Can the American Express Hardship Program Lower Your Payments?
The American Express hardship program, officially called the American Express Financial Relief Program, may help eligible Card Members who are having difficulty keeping up with their credit card payments.
American Express currently offers short-term and long-term Financial Relief Program payment plans for eligible Card Members. Depending on the plan and account, benefits may include a lower required monthly payment, reduced APR and relief from certain fees.
However, an internal American Express payment plan addresses American Express debt. If Amex is only one of several credit cards putting pressure on your budget, nonprofit credit counseling can help you review the larger debt picture.
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How to Ask About the American Express Financial Relief Program
If you are having difficulty making your American Express payment, review the Financial Relief Program before allowing the account to become further past due.
American Express evaluates eligibility for its Financial Relief Program and communicates the specific payment-plan terms during enrollment. Therefore, your actual payment, APR and other terms depend on the account and your eligibility.
American Express currently lists this number for U.S. Card Member customer service.
Eligible Card Members can review American Express Financial Relief Program information through the Amex website.
You can also contact American Express using the number printed on the back of your Card.
Estimate Your American Express DMP Payment and APR
Use the calculator below to compare your current American Express balance, APR and minimum payment with estimated Debt Management Program terms.
Start by selecting American Express from the creditor dropdown. Then enter your current balance, APR and minimum monthly payment.
How Does the American Express Hardship Program Work?
What consumers often call an Amex hardship program is officially the American Express Financial Relief Program.
American Express currently offers short-term and long-term payment plans for eligible Card Members. Both programs can potentially reduce the required monthly payment and lower the APR on balances subject to interest.
American Express also states that late-payment fees and annual membership fees are waived during eligible participation. However, the exact benefits and plan length depend on eligibility criteria assessed when you enroll.
Important: The Financial Relief Program is an American Express payment assistance program. It is not debt forgiveness, debt settlement or a new consolidation loan.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term American Express Payment Plans
The two Financial Relief Program options have important differences, particularly regarding Card use and credit-bureau reporting.
Temporary Financial Setback
The short-term plan can provide eligible Card Members relief for up to 12 months.
Participants may still be able to make purchases, although American Express may reduce the spending limit or impose other restrictions.
Enrollment in the short-term plan is not reported to the consumer credit bureaus.
Ongoing Financial Hardship
The long-term plan is intended for eligible Card Members experiencing financial difficulty that may continue for a longer period.
Cards enrolled in the long-term plan cannot be used for purchases while participating in the program.
Long-term participation is reported to the consumer credit bureaus and may be visible to other lenders.
3 Questions to Ask About an Amex Hardship Program
What Will My Payment and APR Be?
Ask for the exact required monthly payment and APR that would apply to each eligible American Express balance.
Can I Still Use My Card?
Confirm whether your Card can still be used and whether American Express will reduce your credit or spending limit.
How Will My Account Be Reported?
Ask whether your particular payment plan will be reported to the consumer credit bureaus and how existing delinquency may continue to appear.
Does the American Express Financial Relief Program Hurt Your Credit?
Simply enrolling in the Financial Relief Program does not automatically create a negative credit-bureau report. However, other aspects of your account can still affect your credit.
For example, a previously reported delinquency can remain on your credit history. A reduced credit limit can also affect credit utilization, and missed payments after enrollment can be reported.
American Express states that short-term Financial Relief Program participation is not reported to the consumer credit bureaus. Long-term participation is reported, although American Express notes that participation itself does not directly determine a credit score.
When an American Express Hardship Program May Not Be Enough
An American Express hardship program may help make an Amex account more manageable without resolving a larger monthly debt problem.
If you also owe money to several other credit card companies, nonprofit credit counseling can help you review those balances together instead of creating separate hardship arrangements with every creditor.
American Express Hardship Program or a Debt Management Program?
The American Express Financial Relief Program focuses on eligible American Express accounts. A nonprofit Debt Management Program can take a broader approach when several participating creditors are creating financial pressure.
Through a DMP, eligible participating creditors may provide concessions such as reduced interest rates or payments according to their current program guidelines.
Qualifying consumers generally make one scheduled program payment, and the credit counseling organization distributes funds to the participating creditors.
A traditional Debt Management Program is not a new consolidation loan. The goal is to repay enrolled balances through a structured program without borrowing additional money.
American Express debt management program participation and final creditor terms depend on the particular account and American Express's current guidelines.
DebtWave's Experience With American Express Accounts
DebtWave analyzed American Express accounts enrolled in its Debt Management Program from 2010 through 2024. These historical results show what occurred within that group and do not guarantee future American Express terms or individual outcomes.
Additional historical results: DebtWave's study included approximately $54.6 million in American Express debt, an average starting balance of approximately $6,889 and an average monthly payment reduction of approximately 35%.
Historical DebtWave analysis of American Express accounts enrolled from 2010 through 2024. Historical averages and outcomes do not guarantee that a particular consumer will receive the same APR, payment, payoff period or program result. Creditor guidelines may change.
American Express Financial Relief vs. a Debt Management Program
Both approaches may help with payment pressure, but the programs are administered differently and are designed to solve different financial situations.
| Feature | Amex Financial Relief | Debt Management Program |
|---|---|---|
| Who provides it? | American Express | Nonprofit credit counseling agency |
| Accounts addressed | Eligible American Express accounts | Multiple eligible participating creditors may be included |
| New loan required? | No | No |
| Monthly payment reduction? | May be available for eligible Card Members | Depends on balances and participating-creditor terms |
| APR reduction? | Amex states eligible APRs are lowered | Depends on participating-creditor guidelines |
| Fee relief? | Late and annual membership fees may be waived during the program | Depends on individual creditor concessions |
| Multiple creditors? | No | Yes, when accounts qualify |
| Budget review? | Not the primary purpose | Included in the credit counseling process |
Why Consider DebtWave for American Express Debt?
DebtWave Credit Counseling, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided credit counseling, financial education and Debt Management Programs since 2001.
DebtWave is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. A counselor can review your American Express balances alongside your other credit cards, monthly payments, household income and expenses.
Speaking with DebtWave does not require you to enroll in a DMP. Instead, you can compare the American Express Financial Relief Program, paying your balances independently and a nonprofit Debt Management Program before deciding what fits your circumstances.
NFCC Member Agency
DebtWave is listed in the National Foundation for Credit Counseling member-agency directory.
American Express Hardship Program FAQs
Does American Express have a hardship program?
Yes. What many consumers call the American Express hardship program is officially known as the American Express Financial Relief Program. Eligible Card Members may qualify for short-term or long-term payment assistance.
What does the American Express Financial Relief Program do?
American Express says eligible participants may receive a reduced minimum monthly payment, a lower APR on balances subject to interest and waived late-payment and annual membership fees while participating.
How long does the American Express hardship program last?
The short-term Financial Relief Program can provide eligible Card Members relief for up to 12 months. American Express also offers a longer-term option for eligible Card Members facing ongoing financial hardship. The actual plan length is determined according to eligibility criteria at enrollment.
What is the American Express hardship phone number?
American Express currently lists 1-800-528-4800 for U.S. Card Member customer service. You can also use the phone number on the back of your Card or review Financial Relief Program options online.
Can American Express lower my monthly payment?
Yes, eligible Card Members enrolled in the Financial Relief Program may receive a lower minimum monthly payment. The exact payment depends on the account and program terms offered.
Can an Amex hardship program lower my interest rate?
American Express states that the APR on eligible balances subject to interest is lowered during the Financial Relief Program unless an existing lower APR applies.
Does American Express waive fees during financial hardship?
American Express states that late-payment fees and annual membership fees are waived for the duration of eligible Financial Relief Program participation.
Can I still use my Amex card in the hardship program?
It depends on the plan. Short-term participants may retain purchasing ability subject to a reduced spending limit and other restrictions. American Express states that cards enrolled in its long-term payment plan cannot be used for purchases during the program.
Is the American Express hardship program reported to the credit bureaus?
American Express states that enrollment in its short-term plan is not reported to consumer credit bureaus. Enrollment in the long-term payment plan is reported and can be visible to other lenders.
Will enrolling in Amex Financial Relief hurt my credit score?
Enrollment itself does not automatically create a negative credit report. However, existing delinquency, changes to your credit limit and missed payments can affect your credit. Long-term participation is also visible to other lenders.
Can an American Express account be included in a Debt Management Program?
Eligible American Express accounts may be able to participate in a nonprofit Debt Management Program. Participation, APR, monthly payment and other concessions depend on the individual account and current American Express creditor guidelines.
Will my American Express card be closed on a DMP?
Credit card accounts enrolled in a Debt Management Program are generally closed or restricted from additional purchases. Specific account treatment depends on the creditor and account.
Does a DMP settle American Express debt for less than I owe?
Generally, no. A traditional Debt Management Program focuses on repaying enrolled balances according to negotiated creditor terms rather than settling the principal balance for less than the amount owed.
Is a DMP another debt-consolidation loan?
No. A Debt Management Program does not replace your American Express balances with a new loan. Instead, participating unsecured debts are repaid through a structured program administered by a nonprofit credit counseling organization.
What if I have American Express plus several other credit cards?
A nonprofit credit counseling session can review your American Express accounts together with balances from other eligible creditors and evaluate them as one overall financial situation.
What did DebtWave's historical American Express study find?
DebtWave reviewed 7,929 American Express accounts enrolled from 2010 through 2024. Historically, average APR declined from 20.43% before enrollment to 7.34% on the DMP, while the average monthly payment declined from $214 to $139. Historical results do not guarantee future terms.
How can I estimate my American Express DMP payment?
Use the embedded DMP Payment Calculator near the top of this page. Select American Express from the creditor dropdown and enter your current balance, APR and minimum monthly payment to see estimated program terms.
Compare Your American Express Debt Relief Options
If your American Express payment has become difficult, reviewing the American Express Financial Relief Program is a logical first step because it may provide direct payment and interest-rate relief for eligible Card Members.
However, if American Express is only one part of a larger credit card debt problem, DebtWave can help you compare your current repayment strategy, the American Express hardship program and a nonprofit Debt Management Program.
DebtWave Credit Counseling, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Express Company or its affiliates. American Express, Amex and related names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. American Express Financial Relief Program eligibility, benefits, account restrictions, plan duration and other terms may change. Debt Management Program eligibility, creditor participation, interest rates, payments and concessions vary by creditor and individual account. Calculator results and historical DebtWave results do not guarantee future creditor terms or individual outcomes. DebtWave is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not lend money.