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
Oct 23, 2013, 10:15 am
#2731
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
From his original post, it sounds like f0xx did $1K A > C via credit card and then $1K C > B from Amazon balance, in which case, there are still two more opportunities. No need for the middleman pass through. $1K A > B, $1K B > C, $1K C > A, all funded by credit card.
Oct 23, 2013, 11:21 am
#2732
Join Date: May 2000
Location: I see palm trees....
Posts: 414
Why are you going through all this trouble with a 'C'?
A-B-A is perfectly safe, provided you are different people and have different bank accounts. Many of us have been going this route for YEARS with no issue. If Amazon disapproved, don't you think they would have said something by now?
Based on the reports I've seen, I'm convinced is the joint bank accounts that get people.
A-B-A is perfectly safe, provided you are different people and have different bank accounts. Many of us have been going this route for YEARS with no issue. If Amazon disapproved, don't you think they would have said something by now?
Based on the reports I've seen, I'm convinced is the joint bank accounts that get people.
Oct 23, 2013, 4:17 pm
#2733
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 721
Fishing for approval of my plan...
Never done AP. Never had a joint bank account. I wanna do AP, always A-to-B. B would be a relative in another state, newly named as "joint" on one of my accounts (the one their AP points to, my AP would point to a different account of mine) with all bank statements still going to my address not theirs. Will this work? What might be any gotchas?
(I just thought of one -- the 1099-INT, but I think my name would appear first so I'd pay 100% of the tax on the interest which is fine)
Thanks!
Never done AP. Never had a joint bank account. I wanna do AP, always A-to-B. B would be a relative in another state, newly named as "joint" on one of my accounts (the one their AP points to, my AP would point to a different account of mine) with all bank statements still going to my address not theirs. Will this work? What might be any gotchas?
(I just thought of one -- the 1099-INT, but I think my name would appear first so I'd pay 100% of the tax on the interest which is fine)
Thanks!
Last edited by zceuxbhjutf; Oct 23, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Oct 23, 2013, 4:55 pm
#2734
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
Fishing for approval of my plan...
Never done AP. Never had a joint bank account. I wanna do AP, always A-to-B. B would be a relative in another state, newly named as "joint" on one of my accounts (the one their AP points to, my AP would point to a different account of mine) with all bank statements still going to my address not theirs. Will this work? What might be any gotchas?
(I just thought of one -- the 1099-INT, but I think my name would appear first so I'd pay 100% of the tax on the interest which is fine)
Thanks!
Never done AP. Never had a joint bank account. I wanna do AP, always A-to-B. B would be a relative in another state, newly named as "joint" on one of my accounts (the one their AP points to, my AP would point to a different account of mine) with all bank statements still going to my address not theirs. Will this work? What might be any gotchas?
(I just thought of one -- the 1099-INT, but I think my name would appear first so I'd pay 100% of the tax on the interest which is fine)
Thanks!
2. Amazon Payments is simple. There is nothing to think through. Google 'million mile secrets amazon payments' and follow the circles and arrows if needed. Everything you want to do is fine, unless AP decides to ask for one of B's bank statements and it has your address on it. If that were to happen, he could just add another bank account and never transfer to the second (his) bank account. No one will be paying or receiving any interest. There will be no 1099 for the 12K or 24K that you push around through the year, and certainly never any 1099-INT with any AP account.
Oct 23, 2013, 6:44 pm
#2735
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 47
I'm sure it's already somewhere in this thread but searching through it I couldn't find it. Looking for some suggestions...
Here is the situation:
-My fiance and I live together, different last names of course.
-The address on our Drivers License is the same
-If it matters, the address used to sign up for all of our credit cards is the same as the one on our licenses too.
Can she send me money via Amazon Payments? Or being that we share an address enough to flag the transaction?
Thanks in advance!
Here is the situation:
-My fiance and I live together, different last names of course.
-The address on our Drivers License is the same
-If it matters, the address used to sign up for all of our credit cards is the same as the one on our licenses too.
Can she send me money via Amazon Payments? Or being that we share an address enough to flag the transaction?
Thanks in advance!
Oct 23, 2013, 7:26 pm
#2736
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
bearsball88 - This question shows up regularly, but search is not always easy in long threads.
Yes, no problem. Just don't hook any one CC number or bank account to both AP accounts. Sending money back and forth rather than just one direction has resulted in rare problems, many of us have done A-B-A with the same last name and address for a year or more with no issues.
Virtual card numbers (Citi) or AU accounts with unique numbers (AMEX, Barclays) can be used if needed to push money both ways with the same CC account.
Yes, no problem. Just don't hook any one CC number or bank account to both AP accounts. Sending money back and forth rather than just one direction has resulted in rare problems, many of us have done A-B-A with the same last name and address for a year or more with no issues.
Virtual card numbers (Citi) or AU accounts with unique numbers (AMEX, Barclays) can be used if needed to push money both ways with the same CC account.
Oct 23, 2013, 7:28 pm
#2737
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 85
I'm sure it's already somewhere in this thread but searching through it I couldn't find it. Looking for some suggestions...
Here is the situation:
-My fiance and I live together, different last names of course.
-The address on our Drivers License is the same
-If it matters, the address used to sign up for all of our credit cards is the same as the one on our licenses too.
Can she send me money via Amazon Payments? Or being that we share an address enough to flag the transaction?
Thanks in advance!
Here is the situation:
-My fiance and I live together, different last names of course.
-The address on our Drivers License is the same
-If it matters, the address used to sign up for all of our credit cards is the same as the one on our licenses too.
Can she send me money via Amazon Payments? Or being that we share an address enough to flag the transaction?
Thanks in advance!
Oct 23, 2013, 7:45 pm
#2738
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
A > B > Bank
A > C > B > Bank
B > C > Bank
But the last two days, transfers have been going instantly. Never using the same card on different accounts, and never using the same bank accounts. Amazon threw some wrenches in the plan the first go round.
So $2K in total.
Really hope there is no issues.
Oct 23, 2013, 10:17 pm
#2739
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
Oct 25, 2013, 7:32 am
#2740
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 141
so I login to my AP account today to do a payment and my GCs don't show up in the drop down for selecting credit card. They show up fine under my credit cards.
Whats going on?
Edit: False alarm. I remembered I had cleaned up some addresses on my Amazon.com account. Looks like the GC's had a billing address that got deleted. On editing them, they showed up just fine.
Whats going on?
Edit: False alarm. I remembered I had cleaned up some addresses on my Amazon.com account. Looks like the GC's had a billing address that got deleted. On editing them, they showed up just fine.
Oct 25, 2013, 1:44 pm
#2741
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: too far from the airport
Posts: 3,298
So I received the new AP T&C (effective as of Dec.?), and that includes a schedule of fees that I never noticed before: 3% and $0.30 for any transaction above $10. Was this always there and not getting applied, or is it truly new and awful?
Oops, never mind, those are the rules for the commercial use of AP (if you use it from, say, your web site). Sorry folks, nothing to see here yet.
Oops, never mind, those are the rules for the commercial use of AP (if you use it from, say, your web site). Sorry folks, nothing to see here yet.
Last edited by honu; Oct 25, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Oct 25, 2013, 2:03 pm
#2742
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 939
All my payments are getting a PENDING status all of a sudden.
They eventually go through but its annoying/worrisome.
$250, $500, it does not matter.
What's going on with these guys?
edit:
NM, I think its bcos i had a large number of GCs loaded to my account recently.
They eventually go through but its annoying/worrisome.
$250, $500, it does not matter.
What's going on with these guys?
edit:
NM, I think its bcos i had a large number of GCs loaded to my account recently.
Last edited by KYBOSH; Oct 26, 2013 at 3:51 am
Oct 25, 2013, 6:42 pm
#2744
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
You have to call them to get anything through. They will "escalate" the issue. It was the only way my significant other could get verified.
Oct 26, 2013, 3:02 am
#2745
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 149