American Express Credit Consumer FAQs

American Express Credit FAQ

Applying for a Card

1. How do I apply for an American Express Card?

You can apply online and receive an instant decision. Click here now to apply. Alternatively, you can download an application and fax it, or if you prefer to apply by phone, please call 1-800-268-2639. (Please note that residents of Newfoundland and Quebec cannot apply by phone).

2. How do I inquire about status on my card application?

To inquire about status of your card application please call American Express New Accounts at 1-800-575-2273. Please note it takes approximately 7 to 10 business days to process a new application.

Card and Account Information

1. How do I access information/inquire about my American Express account?

Managing your account online is simple . Just log on to ‘My Account’ (or click here now to go to ‘My Account’) to make inquiries on your balance, check the latest transactions or transfer a balance. If you are enrolled in Membership Rewards® , you can also check your Membership Rewards® points balance, redeem your points for exciting rewards, browse and redeem the online merchandise catalogue, or transfer your points to your frequent flyer or frequent guest account. If you need help registering for ‘My Account’, please call 1-877-325-2639 for assistance. If you wish, you can talk to an American Express representative by calling the Customer Service telephone number located on the back of your card.

2. Why has the layout of my monthly Charge Card billing statement changed?

Be assured that all important information detailed on your previous statement is still included.

3. How do I report a change of address?

Please call the American Express Customer Service telephone number located on the back of your card 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to have your address updated.

4. What are the features and benefits of my American Express Card?

Click here to view benefits and services on the card products,or visit ‘Cards and Benefits’ on the site.

5. I would like to know more about other American Express Card products. Where can I find information on the site?

Click here to view benefits and services on the card products, or visit ‘Cards and Benefits’ on the site.

6. How do I switch to another American Express Card?

Simply call the American Express Customer Service phone number located on the back of your card and a representative will be happy to assist you. Depending on the province in which your reside, you may be able to apply for a different card product by telephone.

7. How do I reinstate an old American Express account?

Simply call the Customer Service phone number located on the back of your card and a representative will be happy to assist you.

8. How do I add another person to my account?

To add another person to your American Express Card account, simply call the Customer Service phone number located on the back of your card.

Lost or Stolen Cards

1. How do I report a lost or stolen card?

To report a lost or stolen American Express Card, simply call American Express Customer Service at 1-800-268-9824. In the U.S. call 1-800-528-4800.

Payments and Charges

1. How long does it take a charge to reach my statement?

The method that the merchant uses to transmit charges to American Express determines how long it takes for a charge to reach your account. Generally, it takes from 48 to 72 hours to appear on your account statement at American Express.

2. What is my minimum payment on my American Express Credit Card?

Please refer to the ‘Account Summary’ box on the first page of your statement. ‘New Balance $’ is the total payment due on this statement. The ‘Minimum Amount Due’ box is highlighted in black and shows the minimum amount that must be paid by the due date to keep your account current. For more details on payments, please refer to your Cardmember Agreement.

3. How do I pay my American Express bill?

Here are the fastest and most convenient ways you may wish to consider when paying your American Express Card bill which can be paid at anytime, even after business hours:

• Internet Banking
• Telephone Banking
• Automated Banking Machines
• By mailing a cheque in the self-addressed envelope enclosed with your statement. If you do not have your envelope, please mail to P.O. Box 4500, Agincourt Post Office, Scarborough, Ontario, M1S 4B1.
• In person at your local branch must you wish to pay during regular business hours.

Please allow at least 3-5 business days for your payment to be processed.

Fees may apply and processing times may vary by the payment option you wish to use. Services may also vary by financial institution. Payments will be credited upon receipt by Amex Bank of Canada.

4. How do I dispute a charge on my statement?

To dispute a charge on your billing statement, please send us complete information describing the disputed charge. Please comprise the merchant’s name, the date of the charge, the month the charge was billed, the amount of the charge, and the reason for the dispute. If the item was returned, please tell us how, when, and where it was returned. When we receive this information, American Express Customer Service will open an inquiry for you and contact the merchant on your behalf. Write to Customer Service at:

Amex Bank of Canada
Attention: Customer Service
101 McNabb St.
Markham, Ontario
L3R 4H8

Credit Limit

1. How is the credit limit on my Credit Card determined?

Your credit limit is determined based on your credit history and your income.

2. What is the credit limit on my Credit Card?

You can log on to ‘My Account’ or click here to access information on your Card account, comprising your credit limit information. You may also refer to your account statement or call Customer Service at 1-800-869-3016 to inquire about the current credit limit on your Card account.

3. What is my available credit limit on my Credit Card?

For the most up to date information on the available credit limit on your Card account, you can log on to ‘My Account’ or click here to access information on your Card account. You may also call American Express Customer Service at 1-800-869-3016 to inquire about the available credit limit on your Card account.

4. How do I request a higher credit limit on my Credit Card?

You may call American Express New Accounts at 1-800-575-2273 and one of our representatives will process your request. You may be required to offer up-to-date information about your income, assets and/or credit obligations, depending on the amount of the credit limit increase that you are requesting.

Cash Access

5. What is my cash access limit on my American Express Credit Card?

You can log on to ‘My Account’ or click here to access information regarding your cash limit. Your cash limit varies depending on the kind of card and the credit limit on your account.

6. How do I access cash on my American Express Credit Card?

You will need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access cash on your account. A PIN is issued to the Basic Cardmember once the minimum payment on the first billing statement with a balance is paid. Please call American Express Customer Service at 1-800-869-3016 if you need a PIN number issued to you. Please note that only the Basic Cardmember is eligible for cash access.

7. Are there fees associated with accessing cash on my Credit Card?

A $2.75 per charge applies to each Funds Advance obtained at any American Express dispenser or from automated banking machines (ABMs) of participating financial institutions. The minimum cash amount which you may receive in any single transaction is $20.00.

Interest and Finance Charges

1. Why is interest charged immediately on Funds Advances but not on purchases?

Funds Advances, unlike purchases, are same to other loans and the interest begins to accrue as soon as the funds are advanced.

2. What is the interest rate on my card?

Please refer to your current monthly statement under the heading ‘Finance Charges’ for the current interest rate on your American Express Card. You may also click here to go to ‘Cards and Benefits’ on the site where you will find interest rates and other features on American Express Card products.

3. How are interest charges calculated?

Please refer to your Cardmember Agreement for details.

Balance Transfers

1. Why must I transfer my balance from other credit cards to my American Express Credit Card?

You can save money on interest charges by transferring outstanding balances on higher rate bank or retail cards to your American Express Credit Card. Consolidating your spending to one Credit Card allows you to better manage your funds. You can also log on to ‘My Account’ or click here to request a balance transfer to your American Express Credit Card account.

2. How do I request a balance transfer?

You may click here to request a balance transfer or call Customer Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-575-2273 and a representative will be happy to assist you.

3. How much can I transfer to my American Express Credit Card account?

Depending on your available credit, you may transfer a balance from $100 up to the maximum limit on your Credit Card account.

Small Business Services

4. Where can I find information about Small Business Services offered by American Express?

Click here to access our Small Business Services page.

Recurring Charges

5. How do I have my utility, magazine subscriptions and other bills charged to my credit card on an ongoing basis?

Contact the merchant in question for more information about setting up recurring billing.

Membership Rewards Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does it take to transfer points into my participating frequent flyer or hotel frequent guest account?

Provided you are already enrolled, once you call, it usually takes 3 business days for your points to show up in your account. If you request that a points transfer to a participating frequent flyer or frequent guest account be processed faster than the three business days, a rush transaction fee of 3,500 points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account.

2. Can I transfer points into someone else's airline frequent flyer or hotel frequent guest account?

No. Membership Rewards points can only be transferred by you into your account. For more details see Terms and Conditions.

3. Does American Express automatically transfer points to my airline frequent flyer or hotel frequent guest account?

No. You must call us to have your points transferred into your account.

4. How long does it take to receive a Reward Certificate?

From the time you call, it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive your Reward Certificate.

5. How long is my Reward Certificate valid?

All Reward Certificates are valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You'll find the expiry date on the back of each certificate.

6. Can anyone else use my points?
Only the Basic Cardmember can redeem points accumulated in the account but you can give your Reward Certificate to someone else. Sign the certificate before the person uses it and if necessary, advise the establishment in advance that the certificate will be redeemed by someone else.

7. Are there any restrictions on when I can use my Reward Certificate, prior to the expiry date?
With a few rewards, there are periods during the year when they cannot be redeemed. See the details on your Reward Certificate. For hotel availability, please speak directly with the hotel.

Standard Chartered buys American Express Bank

Standard Chartered is paying $1.1bn (£550m) to buy American Express's banking arm, which has a customer base of institutions and wealthy individuals largely concentrated in emerging markets.

The deal will give Standard Chartered access to 10,000 private banking clients with assets of $22.5bn under management. It will give the group branch licences in India and Taiwan and take it into new territories such as Kazakhstan and Egypt.

American Express Bank (AEB) dates back to 1919 and predates the introduction of American Express credit cards. But the American financial group has decided that its future lies in payments, processing and cards.

CreditMe’s American Express credit cards comparison pages.

Actually this is my second reviewme’s review on credit card related websites. Being a credit card user myself, knowing more about credit card information, such as comparison of the best credit card suitable for myself is always a good thing. However, I have not been a American Express credit card user myself. I have used VISA and Master cards all these while.

American Express Logo

American Express has a very long history. It was established back in 1850 in Buffalo, New York, by Henry Wells, William Fargo, and John Butterfield as an express business. In 1882, American Express launched its money order business and on 1891, American Express first launched its Travelers Cheque which was launched in 1891 in denominations of $10, $20, $50, and $100. This shows how long the company has been into the banking sector.

It has been much easier for credit card users to select the American Express credit card of their choices. In CreditMe website, there are currently 24 choices of American Express credit cards to choose from. Pick one that most suit you and you are ready to spend your money with more advantages.

Each user is an unique entity and has different requirements on the choices of credit cards, and CreditMe is clearly aware of their needs. Visitors can search by kind of cards e.g. Airline Credit Cards, Balance Transfer Cards, Business Credit Cards and several other types. Or if you have an issuer of choice, you can instead select from a list of issuers, such as Advanta, American Express, Bank of America and several others.

Example of American Express Card

All the American Express credit cards are categorized clearly in an simple to read format. First you can have a look on the physical outlook of the cards. Well, this may not be important for you but alot of people (cough*girls*cough) prefer some cute images on their cards. Then you will have a list of features for this particular card. CreditMe has make it easier for users by clearly stated out the unique features, well done. Finally there is a table of requirement for the card. Here you can compare the yearly fees and credit needed to apply for this card.

Once you have made up your mind, you can start the application process by clicking on the big orange colour [APPLY NOW] button under the credit card image. Take the example of the One from American Express credit card above, you will be directed to a HTTPS site of americanexpress.com, a https url meaning you will be protected by higher security than normal http url. For example, the above https url of American Express application form is authenticated by VeriSign Trust Network.

From the look and feel of the reviewed American Express website, users are pampered with choices of credit card. Users can make comparison under one roof, no need to go to different places to collect the necessary information of credit cards. However, please spend wisely with your credit cards.
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