American Express Pauses New Card Applications in India

Planning to Apply for an Amex Card in India? Read This First!

If you've been eyeing that sleek American Express Platinum Charge Card or perhaps the popular Membership Rewards Credit Card (MRCC) in India, you'll need to put those application plans on hold for a bit. American Express has officially confirmed that they are temporarily pausing the acceptance of new proprietary Card applications in India.

Why the Pause?

According to American Express, the reason for this temporary halt is operational:

"We are temporarily pausing the acceptance of new proprietary Card applications in India as we integrate new platforms for our domestic Card issuing operations. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."

Essentially, Amex is upgrading its backend systems to handle card issuance within India. This often involves significant technical work, making it necessary to pause new application processing to ensure a smooth transition.

It's important to note that this pause relates specifically to proprietary cards. These are the cards issued directly under the American Express brand, such as:

1. The American Express Platinum Card
2. The American Express Gold Card
3. The American Express Membership Rewards Credit Card
4. The American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
5. The American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card

This does not typically include co-branded cards, although the current Amex notice specifically focuses on pausing their own-branded products.

What does this mean for you?

• If you were about to apply for a new Amex proprietary card: You currently cannot submit an application through their website or other channels. You'll need to wait until Amex resumes accepting applications.
• If you are an existing American Express Cardmember: Don't worry! 🎉 Your current card(s) will continue to work as usual. This pause only affects the onboarding of new customers for their proprietary cards. You can continue to spend, earn rewards, and access your benefits without interruption.
• If you were considering an upgrade, the situation for upgrades is less clear from the official statement. While new applications are paused, processing upgrades for existing members might still be possible, as it's handled differently. It's best to contact Amex customer service directly to inquire about upgrade eligibility and processing during this period.

While it may be frustrating for those eager to join the American Express family in India right now, this pause seems necessary for system improvements. Current customers can be assured that their services remain unaffected.

For those interested in applying, the best approach is to be patient. Keep an eye on the American Express India website for updates on when they will resume accepting new proprietary card applications. We will also keep you informed and will update you when there are any changes!

While you wait, why not explore the best Amex cards? Click here to see what’s available.