American Express® Rewards Checking
Frequently Asked Questions
1. About Amex Rewards Checking
Looking to learn more about Rewards Checking?
American Express Rewards Checking is an FDIC-insured online checking account that offers a competitive Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on checking balances, Membership Rewards® points on eligible Debit Card purchases, and the ability to manage your account online or in the American Express® App, available on iOS and Android only.
There are no monthly account fees, no minimum deposit requirements, and no fees to apply for an account.
American Express charges a foreign currency conversion fee for transactions that are not in U.S. dollars. Third parties may also impose fees for services and transactions on ATMs that are not on the MoneyPass® network. Additionally, customers have the option to purchase checkbooks and check supplies. Please see the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for details.
The interest rate and APY on your Amex Rewards Checking account is variable and may change at our discretion at any time before or after the account is opened without notice. Interest compounds daily and is deposited monthly. Please see the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for details.
You can view your Amex Rewards Checking account benefits at americanexpress.com/rewardschecking.
We continue to improve and add to your Amex Rewards Checking experience. Check back soon for more information about upcoming enhancements.
We are currently accepting applications from Basic Card Members with a U.S. Consumer Card issued by American Express National Bank with 3+ months tenure. Current and prior American Express® Business Checking customers are not eligible to apply at this time.
You can apply for an Amex Rewards Checking account at americanexpress.com/rewardschecking.
At this time there is a limit of one account per customer. If you already have an account and wish to join another account as a co-owner, you must close your exisiting account and reapply after receiving an invitation to join the other account.
Once your account is created, you’ll need to fund your account within 60 days to keep it open. You have several options available including:
- Making a deposit online: After linking one of your other bank accounts, you can enable an online transfer into your Amex Rewards Checking account. If you have both an Amex Rewards Checking account and an American Express High Yield Savings account, you can also transfer funds between these two accounts by logging in to your Rewards Checking account online. Before you can initiate an internal transfer, please make sure that your American Express High Yield Savings Account is linked to your americanexpress.com online profile, and uses the same username and password. For more information on how to link your accounts, please visit go.amex/savingsaccess. If you are interested in learning more about an American Express High Yield Savings Account, please visit americanexpress.com/en-us/banking/online-savings/high-yield-savings.
- Setting up direct deposit: American Express offers three ways to switch and set up direct deposit with your Rewards Checking account:
- If you already have direct deposit set up elsewhere, use our online automated direct deposit switcher through our partnership with Pinwheel.
- Provide your payroll provider with your account number and routing number.
- Download the Amex direct deposit form, fill it out, and share it with your payroll provider.
Please visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingdirectdepositfaqs for more information on direct deposit setup.
- Using mobile check deposit: You can deposit a check quickly right from your mobile device using the American Express App. Available on iOS and Android only. Mobile data rates may apply.
- Wires: You can receive incoming wire transfers from external banks into your Rewards Checking account for no fee.
For more information please see the funds availability schedule in the Rewards Checking account terms americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms.
- You can transfer money from your Amex Rewards Checking account to another financial institution online or in the Amex App.
- If you have both an Amex Rewards Checking account and an American Express High Yield Savings account, you can also transfer funds between these two accounts by logging in to your Rewards Checking account online at americanexpress.com. Before you can initiate an internal transfer, please make sure that your Rewards Checking account and your American Express High Yield Savings Account are linked to your americanexpress.com online profile, and uses the same username and password. For more information on how to link your accounts, please visit go.amex/savingsaccess. If you would like to learn more about an American Express High Yield Savings account, please visit americanexpress.com/en-us/banking/online-savings/high-yield-savings.
- You can also send payments to other financial institutions for a $20 fee through outgoing wire transfers from your Rewards Checking account. For more information on outgoing wires, please visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms.
- You can also use your account number and routing number provided on your Amex Rewards Checking account home page to pay bills or make P2P payments on third party sites directly from your checking account. You also have the option to order checks through a third-party vendor using your Amex Rewards Checking account number and routing number. Fees vary based on items ordered.
Funds transfer timing differs by transaction type. Please see the Funds Availability Schedule in the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for details.
Transaction limits differs by transaction type. Please see the Debit Card and Electronic Funds Transfer Information & Disclosures in the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for details.
For information about the types of limits on mobile check deposits, please see the Debit Card and Electronic Funds Transfer Information & Disclosures in the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms.
You should only submit checks payable in U.S. Dollars. For a list of the types of checks you can submit for deposit, go to the Deposits into Your Account section of the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms.
We recommend you keep your check until you see the full amount in your account’s Available Balance.
If you experience an error processing a transfer or deposit on your account, please call us at 1-877-221-2639. You can also chat with us at americanexpress.com or in the Amex App, available on iOS and Android only.
Yes, you can add your Amex Rewards Checking account as a payment option in your existing Card online account.
After opening an American Express Rewards Checking account, your American Express® Debit Card should arrive in the mail within 5-7 business days. You can then visit americanexpress.com/activatedebitcard to activate your Debit Card and select a secure and memorable 4-digit PIN for use at ATMs and at checkout when prompted.
Your Debit Card can be used for purchases online or in-store. In rare cases, a merchant’s point-of-sale device may not recognize your Debit Card when you select “debit.” If a merchant’s point-of-sale device doesn’t recognize your Debit Card when you select “debit,” please call us at 1-877-221-2639. We will work with our merchants to resolve any such issues, should they arise.
You can also add your Debit Card to Apple Pay® and Google Pay™ to make quick and contactless payments right from your mobile device. Visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingguide for more information.
With Amex Rewards Checking, you can earn 1 Membership Rewards point for every $2 of eligible Debit Card purchases. Plus, there's no cap on how many points you can earn, and points can be redeemed for deposits into your Amex Rewards Checking account.
If you already have a Membership Rewards-enrolled Card, in most cases your Amex Rewards Checking account will automatically be linked to your existing Membership Rewards Program Account. All points earned from your linked Card(s) and your Debit Card will accumulate together in a single Rewards Account, which can be redeemed for deposits or for any other eligible redemption options, including gift cards or travel. If your Amex Rewards Checking account is not linked to a Card Rewards account, points earned from your Amex Rewards Checking account and American Express Debit Card can only be redeemed for deposits. If your Amex Rewards Checking account was not automatically linked to your existing Membership Rewards Program Account, please call us at 1-877-221-2639 or chat with us at americanexpress.com or in the Amex App, available on iOS and Android only. You can review the Membership Rewards® Program Terms and Conditions at membershiprewards.com/terms.
Note there are some limitations on Membership Rewards® points on joint accounts. Please visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingjointaccountfaqs to learn more
You can withdraw cash anywhere you see an American Express logo, including unlimited fee-free ATM withdrawals with your Debit Card at 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
Visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingfeefreeatm to find a full list of fee-free MoneyPass® ATMs near you. Please know that third parties may impose fees for services and transactions on ATMs that are not on the MoneyPass network. ATM withdrawal limits also apply.
At this time you cannot deposit cash into your Rewards Checking account at ATMs.
Transaction limits differs by transaction type. Please see the Debit Card and Electronic Funds Transfer Information & Disclosures in the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for details.
Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your American Express Debit Card. The benefit requires no enrollment and is provided at no additional charge. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card against accidental damage or theft, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per account per calendar year. Please read important exclusions and restrictions to see if your item is eligible for coverage.
Purchase Protection is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company, Phoenix, AZ. Subject to additional terms, conditions, and exclusions. For Terms and Conditions, see americanexpress.com/ppterms. If you have questions, please call us at 1-800-228-6855, or if international, call us collect at 1-303-273-6498.
You can use your account confidently with the backing of 24/7 Fraud monitoring. With Zero Liability Fraud Protection, we protect you against unauthorized charges against your Debit Card that are reported promptly. Zero Liability Fraud Protection does not include unauthorized charges made by users who you allow to use your Debit Card. Limitations apply. See the Rewards Checking Account Terms at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingterms for more details. Learn how we secure your payments at the American Express Security Center website at https://americanexpress.com/us/security-center.
To report an error or unauthorized transaction against your account, please contact us by calling 1-877-221-2639. You can also chat with us at americanexpress.com or in the Amex App, available on iOS and Android only.
Zero Liability Fraud Protection does not include unauthorized charges made by users who you allow to use your Debit Card. You are responsible for notifying American Express promptly upon learning of an unauthorized transaction against your accounts or the loss or theft of your Debit Card or Debit Card number. Limitations apply. See the Reward Checking Account Terms. Learn how we secure your payments at the American Express Security Center wesbite.
Contact us immediately at 1-877-221-2639 upon learning of an unauthorized transaction against your account or the loss or theft of your Debit Card or Debit Card number. You can also contact our 24/7 live customer support via chat by logging into your account online or in the Amex App, available on iOS and Android only.
If you would like to place a temporary freeze on your Debit Card, you can do so by logging into your account in the Amex App. Purchases authorized prior to freezing your Debit Card, recurring purchases, credits, and refunds will still be allowed to continue.
Your Debit Card PIN may be temporarily locked or unavailable due to card security, fraud control, or other reasons. For example, we may lock your PIN if there are too many consecutive invalid PIN entries. If you require immediate use of your Debit Card PIN or have forgotten your Debit Card PIN, please log into your account online or in the Amex App (available on iOS and Android only) to chat with us or give us a call at 1-877-221-2639.
Once your application is approved, you can start managing your Amex Rewards Checking account, Debit Card and Credit Cards all in one place 24/7. Just log into your account online at americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingdashboard or in the American Express App. You can view your account balance and recent transactions, track and redeem Membership Rewards points, manage account settings and more.
You can update your profile by logging into your Rewards Checking account online and going to the account services tab. You can also contact our 24/7 live customer support via chat by logging into your account online or in the Amex App, available on iOS and Android only. Additionally, you can give us a call at 1-877-221-2639.
To add a joint owner, you can send them an invitation to apply by visiting https://global.americanexpress.com/banking/account-management/joint-owner. The invitation can be sent at any time after the account is opened. If the joint applicant is approved, they will be added to the account as a co-owner. Please visit americanexpress.com/rewardscheckingjointaccountfaqs for more information on joint accounts.
To close your account, please give us a call at 1-877-221-2639. You can also reach us at PO Box 31492, Salt Lake City, UT 84131.
If you cancel your Amex Rewards Checking account and do not have another American Express Membership Rewards-enrolled Card, the points you have not redeemed will be forfeited immediately. To learn more about what happens to points upon cancellation, please review the "Lose Points" section of the Membership Rewards Program Terms & Conditions at membershiprewards.com/terms.
If your linked American Express Card account is canceled, you will still have access to your Amex Rewards Checking account online or in the Amex App (available on iOS and Android only), though some functionality may be limited, including available Membership Rewards points redemption options. For example, if you only have an Amex Rewards Checking account, points earned from your Amex Rewards Checking account and Rewards Debit Card can only be redeemed for deposits.
We’re always here for you, 24/7. You can chat with us at americanexpress.com or in the Amex App. You can also call us any time at 1-877-221-2639 or write to us at PO Box 31492, Salt Lake City, UT 84131.