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 closure once it's complete. The call typically takes 5 to 10 minutes.

Have your card number ready when you call. American Express may ask why you're canceling — this is standard practice and helps them understand customer feedback, but your reason won't affect the cancellation. If you have an outstanding balance, you'll need to pay it before or after closing the account (American Express will explain your options).

After you hang up, American Express will send a confirmation letter to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. Keep this letter for your records.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your American Express card to cancel; a representative will process the closure when ready.
  • Pay any outstanding balance before canceling, or arrange a payment plan with the representative during the call.
  • You will receive a written confirmation in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Canceling a card may lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces your total available credit.
  • If you want to keep the card open but stop using it, you can straightforward put it away instead of canceling.

What happens to your balance when you cancel

If you have an unpaid balance on your American Express card, you cannot cancel the account until that balance is resolved. During your cancellation call, the representative will tell you the total amount owed and give you options: pay it in full when ready, set up a payment plan, or keep the account open until you've paid it off.

If you choose a payment plan, your account will remain open and you'll continue to receive monthly statements and interest charges until the balance reaches zero. Once the final payment clears, you can call back to close the account, or American Express may close it automatically after a set period of inactivity.

How cancellation affects your credit score

Closing a credit card typically lowers your credit score in the short term because it reduces your total available credit. This affects your credit utilization ratio — the amount you owe divided by your total credit limit. If you have balances on other cards, closing an American Express account makes that ratio higher, which can drop your score by 5 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile.

The impact is usually temporary. Your score will recover over several months as you pay down other balances and build a record of on-time payments. The closed account will remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years, but its weight in your score calculation decreases over time.

Steps to take before you cancel

Before you call to cancel, review your account for any recurring charges tied to the card. Subscriptions, insurance payments, gym memberships, and other monthly bills may be charged to your American Express card. If you cancel without updating these, those payments will fail and you may face late fees or service interruptions.

Log into your American Express account online or through the mobile app, go to your transaction history, and look back three to six months. Write down any recurring charges and update them to a different payment method before you cancel. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and prevents problems later.

If you have rewards points or cash back pending, check your balance. Most American Express cards let you redeem rewards before you cancel, though some rewards expire when the account closes. The representative can tell you what happens to your specific rewards when you call.

Alternatives to canceling

If you're canceling because you don't use the card, consider keeping it open instead. An inactive card doesn't hurt your credit score the way a closed account does, and it preserves your available credit. American Express may close the account automatically if there's no activity for a long time (usually 12 months or more), but you control the timing if you keep it open yourself.

If you're canceling because of an annual fee, call American Express and ask if they can waive it or downgrade you to a card with no annual fee. Many cardholders successfully negotiate fee waivers by mentioning they're considering cancellation. This takes one phone call and may save you money without losing the credit benefits of keeping the account open.

What to do with the physical card after cancellation

Once your cancellation is confirmed, destroy the physical card so it cannot be used. Cut it in half or shred it — do not throw it away intact. This prevents fraud if the card is lost or stolen before it's fully deactivated.

American Express will deactivate the card when ready when you cancel, so it won't work at merchants even if someone finds it. However, destroying it is still the safest practice. Keep the confirmation letter you receive in the mail as proof that the account was closed on a specific date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my American Express card online?

American Express does not offer online cancellation through their website or mobile app. You must call customer service at the number on your card. This policy ensures a representative can address any questions and confirm your identity before closing the account.

Will canceling hurt my credit score?

Yes, but usually only temporarily. Your score may drop 5 to 50 points in the short term because closing the account reduces your available credit. The impact fades over several months as you maintain on-time payments on other accounts. The closed account stays on your credit report for 7 to 10 years but has less weight over time.

What if I have a balance I can't pay right now?

Tell the representative during your cancellation call that you have an outstanding balance. They can set up a payment plan so you pay over time while the account remains open. Once the balance is paid in full, you can call back to close the account, or it may close automatically after a period of inactivity.

Do I lose my rewards points when I cancel?

Most American Express cards let you redeem rewards before cancellation. Check your rewards balance in your account and redeem them before you call to cancel. Some rewards expire when the account closes, so redeeming first ensures you don't lose them. Ask the representative what happens to any unredeemed points on your specific card.

How long does it take for the cancellation to show up on my credit report?

The account closure typically appears on your credit report within 30 to 60 days. You can check your credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com. The closed account will remain visible on your report for 7 to 10 years, but its impact on your score decreases significantly after the first year.