Amex card limits (5 credit + 10 charge)
American Express generally limits you to 5 open credit cards and 10 open charge cards at one time. Personal and business cards count toward the same respective limits. Some customers have been allowed to exceed these limits, so they are caps with exceptions, not hard walls.
Unpublished rule: the issuer does not publish this rule. It is documented by at least two independent guides below — treat it as a reported pattern, not a guarantee.
Key takeaways
American Express generally limits you to 5 open credit cards and 10 open charge cards at one time. Personal and business cards count toward the same respective limits. Some customers have been allowed to exceed these limits, so they are caps with exceptions, not hard walls.
Anyone holding or applying for multiple Amex cards. Credit cards and charge cards are counted as separate populations.
Who it applies to
Anyone holding or applying for multiple Amex cards. Credit cards and charge cards are counted as separate populations.
How to count
- Count your open Amex credit cards (revolving cards) and charge cards (Gold, Platinum, Green, and similar) separately.
- Credit cards: room up to 5. Charge cards: room up to 10.
- Closing a card frees a slot; the bonus on that card is still governed by once-per-lifetime terms.
Calculator (estimate)
Enter how many cards you currently hold. The calculator shows how much room is left.
This page is general information. Issuer rules change without notice, and actual approval is decided by the issuer's underwriting. Read the terms on the card you are applying for before you apply.FAQ
Do business cards count toward the 5-card limit?
Yes. Both personal and business credit cards count toward the 5-credit-card limit, and business charge cards toward the 10-charge-card limit.
If I am at 5 credit cards, can I still get a Gold card?
Generally yes: Gold is a charge card, so it counts toward the separate 10-charge-card limit, not the 5-credit-card limit.
Sources
Non-issuer sources are secondary sources (independent guides). If a rule changes, the issuer's page governs. This page is general information. Issuer rules change without notice, and actual approval is decided by the issuer's underwriting. Read the terms on the card you are applying for before you apply. Page updated: November 3, 2026No bank login required