How to Close Your American Express Card

Understanding Why You Might Close Your American Express Card

There are many reasons why a cardholder might decide to close an American Express card. Some people find they no longer use the card regularly, while others may want to reduce the number of credit accounts they maintain. Others close cards due to annual fees that no longer seem worth the benefits, or because they've found a different card that better suits their spending habits and rewards structure.

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American Express offers numerous card products, including the Blue Business Plus, Gold Card, Platinum Card, and various co-branded cards with retailers and airlines. Each card comes with different benefits and annual fees ranging from $0 to $695 or more. Understanding your specific card type and its associated costs helps you make an informed decision about closure.

Before closing your card, consider the potential impact on your credit profile. When you close a credit account, it reduces your total available credit, which can affect your credit utilization ratio. This ratio—the percentage of your total credit limit that you're currently using—comprises about 30% of your credit score calculation. For example, if you have $10,000 in total credit limits across all cards and carry $3,000 in balances, your utilization is 30%. Closing a card with a $5,000 limit could increase this ratio to approximately 43%, potentially lowering your credit score.

Additionally, closing an older card affects the average age of your credit accounts. Credit history length comprises about 15% of your credit score. Newer cardholders or those with shorter credit histories may see more significant score impacts from closing accounts than those with longer credit histories.

Practical Takeaway: Before closing your American Express card, review your recent statements to confirm you're not using it, check the annual fee against any benefits you receive, and consider the timing relative to any planned credit applications like a mortgage or auto loan.

Steps to Close Your American Express Card by Phone

Closing an American Express card by phone is straightforward and typically takes 5-10 minutes. This method allows you to speak with a representative who can answer questions and confirm the closure details.

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First, locate the customer service number on the back of your American Express card or on your billing statement. American Express's main customer service line is 1-800-528-4800, though you may reach a faster representative by calling the number on your specific card.

When you call, have your card number and account information ready. The representative will verify your identity by asking for personal details such as your Social Security number last four digits or other identifying information. Be prepared to answer questions about your reason for closing the account—this is standard practice and helps American Express improve their services.

During the call, the representative may offer retention offers, such as statement credits, waived annual fees, or bonus points. These offers vary based on your card type, spending history, and customer value. For example, a cardholder with significant annual spending on a premium card might receive an offer to waive that year's annual fee. You can accept or decline these offers.

Before confirming closure, ask the representative to confirm several details: the effective date of closure, whether any pending rewards will post, and the status of any balance transfers or promotional interest rates. Request that the representative provide a confirmation number for your records.

Important: Never close a card that currently carries a balance. Pay off any outstanding balance first, as the account terms don't change simply because you've closed it. Interest will continue to accrue on remaining balances.

Practical Takeaway: Call American Express customer service during business hours, have your account number ready, and get a confirmation number and effective closure date before hanging up.

Closing Your Card Online or Through the Mobile App

American Express also provides options to close your card through their website or mobile application, though the specific process may vary slightly depending on your card type and account setup.

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To close your card online, log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com. Navigate to the account settings or account management section, which is typically found in a menu labeled "Account," "Manage Account," or "Settings." From there, look for options related to closing, canceling, or managing your card. American Express has streamlined this process in recent years to make it more user-friendly.

The online process generally involves confirming your identity, reviewing your account status, and providing confirmation of your closure request. Unlike the phone method, you won't have an opportunity to discuss retention offers with a representative during the online process, though some retention offers may appear on your account page before you proceed with closure.

If you use the American Express mobile app, similar options may be available. Open the app, navigate to your account settings, and look for card management options. The app interface changes periodically as American Express updates its technology, so your experience may differ from previous closures.

One advantage of closing online is that you have a written record of your request. You'll typically receive a confirmation email with details about your closure request. Save this email for your records. However, a disadvantage is that you cannot ask questions of a representative or negotiate retention offers in real-time.

If you attempt to close your card online and encounter technical issues, you can always fall back to the phone method. Some customers also prefer calling to ensure they've completed the process correctly.

Practical Takeaway: To close online, log into your American Express account, navigate to card management settings, and save any confirmation emails you receive.

What Happens to Your Rewards Points and Benefits

One critical question cardholders ask is what happens to accumulated rewards points when they close their American Express card. According to American Express policy, your rewards points typically do not expire simply because you close the card. Points remain in your account for a period of time, allowing you to redeem them even after closure.

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However, the specific rules depend on your rewards program. American Express Membership Rewards points, which are offered on many American Express cards, generally remain in your account indefinitely as long as you maintain at least one active American Express card or have activity in your rewards account. If you close all your American Express cards, the timeline for point expiration varies. It's essential to contact American Express directly to understand your specific card's policy.

Before closing your card, consider redeeming your existing points for rewards you value. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for statement credits, travel bookings, merchandise, gift cards, or transfers to airline and hotel partners. If you have a premium card like the American Express Gold or Platinum, you may have specific redemption options tied to those cards, such as airline incidental fee credits or statement credits for specific merchants. These benefits may not be available after closure.

Additionally, review any special status or benefits attached to your card. Premium American Express cards offer benefits such as airport lounge access, statement credits for dining or travel purchases, concierge services, and purchase protections. These benefits terminate when the card is closed. If you plan to close a premium card, consider timing your closure to maximize any annual credits you're entitled to. For example, if your card provides a $200 airline fee credit that posts in January, closing the card in February might allow you to use that credit before losing access to the benefit.

Some co-branded American Express cards, such as those affiliated with specific airlines or hotel chains, may have loyalty program implications. Closing these cards might affect any linked loyalty account status or earning rates. Check with your airline or hotel program to understand these connections.

Practical Takeaway: Before closing your card, redeem any points for rewards you want, note the expiration policy for remaining points, and verify what premium benefits you'll lose.

Understanding the Credit Score Impact and Timeline

Closing a credit card affects your credit score, though the impact varies based on your overall credit profile. Understanding this impact helps you make an informed decision about timing.

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The immediate effect of closing a card is a change in your credit utilization ratio. As mentioned earlier, this represents about 30% of your credit score. If you're closing a card with available credit you weren't using, the impact may be minimal. However, if you're closing one of your only cards or a card with a high credit limit, the impact could be noticeable—potentially dropping your score by 5 to 10 points or more, depending on your overall profile.

The second effect involves your credit mix, which represents 10% of your credit score. Credit bureaus favor accounts with diverse types of credit: revolving accounts like credit