How to check your American Express gift card balance
How to check your American Express gift card balance on the official site, by phone or in store — plus activation, fees, expiry and scams to avoid.
Quick answer: Check your American Express gift card balance online at americanexpress.com or by phone (1-877-297-4438). You will need: card number; security codes on the card. Enter the card number and PIN only on americanexpress.com.
What you need
- Card number
- Security codes on the card
Check your American Express gift card balance online
- Go to americanexpress.com/mygiftcard. You'll be sent on to prepaidbalance.americanexpress.com.
- Enter your gift card number and the security code shown on the card.
- View your balance and transaction history.
- Or call 1-877-297-4438 with your card number and security codes ready.
Other ways to check the balance
- By phone: call 1-877-297-4438 and enter the card number when prompted.
- On your receipt: the balance remaining after each purchase is usually printed on the receipt.
Activating an American Express gift card
Activated when you buy it. Register the card online so merchants that check billing ZIP codes will accept it.
Fees and expiry
A purchase fee applies. Amex notes that your balance reflects all authorizations submitted when you check it. The card shows an expiration date. US CARD Act protections apply.
Where to buy American Express gift cards
americanexpress.com, grocery stores, drugstores.
Tips
- Pending authorizations lower the balance you see, so wait for holds to clear.
- Business gift cards use a different site (americanexpress.com/businessgift) and phone line (1-800-297-7327).
- Report lost or stolen cards through Amex customer service right away.
American Express gift card FAQs
How do I check my American Express gift card balance?
You can check it online at americanexpress.com, phone. You will usually need card number and security codes on the card.
How do I activate an American Express gift card?
Activated when you buy it. Register the card online so merchants that check billing ZIP codes will accept it.
Do American Express gift cards expire or have fees?
A purchase fee applies. Amex notes that your balance reflects all authorizations submitted when you check it. The card shows an expiration date. US CARD Act protections apply.
Is it safe to use a third-party gift card balance checker?
Avoid them. Enter your card number and PIN only on americanexpress.com, in its official app, or in store. Third-party checkers can capture the numbers and drain the card.
What should I do if my American Express gift card has a zero balance I didn't spend?
Contact American Express customer service straight away with the card, the receipt and the purchase details. Card-draining fraud — where numbers are copied before the card is sold — is common; the sooner you report it the better the chance of recovery.
Can I get cash back for a small remaining balance?
Sometimes. Several US states require cash back for small balances — California, for example, for balances under $15 (raised from $10 in April 2026) — and some Canadian provinces have similar rules. Ask at the till or contact the brand.
Sources: www.americanexpress.com · prepaidbalance.americanexpress.com · www.americanexpress.com.