The fastest way to log in to American Express
Go to americanexpress.com and look for the "Log In" button in the top right corner of the homepage. Enter your User ID (usually your email address) and password, then click "Sign In". If you have set up two-factor authentication — which American Express calls "Additional Verification" — you will receive a code by text or email and must enter it before you can access your account.
If you do not remember your User ID, click "Forgot User ID?" on the login page and follow the prompts to recover it using your email address or card number. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot Password?" instead. Both recovery paths send a reset link to your registered email address.
Once you are logged in, you can view your statement, pay your bill, check your rewards balance, update your contact information, and read tax documents. The mobile app — available on iOS and Android — uses the same User ID and password as the website.
Key Takeaways
- Log in at americanexpress.com using your User ID (usually your email) and password in the top right corner.
- If you have set up Additional Verification, you will need to enter a code sent to your phone or email after entering your password.
- Use "Forgot User ID?" or "Forgot Password?" on the login page to recover either one through your registered email address.
- The American Express mobile app uses the same login credentials as the website and works on both iOS and Android devices.
What to do if you cannot log in
The most common reason login fails is a typo in your User ID or password. Check that Caps Lock is off and that you are using the correct email address — American Express sends password reset links to the email on file, so if you use a different one, you will not receive it.
If you see a message that your account is locked, it usually means you entered the wrong password too many times. Wait 15 minutes and try again, or use the "Forgot Password?" link to reset it when ready. If your account has been inactive for a long time, American Express may require you to verify your identity before unlocking it — you will be asked to provide your card number and other personal details during this process.
If you are trying to log in from a new device or location, American Express may flag it as unusual activity and block the login temporarily. Check your email for a security alert and follow the link to confirm it was you. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card to verify your identity by phone.
Setting up two-factor authentication
American Express calls its two-factor authentication system "Additional Verification". To turn it on, log in to your account, go to "Account Settings" or "Security", and look for the "Additional Verification" or "Two-Factor Authentication" option. You will be asked to choose how you want to receive your verification code — by text message or email — and to confirm a phone number or email address.
Once you enable it, every time you log in from a new device or after a certain period of time, you will need to enter the code before you can access your account. Save the codes in a safe place if American Express offers to generate backup codes — these let you log in if you lose access to your phone or email.
Two-factor authentication makes your account much harder to break into, even if someone learns your password. American Express does not force you to use it, but turning it on is worth the extra step.
Logging in on the American Express mobile app
read the American Express app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open it and tap "Log In" at the bottom of the screen. Enter your User ID and password — the same ones you use on the website — and tap "Sign In".
If you have Additional Verification turned on, you will be asked to enter your verification code just as you would on the website. After you log in for the first time on the app, you can choose to use biometric login — fingerprint or face recognition — on future visits. This is optional but makes logging in faster.
The app and the website show the same account information and let you do the same things: pay your bill, view your statement, check rewards, and manage your account settings. Logging out of the app does not log you out of the website, and vice versa.
Recovering a forgotten User ID or password
To recover your User ID, go to americanexpress.com, click "Log In", then click "Forgot User ID?". You will be asked to enter your email address or card number. American Express will send a link to your registered email address with your User ID. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder.
To reset your password, click "Forgot Password?" on the login page instead. You will need to enter your User ID or email address, and American Express will send a password reset link to your email. Click the link, create a new password, and log in with it. The reset link usually works for 24 hours — if it expires, you can request a new one.
Your new password must be at least 8 characters long and include at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character (like ! or @). American Express will not let you reuse a password you have used before.
What information you need to log in
You need two things: your User ID and your password. Your User ID is usually the email address you registered with American Express. If you are not sure which email you used, you can recover it using your card number instead — American Express will send your User ID to the email on file.
Your password is something you created when you opened your account or last changed it. It is not your PIN, your card number, or your CVV. If you have forgotten it, use the "Forgot Password?" link to reset it — there is no way to recover a forgotten password, only to create a new one.
If you have Additional Verification turned on, you will also need access to the phone number or email address where American Express sends your verification code. Make sure the contact information in your account is current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log in with my card number instead of my User ID?
No, you must use your User ID to log in. Your User ID is usually your email address. If you do not remember it, click "Forgot User ID?" on the login page and enter your card number — American Express will send your User ID to your registered email address.
What should I do if I see a message saying my account is locked?
Wait 15 minutes and try logging in again. If it stays locked, use the "Forgot Password?" link to reset your password when ready. If you still cannot log in after resetting it, call the customer service number on the back of your card.
Is it safe to log in on a public computer?
It is safer to log in on your own device. If you must use a public computer, make sure you click "Log Out" when you are done — do not just close the browser. Never save your password on a public computer. Consider changing your password after logging in from a public location.
Can I use the same password for American Express and other websites?
You can, but it is not recommended. If one website is hacked and your password is stolen, someone could use it to log into your American Express account. Using a different password for each important account makes it much harder for someone to break into multiple accounts at once.
What happens if I do not log in for a long time?
American Express may require you to verify your identity the next time you try to log in. You will be asked to provide your card number and other personal details. This is a security measure to make sure the account belongs to you. It should only take a few minutes.