In a move almost certain to rile rewards points junkies, Afterpay is about to jettison American Express as a payment method for its buy now pay later customers.
Afterpay last week began notifying customers by email that from 2 October it will no longer accept AMEX card payments to settle fortnightly instalment payments on BNPL accounts.
“We wanted to let you know that from 2 October 2023, American Express will no longer be accepted as a payment method for Afterpay,” the BNPL provider told customers in the email.
“It’s important that you update your payment method before this date in order to avoid late fees and continue to check out with Afterpay in-store and online.”
Afterpay advises AMEX cardholders to nominate an alternative method of payment before the October deadline or risk incurring additional fees and charges.
AMEX joined the Afterpay platform in December 2020, providing its cardholders a way of more than doubling the rewards points they received for making purchases through the BNPL scheme.
A spokesperson for American Express confirmed that the partnership with Afterpay was about to end and urged cardholders to use the card company’s proprietary buy now pay later service, Plan It.
“Afterpay has decided to no longer accept American Express beginning October 2,” the AMEX spokesperson said.
“Eligible Australian card members can split individual purchases into equal monthly instalments with the American Express ‘Plan It’ feature online or in the mobile app, for a fixed monthly fee.”