You’ve just unboxed that shiny new piece of metal—maybe a Gold card or the heavy-duty Platinum. It feels great until you start wondering when the "bill" for that privilege is actually going to hit your statement. Honestly, there is a lot of conflicting info out there. Some people say it’s the day you’re approved, others swear it’s when you activate the card.
The reality is a bit more structured, but it has some quirks that can catch you off guard if you aren't looking at your calendar.
When Do Amex Charge Annual Fee for New Cardholders?
For a brand-new account, American Express typically hits you with that fee on the last day of your first billing statement.
✨ Don't miss: Xcel Energy Inc Stock Price: Why Everyone Is Watching This Utility Right Now
Basically, you get about a month of "free" lead time while you’re out there hitting your minimum spend for that welcome bonus. If you opened your account on January 10th, and your first statement closes on February 8th, expect to see the fee—be it $150, $325, or the hefty $695—pop up on that February 8th statement.
It won’t be due immediately. You’ll have until that statement's payment due date to cover it. But it will definitely be the biggest number on that first bill.
The Anniversary Rule
After that first year, things shift to the "anniversary" model. Amex isn't guessing when to charge you; they do it like clockwork based on the month you joined the club. If you were approved in March, your fee is going to show up every March for as long as you keep the card.
Specifically, it usually posts within 30 days of your account anniversary date. Most cardholders see it on the first statement that closes after their anniversary.
Finding the Exact Date in the App
You don't have to play a guessing game. If you’re sitting there wondering, "When did I even open this thing?" you can find out in about thirty seconds.
- Open the Amex App.
- Tap on the Account tab at the bottom.
- Look for Card Details or Statements & Activity.
- You can actually search your "Yearly" activity for the word "Fee" to see exactly when it hit last year.
Usually, the date stays consistent. If it hit on the 15th last year, expect it on the 15th (or the nearest statement close) this year.
The 30-Day "Change Your Mind" Window
This is the part where people get stressed, but you actually have a safety net.
👉 See also: Joe Girard Car Salesman: Why The World’s Greatest Seller Still Matters
If that annual fee posts and you suddenly realize you haven't used the lounge access or the Uber credits enough to justify the cost, you aren't immediately stuck. Amex has a very clear (and surprisingly fair) refund policy.
If you cancel your card within 30 days of the annual fee posting to your statement, they will refund the entire amount. I’ve seen people do this via the chat feature in the app. You just tell the rep you want to close the account because the fee is too high. Sometimes they’ll throw a "retention offer" at you—like 30,000 points to stay—but if you just want out, as long as you’re in that 30-day window, you get your money back.
What Happens After 30 Days?
If you wait until day 31? You’re likely out of luck for a full refund.
Amex stopped doing "prorated" refunds for card cancellations years ago. Back in the day, if you canceled six months through the year, they’d give you half your money back. Not anymore. If you miss that 30-day window, you might as well keep the card for the rest of the year and squeeze every bit of value out of the credits before the next anniversary rolls around.
Upgrades, Downgrades, and Prorated Math
Now, there is one exception to the "no prorated refunds" rule: Product Changes.
Let’s say you have the Amex Platinum ($695) and you decide it’s too much, so you downgrade to the Gold ($325) six months into your card year.
In this specific scenario, Amex usually does the math for you. They’ll refund the "unused" portion of your Platinum fee and then charge you a prorated amount for the Gold fee for the remainder of the year. It’s one of the few times their billing system gets complicated, but it generally works out in the consumer's favor.
📖 Related: Negotiate with suppliers like you actually want to stay in business
A Word on Business Cards
If you’re carrying a Business Platinum or Business Gold, the timing works the same, but the stakes are often higher because the fees are climbing. For instance, the Business Platinum fee is widely expected to push toward $895 in 2026.
If you apply for a business card right before a price hike, you "lock in" the current lower rate for your first 12 months. The new, higher fee won’t hit you until your first anniversary.
Practical Steps for Your Wallet
Knowing when the fee hits is only half the battle. The other half is making sure you don't pay it if you don't have to.
- Set a Calendar Alert: Put a reminder in your phone for 11 months after your approval date. This gives you four weeks to decide if the card stays or goes before the fee even shows up.
- Check for Retention Offers: Before you pay the fee, use the chat function. Ask, "Are there any retention offers available on my account?" Sometimes they'll give you enough points to effectively "pay" the fee for you.
- Use Your Credits: If you see the fee hit and decide to cancel, make sure you've used your monthly or semi-annual credits (like Saks Fifth Avenue or the Hotel Credit) first. You’ve technically already "paid" for them in the eyes of the billing cycle.
Log into your American Express portal today and look at your "Statement PDF" from last year to pin down your exact anniversary month. If you're within 30 days of that date right now, you have the maximum leverage to negotiate or cancel. Otherwise, start planning how to maximize those statement credits to offset the cost before your next cycle begins.