What Happens to Amex Points When You Cancel Your Card?
Thinking about cancelling your Amex Platinum, Gold, or Cobalt? Here's exactly what happens to your Membership Rewards points—and how to avoid losing them.
Critical Warning
You can lose ALL your Amex points if you cancel without preparation. Points don't automatically convert to cash or transfer to airlines. Act before you close your account.
The Short Answer
When you cancel an American Express Membership Rewards card:
- Your points are forfeited unless you take action before cancelling
- Grace period is unreliable—some get 30-90 days, others lose points immediately
- You CAN preserve your points by transferring or selling before cancellation
The safest approach: Never cancel until you've transferred or sold your points. Don't rely on any grace period—American Express's terms state points can be forfeited immediately upon closure.
Which Cards This Applies To
This applies to any American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points:
Personal Cards
- • The Platinum Card ($799/year)
- • American Express Gold Rewards ($150/year)
- • Amex Cobalt ($156/year)
- • Amex Green (no annual fee)
Business Cards
- • Business Platinum ($799/year)
- • Business Gold ($199/year)
- • Business Edge ($99/year)
- • SimplyCash Business (no MR - safe to cancel)
Note: Cards like SimplyCash Preferred earn cash back (not MR points), so cancelling them doesn't affect any point balance.
Your 4 Options Before Cancelling
Transfer to Airline/Hotel Partners
Transfer your MR points to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, Marriott Bonvoy, or other partners. Points in partner accounts don't expire the same way.
Best for: People who will definitely travel within 12-18 months
Timing: Transfer before calling Amex to cancel
→ Most transfers are instant (Aeroplan, Avios). Marriott takes 24-48 hours.
Sell Your Points for Cash
Convert your MR points to Canadian dollars through a points broker. Typical value: $0.011-0.0155 per point.
Example Cash Values:
50,000 pts
$550-775
100,000 pts
$1,100-1,550
250,000 pts
$2,750-3,875
→ Best for: People who need cash, don't have travel plans, or want guaranteed value.
Open Another MR-Earning Card First
If you open another Membership Rewards card before closing your current one, your points automatically transfer to the new account.
Example: Cancel Platinum ($799/year), keep Cobalt ($156/year)
Result: Points move to Cobalt, you save $643/year in fees
→ Best for: People who want to keep earning MR but want a lower annual fee.
Redeem Points Directly
Book travel through Fixed Points Travel, get statement credits, or buy gift cards. Generally the lowest value option.
Warning: Direct redemptions typically yield only 0.7-1.0 cents per point. Transferring or selling usually provides better value.
→ Only use this option if you have a small balance (<25,000 points) not worth selling.
Step-by-Step: Preserve Your Points Before Cancelling
If you want to sell your points for cash before cancelling, follow these steps:
Check Your Point Balance
Log into americanexpress.com/canada → Rewards → Membership Rewards Summary. Note your total balance.
Wait for Pending Points
Ensure all recent transactions have posted. Pending points may be forfeited.
Transfer MR → Aeroplan
On americanexpress.com, transfer your MR points to Aeroplan at 1:1 (instant).
Request a Quote
Contact us with your Aeroplan balance for a personalized cash offer.
Complete the Sale
Transfer points via Aeroplan Family Sharing. Receive Interac e-Transfer within 24-48 hours.
Cancel Your Card
Once payment is confirmed, call 1-800-869-3016 to cancel your Amex card.
Timeline: The entire process (transfer → sale → payment) typically takes 3-5 business days. Plan ahead before your annual fee renewal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Cancelling without checking points
Always log in and verify your balance first. Some cardholders forget about 50,000+ points sitting in their account.
Assuming you have a grace period
Amex's terms allow immediate forfeiture. Some get 30-90 days, others get nothing. Don't gamble.
Waiting until the last minute
Selling points takes 3-5 days. If your annual fee hits tomorrow, you may not have time.
Not checking for pending points
Points from recent purchases may still be pending. Wait for them to post before transferring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to use my Amex points after cancelling?
Typically 30-90 days, but this varies. Some cardholders report losing points immediately, others have had months. The safest approach is to transfer or sell your points BEFORE calling to cancel.
Can I transfer Amex points to another person before cancelling?
No, Amex doesn't allow direct point transfers between accounts. However, you can transfer to airline partners (like Aeroplan) and then use Aeroplan's Family Sharing to move points, or sell them through a broker.
What if I downgrade instead of cancel?
If you downgrade to another MR-earning card (like Cobalt), your points remain. But if you downgrade to a non-MR card (like SimplyCash Preferred), you'll lose them just like cancelling.
Do I lose points if Amex cancels my card?
Yes. If Amex closes your account for any reason (inactivity, policy violation, etc.), your points are forfeited immediately with no grace period.
Can I keep my points by getting a different Amex MR card?
Yes! If you open another MR-earning card (Platinum, Gold, Cobalt, or Business versions) BEFORE closing your current card, your points transfer to the new account automatically.
What happens to pending points when I cancel?
Pending points (from recent transactions not yet posted) are usually forfeited. Wait until all your points have posted before cancelling.
Related Resources
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