American Express balance transfer cards and how they work

American Express offers balance transfer options on select cards, though fewer than Visa or Mastercard issuers do. When you transfer a balance to an American Express card, the card issuer pays off debt you owe to another creditor—typically a credit card from a different bank. The transferred amount then becomes a balance on your American Express account, usually at a lower interest rate than your original card for a set period.

Not all American Express cards include balance transfer features. The cards most likely to offer them are American Express EveryDay cards and some of their business-focused products. You should check your specific card's terms or contact American Express directly to confirm whether balance transfers are available on your card before you attempt one.

The main reason to transfer a balance is to reduce the interest you pay while you work down the debt. If your current card charges 22% annual interest and an American Express card offers 0% for 12 months, you save money on interest during that promotional period—but only if you pay down the balance before the rate goes back up.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express balance transfer offers typically include a 0% introductory rate for 6 to 12 months, after which a standard variable rate applies.
  • Balance transfer fees on American Express cards usually range from 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, charged upfront to your new card.
  • You can initiate a balance transfer by calling American Express, logging into your online account, or using the mobile app if your card supports transfers.
  • The transferred balance counts toward your credit limit, so a $5,000 transfer on a $10,000 limit leaves you $5,000 available for new purchases.
  • Payments during the promotional period go toward the transferred balance first, so you must pay more than the minimum to reduce principal before the rate increases.

Which American Express cards offer balance transfers

American Express EveryDay and American Express EveryDay Preferred are the primary consumer cards that include balance transfer options. Both are no-annual-fee cards designed for everyday spending, and both allow you to move debt from other cards onto the American Express account.

American Express also offers balance transfer options on some business cards, though the terms and availability vary. If you hold a business American Express card, contact the issuer to ask whether your specific product includes balance transfer features.

Availability of balance transfer offers changes over time and may depend on your creditworthiness and account history. A card you own today may not have had a balance transfer option when it was first issued, or the offer may have expired. The only way to know for certain is to check your card's current terms or call American Express customer service.

Balance transfer fees and introductory rates

American Express typically charges a balance transfer fee of 3% to 5% of the amount you transfer, applied when ready to your new card balance. This means a $10,000 transfer could cost $300 to $500 upfront. The fee is added to your balance, so you owe it along with the transferred amount.

The introductory interest rate on American Express balance transfers is usually 0% for a set period—commonly 6, 9, or 12 months depending on the card and the current offer. After the promotional period ends, the standard variable purchase rate applies to any remaining balance. This rate varies by cardholder and market conditions, so you should review your card's terms for the specific rate that would explore to you.

The length of the 0% period and the fee percentage are not negotiable once you accept the offer. However, different American Express cards may have different terms, so if you are considering opening a new card specifically for a balance transfer, compare the fee and promotional period across available options.

How to start a balance transfer with American Express

You can initiate a balance transfer through three main channels: by phone, through your online account, or via the American Express mobile app if your card supports it.

By phone: Call the customer service number on the back of your American Express card. Tell the representative you want to transfer a balance. They will ask for the name of the creditor you are transferring from, your account number with that creditor, and the amount you want to transfer. The representative will confirm the fee, the promotional rate, and the end date of the 0% period before processing the transfer.

Online: Log into your American Express account on the website. Look for a "Balance Transfers" or "Transfers" section, usually found under account management or services. Enter the creditor information and transfer amount, then review the terms before confirming. You will receive a confirmation number when ready.

Mobile app: Open the American Express app, navigate to the account menu, and look for balance transfer options. Not all cards or app versions include this feature, so if you do not see it, use the phone or online method instead.

The transfer itself typically takes 5 to 7 business days to reach your original creditor. During this time, continue making payments to your old card to avoid late fees. Once the transfer posts, you owe the balance to American Express instead.

What happens to your credit limit and available credit

The amount you transfer counts against your American Express credit limit. If your limit is $10,000 and you transfer $6,000, your available credit drops to $4,000 for new purchases. This is true even though the transferred balance is at 0% interest—it still occupies space on your credit line.

A large balance transfer can reduce your available credit significantly, which may affect your credit utilization ratio. Credit utilization—the percentage of your total credit limit you are using—is a factor in credit scoring. If you transfer $6,000 onto a $10,000 limit, your utilization jumps to 60%, which can lower your credit score temporarily.

As you pay down the transferred balance, your available credit increases. Paying $2,000 toward the transfer brings your available credit back up to $6,000 and lowers your utilization to 40%.

How payments are applied during the promotional period

During the 0% promotional period, any payment you make goes toward the transferred balance first, not toward new purchases. This is important because it means you must pay more than the minimum payment if you want to reduce the principal before the rate increases.

If you make only the minimum payment, most of it covers fees and interest on new purchases (if any), and very little goes toward the transferred balance. When the promotional period ends, you could still owe most of the original transfer amount at the regular interest rate.

To pay off the transfer before the rate increases, calculate how much you need to pay each month. Divide the transferred amount by the number of months in the promotional period, then pay at least that much every month. For example, a $6,000 transfer over a 12-month 0% period requires at least $500 per month to reach zero by the time the rate changes.

What to do if your balance transfer is denied or delayed

American Express may deny a balance transfer request if your account is too new, if you have missed recent payments, or if the transfer amount exceeds your available credit limit. If your request is denied, the representative will usually explain the reason. You can ask whether you are able to try again after a certain period or whether a smaller transfer amount would be approved.

If your transfer is delayed beyond 7 business days, contact American Express to confirm the status. Delays can occur if the original creditor's name or account number was entered incorrectly, or if the creditor's system is slow to process the payment. American Express can usually track the transfer and provide an updated timeline.

If you need to move debt urgently and American Express denies the transfer, you have other options: you can request a balance transfer from a different card issuer, or you can pay down the original balance using cash or another method while you explore other cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a balance from one American Express card to another American Express card?

No. American Express does not allow you to transfer a balance between two American Express accounts. You can only transfer debt from a card issued by a different bank or credit card company. If you want to move debt from one American Express card to another, you would need to pay it off using a different method.

What happens to my balance after the 0% promotional period ends?

Any remaining balance on the transfer will begin accruing interest at the standard variable rate for your card. This rate is not fixed and can change over time based on market conditions and your creditworthiness. You should review your card's terms to see what rate applies after the promotional period ends.

Can I make new purchases on my American Express card while I have a balance transfer?

Yes. You can use your card for new purchases as long as you have available credit. However, new purchases are charged a different interest rate than the transferred balance, and payments go toward the transfer first. This means new purchases may accrue interest when ready, even if the transfer is at 0%.

What if I pay off the balance transfer early?

You can pay off the transferred balance at any time without penalty. There is no prepayment fee. Paying it off early saves you money because you stop accruing interest once the balance reaches zero, and you free up credit for other uses.

Does a balance transfer hurt my credit score?

A balance transfer can temporarily lower your score because it increases your credit utilization ratio and triggers a hard inquiry. However, over time, paying down the transferred balance and keeping other accounts in good standing will help your score recover and improve.