How to apply for a Credit Card

Before we can consider your application, please ensure you can say yes to the following:

• You are a Canadian resident and have a Canadian credit file.

• You are of the age of majority in the province or territory of residence

Some Cards may have additional specific eligibility criteria, and you will be asked to provide employment, income and bank account information in order to submit your application.

Once you have found the Credit Card that suits you best, make sure you read the important information, then hit the 'Apply now' button to begin the application process. At this stage, you can decide how you'd like your name to appear on your Card, and choose optional additional benefits.

When you submit your Credit Card application you will be asked for the following information:

• Personal information, including your current address

• A current email address and a mobile or home phone number.

• Financial Information including your annual income, employment details (including a work contact phone number) or other income sources.
  

Once you have chosen a Card, read the Terms and Conditions, then click the ‘Apply now’ button on your chosen Credit Card page to begin your application. Provided you have all of the required information to hand, your application should take less than 10 minutes to complete, and we will provide you with a response in 60 seconds. If you have any additional questions about this process or need further assistance, please contact our team at 1-800-869-3016.

When you apply for an American Express Card, your application will undergo a credit assessment which includes an evaluation of your credit history.

A credit assessment is the process undertaken by American Express to ensure you are able to meet the obligations of a Credit or Charge Card contract. Generally, it means looking at:

• Your ability to repay

• Your financial responsibility

• Your chance of defaulting, not paying back your debt

• Your credit history

A credit report is a collection of information held at one or more Canadian credit bureau service providers. Banks and other businesses that lend money access this information with your consent. This information is compiled into a single report that helps lenders determine if you are a good financial candidate.

Your credit report is referred to when you apply for credit and includes the following information:

Your identification: name, address, previous address, Social Insurance Number, date of birth

Credit history: including credit accounts and loans with retail stores, banks, finance companies and others; credit limits and balances; on-time and late payments

Public records: bankruptcies, court rulings, registered items

Inquiries: including lenders you've recently sought credit from and your employers

It is a good idea to review your credit report once a year. If you discover any inaccurate information, it can be corrected or removed by contacting the Credit Bureau directly.

Review your Credit Report

Visit these websites to find out more about your credit report or request a copy of it.

• Equifax
• TransUnion

By law, your credit report does not include certain personal facts such as race, religion, health status and political affiliation.

When you apply for a loan or your first Credit Card, you begin to establish a credit history; the way you manage your accounts may impact your credit history. Paying bills on time will assist in improving your credit history. Many credit providers may review your credit history when they review your application for personal loans, a mortgage, Credit and Charge Cards. A good credit history will help when applying for future credit facilities or products.

We provide a range of Credit Cards that offer various rewards and benefits. Whether you want to earn points, cash back, travel rewards or lifestyle experiences, American Express has a Credit Card for you. When searching for a Credit Card, you should take time to consider the Card fees and interest rates associated with each card.

Find a Credit Card that will complement and reward your lifestyle by selecting a type of Card.

Find out how to choose the right Card for you

When you open your Credit Card Account you are given a Credit Limit which is the maximum amount that can be outstanding at any time on your account. Every Credit Card comes with a Credit limit. The Credit limit and the amount of credit available on the account will be shown as of the closing date on your statement.

For the most up to date information on the credit limit and the available credit on your Card account, you can log on to ‘Online Services’ 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.

The minimum payment due is the payment required to avoid your account going past due. The Minimum payment due is displayed on the Account Summary page within Online Services' and is also displayed on your statement. For more details on payments, please refer to your Cardmember Agreement.

Some American Express^® Cards charge an annual fee in return for rewards, features and benefits. The amount will vary depending on the Card you apply for. Typically, the more rewards or features your Card has, the higher the annual fee. There are other standard charges and fees that may sometimes apply.