Paying your American Express bill in person used to be simple – you could just walk into any American Express office and hand over a check or cash But in recent years, Amex has closed most of their physical locations, so paying your bill in person has become a bit more complicated
Why Did Amex Close Their Offices?
Back in the old days, credit cards were heavily branch-based. Companies like American Express and Visa would operate local offices where you could go to apply for a new card, make payments, report fraud, and get customer service in person. It was very convenient for consumers.
But over the past couple of decades, banks and card issuers have increasingly moved to online-only models. Things like online account management and electronic payments have made physical branches largely obsolete. Maintaining all those local offices was expensive so companies like Amex made the business decision to close most locations.
Today, American Express only has a handful of Centurion Lounges left for high-end cardholders They don’t operate local cardmember service offices anymore So you can no longer just walk into an Amex location and pay your bill.
Can I Pay at an Amex Bank?
While American Express no longer has local offices for cardmember services, they do own an online bank. American Express National Bank offers high-yield savings accounts and CDs to consumers nationwide.
But unfortunately, you cannot pay your Amex credit card bill at an American Express bank branch. The credit card side and banking side of Amex operate completely separately.
Amex bank locations will only handle services related to savings accounts or CDs. They cannot accept payments for Amex card balances. Your credit card and bank accounts are totally separate, even though they’re with the same parent company.
Pay with a Third-Party Issued Amex Card
If your American Express card was not issued directly by Amex, but rather by a partner bank, you may be able to pay your bill in person.
Amex partners with many financial institutions to offer co-branded cards. For example, some banks issue their own versions of popular cards like the Hilton Honors American Express or Delta SkyMiles American Express.
In those cases, your card is technically issued and managed by the partner bank, not directly by American Express. So you can pay at a local branch of the issuing bank, the same as any other credit card they offer.
To check if this applies to your Amex card, look at the back. If it says “American Express” at the top and has an Amex logo, it’s issued directly by them. But if another bank’s name appears instead, they are the true issuer.
So for co-branded or third-party issued Amex cards, paying at a bank branch is often an option. But for standard consumer cards from American Express themselves, in-person payments are trickier.
Pay at Other Credit Card Locations
While American Express no longer has local offices, you can sometimes pay an Amex bill at another card issuer’s branch.
For example, many Capital One and Chase bank branches allow you to make payments on any credit card brand, not just their own. They have an automated machine where you can insert cash or checks to pay bills from other issuers.
You’ll want to call your local bank or credit union branches to see if they offer this third-party bill pay service. Let them know you want to pay an American Express card balance in cash or check, and ask if that’s possible.
If the branch has a universal bill pay kiosk or service, paying your Amex bill there should not be a problem. But always call ahead rather than just showing up to avoid wasting a trip.
Use Retail Bill Payment Centers
Another option that exists in some areas is retail bill payment centers. Stores like Walmart, CVS, and Kroger sometimes offer kiosks or services where you can pay any bill in cash.
Unfortunately, these in-store bill pay centers have become less common in recent years. But if you still have one in your area, you may be able to pay American Express bills along with other financial obligations.
Again, be sure to call the individual store first to confirm they handle Amex card payments before making a trip. And find out if there are any fees – some bill pay centers charge a few dollars per transaction.
Mail In a Money Order
If you really need to pay your Amex bill with cash, another option is to purchase a money order and mail it in. You can get a money order at banks, post offices, Walmart, and other retailers.
Simply fill out the money order with the American Express payment mailing address:
American Express
P.O. Box 650448
Dallas, TX 75265-0448
Be sure to include your full account number and name on the money order as well. Then drop it in the mail – just be aware it can take 5-7 days to post to your account, so mail it well before the due date.
While not as fast as paying in person, money orders allow you to pay your Amex balance entirely in cash if needed.
Can I Pay at a Western Union?
No – Western Union locations only handle their own money transfers, bill payments, and services. They do not accept payments for American Express credit card balances.
You’d need to get a money order at Western Union, then mail it to Amex. Their locations do not handle paying other companies’ bills directly.
Are In-Person Payments Possible Anywhere Else?
Aside from co-branded cards issued by banks, third-party bill pay kiosks, and money orders, options for paying American Express cards in person are very limited.
Unless your specific Amex card is issued by a bank, you likely cannot walk into a physical location and pay your bill. Amex just doesn’t have member service offices for that anymore.
Your best options are to pay online, through the Amex phone app, by calling customer service, or mailing in a check or money order. In-person payments require some creativity, like using a retail bill pay center or getting a money order.
But paying at a standard Amex location is not possible – they’ve made the strategic business decision to go digital-only for most cardmember servicing. The era of easy in-person American Express payments has come to an end.
Frequently Asked Questions: Paying Amex Cards In Person
Still have questions about paying your Amex bill in person? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Can I pay my Amex bill at Walmart?
Unfortunately, Walmart locations no longer offer in-store bill payment services in most areas. Unless your local Walmart lists bill pay as an available service, you likely cannot pay Amex bills there.
What about grocery stores like Kroger?
Some grocery store chains like Kroger, H-E-B, and Safeway do still offer bill pay kiosks in select locations. But availability varies greatly by region. Call your local stores ahead to see if they accept American Express payments.
Can I pay at a bank I don’t have an account with?
Possibly. Many banks allow non-customers to pay bills at their branches or ATMs for a small fee. But policies vary, so call any banks nearby to check their bill pay rules.
What if I want to pay by debit card?
American Express does not accept debit or credit cards for bill payments. You’ll need to use a bank account, cash, money order or check.
Are money orders expensive?
Money orders typically cost around $1 – $3 each depending on where you get them. That’s a small price to pay for the convenience of paying your Amex bill in cash.
Is there a deadline for mailing payments?
To avoid late fees, your mailed payment should arrive at least 5-7 days before your due date. Allow extra time for weekends and holidays.
Can I pay at multiple locations to split up my bill?
Yes – you can make multiple partial payments however you’d like, either online or in person. There’s no limit to how many payments you can split your Amex bill into.
The Bottom Line
While American Express no longer operates local cardmember service offices, you can sometimes pay your Amex bill in person at another financial institution’s branch or via retail bill pay kiosks. For co-branded cards issued by banks, in-person payments should be no problem.
Otherwise, your best options are to mail a money order, use Amex’s digital tools, or call in your payment. But with a little creativity, paying cash or by check is still possible in some cases. Just don’t expect the same in-person convenience Amex used to offer directly.
