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
Jun 3, 2013 | 1:07 pm
#2131
Used to be garyjr316
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX or SBA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, Gold Passport, Hilton HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 800
Happy to hear that!
I think the reason is Amazon never cares so trivia. It surely can detect the two transactions made at the same place, some IP, or same computer. But after all, they put 1k limit to prevent abuse. This is better than citi who let you do whatever you want and suddenly kick you out.
Reader, be cautious: I think it is always possible that Amazon changes its mind and shut you down for A-B-A transfer. My suggestion is to make those transactions separate as much as you can within a month and also be mentally prepared to find out your amazon account is closed tomorrow morning. I think I am ready for both so I am in. I will report if I get shut down.
I think the reason is Amazon never cares so trivia. It surely can detect the two transactions made at the same place, some IP, or same computer. But after all, they put 1k limit to prevent abuse. This is better than citi who let you do whatever you want and suddenly kick you out.
Reader, be cautious: I think it is always possible that Amazon changes its mind and shut you down for A-B-A transfer. My suggestion is to make those transactions separate as much as you can within a month and also be mentally prepared to find out your amazon account is closed tomorrow morning. I think I am ready for both so I am in. I will report if I get shut down.
Jun 12, 2013 | 2:24 am
#2133
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Shandong/WV
Posts: 158
I got a pretty funny "get lost" message today while trying to get my non-citizen wife's AP account going.
While not a citizen, she is a resident for tax purposes and has an ITIN and credit history in the US. She wasn't asked for a driver's license at any time, but the account was suspended after several hours, pending additional info (address, phone, ITIN again, etc.). When that was provided, the account breathed once more for several hours before being suspended once more, this time with no prompts for more info.
I opened a support ticket and had a representative contact us mentioning that they were referring the case to the verification department, and about two hours later we got the following message:
"Hello from Amazon Payments.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to confirm your account information which is required in order to utilize this service.
We regret we are unable to provide further information on this situation. Further correspondence regarding the restrictions of your Amazon Payments account may not be answered.
Thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Sincerely,
Account Specialist
Amazon Payments
https://payments.amazon.com"
The ticket is closed on site, so I'm guessing the message here is "no thanks". Her credit history is short, so I'm not sure if what's shutting her down is this or that the ITIN is somehow keying in that she is not an "official" resident. A resident in the eyes of the IRS, but not enough so as to be able to play in the jungle...
(For those interested, there were absolutely no issues with GW.)
While not a citizen, she is a resident for tax purposes and has an ITIN and credit history in the US. She wasn't asked for a driver's license at any time, but the account was suspended after several hours, pending additional info (address, phone, ITIN again, etc.). When that was provided, the account breathed once more for several hours before being suspended once more, this time with no prompts for more info.
I opened a support ticket and had a representative contact us mentioning that they were referring the case to the verification department, and about two hours later we got the following message:
"Hello from Amazon Payments.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to confirm your account information which is required in order to utilize this service.
We regret we are unable to provide further information on this situation. Further correspondence regarding the restrictions of your Amazon Payments account may not be answered.
Thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Sincerely,
Account Specialist
Amazon Payments
https://payments.amazon.com"
The ticket is closed on site, so I'm guessing the message here is "no thanks". Her credit history is short, so I'm not sure if what's shutting her down is this or that the ITIN is somehow keying in that she is not an "official" resident. A resident in the eyes of the IRS, but not enough so as to be able to play in the jungle...
(For those interested, there were absolutely no issues with GW.)
Jun 12, 2013 | 3:51 pm
#2136
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Short credit history is an issue. Took quite an effort to get ADK, Jr. into GW as he was just 18 a few weeks ago.
I got a pretty funny "get lost" message today while trying to get my non-citizen wife's AP account going.
While not a citizen, she is a resident for tax purposes and has an ITIN and credit history in the US. She wasn't asked for a driver's license at any time, but the account was suspended after several hours, pending additional info (address, phone, ITIN again, etc.). When that was provided, the account breathed once more for several hours before being suspended once more, this time with no prompts for more info.
I opened a support ticket and had a representative contact us mentioning that they were referring the case to the verification department, and about two hours later we got the following message:
"Hello from Amazon Payments.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to confirm your account information which is required in order to utilize this service.
We regret we are unable to provide further information on this situation. Further correspondence regarding the restrictions of your Amazon Payments account may not be answered.
Thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Sincerely,
Account Specialist
Amazon Payments
https://payments.amazon.com"
The ticket is closed on site, so I'm guessing the message here is "no thanks". Her credit history is short, so I'm not sure if what's shutting her down is this or that the ITIN is somehow keying in that she is not an "official" resident. A resident in the eyes of the IRS, but not enough so as to be able to play in the jungle...
(For those interested, there were absolutely no issues with GW.)
While not a citizen, she is a resident for tax purposes and has an ITIN and credit history in the US. She wasn't asked for a driver's license at any time, but the account was suspended after several hours, pending additional info (address, phone, ITIN again, etc.). When that was provided, the account breathed once more for several hours before being suspended once more, this time with no prompts for more info.
I opened a support ticket and had a representative contact us mentioning that they were referring the case to the verification department, and about two hours later we got the following message:
"Hello from Amazon Payments.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to confirm your account information which is required in order to utilize this service.
We regret we are unable to provide further information on this situation. Further correspondence regarding the restrictions of your Amazon Payments account may not be answered.
Thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.
Sincerely,
Account Specialist
Amazon Payments
https://payments.amazon.com"
The ticket is closed on site, so I'm guessing the message here is "no thanks". Her credit history is short, so I'm not sure if what's shutting her down is this or that the ITIN is somehow keying in that she is not an "official" resident. A resident in the eyes of the IRS, but not enough so as to be able to play in the jungle...
(For those interested, there were absolutely no issues with GW.)
Jun 18, 2013 | 1:36 pm
#2140
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton lowly Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,152
Jun 18, 2013 | 3:39 pm
#2141
Join Date: May 2013
Location: AZ
Programs: AA, UA, US
Posts: 525
Jun 19, 2013 | 8:46 am
#2143
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton lowly Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,152
Jun 20, 2013 | 6:03 am
#2145
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Shandong/WV
Posts: 158
I send AP payments every month from Japan, US and China ip addresses with no problems.