Amex Removes the Pay Over Time Off Switch in February 2027
Eligible U.S. personal cardholders can still pay in full. Check what your AutoPay is set to pay before February 1.
TL;DR
American Express says Pay Over Time will become permanently active on U.S. personal cards that have the feature on February 1, 2027 (2027-02-01). Cardholders can still pay in full. If you previously switched the feature off, check the amount your AutoPay is scheduled to pay and whether you already carry a Pay Over Time balance.
- Eligible new charges can go into Pay Over Time up to the account’s Pay Over Time Limit.
- An existing minimum-payment AutoPay setting stays on minimum payment under the change described by Amex.
- Check your first statement after the change for the payment amounts and any interest.
How the first bill can change
If you already use Pay Over Time, Amex says the change leaves your existing payment options in place. If it was inactive, the first statement after the effective date can show a minimum payment alongside the option to pay the full balance. You can choose how much to pay within those options.
The Pay Over Time Limit controls how much can be carried under the feature. Check the statement for the actual amount due, especially if some charges are in the Pay In Full balance.
When interest matters
Amex says paying the statement balance by the due date generally avoids interest on these purchases. If you have an active Plan It plan, Amex points to the adjusted balance. If you carry a Pay Over Time balance from the prior billing period when the change takes effect, new eligible charges can begin accruing interest from their transaction dates. For amounts moved at closing, the issuer describes a different start date.
The people most likely to need a check are those who deliberately turned Pay Over Time off and rely on automatic payments. Review the payment amount for each card you use, since your setup may differ by account.
What to check before February 1
- Open the card’s AutoPay settings and identify the scheduled payment amount. Amex suggests considering Statement Balance or Adjusted Balance, if applicable, for cardholders who intend to pay in full.
- If you already carry a balance, ask Amex how interest applies during your transition billing cycle. Compare its answer with the balance and due date on your statement.
- After the change takes effect, compare the first statement with the scheduled withdrawal. If they differ from what you intended, check the payment options and timing before the due date.
Sources
The change is described in Amex’s U.S. personal-card FAQ. Its AutoPay help page explains where to review settings for individual cards.
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Before you act
- For the payment and interest rules that apply to your account, use your cardmember agreement and statement.
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