You can request a check by phone or secure message. This is done in days. If the amount is really a large amount by Amex standards the length of time until a check is issued is not fixed and will depend on your tenure with Amex...The amount of money involved....If the money paid amex prior is truly with Amex...etc.... Basically someone at Amex will review the amount for possible exposure or fraud to Amex and if everything is ok you will be issued a check. If you do not request a check and carry a credit balance over several months the Amex computer will automatically trigger a check request for the credit amount but it still will be reviewed.