If you're using an Amex card on Chexy, there are a few extra requirements that apply to your payments. Choosing the right recipient, and giving us complete information about them, helps your payment go through smoothly the first time.
Step 1: Search for your recipient first
When adding a new payment, start by typing your recipient's name into the search bar. This searches Chexy's official recipient database, which includes thousands of verified billers: property managers, utilities, insurance providers, government agencies, and more.
Always choose your recipient from the search results if they appear. Recipients from our database are verified, process faster, and are far less likely to be paused for review.
A few tips for searching:
Try the recipient's full legal or business name (e.g., "Canada Revenue Agency" rather than "CRA")
If you don't see them right away, try a shorter version of the name or a common abbreviation
Step 2: If your recipient isn't in the list
If you've searched and your recipient genuinely isn't in our database, you can set them up as a custom payment. When you do, please fill out every field as completely and accurately as you can. This information is how we verify your payment, and incomplete details are the most common reason a payment gets paused.
Make sure you include:
The recipient's full name. If you're paying an individual (for example, a landlord), this must include both their first name and last name. Initials or a single name aren't enough. If you're paying a business, use its full registered business name.
The correct payment category. The category should match who you're paying — for example, a payment to your property manager should be categorized as Rent, not Utilities.
Accurate payment details, including the amount and any account or reference numbers your recipient has given you.
Please note: payments to individuals (a personal first and last name) are only supported for rent. For all other bill types, your recipient must be a business or organization.
Amex payments are manually reviewed
To meet Amex's requirements, all payments made with an Amex card need to be manually reviewed by our team before they're processed. This is normal and usually happens behind the scenes without any action needed from you.
Because of this review process, there are two things to keep in mind:
Rush payments aren't available on Amex. Every Amex payment needs time for review, so expedited processing can't be offered. If you need a rush payment, you can pay with a Visa or Mastercard instead.
New transactions are included in each day's processing up to 6:00 PM ET. Payments set up after that time are reviewed the following day.
Why does my payment show as "Pending"?
If you're paying a recipient by pre-authorized debit (PAD) using an Amex card, the first payment to each recipient is processed a little differently than usual.
Rather than charging your credit card up front, we first initiate the PAD from your bank account. Once the PAD clears successfully, your credit card is then charged. This means your payment will show as Pending until the PAD comes in — which typically takes a few business days.
This applies to the first PAD payment for each recipient you pay with Amex. So if you add a new bill or switch to a new recipient, that first PAD payment will follow this process. Once it's been processed, future PAD payments to the same recipient follow the standard flow and your card is charged at the time of processing.
Payments delivered by other methods (such as bill pay) are not affected.
There's nothing you need to do while your payment is pending — it's working as expected.
If your payment is stopped
Most payments pass review without issue. Occasionally, a payment may be stopped, usually because the recipient details are incomplete, the category doesn't match the recipient, or the payment type isn't supported on Chexy.
If your payment is stopped, you'll receive an email from us explaining why. To get your payment moving again, follow the instructions in the email to update your payment details and reactivate it. If you don't reactivate a stopped payment, it won't be processed.
What if my Amex card is declined?
American Express sets individual spending limits for payments made through third-party platforms like Chexy. These limits are specific to your card and are determined by Amex based on your account profile — they're separate from your overall credit limit and may be lower than what you'd expect.
If your card is declined when Chexy attempts to process a payment, it's likely because the charge exceeds the limit Amex has set for your card on our platform. Chexy has no visibility into or control over these limits.
To resolve a declined payment, you have two options:
Contact American Express directly and ask about your spending limit for transactions with Chexy. In most cases, Amex can adjust the limit on your account.
Switch to a Visa or Mastercard for the payment instead. You can update your card in My Cards at any time.
Eligible business categories for Supplier Payments and Professional Services
When you pay a business with an Amex card, your recipient needs to fall into one of the categories Amex supports. If your recipient fits one of the categories below — and you choose the matching category when setting up the payment — it'll move through review smoothly.
Professional Services
Accounting and auditing firms
Employment and staffing agencies
Supplier Payments
Management, consulting, and public relations firms
Advertising and marketing services
Wholesale suppliers of durable goods (equipment, machinery, and other long-lasting products)
Wholesale suppliers of non-durable goods (consumables and everyday products)
Fuel and petroleum product suppliers
Medical and dental equipment suppliers
Electrical parts and equipment suppliers
Office supplies and furniture suppliers
Chemical and allied product suppliers
Metal and raw material suppliers
Plumbing and heating equipment suppliers
Commercial equipment suppliers
Industrial supplies and equipment suppliers
Your recipient must be a business or organization for these categories — payments to individuals aren't supported. If you're not sure whether your recipient qualifies, reach out through chat before setting up the payment and we'll check for you.
If your payment doesn't fall into one of these approved categories, it can't be processed and will be voided.
Payment types not supported on Amex
As a reminder, Amex cards on Chexy can't be used for:
Loan or mortgage payments, including Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and any other debt repayment
Credit card payments
Transfers to personal bank, brokerage, or savings accounts
Payments to yourself, or your friend. A valid proof is required for all payments to individuals.
Foreign exchange or currency conversion
Chexy supports a wide range of bills, including rent, property taxes, income taxes, utilities, and insurance. You can review the full list of supported bill types for personal and for business accounts.
Need a hand?
If you're not sure whether your recipient is eligible, or your payment was stopped and you have questions, reach out to us through chat. We're happy to help you get set up correctly.