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
Sep 5, 2013, 1:13 am
#2476
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, IHG Spire, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 308
Thanks for the reply as I had the same thoughts as you about switching CC. Like I said it was a question raised on the Amex Serve thread that had me rethinking about this. Many on Serve said you can only add ONE credit card and can't switch it around like Amz. Serve have been known to shut down accts just on this issue.
Serve has issues when you try and add a card that isn't in "your" name. This includes those debit gift cards. Changing the funding source to another credit card *should* be easy enough.
Sep 5, 2013, 9:03 am
#2477
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Jackson, WY
Posts: 543
Read 30-40 pages of this and have done a few transfers.
Haven't figured out what card maximizes point value yet though.
My guess is AMEX GC bought at an office supply store on Ink for .6 cents per dollar? Or for those not into buying points 2.14 on the CSP used directly? Suggestions anyone - Feel free to PM.
I haven't figured out the thread tool search function yet. Everything I search for is too generic.
Haven't figured out what card maximizes point value yet though.
My guess is AMEX GC bought at an office supply store on Ink for .6 cents per dollar? Or for those not into buying points 2.14 on the CSP used directly? Suggestions anyone - Feel free to PM.
I haven't figured out the thread tool search function yet. Everything I search for is too generic.
Sep 5, 2013, 10:51 am
#2478
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
Thanks, I could've misintrepreted some of the answers posted on the Serve thread b/c when I answered (on the Serve thread)that I normally switch about 4-5 CC a year to meet minimum spending, the reply was it cant be done with Serve and would result in shutdown.
Sep 5, 2013, 2:17 pm
#2479
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 73
That's my exact same setup, been running it for about 12 months now with no issues (not to say there won't be any, but so far so good)
Sep 11, 2013, 7:12 am
#2482
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 498
Read 30-40 pages of this and have done a few transfers.
Haven't figured out what card maximizes point value yet though.
My guess is AMEX GC bought at an office supply store on Ink for .6 cents per dollar? Or for those not into buying points 2.14 on the CSP used directly? Suggestions anyone - Feel free to PM.
I haven't figured out the thread tool search function yet. Everything I search for is too generic.
Haven't figured out what card maximizes point value yet though.
My guess is AMEX GC bought at an office supply store on Ink for .6 cents per dollar? Or for those not into buying points 2.14 on the CSP used directly? Suggestions anyone - Feel free to PM.
I haven't figured out the thread tool search function yet. Everything I search for is too generic.
In the end the most valuable points are those you will use. If you have more than 1 of these types of points, then the cost per point should guide you unless the value is different. MS without a goal may be more of a burden than a boon although it is hard to not do free MS
I am unsure which is best as well. I need to look at it more when I meet MS in between application cycles. A great use of your time may be to set up a goal trip for you, look at the miles you will need and work towards that OR to top of miles needed for a trip.
In terms of addresses, it is VERY common for even married couples to have separate finances. sending to someone in the same address due to separate bank accounts for separate bills is a valid reason. Just make sure you are consistent.
Sep 16, 2013, 10:55 am
#2483
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Raiegh, NC
Posts: 300
So are we saying the AP system will allow you to set up more than 1 AP account with the same name and SSN as long as they have different email addresses and bank account numbers? With this, one could set up a lot more than 4 AP accounts.
Sep 16, 2013, 12:21 pm
#2484
Used to be garyjr316
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX or SBA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, Gold Passport, Hilton HHonors, Marriott
Posts: 800
Saying it's possible... yes. Saying you could be looking a gift horse in the mouth... also yes. Proceed at your own risk.
Sep 16, 2013, 12:56 pm
#2485
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
I also hear that AP allow 3 account per household (address). More at AP would be risky.
3 AP different email, bank account, CC seem to be safe so far.
@MaineCoon are you using same address for 4 AP?
3 AP different email, bank account, CC seem to be safe so far.
@MaineCoon are you using same address for 4 AP?
Sep 16, 2013, 1:12 pm
#2486
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
yep.
Sep 16, 2013, 1:31 pm
#2487
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 956
Sep 16, 2013, 2:31 pm
#2488
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
from this thread.. either that are they did something wrong and their account was closed. But no one really confirm what exactly happen.
Only thing I notice that is clear is:
1- one way transaction only
2- unique email per AP
3- unique bank account per AP
4- unique CC per AP
still look for way to maximize AP for a single household
5- stay under $20k+ per SSN
Only thing I notice that is clear is:
1- one way transaction only
2- unique email per AP
3- unique bank account per AP
4- unique CC per AP
still look for way to maximize AP for a single household
5- stay under $20k+ per SSN
Sep 16, 2013, 7:47 pm
#2489
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 201
from this thread.. either that are they did something wrong and their account was closed. But no one really confirm what exactly happen.
Only thing I notice that is clear is:
1- one way transaction only
2- unique email per AP
3- unique bank account per AP
4- unique CC per AP
still look for way to maximize AP for a single household
5- stay under $20k+ per SSN
Only thing I notice that is clear is:
1- one way transaction only
2- unique email per AP
3- unique bank account per AP
4- unique CC per AP
still look for way to maximize AP for a single household
5- stay under $20k+ per SSN
Not sure if I got this correct. If you set up more than one AP acct following the above, then it is possible to still do A to B and then B to C then C back to A for ALL accts. or does all AP accts have to use different receipients, ex: can't do A -B-C -A cycle for all accts that is set up.
And yes, I also read before from this very forum people were shut down for having more than one AP acct. That's the reason I never open more than just the one I have now. Not sure if AP does random audits and caught a few people in the past as it must be easier now to do since name and SSN are all the same. Harder in the past as I remember SSN were not required when I 1st joined?????
Sep 16, 2013, 9:34 pm
#2490
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
There is a limit of sending $1K/mo, is there a limit on receiving as well?
It's a game. You can be fouled out of the field at any time. Your risk tolerance level varies.
Not sure if I got this correct. If you set up more than one AP acct following the above, then it is possible to still do A to B and then B to C then C back to A for ALL accts. or does all AP accts have to use different receipients, ex: can't do A -B-C -A cycle for all accts that is set up.
And yes, I also read before from this very forum people were shut down for having more than one AP acct. That's the reason I never open more than just the one I have now. Not sure if AP does random audits and caught a few people in the past as it must be easier now to do since name and SSN are all the same. Harder in the past as I remember SSN were not required when I 1st joined?????
And yes, I also read before from this very forum people were shut down for having more than one AP acct. That's the reason I never open more than just the one I have now. Not sure if AP does random audits and caught a few people in the past as it must be easier now to do since name and SSN are all the same. Harder in the past as I remember SSN were not required when I 1st joined?????