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
May 2, 2013 | 11:10 am
#2026
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Georgia, USA
Programs: HH Gold, MR Silver, SPG
Posts: 27
Just read ablout the sending limits - I was aware of the 1k but not the $500/transaction if checking not registered. I logged in today to send myself $750 from my wife's account which doesnt have a checking account registered and noticed it went into a pending status. Transactions have always processed fine with sendint $500 or below and less then $1k monthly. Wonder if I am in trouble with this particular transaction since it was over $500 or if it will eventually post?
Update: Posted. Just had to wait longer then normal...whew.
Update: Posted. Just had to wait longer then normal...whew.
Last edited by Damidgede; May 2, 2013 at 1:29 pm
May 2, 2013 | 11:38 am
#2027
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,728
Just a feeling here, but I would avoid Citi still for this. They are going through OK for now, but I am getting little flags that make me think they are focusing on AP now.
EG yesterday I called to ask them how I was doing towards meeting minimum spend for my AA Visa and the agent added up my spend, then said 'and $540 with Amazon Payments' I feel that they are flagging this, so might in the future, now it is flagged decide to recode it to a cash advance.
Not happening yet, but something to think about.
EG yesterday I called to ask them how I was doing towards meeting minimum spend for my AA Visa and the agent added up my spend, then said 'and $540 with Amazon Payments' I feel that they are flagging this, so might in the future, now it is flagged decide to recode it to a cash advance.
Not happening yet, but something to think about.
May 2, 2013 | 12:18 pm
#2028
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Never, but never, mention Amazon Payments and the word "comfy." The Spanish Inquisition has actually been known to use comfy cushions to torture the truth from old ladies and heretics! And heaven forbid you ever bring up the subject of the dreaded dish rack! What were you thinking? What were you expecting with such talk?
I have done virtually every possible combination of cards, ping-pongs, completed circles, Amex/Chase/Citi/Barclays, same card on multiple accounts, even multiple accounts in the same name. Only thing never done is the same bank account on 2+ accounts.
Never had a problem except for something that looked like a website glitch.
Going to sit in the comfy chair, lie on some soft pillows, and watch a St. Louis game. Nyah! Might even wash some dishes.
Never had a problem except for something that looked like a website glitch.
Going to sit in the comfy chair, lie on some soft pillows, and watch a St. Louis game. Nyah! Might even wash some dishes.
May 2, 2013 | 1:20 pm
#2029
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
Interesting. Just got my AA card and used it on AP. How soon after hitting the min spend requirement do the miles for Citicards typically post? Is it instantly like Amex seems to be or is it when the statement in which you hit the minimum closes? Figure I'll try AP with some other charges to hit it and then if it doesn't post I'll have to use other means.
I haven't had any problems with them not posting in the past, just a warning signal to be aware of.
May 2, 2013 | 1:33 pm
#2030
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,684
Mike
May 3, 2013 | 8:19 pm
#2034
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BofA Preferred Rewards
Posts: 625
Just a feeling here, but I would avoid Citi still for this. They are going through OK for now, but I am getting little flags that make me think they are focusing on AP now.
EG yesterday I called to ask them how I was doing towards meeting minimum spend for my AA Visa and the agent added up my spend, then said 'and $540 with Amazon Payments' I feel that they are flagging this, so might in the future, now it is flagged decide to recode it to a cash advance.
Not happening yet, but something to think about.
EG yesterday I called to ask them how I was doing towards meeting minimum spend for my AA Visa and the agent added up my spend, then said 'and $540 with Amazon Payments' I feel that they are flagging this, so might in the future, now it is flagged decide to recode it to a cash advance.
Not happening yet, but something to think about.
Remember, NEVER call!
May 3, 2013 | 10:27 pm
#2035
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 250
I don't think he was calling just to check how much he has spent towards spending requirments, but rather indirectly asking him if Amazon Purchase is counted as a regular purchase or cash advance.
May 4, 2013 | 9:49 am
#2037
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: AMEX Plat, AAdvantage Gold, UA, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 963
The card I have is jacked and it won't show up on the Citi website, the only way I can see a balance online is if I go straight to 'pay balance' and that only shows present balance. If I click on the card itself it errors out.
And its not about the calling in- its about Citi being able to see what you are doing, as proven by the call in. Also- you might notice (if your citi card is viewable online unlike mine) that Citi comments next to the AP transaction an inline advert 'need a cash advance? Try this feature' so they know whats happening...
Just trying to spread the awareness.
May 5, 2013 | 11:50 am
#2038
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 61
Any one else have a problem signing up for an account? I put in my SSN, whatever they asked for, but they say they can't verify it. I got an email asking me to enter a code when I login, BUT THERE'S NO PLACE TO ENTER THE CODE. Maybe cause my address is my college address and not my residential? I really don't want to have to call, anyone have any ideas whats going on or how to remedy this?
May 5, 2013 | 8:11 pm
#2039
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Any one else have a problem signing up for an account? I put in my SSN, whatever they asked for, but they say they can't verify it. I got an email asking me to enter a code when I login, BUT THERE'S NO PLACE TO ENTER THE CODE. Maybe cause my address is my college address and not my residential? I really don't want to have to call, anyone have any ideas whats going on or how to remedy this?
so, suggestion would be to use your permanent address and see if that helps.
May 5, 2013 | 9:08 pm
#2040
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BofA Preferred Rewards
Posts: 625
