The fastest way to pay American Express is through their website or mobile app, using your bank account or another card

You can pay American Express online at americanexpress.com by logging into your account, selecting the card you want to pay, and entering the amount and payment method. The payment posts the same business day if you pay before the cutoff time (usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern), or the next business day if you pay after. You can also use the American Express mobile app to do the same thing in about two minutes.

If you do not have online access or prefer not to use it, you can pay by phone at the number on the back of your card, by mail, or through automatic payments set up in advance. Each method has different timing and requires different information, so the right choice depends on when you need the payment to post and whether you want to set it and forget it.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments post the same day if submitted before the cutoff time, usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern on the payment date you choose.
  • Phone payments take the same amount of time as online payments but require you to have your account number and routing information ready.
  • Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post, so send them at least two weeks before your due date to avoid a late fee.
  • Automatic payments can be set up to pay a fixed amount, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance on a date you choose each month.
  • American Express charges no fee for any of these payment methods, whether you pay in full or make a partial payment.

Paying online or through the mobile app

Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com or open the American Express mobile app. Select the card you want to pay from the list of your cards. Enter the payment amount—you can pay any amount from $1 up to your full balance, or you can choose to pay your statement balance or minimum payment with one click.

Choose your payment method: you can pay from a U.S. bank account (checking or savings), or you can pay with another credit or debit card. If you pay from a bank account, you will need your routing number and account number. If you pay with a card, you will need the card number and expiration date. Select the date you want the payment to post—you can choose today or any date up to 30 days in the future.

Review the details and submit. You will see a confirmation number on screen and receive an email confirmation. The payment posts the same business day if you submit it before the cutoff time (usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern), or the next business day if you submit it after. You can check the status of your payment in your account under "Payment Status" or "Recent Payments."

Paying by phone

Call the number on the back of your American Express card. Have your account number, the amount you want to pay, and your bank account or card information ready. A representative will ask you to confirm the payment amount and the date you want it to post, then process the payment over the phone.

Phone payments post on the same timeline as online payments: the same business day if you call before the cutoff time, or the next business day if you call after. You will receive a confirmation number by phone and can ask the representative to email or mail a written confirmation. Phone payments are useful if you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, but they take longer than online payments because you have to wait for a representative.

Paying by mail

Write a check or money order payable to American Express. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address listed on your statement or on the back of your card—American Express has different mailing addresses depending on which card you hold and which state you live in, so check your statement to use the correct address.

Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days to post after American Express receives them, and mail itself takes 3 to 5 business days to arrive. This means you should mail your payment at least two weeks before your due date to be safe. If your payment arrives after your due date, you will be charged a late fee even if you mailed it on time. Keep a copy of your check or a photo of it for your records.

Setting up automatic payments

Log into your American Express account and go to "Manage Payments" or "Automatic Payments." Choose the card you want to set up automatic payments for. Select a payment amount: you can choose a fixed dollar amount, your minimum payment, or your full statement balance. Choose the date each month you want the payment to post—this can be any day from the 1st to the 28th.

Select your payment method: bank account or another card. Review the details and confirm. Your payment will post automatically on that date each month until you cancel it. You can change the amount, date, or payment method at any time by logging back into your account. Automatic payments are useful if you want to avoid missing a due date or if you want to pay the same amount every month.

If you set up automatic payments to pay your full statement balance, the payment will be for whatever your balance is on the day the payment posts, not the day you set it up. This means if you make a large purchase after setting up the automatic payment, that purchase will be included in the automatic payment.

What happens if your payment is late

If your payment does not post by your due date, American Express will charge a late fee. The fee amount depends on your card and your account history, but it is typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments within six months. A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score.

If you miss a payment, pay as soon as you can. Log into your account and make a payment immediately, or call the number on the back of your card. If you are having trouble making your payment, call American Express to discuss your options—they may be able to work with you on a payment plan or temporarily lower your interest rate.

If you believe your payment was on time but was marked late, contact American Express customer service with proof of the payment date. If you paid online or by phone, you have a confirmation number. If you paid by mail, you have a cancelled check or a photo of it. American Express can review the payment and may remove the late fee and late mark from your credit report if they confirm the payment was sent on time.

Disputing a payment or reversing a transaction

If you made a payment by mistake—for example, you paid twice or paid the wrong amount—contact American Express immediately. If you paid online or by phone and the payment has not posted yet, you may be able to cancel it. Log into your account and look for "Cancel Payment" or call the number on the back of your card.

If the payment has already posted, you cannot reverse it directly through American Express. Instead, you will need to make a new payment in the opposite direction—if you overpaid by $100, you can request a credit of $100 to your account, which will show up as a negative balance. You can then use that credit toward future purchases, or you can request that American Express send you a check for the overpayment.

If someone else made a payment from your account without your permission, report it to American Express as fraud. Call the number on the back of your card or log into your account and report the unauthorized transaction. American Express will investigate and may reverse the payment and issue you a credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my American Express bill with a different credit card?

Yes, you can pay with another credit or debit card online, through the app, or by phone. However, the card you use to pay may charge you a cash advance fee or a balance transfer fee, so check with that card's issuer first. Paying from a bank account is usually free and faster.

What time does American Express stop accepting payments on my due date?

The cutoff time is usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. If you submit a payment after that time, it will post the next business day and may be marked late. Check your account or call the number on the back of your card to confirm the exact cutoff time for your card.

How long does it take for a payment to show up in my account?

Online and phone payments post the same business day or the next business day depending on when you submit them. Mail payments take 7 to 10 business days after American Express receives them. You can check the status of your payment in your account under "Recent Payments" or "Payment Status."

Can I set up automatic payments to pay only part of my balance?

Yes, you can set up automatic payments for any fixed dollar amount you choose, or you can choose to pay your minimum payment or your full statement balance automatically each month. You can change the amount at any time by logging into your account.

What should I do if I cannot afford to pay my full balance?

Pay at least your minimum payment by the due date to avoid a late fee. If you are having trouble making even the minimum payment, call American Express at the number on the back of your card to discuss your options—they may offer a payment plan, a temporary interest rate reduction, or other assistance.