What Happens If I Don't Pay My American Express Card?

Quick summary

American Express has two product types

This is critical: Amex offers two different products that behave very differently for non-payment.

1. Charge Cards (e.g., American Express Green, Gold, Platinum)

• Pay in full each month — there is no revolving balance, no minimum payment in the traditional sense
• Full statement balance due each month
• Late payment triggers immediate consequences (account hold, fees)

2. Credit Cards (e.g., Blue Cash Everyday, Blue Cash Preferred, EveryDay Cash, Cash Magnet)

• Revolving credit — minimum payment is acceptable, balance carries forward
• Standard credit card rules apply

Source: American Express Cardmember Agreement — americanexpress.com/us/customer-service/credit-card-agreements.html

Late fees

American Express applies a late fee of up to $40 when the minimum payment (credit cards) or full statement balance (charge cards) is not received by the due date.

Per CARD Act rules, the first late fee in a 6-month period is typically capped lower.

Penalty APR

For Amex credit cards, a penalty APR of up to 29.99% may apply if your account becomes seriously past due. The penalty APR remains in effect for at least 6 months of on-time payments before Amex reviews it.

For Amex charge cards, the penalty APR concept does not apply directly (charge cards don’t carry a balance), but late fees, returned-payment fees, and account holds are immediate.

Account actions — charge cards vs credit cards

Charge cards:

1. Missed payment: Late fee applied; account may be placed on “Pay Over Time” hold restricting purchases
2. ~30 days past due: 30-day late reported to credit bureaus
3. ~60+ days past due: Account may be canceled outright (charge cards have no revolving credit relationship — Amex can simply close the account)

Credit cards:

1. ~30 days past due: Late fee applied, credit reporting begins
2. ~60 days past due: Penalty APR may be applied; account may be restricted
3. ~90–120 days past due: Account may be closed by Amex
4. ~180 days past due: Account charged off and typically sold or transferred to a debt collector

Credit reporting

American Express reports to all three major credit bureaus monthly. The reporting milestones are the same as other issuers:

• 30+ days past due: Reported as 30-day late
• 60+ days past due: Reported as 60-day late
• 90+ days past due: Reported as 90-day late
• ~180 days past due: Account charged off

A late payment can stay on your credit report for 7 years from the date of first delinquency.

Frequently asked questions

What is “Pay Over Time” for Amex charge cards? Pay Over Time is an Amex feature that lets you carry eligible charges from your charge card past the due date as a revolving balance (with interest). Enrolling in Pay Over Time can be a way to manage cash flow on a charge card, but it doesn’t eliminate the requirement to make at least a minimum payment.

Will Amex waive a late fee? Yes. Amex customer service has discretion to waive a single late fee, especially for cardmembers with a strong payment history. Calling promptly after a missed payment improves your chances.

Does Amex offer hardship programs? Yes. American Express offers a Financial Hardship Program for cardmembers facing genuine financial difficulty. The program may include reduced minimum payments, lower interest rates, and fee waivers. Call the number on the back of your card to discuss options.

Sources: American Express Cardmember Agreement (americanexpress.com), CFPB credit card rules. Last verified: May 2026. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Express. See our disclaimer.