Adding a savings account takes three steps in the app, and the connection is usually live within a few minutes
Open the American Express app on your phone or tablet. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner, then select "Accounts" or "Account Settings" depending on your app version. Look for an option labeled "Add Account" or "Link Account"—the exact wording varies, but it will be near the top of the accounts list.
When you tap it, the app will ask you to choose the type of account. Select "Savings Account" from the list. You will then enter your bank's routing number and your account number. Both appear on the bottom left of a check from that bank, or you can find them by logging into your bank's website or calling the bank directly.
After you enter those numbers, American Express will send two small deposits to your savings account—usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive within one to three business days. Once they land, you return to the app, enter the exact amounts of those two deposits, and the account is confirmed and ready to use.
Key Takeaways
- You need your savings account's routing number and account number, both found on a check or through your bank's website.
- American Express sends two test deposits to verify the account is yours, which takes one to three business days to arrive.
- You must enter the exact amounts of those test deposits back into the app to complete the link.
- Once confirmed, the savings account appears in your American Express app and you can transfer money between accounts when ready.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
The fastest way is to look at a check from your savings account. The routing number is the nine-digit code on the left side of the bottom line. The account number is the longer code in the middle of that same line. If you do not have a check, log into your bank's website or mobile app—most banks display both numbers in the "Account Details" or "Account Information" section.
You can also call your bank's customer service line and ask for your routing number and account number. Have your account number or card number ready when you call. The bank will read both numbers to you over the phone, and you can enter them directly into the American Express app.
What happens after you enter the account information
American Express when ready sends two small test deposits to your savings account. These are real money—usually between one and ninety-nine cents each. They appear as separate transactions in your bank account, often labeled something like "AMEX VERIFICATION" or "AMERICAN EXPRESS TEST".
Check your savings account after one to three business days. Once you see both deposits, open the American Express app and return to the account linking screen. The app will ask you to enter the amounts of the two deposits. Type in the exact dollar amounts—for example, if the deposits were $0.23 and $0.57, enter those numbers exactly as they appear in your bank statement.
After you confirm the amounts, the app will verify the account and the link will be active. You can now transfer money between your American Express account and this savings account through the app.
Transferring money between accounts once the link is complete
Once the savings account is linked and verified, you can move money in either direction. In the American Express app, look for a "Transfer" or "Move Money" button, usually found on the main account screen or in the menu. Select whether you want to transfer from your American Express account to the savings account, or from the savings account to American Express.
Enter the amount you want to transfer and confirm. Most transfers between American Express and a linked savings account are processed the same business day if you initiate them before the bank's cutoff time—usually 2 p.m. Eastern Time on weekdays. Transfers initiated after that time or on weekends typically process the next business day.
Troubleshooting when test deposits do not arrive
If you do not see the two test deposits in your savings account after three business days, the routing number or account number you entered may be incorrect. Return to the American Express app and check the numbers you typed. Compare them carefully to what appears on your check or in your bank's system.
If the numbers are correct, contact American Express customer service through the app or by phone. They can see whether the deposits were sent and where they went. You may need to start the linking process over with the correct account information. If you entered the wrong account number, American Express can cancel the pending deposits and you can begin again.
If you entered the correct information but the deposits still have not arrived after five business days, contact your bank's customer service. Ask them to check whether deposits from American Express are being blocked or held. Some banks flag small test deposits as suspicious and quarantine them temporarily.
Removing a linked savings account
If you want to unlink a savings account from your American Express app, open the app and go to "Accounts" or "Account Settings". Find the savings account you want to remove and look for a "Delete", "Remove", or "Unlink" option—it is usually accessed by tapping the account name or a menu icon next to it.
Tap the remove option and confirm. The account will be unlinked from your American Express app when ready. Any pending transfers will be cancelled. You can link a different savings account at any time by following the same three-step process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link more than one savings account to my American Express app?
Yes. Most American Express accounts allow you to link multiple savings accounts from the same bank or different banks. Each account goes through the same verification process with the two test deposits. You can manage all linked accounts from the "Accounts" section of the app.
What if I enter the test deposit amounts wrong?
The app will tell you the amounts are incorrect and ask you to try again. You have multiple attempts to enter the correct amounts. If you cannot find the deposits in your bank account or cannot remember the exact amounts, contact American Express and they can send new test deposits or verify the account another way.
Do I need to link a savings account to use my American Express card?
No. Linking a savings account is optional and is only useful if you want to transfer money between that account and your American Express account through the app. You can use your American Express card without linking any external accounts.
How long does a transfer take once the account is linked?
Transfers between American Express and a linked savings account usually process the same business day if you initiate them before 2 p.m. Eastern Time on a weekday. Transfers started after that time or on weekends process the next business day. Transfers typically appear in the receiving account within a few hours of processing.
What if my bank uses a different name for the routing number?
Some banks call it the "ABA number" or "transit number" instead of routing number, but it is the same nine-digit code. Look for the nine-digit number on the bottom left of your check, or ask your bank for your routing number by name—they will know what you mean.