Where to change your American Express username

You change your American Express username through the American Express website or mobile app, not through a separate account management portal. The process takes about five minutes and requires you to be logged in already — you cannot change your username if you have forgotten it.

American Express calls this your "User ID" in some places and your "username" in others, but they refer to the same thing: the name you type in when you log in. This is different from your account number, which stays the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be logged into your American Express account before you can change your username, so reset your password first if you have forgotten it.
  • The username change option sits in your account settings under "Login & Security" or "Account Settings," depending on whether you use the website or app.
  • American Express will ask you to confirm your identity with a code sent to your email or phone before the change takes effect.
  • Your new username takes effect when ready after you confirm it, and you will use it the next time you log in.
  • You cannot reuse a username that is already taken by another American Express customer, even if it was your old username from years ago.

Steps to change your username on the American Express website

Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com using your current username and password. Once you are logged in, look for your name or profile icon in the top right corner of the page and click it to open a menu.

From that menu, select "Account Settings" or "Login & Security" — the exact wording depends on which version of the website you see, but both lead to the same place. Click on the option that says "Change User ID" or "Change Username." You will see a field with your current username already filled in.

Type your new username into the empty field below it. American Express requires usernames to be between 6 and 32 characters and allows letters, numbers, and some special characters like hyphens and underscores. Avoid spaces and symbols like @ or &. After you enter your new username, click "Continue" or "Save."

American Express will send a verification code to the email address or phone number on file for your account. Check your email inbox or text messages for this code, then enter it into the box that appears on the screen. Once you confirm the code, your new username is active when ready.

Steps to change your username in the American Express mobile app

Open the American Express app and log in if you are not already. Tap the menu icon — usually three horizontal lines in the top left or bottom right corner, depending on whether you use iPhone or Android.

Look for "Settings," "Account Settings," or "Profile" in that menu and tap it. Then tap "Login & Security" or "Account Settings." You should see an option labeled "Change User ID" or "Change Username" — tap that option.

Enter your new username in the field provided. Remember that it must be 6 to 32 characters and cannot contain spaces or most special characters. Tap "Continue" or "Save" when you are done typing.

American Express will send a verification code to your email or phone. Enter that code into the box that appears, and your new username will be active. You can close the app and log back in with your new username to confirm the change worked.

What to do if your new username is already taken

American Express will tell you when ready if the username you chose is already in use by another customer. The system will not let you proceed until you pick a different one. Try adding numbers to the end of your preferred username, or use a variation like adding an underscore or hyphen in the middle.

If you are trying to reclaim a username you used years ago, you cannot do that — American Express does not release old usernames back into circulation. Choose something new instead. The system will confirm whether your choice is available before you finish the process.

If you have forgotten your current username

You cannot change your username through the normal settings if you cannot log in. Instead, go to the American Express login page and click "Forgot User ID?" or "Can't log in?" — the exact link name varies by page version.

American Express will ask you to enter your email address or card number, then send you a code to confirm your identity. After you confirm that code, the system will show you your current username and let you reset your password. Once you can log in again, follow the steps above to change your username.

When the change takes effect and what happens next

Your new username becomes active the moment you confirm the verification code. You do not need to wait for an email confirmation or do anything else. The next time you log out and log back in, use your new username instead of the old one.

Your old username stops working when ready and cannot be used to log in. If you have written your username down anywhere — in a password manager, a notebook, or shared with someone else — update those records with your new username to avoid confusion later.

Your account number, card details, and all your transaction history remain exactly the same. Changing your username does not affect your rewards balance, payment history, or any other part of your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the same day I create my account?

Yes. You can change your username anytime after you first log in, even on the day you set up your account. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can change it, though American Express recommends not changing it too frequently to avoid confusion.

Will changing my username affect my login on other devices?

No. If you are logged into the American Express app on your phone or the website on your computer, changing your username does not log you out. The next time you close the app or browser and try to log in again, you will need to use your new username.

What if I change my username and then forget the new one?

You can retrieve it the same way you would if you forgot any username: go to the login page, click "Forgot User ID?" and follow the steps to confirm your identity. American Express will show you your current username so you can write it down.

Can I use my email address as my username?

American Express does not allow email addresses as usernames. Your username must be between 6 and 32 characters and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores, but not the @ symbol. If you want something straightforward to remember, try a variation of your name or a phrase without special characters.

Do I need to update my username anywhere else after I change it?

No. Your username is only used to log into American Express directly. It does not affect any third-party apps or services that may be connected to your account, like budgeting software or payment platforms. Those connections remain active without any changes on your part.