American Express ended its Pay service in 2025

American Express Pay, the digital payment tool that let cardholders send money to friends and family through their Amex account, shut down in early 2025. If you were using Amex Pay to split bills, send rent to a roommate, or transfer money to someone else's bank account, that option no longer exists.

The closure affects both personal and business Amex cardholders. American Express did not publicly announce a specific reason for discontinuing the service, but the company notified active users by email before the shutdown date. If you had money pending in Amex Pay when it closed, American Express returned those funds to your card or bank account on file.

You still have other ways to send money using your Amex card or bank account — some built into your card issuer's app, others through third-party payment platforms. The best choice depends on whether you need to send money to another Amex cardholder, to any bank account, or internationally.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express Pay shut down in 2025, and the company returned any pending funds to cardholders' registered payment methods.
  • You can still send money using your Amex card through your bank's bill pay feature, peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or PayPal, or by transferring directly from your checking account.
  • If you need to send money to another Amex cardholder specifically, contact American Express customer service to learn what options remain available to you.
  • Most alternatives charge no fee for standard transfers between bank accounts, though sending money when ready or internationally may cost extra.

How to send money if you were using Amex Pay

The most direct replacement depends on what you were doing with Amex Pay. If you were sending money to someone's bank account, your own bank's bill pay or money transfer service is usually free and takes one to three business days. Log into your bank's website or app, look for "Send Money," "Bill Pay," or "Transfers," and follow the prompts to add the recipient's bank details.

If you need the money to arrive faster — within hours or minutes — use a peer-to-peer app like Venmo, PayPal, Square Cash, or Wise. These apps let you link your bank account or Amex card and send money to someone's email address or phone number. Most charge nothing for standard transfers, though when ready delivery or international transfers may have a fee.

If the person you're sending money to also has an American Express card, contact Amex directly at the number on the back of your card. The company may offer a direct transfer option for cardholders, though this is not may provide and varies by account type.

Peer-to-peer apps that work with your Amex card

You can link your American Express card to most major money transfer apps, though the process and speed vary. Venmo and PayPal both accept Amex cards as a funding source, meaning you can send money from your Amex balance rather than your bank account. Wise (formerly TransferWise) accepts Amex for international transfers and is often cheaper than banks for sending money abroad.

When you link your Amex card to one of these apps, the company treats it as a credit card payment, not a direct bank transfer. This means the transaction may post as a cash advance or purchase depending on the app's setup, and you may pay a processing fee. Check the app's fee schedule before you link your card — many charge 1 to 3 percent when you use a credit card instead of a bank account.

For domestic transfers between U.S. bank accounts, linking your checking account directly to the app is usually free. Save your Amex card for international transfers or situations where you don't have access to your bank account.

Using your bank's bill pay feature instead

Most banks offer bill pay or money transfer services built into their checking account, and these work whether or not you have an Amex card. You can send money to any U.S. bank account for free, and the transfer typically takes one to three business days. Some banks also offer next-business-day delivery at no extra cost.

To use bill pay, log into your bank's website or mobile app and look for "Bill Pay," "Send Money," or "Transfers." You'll need the recipient's name, bank name, account number, and routing number. After you send the first transfer, most banks save that recipient so future transfers are faster.

Bill pay is slower than Amex Pay was, but it's free and doesn't require the recipient to read an app or create an account. It works for rent, loan payments, money to family members, or any other transfer to a U.S. bank account.

International transfers after Amex Pay closure

If you were using Amex Pay to send money internationally, you now have fewer options through American Express itself. Your best routes are your bank's international wire transfer service, a specialist app like Wise or OFX, or a money transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union.

International wire transfers through your bank are reliable but expensive — typically $15 to $50 per transfer plus an exchange rate markup. Wise and similar apps are usually cheaper for transfers under $10,000, especially to countries in Europe, Asia, or Latin America. They show you the exact fee and exchange rate before you confirm, so there are no surprises.

If you need to send cash to someone who doesn't have a bank account, MoneyGram and Western Union let the recipient pick up money at a physical location. These services charge more than bank transfers but work in most countries worldwide.

What to do if you had pending transfers in Amex Pay

American Express notified users before the shutdown and gave them time to complete or cancel pending transfers. If you had money sitting in Amex Pay when the service closed, the company returned it to the bank account or card you had registered with the service.

Check your bank account or Amex statement for a credit or refund within one to two weeks of the closure date. If you don't see the money, contact American Express customer service with your Amex account number and the amount you had pending. They can confirm whether the refund was processed and where it was sent.

Keep any confirmation emails from Amex Pay in case you need to reference them during the refund process. If the refund was sent to an old bank account you no longer use, American Express may be able to redirect it, though this depends on your bank's policies.

Why American Express discontinued the service

American Express did not publicly state why it shut down Amex Pay. The company has been consolidating its digital offerings in recent years, focusing on its main card products and partnerships with other payment platforms rather than building standalone money transfer tools.

Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo and PayPal have become the dominant way people send money to friends and family, and most of these apps now accept credit cards as a funding source. American Express may have decided that maintaining its own transfer service was redundant when users could already send money through these established platforms using their Amex card.

The closure does not affect your ability to use your Amex card for purchases, bill payments, or rewards. It only removes the direct money-transfer feature that was available through the Amex Pay app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use my Amex card to send money through Venmo or PayPal?

Yes. Both Venmo and PayPal accept American Express cards as a funding source. Link your Amex card to the app, and you can send money to anyone with an account. Be aware that using a credit card may trigger a processing fee (usually 1 to 3 percent) and the transaction may post as a cash advance rather than a purchase.

Is my bank's bill pay service free?

Most banks offer bill pay and money transfers for free to any U.S. bank account. Some charge a small fee ($1 to $3) for expedited delivery, but standard transfers take one to three business days at no cost. Check your bank's fee schedule or ask customer service to confirm.

What if the person I want to send money to doesn't have a bank account?

Use a peer-to-peer app like Venmo or PayPal if they have a smartphone and can create an account. If they need cash, MoneyGram or Western Union let them pick up money at a physical location. These services charge more but work for people without bank accounts.

How long does it take to send money through my bank instead of Amex Pay?

Standard bank transfers take one to three business days. Some banks offer next-business-day delivery for free or a small fee. Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo can deliver money within minutes if both people use the same app, though this depends on the app's settings.

Will closing Amex Pay affect my credit score or rewards?

No. The closure only removes the money transfer feature. Your Amex card account, credit history, and rewards program are unaffected. You can continue using your card for purchases and earning rewards as usual.