Call American Express to close your card, not the other way around
To close an American Express card, you call American Express directly — not the other way around. American Express does not close cards for inactivity the way some issuers do, but they will close yours when you ask. The phone number is on the back of your card. Have your card number ready, and expect the call to take about five minutes.
Do not close the card online or through the mobile app. American Express requires a phone call so a representative can confirm your identity, ask whether you want to keep any rewards you have earned, and discuss whether there are other cards in your account you might want to keep open instead.
Before you call, decide what you want to do with your rewards balance. American Express will not let you close a card with an outstanding balance of points or miles — you have to redeem them, transfer them, or move them to another American Express card you own first. If you have a small balance, you can redeem it during the call itself.
Key Takeaways
- Call the number on the back of your American Express card to close it; closing online is not an option.
- You must redeem, transfer, or move any rewards balance before the card closes — American Express will not close an account with points still on it.
- Closing a card lowers your total available credit and can raise your credit utilization ratio, which may temporarily lower your credit score.
- If you have an annual fee, closing the card stops future charges, but American Express does not refund fees already paid unless you close within 30 days.
- Keep the card open for at least one year if you received a sign-up bonus, or American Express may claw back the bonus points.
What happens to your rewards when you close the card
Any points or miles you have earned stay in your American Express account — they do not disappear when the card closes. However, you cannot leave them sitting there indefinitely. You have to move them somewhere before the card closes.
Your options are to redeem them for cash back, transfer them to a travel partner (if your card is enrolled in a transfer program), or move them to another American Express card you own. If you have multiple American Express cards, you can consolidate all your points into one card and close the others. The representative on the phone can walk you through each option and tell you which partners are available for your specific card.
If you have a very small balance — say, 500 points — you can redeem it as a statement credit during the call. Larger balances are usually easier to transfer to another card or partner program.
Annual fees and refund timing
If your card has an annual fee, closing it stops future charges. However, American Express does not refund annual fees you have already paid unless you close the card within 30 days of the fee posting. After 30 days, the fee is yours to keep.
Check your recent statements to see when the most recent annual fee hit your account. If it was fewer than 30 days ago, mention this to the representative when you call — they can often process a refund on the spot. If it has been longer, do not expect a refund, but it does not hurt to ask.
If you are closing the card specifically because of the annual fee, consider whether downgrading to a no-annual-fee version of the same card makes sense instead. American Express offers downgrade paths for many of their premium cards. A downgrade keeps your account history intact and avoids the credit score impact of closing the card entirely.
How closing a card affects your credit score
Closing a credit card lowers your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your total credit limit that you are currently using. If you have a $5,000 balance across all your cards and you close a card with a $10,000 limit, your utilization jumps from 33% to 50%. This can temporarily lower your credit score by 10 to 50 points, depending on how much your utilization changes.
The impact is usually temporary. Credit scores recover within a few months as the closed account ages and your payment history remains clean. However, if you are planning to apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or other credit in the next few months, closing a card right now may not be the best timing.
The longer-term impact is smaller. Closed accounts stay on your credit report for up to 10 years and continue to count toward your overall account history and payment record. Closing a card does not erase the history you built with it.
Sign-up bonuses and the one-year rule
If you received a sign-up bonus when you opened the card, American Express has the right to claw back those bonus points if you close the card within one year. This is stated in the card's terms and conditions. The exact timeframe varies slightly by card, but one year is the standard.
If you are past the one-year mark, you can close the card without risk of losing the bonus. If you are close to one year but not quite there, it is usually worth waiting the extra few weeks or months rather than losing thousands of points.
American Express does not automatically claw back bonuses — they do it on a case-by-case basis. However, do not count on them making an exception. Treat the one-year rule as firm.
What to do if you want to keep the card but stop using it
If you are thinking about closing the card but are not certain, consider keeping it open and simply not using it. An open card with a zero balance helps your credit score by lowering your utilization ratio. It also preserves your account history and keeps your available credit intact.
The downside is the annual fee, if there is one. If the card has no annual fee, there is almost no reason to close it. If it does have an annual fee and you do not want to pay it, downgrading to a no-fee version is usually better than closing.
If you want to keep the card open but worry about fraud or accidental charges, you can ask American Express to freeze the card or remove it from your digital wallet. This keeps the account active without putting the physical card in circulation.
The step-by-step process on the phone
When you call, have your card number ready and be prepared to confirm your identity. The representative will ask for your Social Security number or other identifying information. Once you are verified, tell them you want to close the card.
They will ask whether you have a rewards balance and what you want to do with it. If you do, they can transfer the points to another card, redeem them, or transfer them to a partner program while you are on the call. This usually takes a few minutes.
Next, they may ask why you are closing the card or whether there is anything they can do to keep your business — this is normal. You do not have to explain, but if you are closing because of the annual fee, mentioning it gives them a chance to offer a retention bonus or downgrade option.
Finally, they will confirm the closure and give you a reference number. The card closes immediately, though it may take a few days for the closure to show up on your credit report. Keep the reference number for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I close my American Express card online?
No. American Express requires you to close cards by phone. You can call the number on the back of your card, and the call usually takes about five minutes. There is no online closure option.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your American Express account and do not disappear. However, you must redeem them, transfer them to another card, or move them to a travel partner before the card closes. American Express will not close an account with an outstanding points balance.
Will American Express refund my annual fee if I close the card?
Only if you close within 30 days of the fee posting. After 30 days, the fee is final. If you are within the window, mention it to the representative — they can often process a refund during the call.
How much will closing my card hurt my credit score?
It depends on your total credit limit and current balance. Closing a card lowers your available credit, which can raise your utilization ratio and temporarily lower your score by 10 to 50 points. The impact usually recovers within a few months.
Can American Express take back my sign-up bonus if I close the card?
Yes, if you close within one year of opening the card. After one year, the bonus is yours to keep. If you are close to the one-year mark, it is usually worth waiting rather than risking the clawback.