How to cancel your American Express card
Call American Express at the number on the back of your card and tell them you want to close the account. They will ask why you're leaving and may offer you a retention offer — a fee waiver, bonus points, or lower interest rate — to keep the card open. You can accept or decline. If you decline, they will process the cancellation when ready. Your account closes that day, though it may take a few days for the closure to show on your credit report.
Before you call, pay off any remaining balance. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and they will continue charging interest until it's paid. If you have pending transactions that haven't posted yet, wait for them to clear first — closing an account with pending charges can cause problems with those transactions.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on your card to cancel; American Express does not process closures online or by mail.
- Pay your full balance before calling, because the company will not close an account with money owed.
- Retention offers are common; you can accept one to keep the card or decline to proceed with cancellation.
- Your credit score may drop slightly after closing because it reduces your available credit, but the effect is usually temporary.
- Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it for your records.
What happens to your credit when you close the account
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, because it reduces the total credit available to you. Credit scoring models look at the ratio of credit you're using to credit you have available — called your utilization ratio. When you close a card, that available credit shrinks, which can make your utilization ratio look higher even if you haven't charged anything new.
The impact is temporary. Your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss payments. The closed account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, but it will show as closed and will not hurt your score after the initial dip.
If you're planning to explore for a mortgage, car loan, or other major credit in the next few months, closing a card right before that process can work against you. If you're not explore for credit soon, the timing of the closure matters less.
Reasons to keep the card open instead
Even if you don't use the card regularly, keeping it open can help your credit score. An open account with a zero balance and a good payment history shows lenders that you can manage credit responsibly. Closing it removes that positive history from your active accounts.
If American Express offers you a retention bonus or fee waiver, the math may favor keeping the card. A $95 annual fee waived for a year costs you nothing, and the account still helps your credit. If you have no annual fee, there is almost no downside to keeping the card in a drawer unused — just make sure you won't be tempted to use it and rack up debt.
One exception: if you're trying to reduce the number of accounts you're managing or you're concerned about fraud risk with an account you don't monitor, closing it makes sense even if it costs you a few credit score points.
Steps to take before you call
Review your recent statements to make sure all charges have posted and you know your current balance. Log into your American Express account online or through the mobile app to check for any pending transactions or recurring charges you may have forgotten about. If you have autopay set up on this card for any bills, change those payments to a different card or bank account before closing — otherwise those payments will fail.
Write down the account number from your card. When you call, American Express will ask for it to pull up your account. Have your Social Security number or tax ID ready as well, because they use it to verify your identity.
If you have rewards points you haven't redeemed, decide what to do with them before you close. Most American Express cards let you redeem points for cash back, statement credits, or travel, and you can usually do this right up until the account closes. After the account is closed, your points may be forfeited depending on your card's terms, so use them first if they have value to you.
What to do if American Express offers you a retention deal
When you call to cancel, the representative will often offer you something to stay — usually a statement credit, bonus points, or a waived annual fee. This is a negotiation, and you can accept, decline, or counter. If the offer is valuable to you and you think you might use the card occasionally, accepting makes financial sense.
If you accept, make sure you understand the terms. A $100 statement credit is straightforward, but a "bonus points offer" may require you to spend a certain amount in the next three months. A waived annual fee usually applies only to the next year, and you'll owe the fee the year after unless you cancel then. Ask the representative to note the offer in your account and to send you written confirmation by email or mail.
If the offer doesn't appeal to you or you've already decided you don't want the card, it's fine to say no. Representatives are trained to make offers, but they won't pressure you if you decline.
After your account closes
Keep your card for at least a few weeks after closure in case a charge posts that you didn't expect. If a merchant tries to charge the card after it's closed, the charge will be declined, and you'll need the card number to dispute it or contact the merchant. Once you're confident no more charges will come through, you can safely destroy the card by cutting it up or shredding it.
Save the confirmation number or reference number from your cancellation call. If there's ever a dispute about whether the account was closed or when it was closed, you'll have proof. American Express should send you written confirmation within a few days; if you don't receive it within two weeks, call back and ask for it.
Check your credit report a few weeks after closure to make sure the account status updated correctly. You can view your credit report for free once per year at annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site run by the three major credit bureaus. The report should show the account as closed.
Alternatives if you want to reduce spending but keep the account
If your reason for canceling is that you're spending too much on the card, closing it is one solution, but it's not the only one. You can ask American Express to lower your credit limit, which makes it harder to overspend. You can also remove the card from your digital wallet or leave it at home so you're less likely to use it impulsively.
Another option is to switch to a different card that better matches how you actually spend. If you opened an American Express card for a specific benefit — airline miles, cash back on dining, or a sign-up bonus — and you're no longer getting value from it, a card with rewards that fit your actual spending may be more useful. You can keep the Amex open for credit history and use the new card for daily purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Amex card online?
No. American Express requires you to call to cancel. You can find the number on the back of your card or on your statement. Some credit card companies allow online closure, but Amex does not.
Will canceling hurt my credit score?
It may lower your score slightly in the short term because it reduces your available credit. The effect is usually temporary and typically recovers within a few months. The impact is usually smaller than missing a payment or carrying high balances.
What happens to my rewards points when I close the account?
This depends on your specific card. Most American Express cards let you redeem points before closure, but some cards may forfeit unused points after the account closes. Check your card's terms or ask the representative when you call.
Do I have to pay my balance before canceling?
Yes. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay what you owe before the cancellation can be processed.
How long does it take for the cancellation to show on my credit report?
The account closes when ready when you call, but it may take a few days to a few weeks for the closure to appear on your credit report. You can check your report at annualcreditreport.com to confirm the status updated.