Nov 10, 2013, 11:26 am
Last edit by: mcdullhk88
Dead as of 10/13/14
FAQ's
Is Amazon Payments treated as a cash advance? No CC issuer has been reported as treating an AP transaction as a cash advance unless the sender selected "Payment is for Cash Advance" on the Send Money screen.
What does it mean when your payment is "pending"? Your payment will be reviewed. We are unsure whether this review is done by a human or computer. It should take less than 24 hours but is usually within minutes.
How should you describe your payment? "Goods or services" will allow you to charge with a CC and it will not be treated as a cash advance. Note: If you choose cash advance, it may be treated as such by your CC issuer; always choose Goods/Services. There is no reason to put anything in the optional description field - leave it blank.
What is the monthly limit for sending CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What is the monthly limit for receiving CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What if it is not allowing me to send/receive more than $500 or any at all? You probably have not verified your bank and/or added a CC. In order to get the full $1,000 allowance for sending and receiving you must have a bank verified AND a CC added to your account as a payment method.
Does AP qualify for special spending categories? Specifically it qualifies for Discover's (usually 4th quarter) category of online purchases but so far, not Chase's "5% CB on Amazon.com purchases." Refer to thread for other options.
Can you get shutdown? Yes.
How do you get shutdown? No one knows. Anecdotes are found throughout the thread. Some suspicious behavior that MIGHT get your AP account(s) shut down is listed below.
Which transaction is most advisable? A -> B -> C -> A (see here)
Are any fees charged during this process? No, not by Amazon Payments. If your transaction is treated as a cash advance by your card issuer--fees are possible. Beware and always double check that goods/services is selected!
Can you liquidate Amazon GC via AP? NO!
Can you liquidate other gift cards via AP? Yes. Note that you cannot liquidate the full value of a GC because amazon places a $1 hold while it verifies the validity of the GC. You can sometimes (not always) avoid the hold by entering an incorrect expiration date for the GC when adding it to your AP account, and after you have added it, go to "Edit my account settings," then to "Add edit or delete my credit cards" and edit the expiration date there.
When does the month end? It appears as if Amazon is on pacific time, so midnight PDT/PST is when the month resets.
It bears repeating that no one knows the methodology amazon uses to police AP transactions, determines which transactions violate its T&Cs, or identifies violators. However, various people in this thread and elsewhere have confirmed that their AP account(s) were shut down for the following reasons:
Additionally, we have updated the terms and conditions of our User Agreement (https://payments.amazon.com/help/Personal-Accounts/User-Agreement-Policies/User-Agreement) that apply to your use of the products and services provided by Amazon Payments. Our updated User Agreement revises certain terms (including, among other things, the elimination of person-to-person payments). Our new User Agreement will become effective on October 13, 2014, which is more than 30 days from when we first posted our updated User Agreement. By continuing to use our services after October 13, 2014, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of our new User Agreement.
Is Amazon Payments treated as a cash advance? No CC issuer has been reported as treating an AP transaction as a cash advance unless the sender selected "Payment is for Cash Advance" on the Send Money screen.
What does it mean when your payment is "pending"? Your payment will be reviewed. We are unsure whether this review is done by a human or computer. It should take less than 24 hours but is usually within minutes.
How should you describe your payment? "Goods or services" will allow you to charge with a CC and it will not be treated as a cash advance. Note: If you choose cash advance, it may be treated as such by your CC issuer; always choose Goods/Services. There is no reason to put anything in the optional description field - leave it blank.
What is the monthly limit for sending CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What is the monthly limit for receiving CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What if it is not allowing me to send/receive more than $500 or any at all? You probably have not verified your bank and/or added a CC. In order to get the full $1,000 allowance for sending and receiving you must have a bank verified AND a CC added to your account as a payment method.
Does AP qualify for special spending categories? Specifically it qualifies for Discover's (usually 4th quarter) category of online purchases but so far, not Chase's "5% CB on Amazon.com purchases." Refer to thread for other options.
Can you get shutdown? Yes.
How do you get shutdown? No one knows. Anecdotes are found throughout the thread. Some suspicious behavior that MIGHT get your AP account(s) shut down is listed below.
Which transaction is most advisable? A -> B -> C -> A (see here)
Are any fees charged during this process? No, not by Amazon Payments. If your transaction is treated as a cash advance by your card issuer--fees are possible. Beware and always double check that goods/services is selected!
Can you liquidate Amazon GC via AP? NO!
Can you liquidate other gift cards via AP? Yes. Note that you cannot liquidate the full value of a GC because amazon places a $1 hold while it verifies the validity of the GC. You can sometimes (not always) avoid the hold by entering an incorrect expiration date for the GC when adding it to your AP account, and after you have added it, go to "Edit my account settings," then to "Add edit or delete my credit cards" and edit the expiration date there.
When does the month end? It appears as if Amazon is on pacific time, so midnight PDT/PST is when the month resets.
It bears repeating that no one knows the methodology amazon uses to police AP transactions, determines which transactions violate its T&Cs, or identifies violators. However, various people in this thread and elsewhere have confirmed that their AP account(s) were shut down for the following reasons:
- Associating one credit card number with more than one AP account (Be Careful if authorized user card has the same number as the primary card holder - in some instances the CC numbers are completely different)
- Associating one bank account with more than one AP account
Amazon Payments
Oct 3, 2013, 12:37 pm
#2611
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
But, the last payment on one account went to 'pending' and has been stuck there for a while.
Last time this happened my entire 'loop' of accounts eventually got nuked soon after. Really 'hoping' that this is just a delay this time (as it is reported that it can happen), but, 'preparing' for the fact that this loop is likely nuked now. This is a nice well aged loop of near 3 years... would hate to see it go.
UPDATE: 'x' hours later payment completed.
Not going to do any thing with any of the other accounts in this loop for a weeks or so.
Last edited by thehawk75; Oct 3, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Oct 3, 2013, 12:49 pm
#2613
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
Being doing AP for some time and got permission to add Mom in-law to the chain. Setup and verified her account for her. 1st transfer was with a CGC I had left over. Payment went in to 'Pending'. Nuts - the CGC have my zip not hers. 24hrs later She gets this email:
--
Greetings from Amazon Payments.
We are writing because it has come to our attention that you have opened multiple accounts.
Amazon WebPay has a combined sending and receiving limit of $1000 per month per user. Multiple accounts opened to potentially enhance this limit will be closed.
All pending transactions have been canceled and your Amazon Payments accounts closed.
We appreciate your compliance with this matter and thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Best regards,
Thank you.
Amazon.com
-----
There are no multiple accounts under her SSN (that I know of!). Odd they use this response to close the account.
--
Greetings from Amazon Payments.
We are writing because it has come to our attention that you have opened multiple accounts.
Amazon WebPay has a combined sending and receiving limit of $1000 per month per user. Multiple accounts opened to potentially enhance this limit will be closed.
All pending transactions have been canceled and your Amazon Payments accounts closed.
We appreciate your compliance with this matter and thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Best regards,
Thank you.
Amazon.com
-----
There are no multiple accounts under her SSN (that I know of!). Odd they use this response to close the account.
Oct 3, 2013, 2:37 pm
#2614
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: STL
Programs: Back to lowly AA Gold (1.8 MM); Hilton Gold; Hyatt Plat
Posts: 334
My original post:
"We're very sorry, but we're having trouble doing what you just asked us to do" I've been getting this message for the past two days when I try to add funding from a new credit card. Has anyone successfully added a new card in the last few days? Seems like a long IT outage for someone like Amazon.
Thanks
Thanks
Oct 3, 2013, 3:16 pm
#2615
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Being doing AP for some time and got permission to add Mom in-law to the chain. Setup and verified her account for her. 1st transfer was with a CGC I had left over. Payment went in to 'Pending'. Nuts - the CGC have my zip not hers. 24hrs later She gets this email:
--
Greetings from Amazon Payments.
We are writing because it has come to our attention that you have opened multiple accounts.
Amazon WebPay has a combined sending and receiving limit of $1000 per month per user. Multiple accounts opened to potentially enhance this limit will be closed.
All pending transactions have been canceled and your Amazon Payments accounts closed.
We appreciate your compliance with this matter and thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Best regards,
Thank you.
Amazon.com
-----
There are no multiple accounts under her SSN (that I know of!). Odd they use this response to close the account.
--
Greetings from Amazon Payments.
We are writing because it has come to our attention that you have opened multiple accounts.
Amazon WebPay has a combined sending and receiving limit of $1000 per month per user. Multiple accounts opened to potentially enhance this limit will be closed.
All pending transactions have been canceled and your Amazon Payments accounts closed.
We appreciate your compliance with this matter and thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Best regards,
Thank you.
Amazon.com
-----
There are no multiple accounts under her SSN (that I know of!). Odd they use this response to close the account.
If it ain't broke don't fix it
Oct 3, 2013, 3:24 pm
#2616
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: USA
Programs: All major programs
Posts: 1,403
I like it. I have been doing A->B->A for some time now and don't plan to change it. Hopefully it will be fine.
Oct 3, 2013, 11:39 pm
#2622
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 128
Quote:
Originally Posted by oracles4444
Sorry if this has been answered. i have read the entire thread however it has been awhile now.
Just want to make sure that this method will be OK.
I am sending 1k to my best friend via amazon payments. He then receives it and deposit it into my bank. He then sends me 1k from his credit card to my account. I then deposit it. Will amazon say anything because they see me giving him 1k and he is giving me 1k back?
Thanks for your input
Surprised you missed this If you read back already,as the answer would be there many times.
The general concensus here is never do back and forth transactions (A-B/B-A) as this "may" raise red flags with Amz. and possible shut down.
You will see many (including myself) who will advise A to B and B to C. Then C can send money back to A.
Cheers
Originally Posted by oracles4444
Sorry if this has been answered. i have read the entire thread however it has been awhile now.
Just want to make sure that this method will be OK.
I am sending 1k to my best friend via amazon payments. He then receives it and deposit it into my bank. He then sends me 1k from his credit card to my account. I then deposit it. Will amazon say anything because they see me giving him 1k and he is giving me 1k back?
Thanks for your input
Surprised you missed this If you read back already,as the answer would be there many times.
The general concensus here is never do back and forth transactions (A-B/B-A) as this "may" raise red flags with Amz. and possible shut down.
You will see many (including myself) who will advise A to B and B to C. Then C can send money back to A.
Cheers
Oct 3, 2013, 11:41 pm
#2623
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 128
Amazon Payments
Is something wrong with amazon, I used my credit card to send 1k to my friend and after the transaction, it doesn't show anything. When I do it again, it states I have exceeded my limit however my friend didn't receive anything and my credit card does not show any transaction, will it show up soon? If not will the exceed limit disappear and will I be able to do it again or must I wait until next month to try again? Thanks again for the input
Oct 4, 2013, 8:24 am
#2624
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Programs: Delta DM 1MM, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 315
I see exclusions for Travel, Government Services, Utilities, and Education. But PayPal is specifically on the list as approved for 5% so gives hope that AP will be eligible as well.
Oct 4, 2013, 11:01 am
#2625
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
Just as a data: my brothers Amz acct was shut down about 1.5 yrs ago along with his wife for transfers A>B>A. So shutdowns do happen.
Which was why I advise against it and adding an additional member (C) into the mix. But then guess this is "useless" info.
Yes, its very YMMV but better to be on the safe side, but to each their own.
Cheers