Call American Express directly to cancel your card
The fastest way to cancel an American Express card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will walk you through the cancellation, answer questions about your account, and confirm the closure once it's complete. The call typically takes five to ten minutes.
You can also cancel online through your American Express account if you log in to amex.com, though the phone route gives you a chance to ask about retention offers — sometimes American Express will waive an annual fee or offer a credit to keep the account open. If you have a business card, the process is the same, but you'll reach a different department.
Before you call, make sure your card balance is paid in full. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding balance, and you'll need to settle what you owe before the closure takes effect.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your American Express card to cancel; a representative will complete the closure in one call.
- Pay your full balance before canceling, because American Express will not close an account with money owed.
- Ask about retention offers during the call — American Express sometimes waives annual fees or credits your account to keep you as a customer.
- After cancellation, your credit report will show the account as closed, which may temporarily lower your credit score if it was one of your older accounts.
- Keep your card for at least 30 days after cancellation to confirm the closure went through on your statement.
What happens to your credit score when you cancel
Closing a credit card can lower your credit score in the short term, usually by 5 to 10 points, because it reduces your total available credit. If the American Express card is one of your oldest accounts, the impact may be larger because credit age matters to your score. The effect is temporary — your score typically recovers within a few months as long as you keep your other accounts in good standing.
The bigger factor is your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you're using divided by your total available credit. If you close a card with a high credit limit, your utilization ratio goes up, which can hurt your score more than the closure itself. For example, if you have $5,000 in debt across two cards with $10,000 limits each, your utilization is 25 percent. Close one card and your utilization jumps to 50 percent.
If your American Express card carries a balance, pay it down before you cancel rather than after. This way you avoid the utilization spike and the closure happens cleanly.
Steps to take before you cancel
Review your account for any recurring charges linked to the card. Subscriptions, insurance payments, gym memberships, and utility bills often run on autopilot. If you cancel the card without moving these payments to another card, they'll fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions. Log into your American Express account and check your recent transactions to spot anything that repeats monthly.
Update any recurring payments to a different card or payment method at least a week before you cancel. This gives you time to confirm the new payment method works. If you miss a payment because you forgot to switch it, you'll have to contact the merchant to catch up.
If you have reward points or cash back pending, use them or transfer them before you cancel. Some American Express cards let you redeem points after closure, but others do not. Check your card's terms or ask the representative during your cancellation call whether your rewards will still be available after the account closes.
What to do after your card is canceled
Keep the physical card for at least 30 days after cancellation. Do not throw it away or cut it up when ready. During this window, confirm on your next statement that the account shows as closed. If there's an error — if the account is still open or if charges appear after closure — you'll have the card details handy to call and fix it.
After 30 days, destroy the card by cutting it in half or shredding it. The account closure will appear on your credit report as "closed by customer," which is the best notation you can have. It shows you ended the relationship on your terms, not because of missed payments or other problems.
If you canceled because you wanted to lower your annual fee but still wanted the card, you can reopen the account within a certain window. American Express policies vary, so ask the representative during your call whether you can reverse the cancellation if you change your mind in the next few days.
Reasons to cancel versus reasons to keep the card open
Cancel if you're paying an annual fee you don't use, if the rewards don't match your spending, or if you're consolidating cards to simplify your finances. You might also cancel if you're trying to reduce the number of accounts you manage or if you've moved to a different card that offers better benefits.
Keep the card open if it's one of your oldest accounts, because closing it shortens your average account age and can lower your score. Keep it if you have a high credit limit and low utilization, because the available credit helps your score even if you don't use the card. Keep it if you earn rewards on everyday purchases you make anyway — even a small cash back rate adds up over time.
A middle option is to keep the card open but stop using it. This preserves your credit history and available credit without paying an annual fee (if you can get it waived) or carrying a balance. American Express may eventually close inactive accounts, but this usually takes years of no activity.
If you have an American Express business card
Business card cancellation follows the same process as personal cards: call the number on the back, pay any balance, and move recurring charges to another payment method. The main difference is that business cards sometimes have higher annual fees, so it's worth asking about retention offers more aggressively. American Express business services sometimes offer larger credits or fee waivers to keep business customers.
If your business card is linked to employee cards or supplementary accounts, those will close when you cancel the primary card. Make sure any employees who use the card know the closure is coming so they can transition to a different payment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my American Express card hurt my credit?
Yes, but usually only slightly and temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 10 points in the short term because your available credit decreases. The impact is larger if the card is one of your oldest accounts or if it has a high credit limit. Your score typically recovers within a few months if you keep other accounts in good standing and don't miss payments.
Can I cancel my American Express card if I have a balance?
No. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding balance. You must pay the full amount owed before the cancellation takes effect. After you pay, call back to confirm the closure, or the representative may complete it during the same call.
What happens to my rewards points after I cancel?
This depends on your specific card. Some American Express cards let you redeem or transfer points after closure; others do not. Ask the representative during your cancellation call whether your points will still be available. If you have a large balance of points, redeem them before you cancel to avoid losing them.
How long does it take for my American Express card to be canceled?
The account closes when ready after you call and the representative confirms the cancellation. The closure appears on your credit report within one to two billing cycles. You should see it reflected on your next statement, usually within 30 days.
Can I reopen my American Express card after I cancel it?
Yes, but only within a limited window — usually a few days to a few weeks, depending on American Express policy. Ask the representative during your cancellation call whether you can reverse the closure if you change your mind. After that window closes, you would have to reapply as a new customer.