American Express has a wide offering of personal and business credit cards that have annual fees ranging from $0 all the way up to $695. Cards that carry an annual fee often have a slew of benefits to make them worth the cost.
However, if your spending habits have changed, you’re having trouble affording the fee, or you otherwise want to avoid paying the annual fee, there are four ways you can get your Amex membership fee waived.
- Request a waiver or a retention offer
- Cancel or change product to a different credit card
- Apply for the Amex financial relief program
- Apply for a waiver as a member of the military
1. Request a waiver or retention offer
It might seem bold, but one way to get an amex membership fee waiver is to directly ask for it over the phone or online chat. If you’re denied, you can ask if any retention offers are available on your account to help offset your card’s annual fee.
Requirements
In general, you’ll need to make this request within 30 days of being charged your card’s annual fee. Outside of this 30-day window, it will be unlikely that your request will be granted. With that being said, even if you make a request within 30 days of being charged an annual fee, it is up to Amex’s discretion as to whether it will accommodate your request.
Steps you’ll need to take
You can either call or do an online chat with American Express requesting a fee waiver. The back of your credit card will have the 800 number you can call to speak with an Amex representative. You can also do an online chat by logging into your account from your computer’s browser or via the Amex mobile app on your smartphone.
Decision process
Many factors can go into this decision, such as how long you’ve been a cardmember, your spending habits, and your credit history. While American Express does not publicly disclose the exact decision process, anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that those with a good relationship with the company or who have high spending will have better chances of getting approved for a fee waiver or other type of retention offer.
Possible outcomes
Aside from flat out denying your request, the representative you speak with will review your account and either agree to waive the annual fee, offer a credit or reduction, or provide a retention offer. Retention offers usually come in the form of bonus points or cash back if you meet minimum spending requirements within a certain time frame.
For example, I recently requested a retention offer on one of my American Express accounts, The Platinum Card® by American Express, and was provided with the opportunity to earn 25,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $3,000 or more in eligible purchases within 3 months of accepting the offer.
2. Cancel or product change to a different card
Canceling your card is the most direct way to avoid paying the annual fee. An alternative to canceling it is doing a product change to a different card that might have a lower or no annual fee.
Requirements
It’s recommended that you be a Cardmember in good standing with American Express. You’ll also typically need to have your current account open for at least one year. If you decide to cancel your card, you’ll usually need to do so within 30 days to get a full refund. Outside of this 30-day window, you may be refunded a prorated portion of that fee.
Steps you’ll need to take
You can do an online chat from your Amex account or call the number listed on the back of your American Express card to speak with a representative. If you are doing a product change, I’d recommend you do some research beforehand to see which new card you’d like to use. Note that you can only do a product change within the same American Express card family. For example, if you have a card that earns Marriott points, you won’t be able to change it to one that earns Delta miles.
Decision process
If you’re canceling your card, there is no decision process as Amex will simply follow-through with your request. If you are doing a product change, you’ll generally only be evaluated to see if you’re a cardmember in good standing, and if your account has been opened for a sufficiently long enough period of time.
Possible outcomes
If you’re canceling your card, you may be given a retention offer to keep the account open. You can opt to reject the offer and just close out the account. If you’re doing a product change, you’ll really only be denied if you want to change to an ineligible product, you have not had your existing account open for a sufficient period of time, or you are not in good standing with American Express.
3. Apply for the financial relief program
American Express has a financial relief program designed to help cardmembers in need of financial assistance. This is something you can consider if you’re having trouble paying your bills.
Requirements
You’ll generally need to be able to demonstrate financial hardship if you apply for Amex’s financial relief program. While specific thresholds and requirements can vary based on your unique circumstances, be prepared to provide financial documentation showcasing your financial hardship.
Steps you’ll need to take
You can apply online for the American Express financial relief program. There is no fee to enroll, and you can also get more information about the program by conducting an online chat or calling and speaking with a representative at 866-703-4169.
Decision process
The relationship you have with American Express is one of several factors that can be used to determine your eligibility for the program. American Express can review the number and type of accounts you have, as well as your outstanding balances and payment history. It can also consider your credit score and payment history with other creditors. Any financial documents requested as part of this program can also be evaluated.
Possible outcomes
In addition to being able to have your Amex membership fee waived, you can also get temporary relief from future late payment fees, reduce your monthly minimum payment amounts, and benefit from reduced interest rates for the duration of the program.
American Express offers a short-term payment plan that can provide relief for 12 months, as well as a long-term payment plan that lasts for 48 months.
Be aware that enrolling in this program may result in an inability to continue using your card for purchases. It can also restrict your access to certain card benefits and features. Your credit limit may also be reduced, something that can indirectly impact your credit score as it can increase your overall credit utilization, one of several factors that can contribute to a bad credit score.
4. Apply for a waiver as a member of the military
Members of the military and their spouses may be entitled to a reduction in certain civil obligations, protections relating to consumer credit, and some forms of financial relief.
Requirements
You must be an active member of the military to be eligible, and you can apply for relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or the Military Lending Act (MLA). The SCRA provides protections to those who serve on active duty for the Nation’s defense, and in some cases, their spouses. The MLA provides protections to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents relating to consumer credit while serving.
SCRA relief is available for accounts opened before the start of the servicemember’s active duty period. MLA relief is only available for accounts that you or your dependents obtain while on active duty.
Steps you’ll need to take
Under the SCRA, you can either call, complete an online request, mail, or fax American Express to have this applied to your accounts. Detailed instructions are available on the American Express website. Be prepared to provide supporting documents showing you are on active duty (e.g., active duty orders, change of station orders, or DD-214 forms).
No steps are needed for MLA relief as it is applied to accounts as soon as they are opened with Amex.
Decision process
Relief under the SCRA or MLA will be issued if you meet the requirements stated above.
Possible outcomes
Your request can either be approved or denied. If you believe you were denied in error, you can request clarification as to why you were not eligible for financial relief.
If I can’t get the Amex annual fee waived, is it still worth paying?
Yes, it can be worth paying the annual fee for a credit card if you make use of its perks and benefits.
For example, while The Business Platinum Card® by American Express currently carries an annual fee of $695, you can easily get over $1,000 in value to justify the cost. Examples of this include up to $200 in annual statement credits for purchases with Dell Technologies, $360 in annual statement credits for purchases on Indeed, $120 in annual statement credits for purchases on U.S. wireless telephone service providers, $200 in annual airline fee credits, a $199 CLEAR® Plus credit, and more.
Check out our review of The Business Platinum Card® by American Express for more details. If it’s well suited for your business, you can also apply by clicking the link below!
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yes. If the fee was charged within the past 30 days, you have a good chance of being able to avoid paying it. If you wait more than 30 days, you may only receive a prorated portion as a refund. Canceling the card is pretty much a guaranteed way of getting a full refund, but you may also have it waived as part of a retention offer.
Simply put, just be direct and ask to have the annual fee waived, especially if the card no longer suits your needs and you’re considering canceling it. The worst that can happen is you’re told no. As an incentive to keep the card open, Amex representatives may agree to waive the fee for you or give you a retention offer.
In general, you can ask one time each year when your annual fee posts to your credit card account.
Bottom line
Many of the best American Express credit cards carry excellent benefits like elite hotel status, access to airport lounges, and statement credits on certain types of purchases. However, if your spending habits have changed, you’re struggling to afford the fee, or you’re no longer making the most of those benefits, you’ll be happy to know that it’s possible to have the fee waived so that you can cut down on unnecessary expenses.
