Call American Express 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 cancellation is complete. The call usually takes fewer than five minutes.

Have your card number ready when you call. American Express may ask why you're canceling — this is optional information, and you don't have to give a reason. They may also offer to lower your annual fee or move you to a different card product to keep your account open. You can decline these offers if you want to proceed with cancellation.

After you hang up, your card will be closed. American Express will send a written confirmation in the mail within a few days. Keep this confirmation for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your American Express card to cancel; a representative will complete the cancellation over the phone.
  • You do not have to explain why you're canceling, and you can decline any offers to keep the account open.
  • Pay off any remaining balance before you cancel, or arrange a payment plan with American Express if you cannot pay it all at once.
  • After cancellation, your card stops working when ready, but American Express will continue to report the closed account to credit bureaus for up to seven years.
  • If you have rewards points, redeem them before you cancel, because you may lose access to them after the account closes.

Pay your balance before canceling

If you have an unpaid balance on your card, you should pay it off before you cancel. American Express will not close your account until the balance is zero. If you cannot pay the full amount, tell the representative during your cancellation call — they can set up a payment plan so you can close the account while paying what you owe over time.

Canceling does not erase what you owe. Even after your card is closed, American Express will continue to bill you for the remaining balance, and the debt will appear on your credit report. Paying it off before cancellation keeps your credit cleaner and avoids months of additional interest charges.

Redeem your rewards points first

American Express Membership Rewards points are tied to your account. Once your card is canceled, you typically have a limited window — usually 30 to 90 days depending on your card type — to redeem any remaining points before they expire. After that window closes, you lose access to them.

Log into your American Express account online or call customer service to see your current points balance and redeem them for cash back, travel, gift cards, or other rewards before you cancel. If you have a high points balance, this step can save you money.

What happens to your credit after cancellation

Closing an American Express card affects your credit report in two ways. First, your available credit decreases when ready — if you had a $10,000 limit and no other cards, that $10,000 disappears from your total available credit. This can raise your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by the amount you can borrow), which may lower your credit score temporarily.

Second, American Express reports the closed account to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). The account will remain on your credit report for up to seven years, even though it is closed. This is normal and does not mean something is wrong — it is part of your credit history.

If you are concerned about the impact on your credit score, you can ask American Express to keep the account open but unused instead of canceling it. This preserves your available credit and your account history without requiring you to use the card.

Cancel online or through the mail if you prefer not to call

American Express does not offer cancellation through their website, but you can request cancellation by mail. Write a letter to American Express requesting that your account be closed, include your card number and account number, and mail it to the address on your statement or the back of your card. Keep a copy of the letter for your records.

Cancellation by mail takes longer than a phone call — typically one to two weeks — because American Express has to receive and process your letter. You will not get when ready confirmation, so follow up with a phone call if you do not receive written confirmation within three weeks.

Destroy your card after cancellation

Once your cancellation is confirmed, cut up your physical card or shred it before throwing it away. This prevents someone from finding the card and attempting to use it. Even though the card is no longer active, destroying it is a good security practice.

If you have set up any automatic payments or subscriptions using this card, update those accounts with a different payment method before you cancel. American Express will decline any charges after the card is closed, which could cause late fees or service interruptions if a payment fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my American Express card if I have an unpaid balance?

American Express will not close your account until the balance is paid, but you can request cancellation and set up a payment plan. You will continue to owe the balance and pay interest until it is paid off, even though the card is closed.

Will canceling my American Express card hurt my credit score?

Canceling may lower your score temporarily because your available credit decreases and your credit utilization ratio increases. The impact is usually small and temporary if you have other cards or a good payment history. The closed account stays on your credit report for up to seven years.

What happens to my rewards points when I cancel?

You have 30 to 90 days after cancellation to redeem your remaining points, depending on your card type. After that window closes, you lose access to them. Redeem your points before you cancel to make sure you don't lose them.

How long does it take to cancel an American Express card?

Cancellation over the phone is when ready — your card stops working right away. Written confirmation arrives in the mail within a few days. Cancellation by mail takes one to two weeks to process.

Can I reopen my American Express card after I cancel it?

American Express may reopen a closed account if you request it within a certain timeframe, but this is not may provide. Contact customer service to ask about your options. The sooner you request reopening, the more likely they can help.