That's stupid. That they would catorgize it as a "Cash Advance" to work to their benefit.

What's so stupid about that? Cash advance is much cheaper to process for Amazon Payments and I see all the valid reasons for a for-profit entity to minimize its costs.

Or it's "stupid" that for-profit Amazon doesn't want to let you take advantage of it? Let me put this way - customers whose only goal is to meet their min credit card spend through sending money to relatives are a bit ... outside of Amazon Payment's target audience. Amazon have to live with having such customers in the mix. But if I were Amazon and there were valid ways to filer out such customers, I will immediately jump on this opportunity.

Many seem to forget that Amazon is a for-profit organization not a charity.

Is it now categorized as a cash advance??

Goodbye, Amazon Payments. We only had a few short months together, but it was great getting to know you.

Mike

It's categorized based on the option you choose when initiating a payment. No changes here.

CVG_Kid's question was what gets you banned if you're trying to do [you->relative/friend->you] loop and the answer was that in this case IF Amazon asks you to substantiate why both parts of the transaction were in fact sales of goods/services (note Amazon doesn't ask that automatically) AND you fail/decline to provide this substantiation, ONLY THEN Amazon can state you broke T&C of the service and could ban you.

Cash advance came into discussion only in a sense that you cannot provide explanation "I lended some money to a relative and then got repaid" for a transaction marked "Sale of good and services" because in that case you clearly misrepresented transaction to Amazon and thus violated T&C.

Does the story really matter. Or do they just shut you down, when they see a pattern?

I've been doing A>B>C>A among, mine, my sister's and my gf's accounts. $1000 every month for the past 8 months. I make up a reason for the transaction every time. Still alive and going. Have stopped using on Amex though.

If by "they" you mean AP, why is it stupid? :confused:

AP is in business to make money for themselves, not to give anyone a way to earn miles/points/cash back. You'd expect AP to do what's in their own best interest.

^^^ --- Saw after I posted and much better put. :-::-::-:

Any particular reason?

I cannot speak for every occasion, but from what I read they shut you down if you try to send money to yourself (including using slightly modified names, aliases, different addresses etc.). Which is very logical - I cannot think of a legitimate cover up for buying something from yourself or providing yourself services - why even bother to ask to substantiate in these cases?

Story does not matter.

I can think of at least two. :D

Gotchaaa. Sending money back and forth on programs like this seems like an extremely dumb and poorly executed attempt to earn miles. C'mon people...gotta be smart.

Nice work

This still works? Looking at the T&C:

2.2.1 Personal Accounts. If you have an Amazon Account, we will automatically set up a Personal Account linked to your Amazon Account. Your Personal Account permits you to access the information in your Amazon Account to make purchases wherever Amazon Payments is accepted. Personal Accounts also are eligible to (a) hold balances, (b) make or send payments not only from credit cards but bank accounts or any available balance, and (c) receive payments from other users. <u>Personal Accounts may not receive credit card payments.</u>

2.2.2 Business Accounts. Business Accounts are only for commercial and business use. A Business Account has the same features of a Personal Account but also is eligible to receive credit card payments.