Yes, you can cancel most American Express cards online through your account
You can cancel an American Express card by logging into your online account, navigating to your card settings, and selecting the option to close the account. The process takes a few minutes and does not require a phone call. However, the exact steps depend on which type of Amex card you hold — personal cards, business cards, and corporate cards each have slightly different cancellation paths.
Before you cancel, understand that closing a card affects your credit score. Your available credit decreases when ready, and the closed account remains on your credit report for up to ten years. If you are canceling because of an annual fee, calling Amex to request a fee waiver is often faster than closing the account.
Key Takeaways
- Log into your Amex account online, find your card settings, and look for a "close account" or "cancel card" option in the card management section.
- Closing a card lowers your available credit and may reduce your credit score, so weigh this against other options like requesting a fee waiver.
- Pay off your full balance before canceling, because Amex will continue to charge interest on any remaining balance after closure.
- If you cannot find the cancellation option online, call the customer service number on the back of your card — some card types require a phone call to confirm.
- After cancellation, your card stops working when ready, but Amex may take several days to process the closure on your account.
Steps to cancel your card through your online account
Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com using your username and password. Once logged in, look for a section labeled "Account" or "Card Management" — the exact label varies depending on your card type and whether you are using the desktop or mobile app.
Find the specific card you want to cancel. If you hold multiple Amex cards, make sure you select the correct one. Click on that card to open its details page. Look for an option that says "Close Account," "Cancel Card," or "Manage This Card." Click that option, and Amex will ask you to confirm your request and may ask why you are closing the account. Complete the confirmation, and your card will be marked for closure.
The cancellation takes effect when ready — your card stops working right away. However, Amex may take several business days to fully process the closure and remove the account from your online dashboard. You will receive a confirmation email once the closure is complete.
What happens to your balance and rewards after cancellation
If you have an unpaid balance on your card when you cancel, that balance does not disappear. Amex will continue to charge you interest on the remaining amount at your card's regular interest rate until you pay it off. You must pay the balance in full or set up a payment plan before closing the account to avoid ongoing interest charges.
Any rewards points or Membership Rewards you have earned remain in your account after cancellation, but you cannot earn new points once the card is closed. You have a limited time to use your existing points — typically one to three years depending on your card type — so redeem them before you cancel if you have a specific redemption in mind.
If your card has an annual fee and you have already paid it for the current year, Amex does not refund the fee when you cancel. This is why calling to request a fee waiver before canceling is often the better choice.
When to call instead of canceling online
Some American Express card types, particularly certain business and corporate cards, do not offer online cancellation. If you cannot find a cancellation option in your account after checking the card management section twice, call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative can cancel the account over the phone and answer questions about your balance or rewards.
You should also call if you want to negotiate before closing. If your card has an annual fee, Amex representatives can often waive the fee for the next year or offer a statement credit in exchange for keeping the account open. This conversation takes five to ten minutes and may save you money if you were planning to cancel only because of the fee.
How cancellation affects your credit
Closing a credit card lowers your credit score in two ways. First, your total available credit decreases when ready. If you had a $10,000 limit on the Amex card and a $5,000 limit on another card, closing the Amex card drops your available credit from $15,000 to $5,000. This change affects your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using — and higher utilization typically means a lower score.
Second, the closed account remains on your credit report for up to ten years. During that time, it counts as part of your credit history, which affects how long your average account age appears to be. The impact is largest when ready after closure and fades over time as the account ages and other accounts become more recent.
If you are concerned about your credit score, consider keeping the card open but unused instead of canceling. You can request that Amex waive the annual fee, then put the card in a drawer. This preserves your available credit and keeps the account active on your report.
What to do with your physical card after cancellation
Once your cancellation is confirmed, destroy your physical card by cutting it into pieces or shredding it. Do not throw it away intact, because the card number and expiration date remain readable and could be used fraudulently. Some people prefer to call Amex and ask them to send a prepaid envelope for returning the card, though this is not required.
If you have set up automatic payments using this card — for utilities, subscriptions, or other recurring charges — update those accounts with a different payment method before the card closes. Amex will not process charges after the card is canceled, and merchants will not be able to retry the payment. This can result in late fees or service interruptions if you forget to update your payment information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will canceling my Amex card hurt my credit score?
Yes, your score will likely drop in the short term because your available credit decreases and your credit utilization ratio increases. The impact is usually temporary — most people see their score recover within a few months — but the closed account remains on your report for up to ten years. If the only reason you are canceling is the annual fee, calling to request a waiver is a better option.
Can I cancel my card if I still owe a balance?
You can cancel the card, but you still owe the balance. Amex will continue charging interest on whatever you owe until you pay it off. Pay the balance in full before canceling, or be prepared to make payments on the closed account for as long as it takes to clear the debt.
What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?
Your existing rewards points stay in your account and do not disappear when you cancel. However, you cannot earn new points after the card closes. You typically have one to three years to redeem your points before they expire, so use them before you cancel if you have a specific redemption planned.
Do I get a refund of my annual fee if I cancel mid-year?
No, Amex does not refund annual fees when you cancel. If you have already paid the fee for the current year, that money is gone. Before canceling, call Amex and ask if they will waive the next year's fee or offer a statement credit to keep the account open.
How long does it take for my cancellation to go through?
Your card stops working when ready after you confirm the cancellation online. However, Amex may take several business days to fully process the closure and remove the account from your online dashboard. You will receive a confirmation email once the process is complete.