Paying your American Express credit card bill is an important part of managing your finances and maintaining a good credit score. With American Express you have multiple options for making payments conveniently online or through the mail.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process for paying your American Express credit card bill through the online account portal. We’ll also provide tips for setting up automatic payments, taking advantage of billing cycles, making one-time payments, and more.
Overview of Payment Options
American Express offers cardholders several ways to pay their credit card bills
- Online through the American Express account portal
- Through the American Express Mobile App
- By phone
- By mail with a payment coupon
- With automatic payments from a linked bank account
Paying online provides the fastest processing and most convenience. You can use a bank account, PayPal, another American Express card, or a debit card to pay. The mobile app also allows quick payments on-the-go.
Paying by phone involves calling the number on the back of your card and following automated prompts or speaking to a customer service agent. Mailing in physical payment coupons works too but takes longer to process.
Setting up automatic payments allows your bill to be paid in full each month automatically on the due date. This helps avoid late fees and free up time from manually making payments.
Step 1: Log Into Your American Express Account
The first step is logging into your American Express account online.
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Go to the American Express website at www.americanexpress.com.
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Click on the “Account” tab at the top of the page.
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On the account login page, enter your username and password and click “Log In”.
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If you have trouble with your username or password, you can use the “Forgot User ID” and “Forgot Password” links to recover your login credentials.
Once logged in, you’ll be taken to your account homepage showing your statements, charges, rewards, and other account details.
Step 2: Navigate to the Payment Page
After logging in, you need to navigate to the payment page to make a payment. There are a couple ways to get here:
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On the account homepage, find the “Payments” section and click “Make a Payment”
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Alternatively, click on the menu icon in the top left and select “Payments > Make a Payment” from the dropdown menu.
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You can also scroll down on the account homepage to find the “Pay Bill” box and click the “Pay Now” button inside it.
Each of these options will take you to the payment page to complete the next steps.
Step 3: Select a Payment Method
On the payment page, you can choose which payment method you want to use to pay your bill. American Express gives you multiple options:
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Bank Account: Pay directly from a linked checking or savings account.
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PayPal: Use your PayPal balance or linked accounts.
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Another Amex Card: Pay your bill with another American Express card.
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Debit Card: Pay with a debit card like Visa or Mastercard.
To select a payment method, just click on the relevant tab. You may need to add a new payment method if you don’t already have your preferred option on file.
Making payments directly from a bank account is the most popular choice since it allows paying your full balance without fees.
Step 4: Enter Payment Details
After picking your payment method, fill in the necessary details on that tab:
For a bank account, confirm or select which bank account you want to use if you have multiple on file.
For PayPal, log into your PayPal account.
For an American Express card, enter the card number, name, and expiration date.
For a debit card, provide the card number, expiration date, and security code.
Double check that all the details entered are correct before moving to the next step. Entering incorrect information could cause payment issues.
Step 5: Specify Payment Amount
Now it’s time to tell American Express how much you want to pay on your account balance. You’ll see your current balance, minimum amount due, and payment due date listed at the top.
You can choose from preset options like:
- Minimum amount due
- Full balance
- Other preset amounts like $100, $250, etc.
Or enter a custom amount yourself in the “Other Amount” field.
Paying your full “Current Balance” ensures no interest charges as long as you pay by the due date. The “Minimum Amount Due” is the smallest amount you can pay while still keeping your account in good standing, but you may incur interest.
Step 6: Pick Payment Date
American Express allows you to pick when you want your payment to be processed. This gives flexibility in timing payments conveniently.
You can schedule the payment for:
- Today
- Tomorrow
- A future date (up to 120 days out)
For example, you could set a payment for 5 days before the due date as a reminder to pay your bill on time. Just select your preferred payment date from the drop down menu.
Step 7: Review and Confirm Payment
Before completing the payment, carefully review all the details to make sure they are correct:
- Payment method
- Amount
- Process date
Then check the box to agree to the terms and conditions.
Finally, click “Schedule Payment” or “Continue” to finish processing your payment to American Express.
You should see a confirmation page that your payment was scheduled successfully. You can also check your account activity for the pending transaction.
Tips for Paying Your Amex Bill
Beyond the basics, here are some useful tips for effectively managing payments on your American Express account:
Set up automatic payments so your bill gets paid automatically each month by the due date. This prevents late fees and frees up time spent on manual payments.
Review billing cycles – American Express statements close around the same time each month, so check your bill cycle end date and due date.
Allow time for payments to process – It takes around 1 business day for online/mobile payments, up to 5 days for mailed payments.
Check your balance frequently to avoid missing payments if you don’t use autopay. Log in anytime to view your up-to-date balance and minimum payment.
Pay more than the minimum when possible to reduce interest charges. Paying just the minimum results in higher long term costs.
Take advantage of grace periods – If you pay your balance in full each month, American Express offers an interest-free grace period on purchases.
Set payment alerts through your online account to receive notifications when your bill is ready and payment is due.
Call customer service if you ever have questions or issues with making payments. They can explain options tailored to your situation.
Payment Methods FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about paying American Express cards:
Can I pay my Amex bill with a debit card?
Yes, American Express accepts Visa, Mastercard, or Discover branded debit cards issued by major banks for payments. Fees may apply in certain cases.
What is the quickest way to pay my bill?
The fastest options are paying online through your account, the Amex mobile app, or calling in. Mailed payments take the longest to process.
When will my payment be posted if I pay online?
Online and mobile payments are typically posted to your account within 1 business day if paid before the cutoff time (midnight ET).
Can I withdraw from multiple bank accounts to pay my bill?
Yes, if you link more than one bank account to your Amex card, you can split your payment between accounts when making an online payment.
Can I enroll in autopay the first month I get my card?
Yes, you can enroll in autopay as soon as you activate your new American Express card for the first time. Just set it up through your online account.
If I autopay the minimum, do I still owe interest?
Yes, when opting into autopay for the minimum amount due, interest will still accrue on the remaining balance until it’s paid off.
Paying American Express Cards Abroad
If you have an American Express card issued in one country but are traveling or living abroad, you may need to take additional steps to pay your bill. Here are some tips:
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Contact American Express to update your contact information and confirm billing/payment options in your new country.
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You can call the international customer service number on the back of your card for assistance.
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If you have a US Amex, check if your US bank account can wire international payments to settle your bill.
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Certain third-party services like TransferWise allow you to cheaply convert and send funds abroad.
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See if American Express offers local currency billing in
