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
Jul 15, 2013, 6:00 pm
#2251
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
More like dozens of dozens of time. If you noticed I just go back and copy and paste my answer from the past, lol.
But I'm cool with it. A lot of the times I get lazy and don't feel like reading for hours to find an answer when I can just ask something simple and someone will answer right away. So I don't mind helping out. I play the golden rule =)
But I'm cool with it. A lot of the times I get lazy and don't feel like reading for hours to find an answer when I can just ask something simple and someone will answer right away. So I don't mind helping out. I play the golden rule =)
For me, the problem looks Amazon is not consistent.
So the strategy depends on each risk tolerance.
Jul 15, 2013, 10:31 pm
#2253
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
More like dozens of dozens of time. If you noticed I just go back and copy and paste my answer from the past, lol.
But I'm cool with it. A lot of the times I get lazy and don't feel like reading for hours to find an answer when I can just ask something simple and someone will answer right away. So I don't mind helping out. I play the golden rule =)
But I'm cool with it. A lot of the times I get lazy and don't feel like reading for hours to find an answer when I can just ask something simple and someone will answer right away. So I don't mind helping out. I play the golden rule =)
Good times on FT i tell ya...
Jul 16, 2013, 8:23 am
#2254
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 633
Strange today I could not exceed $500 in CC payments for one account. I have used this account for years and have been doing close to $1K regularly. There are verified bank and cc accounts. I saw there was one bank account waiting to verify. I don't even recall what that one was or when it was added. I deleted that account but am still subject to the $500 max.
Also checked my Account settings and it says I have a $1000 CC sending limit with $4.77 remaining. For July, from Account summary I can see that I have done $500 from CC and $5.23 from a Debit card. So this looks to be a $510 limit LOL. I think I know what may have happened. I initially did a $490 payment today, but something happened. I don't recall the message but it didn't show up on the summary so I thought it didn't go through. My CC does not show it going through. Whatever happened, AMZ system must be counting that $490 as part of my limit. I will need to keep a watch on this to see what happens to the $490 limbo payment.
Actually looking at CC activity I see a $0 AMAZON.COM pending payment right before my other payments. This is the first time I used this card on Amazon, so I wonder if they tried to process a $0 payment as part of the $490 transaction. Or something got screwed up in their system. Also,m the subsequent payments that went through on this card are listed as Amazon Payments not AMAZON.COM.
Also checked my Account settings and it says I have a $1000 CC sending limit with $4.77 remaining. For July, from Account summary I can see that I have done $500 from CC and $5.23 from a Debit card. So this looks to be a $510 limit LOL. I think I know what may have happened. I initially did a $490 payment today, but something happened. I don't recall the message but it didn't show up on the summary so I thought it didn't go through. My CC does not show it going through. Whatever happened, AMZ system must be counting that $490 as part of my limit. I will need to keep a watch on this to see what happens to the $490 limbo payment.
Actually looking at CC activity I see a $0 AMAZON.COM pending payment right before my other payments. This is the first time I used this card on Amazon, so I wonder if they tried to process a $0 payment as part of the $490 transaction. Or something got screwed up in their system. Also,m the subsequent payments that went through on this card are listed as Amazon Payments not AMAZON.COM.
Last edited by FlyingBoat; Jul 16, 2013 at 8:38 am
Jul 16, 2013, 12:36 pm
#2255
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
I can't find a definitive answer on using Citi for AP. I'd appreciate a PM. Trying to met spend on the Citi AA 50k offer. Since it has no bonus categories, amazon is as good as any. I've used amex before but my new amex has grocery category.
Jul 16, 2013, 3:31 pm
#2256
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
No problems of any kind currently or in the past.
However if you want a bulletproof guarantee of everything in the future, this game may not be for you.
Jul 16, 2013, 4:08 pm
#2257
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
Jul 20, 2013, 3:34 pm
#2258
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,727
I've been using AP for nearly a year now but was going to add a family member. Does the checking account linked to the AP account need to be in the same name as the AP account? I figured I'd just put the AP account owner's DL# and then someone else's bank account info.
Jul 20, 2013, 4:08 pm
#2259
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 89
I've been using AP for nearly a year now but was going to add a family member. Does the checking account linked to the AP account need to be in the same name as the AP account? I figured I'd just put the AP account owner's DL# and then someone else's bank account info.
Jul 21, 2013, 11:46 am
#2260
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: RDU
Programs: AA, SWA
Posts: 13
I'm brand new here. Just wanted to thank everyone for posting such valuable information. I opened 2 AP accounts today with the same name, address & SSN, but different email, bank accts, & credit cards. Did a test run & everything worked fine. I'm getting ready to open a couple of credit cards & wanted to make sure that I'll be able to meet the spend requirements.
Jul 21, 2013, 11:49 am
#2261
Join Date: May 2000
Location: I see palm trees....
Posts: 414
I'm brand new here. Just wanted to thank everyone for posting such valuable information. I opened 2 AP accounts today with the same name, address & SSN, but different email, bank accts, & credit cards. Did a test run & everything worked fine. I'm getting ready to open a couple of credit cards & wanted to make sure that I'll be able to meet the spend requirements.
Try using a family member's name or significant other.
Jul 21, 2013, 12:01 pm
#2262
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: RDU
Programs: AA, SWA
Posts: 13
I decided to take the risk based on Astrophsx's success.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21072267-post2227.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/21072267-post2227.html
Jul 21, 2013, 5:10 pm
#2263
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
I'm brand new here. Just wanted to thank everyone for posting such valuable information. I opened 2 AP accounts today with the same name, address & SSN, but different email, bank accts, & credit cards. Did a test run & everything worked fine. I'm getting ready to open a couple of credit cards & wanted to make sure that I'll be able to meet the spend requirements.
Jul 21, 2013, 7:14 pm
#2264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 119
I've been sending payments to my brother for a while now to meet minimum spend requirements. He has been transferring the money to his checking account and then withdrawing it and depositing it into my account.
To save him a trip to my bank could he add my bank account (a savings account different from my checking account linked to my own AP account. The savings account can apparently accept ACH transfers) to his AP account and transfer the money directly into that? If so, would it raise any red flags?
To save him a trip to my bank could he add my bank account (a savings account different from my checking account linked to my own AP account. The savings account can apparently accept ACH transfers) to his AP account and transfer the money directly into that? If so, would it raise any red flags?
Jul 21, 2013, 7:25 pm
#2265
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 450
Lots of people have been doing this with success posted all over this thread, myself included. Are there easier ways to be incognito, yes, but this method does work ok up to 3 accounts with same info (differing cards and bank accounts though). No successes with more than 3 that I remember reading in this thread.