Call American Express to close your card, have your account number ready, and ask them to confirm the closure in writing

The fastest way to close an American Express card is to call the customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will walk you through the process, answer questions about what happens to your balance or rewards, and send you written confirmation. The entire call usually takes five to ten minutes. You can also close your card by mail, though this takes longer and leaves less room to ask questions before the account closes.

Before you call, think through a few things: whether you have an unpaid balance, whether you want to keep any rewards points you have earned, and whether closing this card might affect other accounts you have with American Express. These details matter because they change what happens next and what you should ask about during the call.

Key Takeaways

  • Call the number on the back of your American Express card and tell the representative you want to close the account; they will confirm the closure and send you written proof.
  • If you have a balance on the card, you will still owe that money after closure and will need to make payments until it is paid off.
  • Closing a card can lower your credit score temporarily because it reduces the total credit available to you, but the effect usually fades within a few months.
  • Ask the representative whether closing this card will affect other American Express accounts you hold, since some cards share the same underlying account.
  • Request written confirmation of the closure and keep it with your records in case there are questions later.

What happens to your balance when you close the card

If you have an unpaid balance on your American Express card, closing the account does not erase that debt. You will still owe the full amount, and American Express will continue to charge you interest on it until you pay it off. The card itself will stop working for new purchases, but your obligation to pay what you already owe remains unchanged.

For this reason, most people pay off their balance before calling to close the account. If you cannot pay the full balance right away, you can still close the card — just understand that you will be making payments on a closed account until the debt is gone. American Express will send you monthly statements showing what you owe, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

What happens to your rewards points

American Express handles rewards differently depending on the type of card. On most personal cards, your points stay in your account for a period of time after closure — usually between 30 and 90 days — and you can redeem them before they expire. Some business cards have different rules, so ask the representative about your specific card before you close it.

If you have a large balance of points you want to use, redeem them before you call to close the account. That way you do not have to worry about the timeline or whether the points will be forfeited. The representative can also tell you what your points are worth and what redemption options are available to you.

How closing a card affects your credit score

Closing a credit card will usually lower your credit score in the short term, typically by 5 to 10 points, though the amount varies based on your overall credit profile. The main reason is that closing an account reduces your total available credit, which changes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using. If you have other cards with balances, your utilization will appear higher after you close this one.

The good news is that this effect is temporary. Your score usually recovers within a few months as long as you keep paying your other bills on time and do not rack up new debt. The closed account will remain on your credit report for about ten years, but it will not actively hurt your score after the first few months.

Closing the card by phone versus by mail

Calling American Express is faster and gives you a chance to ask questions before the account closes. You can also confirm on the spot that the closure has been processed and ask for a reference number. The representative will tell you what to expect next and can answer questions about your balance, rewards, or how the closure might affect other accounts.

If you prefer to close the account by mail, write a letter to American Express requesting closure and include your account number and signature. Send it to the address listed on your statement or on the American Express website. This method takes longer — usually two to four weeks — and you will not know if there were any issues until you receive confirmation. For most people, a phone call is simpler.

What to do after you close the account

After the representative confirms the closure, ask them to send you written confirmation by mail. Keep this letter with your financial records. It serves as proof that you requested the closure and can be useful if there are ever questions about the account later.

If you had automatic payments set up on this card — for utilities, subscriptions, or other recurring charges — you will need to update those payments to a different card or bank account before the card stops working. Check your email for any confirmation messages from services you pay regularly, and update your payment method with them. American Express will not automatically redirect these payments, so it is your responsibility to move them.

Continue to monitor your credit report for a few months after closure to make sure the account is reported as closed and that no new activity appears on it. You can check your credit report for free once a year at annualcreditreport.com, which is run by the three major credit bureaus.

When closing a card might not be the right move

Before you close the account, consider whether you might want to keep it open. If the card has no annual fee, there is no cost to keeping it open, and it will help your credit score by maintaining your available credit. Even if you never use the card again, having it open and in good standing is generally better for your credit than closing it.

If the card does have an annual fee and you do not use the rewards or benefits, closing it makes sense. But if you use the card regularly or value the rewards program, closing it means losing access to those benefits. Think about whether you could downgrade to a no-annual-fee version of the card instead — American Express sometimes allows this, and it lets you keep the account open without paying a fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my American Express card hurt my credit score?

Your score will likely drop by a small amount in the short term because closing the account reduces your available credit. The effect usually fades within a few months. Your score will recover faster if you keep your other accounts in good standing and do not take on new debt.

Can I close my card if I still have a balance?

Yes, you can close the account even if you owe money. The balance does not disappear — you will still owe it and will need to make payments until it is paid off. Most people pay off the balance first to avoid having a closed account with an outstanding debt.

What if I close my card and then want to reopen it?

American Express may allow you to reopen a closed account within a certain period, though this depends on how long ago you closed it and the reason for closure. Call customer service and ask whether your account can be reopened. If it cannot, you can always explore for the same card again, though you will go through the full process process.

Do I need to cut up my card after I close it?

It is a good idea to cut up or shred the card so it cannot be used, even though the account is closed. The card will not work for purchases, but physically destroying it removes any chance of confusion or misuse. You can throw away the pieces once the account closure is confirmed.

Will closing my card affect my other American Express accounts?

It depends on how your accounts are structured. Some American Express cards share the same underlying account, while others are completely separate. Ask the representative during your closure call whether closing this card will affect any other American Express accounts you hold.