How to cancel an American Express card
You can cancel 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 cancellation through your profile. American Express will process the cancellation when ready, though it may take a few days for the card to stop working at merchants. You do not need to provide a reason, but American Express may ask why you are leaving — answering is optional.
Before you call or go online, pay off any remaining balance on the card. American Express will not cancel an account with an outstanding balance, and you will remain responsible for paying it even after cancellation. If you have pending transactions or recurring charges set to that card, update those payment methods first so your services do not get interrupted.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your American Express card or log into your account online to start the cancellation process.
- Pay off your full balance before canceling, because American Express will not close an account with money owed.
- Update any recurring charges or subscriptions to a different payment method before you cancel, so your services stay active.
- Cancellation takes effect right away, though it may take a few days for the card to stop working at checkout.
- Canceling a card may lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your available credit, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
Pay your balance in full before canceling
American Express requires a zero balance before they will close your account. If you have a balance remaining, call customer service and pay it over the phone, or log into your account online and make a payment before requesting cancellation. You can pay more than the minimum — paying the full amount at once is the fastest way to clear the account.
If you are carrying a balance and want to cancel, you have two options: pay it off now, or keep the card open until the balance is paid. Some people keep the card active but unused until the debt is gone, then cancel. Others pay a lump sum to clear it when ready. Either way, you cannot close the account while money is owed.
Update recurring charges and subscriptions
Before you cancel, go through your recurring charges — subscriptions, gym memberships, insurance payments, utility bills, anything that charges automatically to that card each month. Log into each service and change the payment method to a different card or bank account. This takes 10 to 15 minutes but prevents your services from stopping when the card closes.
If you forget to update a recurring charge, the payment will fail when the card closes. The merchant will usually send you a notice, but you may face late fees or service interruptions in the meantime. Check your email for confirmation that each update went through before you cancel the card.
Call customer service or cancel online
The fastest way to cancel is to call the number printed on the back of your American Express card. A representative will confirm your identity, ask if you want to keep any other American Express accounts open, and process the cancellation. The call usually takes five to ten minutes. You can also cancel through your online account: log in, go to your account settings, find the option to close the account, and follow the prompts.
American Express may offer you a retention offer — a bonus, lower interest rate, or waived fee — to keep the card open. You are not obligated to accept. If you have made up your mind, you can say no and proceed with cancellation. If you are on the fence, you can ask what they are offering and think it over before calling back.
What happens to your credit after cancellation
Closing a credit card usually causes a small, temporary drop in your credit score. This happens because cancellation reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the amount of credit you are using compared to the amount available to you. If you had a $5,000 limit on that card and were using $500, closing it removes $5,000 from your available credit pool.
The score drop is usually modest — often five to 15 points — and tends to recover within a few months as long as you keep paying other accounts on time. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other credit in the next few months, you may want to wait until after that process to cancel, since the timing could affect your approval odds.
Keep records of the cancellation
After you cancel, write down the date and the name of the representative who processed it. American Express will send you a confirmation letter in the mail within one to two weeks. Keep that letter with your financial records. If a charge appears on the card after cancellation, or if American Express reports the account as unpaid, you will have proof of when and how you closed it.
Check your credit report a few weeks after cancellation to make sure the account shows as closed by you (not by the bank, which can look different to lenders). You can view your credit report free once a year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official government site. If something looks wrong, contact American Express and ask them to correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel an American Express card if I have a balance?
No. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay off what you owe first, either in full or by keeping the card open until the debt is paid. Once the balance reaches zero, you can request cancellation.
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
Canceling usually causes a small temporary drop — often five to 15 points — because it reduces your available credit. The effect fades within a few months. If you are explore for a loan soon, you may want to wait until after approval to cancel.
How long does it take for the card to stop working?
Cancellation takes effect right away, but it may take a few days for the card to be declined at merchants. Some retailers' systems update faster than others. If you need the card to stop working when ready, cut it up after cancellation is confirmed.
What if I have pending transactions when I cancel?
Pending transactions may still post to the card after cancellation. Make sure your balance is truly zero before you cancel, and wait a few days after your last transaction to may support everything has cleared. If a charge posts after cancellation, contact American Express to dispute it.
Do I need to return the physical card?
American Express does not require you to return the card. You can cut it up or destroy it after cancellation is confirmed. If you want to return it, you can mail it to the address on your statement, but it is not necessary.