You can withdraw money from your American Express Bank savings account through online transfer, ATM, or check — each takes a different amount of time
American Express Bank offers three main ways to move money out of your high yield savings account: transfer it to another bank account you own, withdraw cash at an ATM, or request a check. Online transfers to a linked external bank account are fastest for most people — they typically land within one to two business days. ATM withdrawals give you cash immediately but only up to your daily limit, which varies by account type. Checks take the longest, usually five to seven business days for the recipient to cash, but work if you need to pay someone without sharing your account details.
The method you choose depends on who you're paying, how much you need, and how quickly. If you're moving money between your own accounts, a transfer is simplest. If you need cash today, the ATM is your only option. If you're paying a business or person by mail, a check might make sense.
Key Takeaways
- Online transfers to a linked bank account arrive within one to two business days and work for any amount up to your account balance.
- ATM withdrawals give you cash immediately but are limited to your daily withdrawal limit, which American Express sets based on your account history.
- Checks take five to seven business days to clear and require you to request them through your online account or by phone.
- You must link an external bank account before you can transfer money out; this process takes one to two business days to verify.
- American Express does not charge fees for withdrawals, transfers, or checks, but your receiving bank may charge incoming transfer fees.
How to transfer money to another bank account
Log into your American Express Bank account online or through the mobile app. Navigate to the Transfers section, usually found under "Move Money" or "Transfers." Select "Transfer to External Account" or similar language. If this is your first transfer to that bank, you'll need to add the receiving account first — you'll enter the bank's routing number, the account number, and the account holder's name.
American Express verifies new external accounts by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) into the account you're transferring to. You'll need to confirm those deposit amounts in your receiving bank's account within a few days. Once verified, future transfers to that account happen automatically without this step. After verification, enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. The money typically arrives within one to two business days, though weekends and holidays can add time.
If you're transferring to an account at the same bank where you have other accounts, the process is often faster — sometimes same-day — because no verification is needed. Check your American Express account settings to see if you can link accounts at the same institution.
Withdrawing cash at an ATM
American Express Bank is part of the Allpoint ATM network, which means you can withdraw cash at thousands of ATMs worldwide without a fee. Find an Allpoint ATM using the locator on the American Express website or through the mobile app. Insert your debit card and enter your PIN. Select "Withdrawal" and the amount you want to take out.
Your daily ATM withdrawal limit depends on your account history and American Express's fraud prevention settings. New accounts often start with a lower limit — sometimes $500 to $1,000 per day — but this can increase over time as you use the account. You can check your current limit in your account settings or by calling American Express customer service. If you need to withdraw more than your daily limit, you can make multiple withdrawals on different days, or contact American Express to request a temporary increase.
ATM withdrawals happen immediately, so this is the only method that gives you cash on the spot. However, if you need a large amount and your daily limit is low, you may need to plan ahead or use a transfer to get the full amount.
Requesting a check from your account
You can request a check through your online account or by calling American Express customer service. In your online account, look for "Order Checks" or "Request Check" under account services. Enter the amount and the payee name (the person or business the check is written to). American Express will mail the check to your address on file, which typically takes five to seven business days. The recipient then needs to deposit or cash the check, which can take another two to three business days to clear.
Checks are useful when you need to pay someone but don't want to share your bank account number, or when the recipient doesn't accept electronic payments. There is no fee to request a check from American Express. However, the total time from request to cleared payment can be two weeks or longer, so plan accordingly if you have a deadline.
If you need the check faster, some American Express branches offer expedited check requests, though this is not available for all account types. Call customer service to ask whether your account qualifies.
Linking a new external bank account for transfers
Before you can transfer money out, you must link the receiving bank account to your American Express savings account. Go to your account settings and select "Add External Account" or "Link Bank Account." Enter the receiving bank's routing number (a nine-digit code that identifies the bank), the account number, and the account holder's name. Make sure all information is correct — a wrong routing number or account number will cause the transfer to fail or go to the wrong place.
After you submit the information, American Express deposits two small test amounts into the receiving account within one to two business days. Log into your receiving bank's account and find these deposits — they'll appear as small credits, usually under $1 each, with a description that includes a code. Return to your American Express account and enter these two amounts to confirm you own the receiving account. Once confirmed, you can transfer money to that account immediately.
This verification step protects you from accidentally sending money to the wrong account. It only happens once per external account, so future transfers to the same account skip this step.
What happens if a transfer fails or takes longer than expected
Transfers occasionally fail if the receiving bank rejects the account number, if there's a typo in the routing number, or if the receiving account is closed. American Express will notify you by email or in your account if a transfer fails. The money returns to your American Express savings account within one to two business days. Check the failure reason — usually shown in your transaction history — and correct it before trying again.
If a transfer is taking longer than two business days, check whether the delay is on American Express's side or your receiving bank's side. Log into your American Express account and confirm the transfer shows as "completed" or "sent." If it does, the delay is likely at your receiving bank — contact them to ask whether they received the transfer. If American Express shows the transfer as "pending," contact American Express customer service to ask for an update.
Weekends, federal holidays, and bank maintenance windows can all add time to transfers. If you initiated a transfer on a Friday afternoon, it may not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Plan transfers for weekday business hours when possible.
Daily limits and how to request an increase
American Express sets daily withdrawal and transfer limits based on your account age, transaction history, and fraud detection. New accounts typically have lower limits — often $500 to $2,500 per day for ATM withdrawals and $5,000 to $10,000 per day for transfers. These limits increase automatically as you use your account responsibly over time, usually within a few months.
If you need to withdraw or transfer more than your current limit, you have two options: wait for the limit to increase on its own, or contact American Express customer service to request a temporary or permanent increase. When you call, explain why you need the higher limit and how much you need. American Express may grant an increase immediately, or they may ask you to wait a few days while they review your account. There is no fee to request a limit increase.
If you regularly need to move large amounts, consider requesting an increase once or twice a year as your account history grows. This is faster than waiting for automatic increases and gives you more flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw money the same day I request a transfer?
No. Online transfers take one to two business days to arrive at your receiving bank. If you need cash today, use an ATM withdrawal instead. If you need to send money to another person today, you'll need to use a different method like a wire transfer through another bank, which American Express savings accounts don't support directly.
What's the difference between a routing number and an account number?
A routing number is a nine-digit code that identifies your bank. An account number is unique to your specific account at that bank. You need both to transfer money. Your routing number is the same for all your accounts at one bank; your account number is different for each account. Both appear on the bottom left of your checks.
Do I pay a fee to withdraw money from my American Express savings account?
American Express does not charge fees for transfers, ATM withdrawals, or checks. However, your receiving bank may charge a fee for incoming transfers, and some ATM networks outside Allpoint may charge a fee. Check with your receiving bank before transferring large amounts.
What if I forget my PIN for ATM withdrawals?
Call American Express customer service or use the mobile app to reset your PIN. You can usually reset it immediately through the app. If you're at an ATM and can't remember your PIN, you'll need to come back after you've reset it — you cannot withdraw cash without the correct PIN.
How long does it take to verify a new external bank account?
American Express deposits two small amounts within one to two business days. Once you see those deposits in your receiving account and confirm the amounts in your American Express account, verification is complete — usually within two to three business days total from when you first link the account. After that, transfers to that account happen immediately.