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
Mar 22, 2012 | 5:37 pm
#212
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 920
What the heck are you talking about?? These people have mentioned nothing about getting shut down by their credit card. "Cardinal Fang" and "Spanish Inquisition" are these your code words for American Express?
There are people who do not know how to stay under the radar like Marathon Man making 8 amazon payment accounts and then there are people who know how to stay under the radar. One will find with most deals if you stay under the radar... overall you will get more out of a deal then going overboard from the beginning and getting banned.
AZ payments has been going on for awhile now and I think it has a fighting chance of continuing if:
1) People limit discussion on the boards.
2) Stay under the radar.. If you don't know how to stay under the radar PM someone and ask.
3) Don't get greedy. If it's working don't try and go beyond the limits.
4) If you get banned don't call Amazon. I don't think there has been one person who I've talked to or who has posted on here that was able to get a reversal from Amazon after getting shut down. If you get shut down move on! I wouldn't waste my time begging or asking why I got banned. Move on to Serve, Venmo, etc...
I hate to quote a blogger, but there are people like MommyPoints who don't use these payment services because of what has happened to people like AlohaDaveKennedy. If you have the financial info to get you out of a financial review great! But if you don't, just remember that getting 50k from Amazon payments is not nearly as easy as getting 50k from a credit card sign up.
There are people who do not know how to stay under the radar like Marathon Man making 8 amazon payment accounts and then there are people who know how to stay under the radar. One will find with most deals if you stay under the radar... overall you will get more out of a deal then going overboard from the beginning and getting banned.
AZ payments has been going on for awhile now and I think it has a fighting chance of continuing if:
1) People limit discussion on the boards.
2) Stay under the radar.. If you don't know how to stay under the radar PM someone and ask.
3) Don't get greedy. If it's working don't try and go beyond the limits.
4) If you get banned don't call Amazon. I don't think there has been one person who I've talked to or who has posted on here that was able to get a reversal from Amazon after getting shut down. If you get shut down move on! I wouldn't waste my time begging or asking why I got banned. Move on to Serve, Venmo, etc...
I hate to quote a blogger, but there are people like MommyPoints who don't use these payment services because of what has happened to people like AlohaDaveKennedy. If you have the financial info to get you out of a financial review great! But if you don't, just remember that getting 50k from Amazon payments is not nearly as easy as getting 50k from a credit card sign up.
Mar 22, 2012 | 9:17 pm
#213
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CHS
Programs: Delta, AA, BA, United, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,154
Mar 23, 2012 | 8:51 am
#215
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
FYI: Cardinals, Fang, Biggles, Ximenez/Ximinez, and The Spanish Inquisition refer to the grand inquistors portrayed in the classic Monty Python comedy skits. They are the redbirds who pop up out of nowhere to deal with heretics - which is anyone who questions or does not follow their religion, which is spelled out in the good book, which is comprised of the terms and conditions of the credit accounts. Since the terms and conditions are necessarily vague and typically allow changes at will, The Spanish Inquisition tends to pop up unexpectedly as in "Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition." The AMEX Spanish Inquisition is just one of many - every credit card issuer has its own staff charged with monitoring credit accounts. The Inquistion is made up of the fraud, loss prevention, audit, risk and compliance professionals. Their trinity is prevention of fraud, waste and abuse.
Several folks on FT are redbirds, BTW. I suspect one or two are bluebirds (law enforcement professionals) as that flock is on the look out for money laundering and fraud.
Originally Posted by Astrophsx
What the heck are you talking about?? These people have mentioned nothing about getting shut down by their credit card. "Cardinal Fang" and "Spanish Inquisition" are these your code words for American Express?
Several folks on FT are redbirds, BTW. I suspect one or two are bluebirds (law enforcement professionals) as that flock is on the look out for money laundering and fraud.
Originally Posted by Astrophsx
What the heck are you talking about?? These people have mentioned nothing about getting shut down by their credit card. "Cardinal Fang" and "Spanish Inquisition" are these your code words for American Express?
Mar 23, 2012 | 9:23 am
#216
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
and don't forget to go thru the Hawaiian Miles mall for a mile a buck for the purchase... They have partners, so max it out....
Of course I use the Gift Cards to buy Best Buy cards at 5-6% off at Plastic Jungle (mypoints for that purchase) then use those at Best Buy to buy Kindle gift cards for Amazon....
JudyJFLA
Mar 23, 2012 | 9:33 am
#217
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: many
Posts: 1,437
Mar 23, 2012 | 10:38 am
#218
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 221
and don't forget to go thru the Hawaiian Miles mall for a mile a buck for the purchase... They have partners, so max it out....
Of course I use the Gift Cards to buy Best Buy cards at 5-6% off at Plastic Jungle (mypoints for that purchase) then use those at Best Buy to buy Kindle gift cards for Amazon....
JudyJFLA
Of course I use the Gift Cards to buy Best Buy cards at 5-6% off at Plastic Jungle (mypoints for that purchase) then use those at Best Buy to buy Kindle gift cards for Amazon....
JudyJFLA
Did you mean use a credit card to buy best buy gift cards at plastic jungle? If not, what gift card are you referring to?
Mar 23, 2012 | 3:40 pm
#219
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
For those who haven't provided a SSN yet
I notice that in addition to this question on the main page:
They now additionally have this question (right underneath):
With a little red Octagon next to it too.
Strange thing is, the second question only asks for your last 4 digits of your SSN (where as the first one asks for the entire SSN).
So, is this a redundant question for everyone, or, are they now offering an alternate way to 'validate' without entering in all 9 digits.
Originally Posted by amazon
As a result of changes to federal regulations, Amazon Payments requires that you provide your tax identity information. Start now.
Originally Posted by amazon
Important Message:
Please verify your account information as soon as possible to maintain your account privileges.
To complete this step - click here.
Please verify your account information as soon as possible to maintain your account privileges.
To complete this step - click here.
Strange thing is, the second question only asks for your last 4 digits of your SSN (where as the first one asks for the entire SSN).
So, is this a redundant question for everyone, or, are they now offering an alternate way to 'validate' without entering in all 9 digits.
Mar 25, 2012 | 8:40 pm
#220
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: AA Plat,PC Plat, HHonors Gold
Posts: 904
years? Hasn't AP been around for only a year or so?
Mar 26, 2012 | 7:46 am
#221
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Or maybe the cardinals are actually asking twice for the last 4 digits as a check against people entering just any old number for the requested social security number? Naw - Biggles would never think of that trick. And you could never expect Fang to use the social security number as a key field to detect multiple accounts by the same owner. And Ximinez never patrols the accounts looking for anomalies. Or do they, afterall "Amongst our weaponry are such diverse elements as fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms..."
I notice that in addition to this question on the main page:
They now additionally have this question (right underneath):
With a little red Octagon next to it too.
Strange thing is, the second question only asks for your last 4 digits of your SSN (where as the first one asks for the entire SSN).
So, is this a redundant question for everyone, or, are they now offering an alternate way to 'validate' without entering in all 9 digits.
They now additionally have this question (right underneath):
With a little red Octagon next to it too.
Strange thing is, the second question only asks for your last 4 digits of your SSN (where as the first one asks for the entire SSN).
So, is this a redundant question for everyone, or, are they now offering an alternate way to 'validate' without entering in all 9 digits.
Mar 26, 2012 | 6:50 pm
#224
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SHV
Programs: Nada :(
Posts: 109
When I used amazon webpay with my amex gold I had both my amex accounts shut off till I called, then I had to go through a FR, and then I got my limits lowered quite a bit on both accounts. In the end it's OK but it was a pain I guess.
Apr 1, 2012 | 11:10 am
#225
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 5
Im thinking to open a citicard premier ty card with 50k bonus but it requires 3k within 3 months, i heard this was a good way to meet it but not quite clear on process, do i need 2 amazon payment accounts, or can i just create 1 amazon payment account that can pull payments from my cc and send to my bank, whats the best way to avoid getting flagged, if info is to sensitive please pm me, from what i understand as well if you select service goods it wont be treated as cash advance for this card and chase freedom?
thanks
thanks