American Express debuts competitor to PayPal

New York -- The online checkout space keeps getting more crowded.



American Express on Thursday launched Amex Express Checkout, an alternative online payment method that its U.S. card members can use to check out and pay on partnering websites and apps. Unlike other online payments tools currently in the marketplace, Amex Express Checkout does not require a card member to create or manage a new account.



The new service is currently available only at BarkBox, Burberry, Ledbury, Newegg, Sabon, Ticketmaster, and Warby Parker. But it is expected to be available in the coming months on websites for Avis Car Rental, Banana Republic, Cole Haan, Hulu, Gap, Intermix, Old Navy, PopSugar Must Have, Rocketmiles, 1-800-flowers.com and other merchants.



Retailers that use Stripe will also be able to integrate AmEx Express Checkout using Stripe’s existing technology.



Here’s how it works: Card holders use their existing americanexpress.com user ID and password, and American Express auto-fills the checkout fields with their American Express Card details and relevant account information in a few clicks.



"Amex Express Checkout leverages our unique technology to create a checkout experience unlike any other, one that is valuable to merchants and secure for Card Members, giving them peace of mind,” said Leslie Berland, executive VP, digital partnerships & development at American Express.