Adding Your Card on File with American Express Partners
Card Member Frequently Asked Questions
1. About Card on File
2. Getting Started
3. Using the Card on File with a Partner
4. Managing Your Card on File
1. About Card on File
We’re providing a fast and convenient way for American Express® Card Members to add their Card(s) on file with a new or existing online account at select merchant partners ("Partners") of American Express in just a few clicks.
You can add your Card on file with a Partner through this feature if:
- you are a legal resident of the U.S. or its territories
- you have an eligible Card (see below) with an account in good standing
- you registered the Card with americanexpress.com
- you have an American Express online account
Your Card is eligible to be on file if it is:
- an American Express U.S. Consumer or Small Business Credit or Charge Card that is active (i.e. not cancelled) and that is issued to you by a U.S. banking subsidiary of American Express, or
- an active American Express® Corporate Card that is issued to you, as a U.S. employee of a commercial Card customer by American Express Travel Related Services
Your Card is not eligible if it is:
- an American Express Prepaid Card, such as American Express® Gift Card and American Express Serve® Card
- a single use virtual account number, such as vPayment from American Express, Buyer Initiated Payment, or Business Travel Account programs
Security and service are priorities for American Express. American Express uses multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions and keep your Card number and personal information secure when sharing information with a Partner.
No, there are no fees to use this feature. However, if you choose to receive a one-time access code via SMS, standard messaging fees from your mobile phone carrier may apply.
2. Getting Started
From a Partner's site:
- Log into your Partner account and navigate to the area of the site where you manage payment options.
- Select the American Express button. You will be prompted to log into your American Express online account.
- Select which Card you’d like to add. American Express will share your Card information with the Partner.
- You will be redirected to the Partner’s site and see a success message after your Card has been added on file as a payment option with that Partner.
From the American Express® App with PayPal:
- Log into the Amex App.
- Go to the "Account Tab" and tap on "Add Card to PayPal."
- Select which Card you'd like to add and agree to the Terms of Service.
- Then, log into your PayPal account or create a new PayPal account.
- You will see a success message after your Card has been added on file as a payment option with PayPal.
For security purposes, American Express may require a one-time access code and the 4-digit Card identification to authenticate a Card Member. A one-time access code is a unique series of numbers sent via SMS. If prompted, enter the one-time access code into the appropriate field to continue to add your Card. Please know that a working internet and/or data connection is required to receive a one-time access code. Standard messaging rates from your mobile phone carrier may apply.
If you forget your account login credentials, go to the selected Partner’s site, and click on the “Forgot Username or Password?” option. The Partner should be able to help you recover your Username and Password.
We’re here for you! If you’re having difficulties adding your Card, visit americanexpress.com/contactus to find the many ways you can contact us.
3. Using the Card You've Added
To see what information is shared with a Partner when you add your Card as a payment method with that partner, please see the Privacy and Use of Information in our Terms of Service.
The Partner will notify you when your Card is available to use a payment method on your account with the Partner. You will also see your Card as a payment option on the Partner’s site.
No, there’s nothing else you need to do.
4. Managing Your Card on File with a Partner
To remove your Card on file with a Partner, you will need to contact the Partner.
Yes. If your Card is replaced, you will need to contact the Partner and update your Card information.
As long as your Card number has not changed, you do not need to take any action. Your Card will remain active in the Partner account. If your Card number has changed, you will need to visit the Partner site and update your Card information.