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
Feb 2, 2013 | 1:07 pm
#1622
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 709
Thanks!
As for the $1 issue, I try to add all cards, even the staples rebate ones to my AP accounts as soon as I get them, esp if waiting for next month so that the $1 drops off before use. A great way to finish off all those little amounts left over. I just have to keep the cards around for a bit to confirm they are totally used up before deleting them from the account and tossing them.
JudyJFLA
As for the $1 issue, I try to add all cards, even the staples rebate ones to my AP accounts as soon as I get them, esp if waiting for next month so that the $1 drops off before use. A great way to finish off all those little amounts left over. I just have to keep the cards around for a bit to confirm they are totally used up before deleting them from the account and tossing them.
JudyJFLA
i remember the workaround not working for me once before so i never tried again. was feeling brave just now so i tried it and it worked, but this time i registered with a typo, sent a payment which failed, corrected typo, and then sent the 2nd payment which worked. was curious if we can just register w/a typo and then correct without sending the first (failed) payment? thanks for any insight! if no response i'll try tomorrow and report back
Last edited by brownie20; Feb 2, 2013 at 3:39 pm Reason: clarification
Feb 3, 2013 | 12:42 pm
#1625
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 275
Feb 3, 2013 | 3:50 pm
#1627
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 275
Feb 5, 2013 | 8:44 pm
#1628
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: FL
Programs: BA, AA, DA, UA, CO
Posts: 212
Ok, guys. I need your advice. About to resume using again AP after probably two years brake, since they closed my previous account.This time I think I am better prepared.
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
Feb 5, 2013 | 8:51 pm
#1629
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 297
Ok, guys. I need your advice. About to resume using again AP after probably two years brake, since they closed my previous account.This time I think I am better prepared.
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
Feb 5, 2013 | 8:54 pm
#1630
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
A better scenario is taking the tradecraft off the public posts and back into PMs.
Ok, guys. I need your advice. About to resume using again AP after probably two years brake, since they closed my previous account.This time I think I am better prepared.
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
What do you think is the best scenario for not too obvious transferring.
Account A (my name with middle initial)
Account B (my name w/out m initial, same SSN and DL)
Account C (close friend, willing to play)
What do you think about A->C, C->B, B->A. Total spent $2000 for me and $1000 for my friend.
Do you see a better scenario?
Feb 5, 2013 | 8:56 pm
#1631
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
But Cardinal Fang said he just needed the SSN to comply with government regulations.
Don't tell me the good cardinal was lying through his teeth!
Don't tell me the good cardinal was lying through his teeth!
Feb 5, 2013 | 11:10 pm
#1634
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: CVG
Programs: AAdvantage, Delta Skymiles, CapOne Venture, Citi ThankYou
Posts: 486
I now have two accounts with the same SSN/DOB, different email, slightly different names, completely unique registered cards and completely unique emails for transferees.
I did take one precaution and separate my transfers; one at the beginning of the month and one in the middle. If they ever decide to hold anything up I figure they'll get only one.
Wanted to report back.
Feb 6, 2013 | 5:42 am
#1635
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
If insufficiently capitalized, one $1,000 transaction may be all Cardinal Fang needs to grab.
I finally provided my SSN for the account that needed it. No shut down yet. One successful transfer under my belt.
I now have two accounts with the same SSN/DOB, different email, slightly different names, completely unique registered cards and completely unique emails for transferees.
I did take one precaution and separate my transfers; one at the beginning of the month and one in the middle. If they ever decide to hold anything up I figure they'll get only one.
Wanted to report back.
I now have two accounts with the same SSN/DOB, different email, slightly different names, completely unique registered cards and completely unique emails for transferees.
I did take one precaution and separate my transfers; one at the beginning of the month and one in the middle. If they ever decide to hold anything up I figure they'll get only one.
Wanted to report back.