Where to send your American Express payment

American Express gives you several ways to pay your bill, and the method you choose depends on how quickly you need the payment to reach them and what you have available right now. The fastest and most common route is online through your American Express account, either on their website or through their mobile app. You can also pay by phone, by mail, or in person at an American Express office if one is near you.

The payment address for mailed checks appears on your monthly statement — it is usually a lockbox address specific to your account type, not a general American Express office. If you cannot find it on your statement, you can call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask for the correct mailing address. Never guess at an address, because a mailed payment sent to the wrong place will delay your payment and may result in a late fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Online and mobile app payments post to your account the same day if submitted before the cutoff time, usually around 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • Phone payments take the same day to post if you call before the cutoff, but mailed checks typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive and clear.
  • Your due date is printed on your statement, and paying after that date triggers a late fee even if your payment is in transit.
  • You can set up automatic payments from your bank account so you never have to remember to pay manually.
  • Paying more than your minimum balance reduces the interest you owe on any remaining balance you carry month to month.

Online and mobile app payments

Log into your American Express account on their website or open the American Express mobile app, then select "Make a Payment" or "Pay My Bill." You will be asked to choose the account you want to pay (if you have more than one card), the amount you want to pay, and the date you want the payment to post. American Express allows you to schedule a payment for a future date, which is useful if you want to pay on payday but your due date is sooner.

Payments submitted before the cutoff time — usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time — post to your account the same business day. If you submit a payment after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, it will post the next business day. The system will show you the expected posting date before you confirm the payment, so you can see exactly when the money will arrive.

You can pay from a bank account (checking or savings) or from another credit card, though paying a credit card with another credit card usually triggers a cash advance fee. Paying from your bank account is free and is the most common method.

Phone payments

Call the customer service number on the back of your American Express card. A representative will ask you to verify your identity, then ask how much you want to pay and what date you want it to post. Phone payments work the same way as online payments — they post the same day if you call before the cutoff time, and they are free when you pay from a bank account.

Phone payments are useful if you have questions about your bill or your account while you are paying, or if you are not comfortable entering payment information online. The wait time varies depending on how busy American Express is, so you may spend 10 to 30 minutes on hold.

Mailed check payments

Write a check to American Express, include your account number on the check, and mail it to the address printed on your statement. Do not use a general American Express address you find online — use only the address on your statement, because that address is tied to your specific account and helps the payment reach the right place.

Mailed checks typically take 7 to 10 business days to arrive at American Express, and another day or two to post to your account. This means a check you mail today may not post for up to two weeks. If your due date is within the next week, mailing a check is risky because it may not arrive in time, and you will owe a late fee even though you sent the payment before the important date.

If you must mail a payment and your due date is soon, consider using online or phone payment instead. If you prefer to mail checks, plan to send them at least two weeks before your due date.

Automatic payments from your bank account

You can set up automatic payments so American Express withdraws money from your bank account on a date you choose each month. Log into your American Express account, go to the payment settings, and select "Set Up Automatic Payments." You will choose the amount (your full statement balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed dollar amount you decide), the date each month you want the payment to post, and the bank account to withdraw from.

Automatic payments are free and post on the date you choose, just like a one-time online payment. They eliminate the risk of forgetting to pay and triggering a late fee. You can change or cancel an automatic payment at any time through your account settings.

Many people set their automatic payment to the full statement balance, which means they pay off the entire bill each month and owe no interest. Others set it to the minimum payment if they are carrying a balance and want to pay more gradually, though this means you will owe interest on the remaining balance.

What happens if you miss your due date

Your due date is printed on your monthly statement, usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. If your payment does not post by that date, American Express charges a late fee. The fee amount depends on your card type and your account history, but it typically ranges from $25 to $40 for the first late payment.

A late payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score. The damage is worst if you are 30 or more days late, but even a payment that is 1 to 29 days late can affect your score. If you realize you will miss your due date, call American Express when ready — sometimes they will waive a late fee if you have a good payment history and this is your first miss.

If you are struggling to pay your full balance, contact American Express before your due date and ask about hardship programs. They may be able to lower your interest rate or set up a payment plan that works with your budget.

Paying more than the minimum

Your statement shows a minimum payment — usually 1 to 3 percent of your balance — and a full statement balance. Paying only the minimum means you carry the rest of the balance forward to next month, and American Express charges you interest on that remaining balance. Paying more than the minimum reduces the interest you owe and gets you out of debt faster.

If you carry a balance of $5,000 and your interest rate is 18 percent annually, paying only the minimum might take you three to four years to pay off, and you will pay thousands of dollars in interest. Paying $200 a month instead of the minimum could get you out of debt in about two years and save you hundreds in interest. The exact numbers depend on your balance, your interest rate, and how much you pay each month, but the principle is the same: paying more than the minimum always saves you money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for an online payment to post?

Online payments post the same business day if you submit them before the cutoff time, usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If you submit after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, the payment posts the next business day. The system shows you the expected posting date before you confirm.

Can I pay my American Express bill with another credit card?

Yes, but American Express treats a credit card payment as a cash advance, which means they charge a cash advance fee (usually 3 to 5 percent of the amount) and a higher interest rate starts when ready. Paying from a bank account is free and is the better choice if you have one.

What if I pay after my due date but before the statement closes?

If your payment posts after your due date, you owe a late fee regardless of when the statement closes. The due date is the important date — paying a day late triggers the fee. The next statement will show the late fee as a charge on your account.

Can I set up automatic payments for different amounts each month?

No, automatic payments are for a fixed amount or a fixed percentage (like your full balance or minimum payment). If you want to pay different amounts each month, you will need to make one-time payments manually through your account or by phone.

What should I do if my payment was lost in the mail?

Log into your American Express account and check whether the payment posted. If it did not post and your due date has passed, call American Express when ready and explain that you mailed a check. Ask them to search for the payment and consider waiving the late fee. In the future, use online or phone payment for time-sensitive payments.