Tuesday, July 1, 2025
American Express users in Singapore are set to experience major disruptions in how they earn rewards on everyday spending, as the company will officially shut down its mobile payment service, Amex Pay, on July 31, 2025. This strategic exit ends the ability to make QR code and NFC-based payments through the platform, cutting off a popular method for earning Membership Rewards points and KrisFlyer miles at small merchants, hawker stalls, and retailers without card terminals. The decision impacts both Apple and Android users, with Android card additions already disabled and full card data deletion scheduled upon shutdown. As acceptance dwindles and rewards vanish, cardholders must now seek alternative mobile wallets to continue earning on local, QR-only transactions.
This upcoming shutdown signals a significant change for users who rely on mobile payments at locations like hawker centers, neighborhood shops, and family-run outlets that often lack card terminals.
Last Days for Amex Pay Users
Cardholders will only be able to complete transactions via Amex Pay until 30 July 2025. After that, the platform will be permanently deactivated. On 31 July, all linked card data will be erased, and both QR code and NFC-based transactions will be disabled entirely.
This closure will impact many everyday users who depended on Amex Pay to earn Membership Rewards points or airline miles for small, local purchases typically excluded from traditional rewards programs.
Reduced Access and Limitations for Android Devices
While Apple device users can continue to add and use new cards until the final date of service, the experience for Android users has already changed. Due to ongoing technical restrictions, Android users can no longer add new cards to Amex Pay and must rely solely on previously added card details.
Countdown Timeline for Cardholders
To ensure clarity during the transition, American Express has shared a detailed schedule:
- 30 July 2025 – Final day for Amex Pay transactions
- 31 July 2025 – Complete shutdown; system deactivation and card data deletion
- Throughout July – Gradual removal of Amex Pay signage at retail outlets
As the cutoff approaches, users should expect fewer merchants to continue accepting Amex Pay, and some retailers may stop supporting it before the official end date.
Losing a Rewards Avenue for Everyday Spend
Amex Pay has served as a unique tool for cardholders looking to earn miles or points on daily transactions made at small-scale vendors without card terminals. This included Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture and neighborhood stores.
Although Amex cards typically offer moderate reward rates on standard spending, Amex Pay enabled cardholders to maximize returns on otherwise low-yield purchases through its compatibility with QR-based transactions.
Rewards Earn Rates at a Glance
While Amex Pay remains active, the platform supports standard earn rates on local Singapore Dollar (SGD) transactions based on card type. Users could earn anywhere from 0.69 to 1.3 miles per dollar (mpd), depending on the specific American Express card used. These earn rates included:
- 1.3 mpd
- 1.2 mpd
- 1.1 mpd
- 0.98 mpd
- 0.78 mpd
- 0.69 mpd
The ability to collect points from low-value transactions gave Amex Pay an edge for everyday spending, especially for those focused on frequent flyer miles or rewards optimization.
Adapting to the Shift in Mobile Payments
With the discontinuation of Amex Pay, users must now explore alternative mobile wallets to fill the gap left behind. Options like ShopBack Pay, PayNow, or other bank-supported QR payment systems may offer similar convenience, though reward structures and compatibility can vary.
American Express will shut down Amex Pay in Singapore on July 31, 2025, ending all QR and NFC mobile payments and eliminating reward earning on local transactions. Cardholders must now explore alternative payment options as stored card data will be erased and support at small merchants phases out.
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