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Your Amex payment now processes instantly -- here's why it matters

Aug. 13, 2020
3 min read
Coffee break and online shopping
Your Amex payment now processes instantly -- here's why it matters
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If you've ever made a card payment online, you'll know there may often be a lag while the issuer processes it. With many card companies, you'll make a payment, money funnels out of your bank account yet you see no change to your card's balance until days later.

Recently, however, Amex has updated its systems to now reflect balances and available credit immediately upon making a payment. An Amex spokesperson confirmed this. "U.S. Consumer and small business accounts are now updated in real-time upon submission of a payment."

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To the cardholder, this is a substantial development for a few reasons. First, it's a mental shift -- and a positive one, at that -- to see your bill payment and balance show immediately.

It also eliminates the risk of accidentally paying the same bill again. Finally, it should instantly free up your credit line to make more purchases. Some individuals and businesses need to make large purchases continuously, so this should help in that regard.

Related: Amex's 'Please Pay By' date isn't the same as your payment due date

Earlier this week, I tested this out with a payment on my American Express® Gold Card.

(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)
(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)

After selecting to pay off my total balance and hitting "Make a Payment," I was sent to this confirmation screen that mentioned my account balances would be updated shortly.

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Related: Does it hurt to pay off your credit card balance before the billing cycle ends?

(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)
(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)

Sure enough, when I went back to the home page of my Amex account, the total balance reflected $0.00 immediately. In the past, this took a couple of days to change.

(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)
(Screen cap courtesy of American Express)

Bottom line

A more responsive payment platform is great news for cardholders. It's not particularly common for cardholders to see instantly updated balance and available credit information.

Related: What are my non-travel statement credit options?

However, if you make an internal payment with a bank account that is the same company as the card issuer, that may be reflected immediately. This has happened for my Chase cards while using a Chase checking account to pay. Additionally, the Apple Card has instant payment functionality.

With that said, this is a modest yet pleasant change from Amex and one that affects both personal and small business credit cards.

Featured image by MSTUDIOIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
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.