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What you need to know about American Express Plan It

Danyal AhmedCredit card writer
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
Ashley OnadeleWriter
Ashley writes sponsored content for TPG and is also a family travel advocate. Formerly a contributor at Condé Nast Traveler and Matador Network, Ashley also had a family travel blog for four years before coming to TPG in 2021. She travels almost exclusively with her husband and two young kids but can also be seen enjoying solo trips to far-flung places like Costa Rica and Austria. Ashley loves storytelling and any opportunity to share travel stories at TPG. A hopeful polyglot, Ashley has a graduate degree in Spanish and currently studies French. Next up: Italian.
also contributed to this story

March 14, 2025 • 7 min read

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Quick summary

Pay It and Plan It are two payment features available for select personal cards, designed to help cardholders manage purchases of different sizes.
Pay It enables small payments on purchases under $100, while Plan It allows larger purchases to be split into monthly installments with a fixed fee instead of interest.
Plan It offers several plan durations, and up to 10 active plans can be managed at once, providing flexibility for larger expenses.
Both options can help with budgeting, but using Plan It may affect your credit utilization and potentially your credit score if you carry high balances.

What to consider

Pay It and Plan It are only available for personal cards and not for business products.
Plan It charges a fixed monthly fee, which can sometimes be promotional, but typically costs less than standard interest charges for large purchases.
Having multiple active Plan It plans can increase your credit utilization, which may impact your credit score if balances exceed 30% of your limit.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed walkthrough of how these payment features work, including tips for optimizing usage and minimizing fees.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

One of TPG's commandments for travel credit cards is to pay your balance in full every month — but sometimes that isn't possible. You could have an unexpectedly large expense or face an involuntary layoff from work. In these instances, you may want (or need) extra time to pay off your bills.

And that's where a feature like Plan It® by American Express can help finance large purchases over a period of months best suited for cardmembers. American Express also offers Pay It® to help cardmembers pay off purchases under $100.

Below, we'll go in-depth with Amex's Pay It Plan It financing options to see how they can help cardmembers are if such micro-financing options from the issuer are worth it.

What is Amex Pay It Plan It?

Pay It and Plan It are two different payment plans for eligible American Express cardmembers. While one program is tailored toward smaller payments, the other is geared toward splitting larger purchases into a monthly payment plan. Both programs are only offered to American Express personal cards; these are not available on Amex business products.

Pay It

American Express Pay It allows cardmembers to reduce their current balance by making small payments throughout any given month. This option auto-populates on eligible charges under $100 and can viewed in the American Express app.

woman with card and phone — RISKA/GETTY IMAGES

When looking at a qualifying purchase, you'll see a small button indicating Amex Pay It for eligible purchases. Simply tap on it to complete the payment, and the credit will post to your account within 48 hours. You can use this to pay off multiple charges as long as they are $100 or less, and you still earn rewards.

Plan It

American Express Plan It is a longer-term payment plan for qualifying charges of $100 and more. Amex Plan It is a financing option that avoids interest charges on large purchases and instead, applies a plan fee each month until you complete the payment plan. Plan It will populate as a clickable icon on eligible purchases in the Amex mobile application or your account at AmericanExpress.com

Amex Plan It gives cardmembers one to three plan duration options ranging from three months to 24 months, and the Plan It monthly fee varies based on the duration you select. The Plan It Calculator even helps you plan ahead by showing you what your monthly payments could be.

How does Amex Pay It Plan It work

Essentially, the Amex Pay It option allows you to partially pay your credit card bill during the month. Despite selecting specific transactions and making payments for them, the payment credit is not applied to those purchases. Instead, payments made using Amex Pay It will pay down the overall balance, beginning with paying down the minimum payment for that month.

Unless you are into strict budgeting, there is no upside to paying off your credit card bill in multiple small payments throughout the month. Instead, you're likely better off keeping your money in an interest-earning checking account and paying at the end of the month.

Young man at home, paying bills online — ALEKSANDARNAKIC/GETTY IMAGES

Meanwhile, Amex Plan It allows you to pay off large purchases over a longer period, charging you a fixed monthly fee instead of accruing interest. Typically, the monthly fee is less than any interest you would have accrued had you not enrolled the purchase in the Amex Plan It program.

American Express allows up to 10 active plans for Plan It at any given time. When setting up Amex Plan It via your online account, you can combine up to 10 eligible purchases into one single plan, whereas setting up Plan It via the mobile application only allows you to pick one qualifying purchase for each plan.

Can I pay off Amex Plan It early?

The main attraction to Amex Plan It is that it offers a way to avoid interest charges on large purchases you can't pay off fully right away. Once you've set up Plan It for a purchase (or purchases), your minimum payment due each month will include a monthly payment plan, which is the Plan It fee and your eligible purchase split into however months you selected.

You can pay off an Amex Plan It early by either paying off the entire statement balance or the current balance when you make a payment. There is no penalty for paying off Plan It early, so you'll want to do so if possible. Paying it off early allows you to save money by limiting the months you'll pay the Amex Plan It monthly fee.

Does Amex Pay It Plan It affect my credit score?

Most American Express cards do not have preset spending limits like traditional credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Because of this, the credit bureaus only see your balance owed and cannot compare it against an overall limit to see your credit utilization.

Someone checking their credit score on a smart phone — CNYTHZL/GETTY IMAGES

Still, some American Express cards, such as the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, do have credit limits. In this scenario, a purchase split up across six months using Plan It will show up on the monthly statement and will be a balance you owe that can be compared against your overall credit limit. No sign-up or enrollment is required.

If you have an Amex Plan It financing plan in place simultaneously, your statement balance will always reflect a portion of your credit line being used. Be especially careful having multiple Amex Plan It plans in place simultaneously. If you're utilizing more than 30% of your credit line because of them, It can cause a dip in your credit score.

Is Amex Pay It Plan It worth it?

The option to use Amex Plan It to buy large qualifying purchases now and pay later gives cardholders flexibility and peace of mind. At times, Amex Plan It offers promotional rates of $0 for the monthly Plan It fee. If you come across such an offer and want to make a large purchase and pay It off gradually, this can be an excellent choice.

However, Amex Plan It typically incurs a fee, so you'll save more money by getting a credit card with a 0% intro APR if you know you're about to make a large purchase and want to pay it off over time. This option will give you several months in which you won't accrue interest and won't be charged any additional fees.

Man using a phone with a credit card — JUSTIN PAGET/GETTY IMAGES

On the other hand, Amex Pay It can be helpful if you've made a large group purchase that you want to pay down as soon as possible. Typically, though, you're better off leaving your money in an account where it can earn interest and then paying off your balance at the end of the month.

Bottom line

Even though TPG advises readers to always pay their credit cards in full each month, we know that that isn't always the case. American Express Plan It is an option for cardholders who want (or need) to make a large purchase with their card and have the option to pay it off in monthly installments for a fixed fee. If you need time to pay off a purchase, Amex Plan It is a good way to avoid accruing interest on it.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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American Express® Gold Card

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Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4X	Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Below, we'll go in-depth with Amex's Pay It Plan It financing options to see how they can help cardmembers are if such micro-financing options from the issuer are worth it.