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Credit cards with flexible payment options

You could qualify for Pay Over Time with an Amex card.

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Kevin Joey Chen
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Sometimes, it’s not always possible to pay off large purchases at once. That’s why having a credit card with flexible payment options can come in handy. While credit cards with flexible payment options often make it attractive to pay early, they usually give you extra time to pay off eligible purchases.

What are credit cards with flexible payment options?

Typically, these are cards that offer an incentive — like bonus rewards — to pay off purchases, but also let you pay later if you wish.

Flexible payments are usually most useful in two respects:

  • If you want the choice between earning bonus rewards and paying no interest on eligible purchases.
    Some cards let you pay off certain purchases within a specified period to earn a bonus rewards rate. Alternatively, you can forgo those rewards and take longer to pay off those purchases with no interest.

How to get credit cards with flexible payment options

American Express is the largest provider of cards with flexible payment options. If you want flexible payment options for a personal card, consider a card from the provider.

You may qualify for Pay Over Time, also known as “Pay it Plan it.” This program lets you pay for select purchases over several months. Typically, your account must have been open and in good standing for at least 12 months.

Flexible payment options for Amex business credit cards

You’ll find more flexible payment options for Amex business cards, such as:

  • Pay Over Time.
  • Defer your card bill until the billing cycle’s due date.
  • In certain categories, choose between earning bonus rewards or 60 to 90 days to pay off your balance with no interest.

Compare credit cards with flexible payment options

Name Product Filter values Rewards Purchase APR Annual fee
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points), 3x points on directly-booked flights and 1x points on other eligible purchases
See Pay Over Time APR
$250
Apply now
View details

Rose Gold is Back

 Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 based on our valuation with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other eligible purchases
See Pay Over Time APR
$695
Apply now
View details

New Platinum Exclusive Offer

 One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $7,000 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees
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How can I use Amex credit cards with flexible payment options?

Here’s a primer on Amex’s three options for flexible-payment shopping, which include Pay Over Time, Plum Card benefits and Amazon bonus rewards.

Pay Over Time

Pay Over Time is available for select Amex personal and business cards, which include:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
  • American Express® Gold Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
  • American Express® Green Card
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express® Business Gold Card
  • Business Green Rewards Card from American Express

Please note: All information about the American Express Green cards has been collected independently by Finder and these cards are not available through this site.

With Pay Over Time, you can pay off eligible purchases over $100 beyond your statement due date.

Pay Over Time comes in two forms

There are two flexible-payment plans to choose from:

  • Pay Over Time Direct.
    All eligible purchases will automatically be added to your Pay Over Time balance.
  • Pay Over Time Select.
    Eligible charges won’t automatically be added to your Pay Over Time balance. Instead, for each eligible charge, you must request for it to be added to your Pay Over Time balance.

You can change between Direct and Select by calling the number on the back of your card.

Just like with a normal credit card balance, you’ll accrue interest on your Pay Over Time balance until you clear it.

And similarly to a card with a credit limit, there’s a dollar limit to your Pay Over Time balance. Amex may deem certain charges ineligible for Pay Over Time, even if they wouldn’t put you over your limit.

The Plum Card® from American Express benefits

The Plum Card® from American Express is a charge card, so typically your card bill is due in full each month. However, the card has two special benefits that kick in after your statement closing date:

  • Early-pay discount.
    On eligible charges you pay off within 10 days of your statement closing date, you’ll receive a 1.5% discount.
  • Extra days to pay.
    Make at least the minimum payment by the due date. You’ll have until your next due date to pay off your new balance, accruing no interest.

An effective 1.5% rewards rate is fairly common among business cards. But extra days to pay before accruing interest is a feature that sets The Plum Card® from American Express apart.

Amazon bonus rewards

The Amazon cards’ payment flexibility revolves around their top bonus-reward categories.

Choose between two options with the Amazon Business American Express Card:

  • Earn 3% back on US purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market on up to $120,000 annually, reverting to 1% back.
  • Receive 60 days from the date of each qualifying purchase in those bonus categories to pay before accruing interest.

With the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card — which requires you to have an Amazon Prime or Business Prime membership — you can also choose between two options:

  • Earn 5% back on US purchases at Amazon Business, Amazon Web Services, Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market.
  • Receive 90 days from the date of each qualifying purchase in those bonus categories to pay before accruing interest.

Who gets to use credit cards with flexible payment options?

Because you, the primary cardholder, make payments on your account, you get the benefits of the flexible-payment options. Typically, your main choices revolve around earning rewards, saving on interest or getting more time to pay off purchases.

Bottom line

Cards with flexible payment options can give you extra time to pay off purchases or offer incentives for paying early. Many are cards offered by American Express.

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