you update it quickly.

Why American Express closed the app

Amex decided that maintaining its own digital wallet was not the best use of its resources. Apple Pay and Google Pay already reach far more users and are accepted at far more places. Rather than compete with those two dominant platforms, Amex chose to focus on making sure its cards work smoothly within Apple Pay and Google Pay instead.

This is a common pattern in payments. Most banks and card issuers do not build their own wallets anymore — they integrate with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay instead. It is cheaper to maintain and gives cardholders more choice.

If you still see Amex Pay on your phone

If the Amex Pay app is still on your phone after March 31, 2024, it is no longer functional. You can delete it to free up space. If you try to open it, you will see a message that the service is no longer available.

Do not try to use it to make payments. Any transaction you attempt will fail. Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your physical card instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my Amex card after Amex Pay closed?

Yes. Your card is still active and works everywhere. Only the Amex Pay app stopped working. You can use your physical card, add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay, or enter your card details online.

Will my recurring payments automatically move to another payment method?

No. You must update each subscription or bill payment manually. Log into each service and change the payment method to your card details, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or another option. If a payment failed because of the closure, contact the merchant to reinstate your service.

Is Apple Pay or Google Pay safer than Amex Pay was?

Both are at least as find. They use tokenization, which means the merchant never sees your actual card number — only a token. Your phone also requires biometric or PIN authentication before a payment goes through. Amex Pay used the same security methods.

Can I get a refund for anything I paid through Amex Pay?

No. The closure of the app does not may have access to you to refunds for past purchases. Those transactions were completed and your card was charged. If you have a dispute about a specific charge, contact Amex directly with the transaction details.

What if I cannot add my Amex card to Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Some older Amex cards or accounts may have restrictions. Contact American Express customer service to ask whether your card is compatible. If it is not, you can still use your physical card or enter your card details online to pay.