American Express Processing Rates & Merchant Fees Explained

American Express has traditionally had a reputation for costing more to accept than other major card brands, but many customers still expect businesses to accept it.

Here’s how Amex processing fees work, including the difference between accepting American Express through OptBlue and working with Amex directly.

How Amex Fees Work

American Express operates a largely closed-loop payment network, serving as the card network and often the card issuer and merchant acquirer. This gives Amex more control over its acceptance rules and pricing than open-loop networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Your actual cost depends mainly on whether you accept Amex through your payment provider or have a direct agreement with American Express.

• OptBlue: Most eligible small businesses accept Amex through their existing payment processor. The provider sets the merchant’s Amex rates and includes Amex transactions on the same statement and deposit as other card brands. U.S. businesses with less than $3 million in estimated annual Amex volume may qualify for OptBlue, although industry and franchise restrictions apply.
• Direct Agreement: Businesses that don’t qualify for OptBlue or who would prefer to work directly with Amex can apply for a direct agreement. American Express then sets the pricing and contract terms, although the business may still be able to use its existing processor, software, and equipment to submit transactions.

How Much Does American Express Charge Per Transaction?

American Express processing costs vary based on how you accept Amex and the pricing set by your provider.

Amex Rates With OptBlue

If you accept Amex through OptBlue, your payment processor sets the rate you’ll pay. Pricing may include Amex’s wholesale costs plus the processor’s markup, depending on your pricing plan.

Your final rate can vary based on factors such as your industry, transaction size, processing method, and provider.

Amex Rates With A Direct Agreement

If you accept Amex directly, American Express sets your pricing and contract terms. Amex doesn’t publicly list one standard direct-acceptance rate, so you’ll need to contact the company for pricing and review any additional fees in your agreement.

Are There Any Other American Express Merchant Fees?

Depending on your agreement, additional Amex fees may apply to transactions involving international cards, phone authorizations, paper statements, or noncompliance with certain requirements. You may also pay separate fees for services such as a payment gateway.

If you accept Amex through OptBlue, review your processor’s pricing and contract. Direct merchants can find current terms and fee information in the American Express Merchant Regulations.

For more information, see our complete guide to card brand fees for merchant accounts.

How Do Square & Other Payment Service Providers Accept Amex?

Payment service providers such as Square, Stripe, and PayPal let eligible businesses accept American Express alongside other major card brands without setting up a separate Amex account.

The provider manages the Amex relationship and sets the rate the merchant pays. Some providers use the same flat processing rate for Amex and other card brands, while others have different pricing based on the account or service.

The Bottom Line On American Express Processing Fees

There’s no single rate for accepting American Express. Your costs will depend on your payment provider, pricing model, industry, transaction size, and whether you accept Amex through OptBlue or a direct agreement.

For most small businesses, OptBlue is the simplest way to accept Amex through an existing processor. Compare your total processing costs, contract terms, and support before choosing a provider.

If you’re ready to accept American Express, check out our favorite small business credit card processors to get started.