Banking Savings & Money Market Accounts

American Express® High Yield Savings Review [2026]: Above-Average APY + Service

The American Express High Yield Savings Account offers a competitive annual percentage yield (APY) and the backing of a trusted financial brand. But is it the right fit for your savings goals?

Updated May 5, 2026
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American Express® High Yield Savings
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American Express® High Yield Savings

OUR VIEW

If you want a simple savings account with a competitive APY, you can’t go wrong with the American Express® High Yield Savings account — especially if you already have an Amex credit card. American Express’s HYSA offers a competitive 3.2% APY1, 24/7 (human) customer support, and a highly rated mobile app that lets you manage your savings and credit cards under one roof.

While you can certainly find a higher savings APY and broader perks elsewhere, the perks of the American Express HYSA may make up for earning slightly less on your savings. Many banks that claim 24/7 support use live chat or AI bots to handle customer questions, but with American Express, you’ll talk to an actual human.

Below, you’ll learn more about the American Express High Yield Savings account, why I recommend it for current Amex customers, and when you should look for an alternative place to park your savings.

Pros

High 3.20% annual percentage yield (APY)1
No minimum balance or monthly fees2
24/7 customer support
FDIC insured

Cons

No ATM access or debit card
Limited mobile app functionality3
No physical branches

How FinanceBuzz rated the American Express® High Yield Savings Account

To review the American Express® High Yield Savings Account, we evaluated the account across the criteria most important to consumers shopping for an online high-yield savings product. We assessed its APY, account features, and overall experience relative to other leading online savings accounts available today. Factors considered include:

  • Annual percentage yield (APY): We evaluated the account’s APY, which is the primary reason most consumers open a high-yield savings account. We compared the rate to other leading online savings accounts.
  • Minimum deposit and balance requirements: We assessed whether the account requires a minimum opening deposit or minimum balance to earn the advertised APY. Accounts with no minimum requirements are more accessible and rank more favorably.
  • Account fees: We reviewed whether the account charges monthly maintenance fees, transaction fees, or other recurring costs. No-fee savings accounts rate more favorably, as fees directly reduce the value of the interest earned.

To learn more about how FinanceBuzz assigns star ratings to bank accounts, check out our deposit accounts rating methodology.

American Express High Yield Savings Account (HYSA) basics

American Express® High Yield Savings
Annual percentage yield (APY) 3.20%1
Minimum balance to earn APY $02
Minimum deposit to open $0
Monthly maintenance fees $0
ATM access None
Cash deposits Not permitted
Customer support American Express offers 24/7 customer service when you call 1-800-446-6307
Amex mobile app ratings3
  • 4.9/5 stars on the App Store (iOS)
  • 4.9/5 stars on Google Play (Android)3
FDIC insured Yes, American Express National Bank is a Member FDIC (Cert. #27471)

American Express, founded in 1850, has long been a trusted name in financial services. While it's well known for its credit cards, it's expanded into online banking with products like the High Yield Savings Account. 

Is the Amex high-yield savings account good for you?

I'd recommend the American Express High Yield Savings account as a good option if:

  • You're a current American Express cardholder who wants to keep your accounts under one roof.
  • You want 24/7 phone access to customer service.
  • You're a saver who wants to earn high interest rates and avoid monthly fees.
  • You're comfortable with online-only banking.

The American Express savings account is a solid option for current Amex customers who want to simplify their banking. You can manage all your Amex accounts from one app, access a high APY and 24/7 human customer service, and there are no strings to maximize your interest earnings.

When you should consider another savings account

The American Express HYSA might not be the best option for you if:

  • You want the highest APY available.
  • You currently bank with a different financial institution with a similar APY on savings.
  • You need to deposit cash.

While the American Express High Yield Savings account offers an impressive 3.2% APY, it's not the highest out there. If you want to earn the highest yield possible on your savings, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.

For example, Openbank by Santander offers a savings account that earns up to 4.20% (as of 1/08/26) APY, EverBank Performance Savings earns up to 3.90% (as of 02/20/26) APY, and CIT Bank Platinum Savings4 earns up to up to 4.10% APY.5 But all of these accounts and companies come with caveats, like deposit requirements or mixed customer reviews.

American Express HYSA features and benefits

Simplicity for existing Amex customers

The American Express High Yield Savings account is a great choice if you're already part of the American Express ecosystem as a cardholder. As someone who appreciates simplicity, I like that you can access both your bank account info and your credit card info in the Amex mobile app.6 This means you don't have to keep track of multiple logins for all your accounts.

24/7 customer service

I also like that American Express offers 24/7 phone customer support, which is unusual for an online HYSA. But that's one of the advantages of banking with a large institution like American Express. If you've ever been frustrated by AI chatbots or automated responses, this will be a huge plus for you.

You can earn a competitive APY

Another of my favorite features of this account is undoubtedly its high APY. At 3.20%, it's significantly higher than what you'd find at most traditional banks and the national average of 0.38% (as of 4/20/26), according to the FDIC.7 Even better? This rate applies to all balance tiers, so you don't need a large deposit to start earning, as you do with some savings accounts. You do need to be comfortable with online-only banking, but since many of the best savings accounts are digital-only, this isn't a deal-breaker.

There are no strings to earn the top APY

Finally, I appreciate that Amex keeps things simple with a $0 minimum balance to earn APY and no monthly fees. This makes it accessible to savers at all levels, whether you're just starting out or have a substantial nest egg.

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Synchrony Bank High Yield Savings - 3.40% APY
Let your money work for you with great rates: count on it. Open a High Yield Savings account with Synchrony today. Member FDIC.8
Learn More

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SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $400 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY9with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.10 FDIC Insured.11
Learn More

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Use Cash App As Your All-in-One Financial Services Platform
Bank12 without all the fees—save, send, and spend your money the way you want.13 Get paid up to 2 days early – up to 2 days earlier than most banks14
Download Cash App

American Express HYSA disadvantages

You can't make cash deposits

If you frequently deal with physical cash, I'd recommend looking for another savings account. You can't deposit cash directly into the American Express High Yield Savings account — you'll need to find a workaround, like depositing cash into another account and transferring it to your Amex account, or sending a paper check by mail.

If you're looking for online banks that accept cash deposits, check with institutions like Capital One. You can also find many savings accounts with debit or ATM cards, if you need easy access to cash.

You can often find a higher APY elsewhere

I don't recommend choosing a savings account solely for its high rate, because that's not the only important feature, and savings rates are variable anyway (meaning they can change without warning). But if you're determined to let this be your north star, then you'll have to go with another HYSA, not from American Express. Some of the best savings accounts offer an APY of 4% or higher.

American Express HYSA alternatives

SoFi Checking and Savings vs. Amex High Yield Savings

SoFi® provides both a checking and savings account in one package, making it ideal if you need both. You can earn up to 3.30% APY on savings balances with qualifying direct deposits.15

I like that there's no minimum balance requirement, and you don't have to worry about monthly maintenance or overdraft fees.16 While it's another online-only option, it comes with features Amex lacks, like early paycheck access with direct deposit.17 Member FDIC.11

Visit SoFi or read our full SoFi Checking and Savings review.

Capital One 360 Performance Savings vs. Amex High Yield Savings

Another bank known for its credit cards, Capital One offers a high-yield savings account similar to American Express's. The rate for the Capital One 360 Performance Savings account is typically on par with Amex's high-yield savings option, and it's also pretty basic. It doesn't offer ATM access or cash deposit capabilities, but it earns a respectable APY of 3.10% (as of 05/04/2026).18

If you already have Capital One credit cards, you might find it more convenient to open a savings account with Capital One 360 than with American Express. But if you already have Amex cards, I'd recommend sticking with Amex.

Read our full Capital One 360 review.

Customer experience and user sentiment

Reviews and complaints

American Express earned the top spot in J.D. Power's 2025 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Survey for the sixth consecutive year, showing the company's commitment to top-notch customer service. But the full story is more complex.

For example, American Express has a "bad" rating on Trustpilot, with a score of 1.3 out of 5. Reviewers mention long wait times for customer service and language barriers with reps.

Amex also has a poor 1.1 out of 5 rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reviewers note the lack of fee flexibility, even for long-term customers.

It's important to note that most reviews and complaints are specifically about Amex's credit card products, so I'd advise taking them with a grain of salt when considering a savings account.

Customer support

American Express customer service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call them at 1-800-446-6307.

You can also send them mail at:

American Express National Bank
P.O. Box 30384
Salt Lake City, Utah 84130

Mobile banking app

Amex's highly rated mobile banking app lets you manage your checking, savings, and credit card accounts from one place — no need to switch between apps. The app has a 4.9 out of 5 rating on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Grow your savings with less effort

An interest-earning account allows your money to build over time by adding returns on top of your contributions. Use our savings calculator below to plug in your own starting balance, interest rate, and timeline to see how different account types could impact your earnings.

Rather than sitting unused, your savings can gain momentum and help you reach your financial goals more efficiently.

FAQs

Is an American Express High Yield Savings Account worth it?

An American Express High Yield Savings Account is worth it if you're already an Amex customer and like the available APY. This account offers unique perks, including 24/7 customer service and no minimum deposit or balance requirements. But it doesn't allow cash deposits or come with an ATM card, and it is possible to find both of these features, and/or higher interest rates, elsewhere.

Is the American Express High Yield Savings Account safe?

Yes, every American Express High Yield Savings Account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, and you can increase your coverage amount by adding beneficiaries to your account. The FDIC certificate number for American Express National Bank, Member FDIC, is 27471.


Should I get an American Express savings account or a CD?

If you need to access your money, the American Express HYSA is the better option. CDs, or certificates of deposit, can often earn you a better rate than a high-yield savings account. However, the money in a CD is inaccessible for the agreement term, like 12 months, so only open a CD if you don't need the money in the short term.

Bottom line

I recommend the American Express High Yield Savings Account for anyone looking for a combination of high interest rates, 24/7 phone support, and the backing of a trusted financial brand. Its 3.20% APY is significantly higher than that of most traditional banks, making it an excellent option for growing your savings.

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AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
High APY of up to 4.00% on Savings (3.30% APY9 with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.10
Paycheck access up to 2 days early with direct deposit17
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees16
Streamlined savings and savings goals with Vaults
Access to a large ATM network19

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