Using Amex Plan It to manage your finances can be a game-changer, whether you've just made a large purchase or you're looking for more flexibility with your card's balance. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from checking your eligibility to setting up your first plan, and answering the most common questions along the way.
Ready to take control of your payments and turn a big expense into manageable monthly installments? Let's get started.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility and Understand the Basics
Before you can create a plan, you need to confirm that your American Express card and a specific purchase are eligible. Plan It is a built-in feature on many, but not all, Amex personal and business credit cards. It's not a separate application, and there are no additional credit checks involved.
What is Plan It?
Plan It is a feature that allows you to divide an eligible purchase of $100 or more into equal monthly payments for a fixed fee. Instead of paying interest on that specific purchase, you pay a predictable monthly fee. This can be a great way to manage a large expense without affecting your entire credit card balance.
How do I know if I'm eligible?
The easiest way to check is by logging into your American Express Online Account or the Amex App.
Look for the Plan It section or icon. If you see the option to "Create a Plan" or a Plan It icon next to a recent transaction, you are likely eligible.
If you don't see the feature, your account or card type may not be eligible, or you might be a new cardmember who needs a bit more account history.
Pro Tip: Plan It can be used for most purchases, but not for things like cash advances, foreign transaction fees, or Amex fees. The minimum purchase amount is typically $100, though this can vary.
Step 2: Find the Right Purchase or Amount to "Plan It"
Once you know you're eligible, the next step is to choose what you want to put into a payment plan. You have a couple of options here, and it's important to understand the difference.
Planning a Single Purchase
This is the most common way to use Plan It. You can select a specific purchase of $100 or more that has already posted to your account.
Examples: A new computer, plane tickets for a vacation, or a large home repair.
Planning a Portion of Your Statement Balance
Some cardmembers may also have the option to take a portion of their eligible statement balance and create a plan. This can be useful if you have multiple smaller charges you want to manage at once.
Key Consideration: The plan must be created before your payment due date for the purchase in question. You cannot create a plan for a purchase that is still pending.
Step 3: Create Your Plan - The Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a plan is a straightforward process and can be done in minutes. Follow these simple steps.
a. Log in to your Amex Account
Open the American Express App on your smartphone or log in to your account on the official website. This is where you'll find all your recent activity and account management tools.
b. Navigate to the Plan It Feature
From your account dashboard, look for a Plan It or Services section. You'll typically find a list of recent transactions. Eligible purchases will often have a "Plan It" icon or button next to them.
c. Select Your Purchase
Click on the purchase you want to plan. A new screen will appear, giving you the option to "Create a Plan."
d. Choose Your Plan Options
This is where you customize your plan. American Express will present you with several repayment options, usually with durations like 3, 6, or 12 months.
For each option, you'll see a clear breakdown of the:
Monthly installment amount
Fixed monthly plan fee
Total cost of the plan
Review these options carefully. The fee is what you're paying in lieu of interest. Choose the plan length that best fits your budget.
e. Review and Confirm
Before you finalize anything, Amex will show you a summary of your selected plan. This is your chance to double-check the monthly payment, the fee, and the total cost.
Once you're comfortable, read and agree to the terms and conditions, and then submit your plan. You will receive a confirmation, and your plan will be active.
Remember: Your monthly plan payment will be automatically added to your minimum payment due each month. You don't have to worry about a separate bill for the plan.
FAQs: Your Questions, Answered
How to check my Amex Plan It eligibility?
You can check your eligibility by logging into your American Express online account or the Amex App. The option to create a plan will appear next to eligible transactions or within a dedicated Plan It section.
How to cancel an Amex Plan It plan?
You can cancel a plan at any time by paying off the remaining plan balance. You will not be charged any future plan fees on the outstanding amount. You can do this through your online account or by calling customer service.
How to pay an Amex Plan It early?
To pay off a plan early, simply make a payment for the remaining plan balance. This can be done through your Amex online account or by contacting a customer service representative.
How to find my American Express Plan It options?
Your plan options, including the monthly payment amounts and fees, are displayed when you select an eligible transaction to create a plan. The available durations (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months) and associated fees are shown upfront.
How to use Plan It for travel purchases?
Plan It is a great option for travel. You can use it for eligible flights, hotels, and other travel-related purchases of $100 or more that post to your account, allowing you to pay them off over time.
How to use Plan It at checkout?
On certain Amex websites, like AmexTravel.com, you may be presented with the option to use Plan It directly at checkout. Simply select "Monthly Installments with Plan It" as your payment method and choose your desired plan length.
How to use Plan It for a portion of my balance?
If your account is eligible, you can select a portion of your current statement balance of $100 or more to put into a payment plan. This is a great way to manage multiple expenses at once.
How to know if a purchase is Plan It eligible?
Look for the "Plan It" icon or button next to a transaction in your online account or app. The transaction must be at least $100 and cannot be for certain excluded items like cash advances or fees.
How to have multiple Plan It plans at once?
Yes, you can have multiple plans at the same time. The total number of active plans you can have may be limited, but you can typically create new plans as long as you have eligible purchases and available credit.
How to calculate my monthly payment with Plan It?
American Express does the calculation for you. When you choose a plan duration (e.g., 6 months), the tool automatically shows you the monthly installment amount and the fixed monthly fee, giving you a transparent and predictable payment schedule.
