Amex Pay is no longer available as a payment method
Amex Pay was a digital wallet feature that let American Express cardholders pay online and in stores using their phone. American Express discontinued the service in 2024. If you were using Amex Pay to make purchases, you'll need to switch to a different payment method going forward.
The discontinuation affects both online shopping and in-store contactless payments. American Express did not announce a replacement feature with the same name, though cardholders still have other ways to pay digitally with their Amex card.
Key Takeaways
- Amex Pay stopped working in 2024 and American Express has not relaunched it under the same name.
- You can still use your physical American Express card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay to make contactless payments.
- For online shopping, you can enter your card details manually or use your digital wallet through Apple Pay or Google Pay instead.
- Any recurring payments you set up through Amex Pay will need to be updated to a different payment method before your next billing date.
- Your American Express account and card remain active—only the Amex Pay digital wallet feature has been removed.
How to pay online without Amex Pay
For online purchases, you have two main routes. The first is to enter your American Express card number, expiration date, and CVV directly into the merchant's checkout form, the same way you would with any credit card. This works on any website that accepts American Express.
The second route is to use a digital wallet that still works: Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. If you've already added your American Express card to one of these wallets, you can select it at checkout on websites and apps that support digital payments. The process is faster than typing your card details each time, and the merchant never sees your full card number.
To add your Amex card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay, open the wallet app on your phone, select the option to add a card, and follow the prompts to photograph or manually enter your card details. American Express will send a verification code to confirm the card is yours.
How to pay in stores without Amex Pay
For in-store purchases, use your physical American Express card and tap or insert it at the payment terminal. This is the most straightforward option and works everywhere that accepts American Express.
If you prefer contactless payment through your phone, add your Amex card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay and hold your phone near the payment terminal. The process is the same as Amex Pay was, but you're using a different digital wallet. Not all stores have contactless readers yet, so having your physical card as a backup is still useful.
Updating recurring payments and subscriptions
If you set up any recurring charges—subscriptions, monthly bills, or automatic payments—through Amex Pay, those will fail once the service stops. Check your subscriptions and recurring charges now and update them to a different payment method before your next billing cycle.
To find your recurring payments, log into your American Express account online or in the mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Manage Payments," "Subscriptions," or "Recurring Charges." For each one, update the payment method to your physical card number, a different card, or a bank account if the merchant accepts it.
If a recurring payment fails because Amex Pay is no longer active, the merchant will usually send you a notification. Update the payment method as soon as you see the notice to avoid service interruption or late fees.
Why American Express discontinued Amex Pay
American Express did not publicly state a detailed reason for the discontinuation. The company likely made the decision because digital wallet adoption shifted toward Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, which work across all card brands and are built into phones most customers already own.
Maintaining a separate Amex-only digital wallet became less valuable as these universal wallets became standard. Rather than compete with established platforms, American Express chose to focus on making sure cardholders can use their Amex card through the major digital wallets instead.
Whether your American Express card still works
Your American Express card itself is still active and works exactly as it did before. The discontinuation only affects the Amex Pay digital wallet feature. You can continue to use your physical card, pay your bill online, and access your account through the American Express website and mobile app without any change.
If you have an American Express business card or corporate card, the same applies—only the Amex Pay feature is gone. Your card, account access, and all other services remain unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my American Express card to pay online?
Yes. You can enter your card details directly at checkout, or add your Amex card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay and use that at checkout instead. Both methods work on any website that accepts American Express.
Will my Amex card stop working in stores?
No. Your physical American Express card works the same as before. You can tap, insert, or swipe it at any store that accepts American Express. Only the Amex Pay digital wallet feature has been removed.
What happens to payments I scheduled through Amex Pay?
Any recurring charges set up through Amex Pay will fail once the service stops. Log into your American Express account and update each recurring payment to a different payment method—your card number, another card, or a bank account—before your next billing date.
Can I use Google Pay or Apple Pay with my American Express card?
Yes. Add your American Express card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay by opening the wallet app, selecting the option to add a card, and following the prompts. Once added, you can use it for contactless payments in stores and at online checkout.
Is there a replacement for Amex Pay?
American Express has not launched a replacement digital wallet with the same name. The company recommends using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay with your Amex card instead, or paying with your physical card.