How to close your American Express card
You can close an American Express card by calling the customer service number on the back of your card or by logging into your online account and requesting closure through the messaging center. American Express will confirm the closure, usually within one business day, and will stop charging any annual fees when ready. Before you close the account, pay off any remaining balance — the card will still work to process that final payment, but you cannot use it for new purchases once closure is requested.
The process itself takes minutes, but the account remains visible on your credit report for several years after closure. This is normal and does not harm your credit score straightforward because the account is closed. If you are closing the card because of an annual fee you no longer want to pay, consider calling first to ask whether American Express will waive the fee or downgrade you to a no-annual-fee version of the same card — many cardholders successfully negotiate this without closing the account.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your American Express card or use the messaging center in your online account to request closure.
- Pay any remaining balance before closing, since you cannot use the card for new purchases after you request closure.
- Annual fees stop when ready upon closure, even if you have already paid one for the current year.
- Ask about fee waivers or downgrading to a no-fee card before closing, since American Express often negotiates to keep your account open.
- The closed account will appear on your credit report for up to seven years, which is normal and does not require any action on your part.
Call American Express customer service to close your account
The fastest way to close your card is to call the customer service number printed on the back of your card. Have your card in front of you when you call. The representative will verify your identity by asking for your card number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or other account details.
Tell the representative you want to close the account. They will ask why you are closing it — this is optional information, and you do not have to give a detailed reason. If you mention an annual fee, they may offer to waive it or move you to a different card product. Listen to any offers before you decide, since you can always call back to close the account later if you change your mind.
Once you confirm closure, the representative will give you a confirmation number. Write it down or ask them to email it to you. The account will close within one business day. You will receive a written confirmation in the mail within one to two weeks.
Close your account through your online American Express account
Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com using your username and password. Click on "Account Services" or "Settings" (the exact label varies by card type). Look for an option labeled "Close Account" or "Request Account Closure."
American Express will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may ask why. Complete the form and submit it. You will receive a confirmation number on screen — take a screenshot or write it down. The account will close within one to two business days, and you will receive written confirmation by mail.
The online method does not give you the chance to negotiate a fee waiver or discuss alternatives with a representative, so use this route only if you are certain you want to close the account.
Pay your balance before closure takes effect
If you have a balance on your card, you must pay it before the account closes. You can make a payment through your online account, by phone, or by mail. The card will continue to work for payments even after you have requested closure — you can use it to pay down the balance right up until the account is fully closed.
After the account closes, you will no longer be able to make charges on the card, but you will still receive a monthly statement if any balance remains. Continue making payments on that balance until it reaches zero. Interest will continue to accrue on any unpaid balance after closure, so do not delay payment.
Understand what happens to your credit after closure
Closing a credit card account does not when ready damage your credit score, but it does change the mix of accounts on your credit report. Your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using divided by the total credit available to you — may increase if you close a card with a high credit limit. This can temporarily lower your score by a few points.
The closed account will remain on your credit report for seven years from the date of closure. During that time, it will show as "closed by consumer" or "closed by cardholder," which is a neutral mark. After seven years, the account will fall off your report entirely. You do not need to do anything to remove it — this happens automatically.
Consider alternatives before closing your account
If you are closing the card because of an annual fee, call American Express first and ask whether they will waive the fee for one year, waive it permanently, or move you to a different American Express card with no annual fee. Many cardholders keep their accounts open this way and avoid the credit score impact of closure.
If you are closing because you do not use the card, consider keeping it open with zero balance instead. An open account with no balance actually helps your credit score by improving your utilization ratio and showing a longer account history. There is no harm in having a card you do not actively use, as long as there is no annual fee.
If the card does have an annual fee and American Express will not waive it, then closure is the right choice. Do not keep paying a fee for a card you do not want.
What to do after your account closes
Once your account is closed, remove the card from your wallet or destroy it by cutting it in half. You do not need to return it to American Express unless they specifically ask you to do so.
If you had automatic payments set up on this card — such as a subscription service or monthly bill — update those payments to a different card or bank account before the account closes. Charges will be declined after closure, and you may incur late fees if a payment fails.
Keep your confirmation number and the written confirmation letter for your records. You may need them if a question arises about the account later, such as a dispute over a charge that posted before closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will closing my American Express card hurt my credit score?
Closing a card may lower your score slightly because it reduces your total available credit, which can raise your utilization ratio. The impact is usually small and temporary. The account will remain on your credit report for seven years, which does not hurt your score — closed accounts are treated neutrally.
Can I reopen my American Express card after I close it?
American Express generally allows you to reopen a closed account within a short window, usually 30 to 60 days. Call customer service to ask whether your specific card can be reopened. After that window closes, you would need to open a new account, which counts as a new process and triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report.
What if I have a balance when I close my account?
You can close the account while a balance remains, but you must continue making payments on it. Interest will keep accruing until the balance reaches zero. Pay the balance as quickly as you can to avoid paying unnecessary interest charges.
Do I need to return my American Express card after closing?
No, American Express does not require you to return the card. You can destroy it by cutting it in half or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact, since the card number could be recovered from trash.
Will I lose my rewards points if I close my card?
This depends on your specific American Express card and rewards program. Some cards let you keep and redeem points after closure, while others require you to redeem them before the account closes. Check your card's terms or call customer service to find out what happens to your points before you close the account.