Unlocking the Power: A Comprehensive Guide to Using American Express with Venmo
Hey there, financial adventurers! Ever found yourself in a pickle, needing to send money quickly but wondering if your trusty American Express card can come to the rescue via Venmo? You're not alone! While it might seem like a straightforward task, using Amex with Venmo has its own unique nuances and, thanks to American Express's "Send & Split" feature, it's actually more seamless than you might think. Let's dive deep and unlock the full potential of these two platforms together.
The Synergy: Amex Send & Split and Venmo
Before we jump into the step-by-step guide, it's crucial to understand the primary way American Express integrates with Venmo: through the Amex Send & Split feature. This isn't just about linking your Amex card directly as a funding source within Venmo, which often incurs a 3% credit card fee. Instead, Send & Split provides a more robust and often fee-free way to manage your payments and split purchases.
Essentially, Amex Send & Split allows you to:
Send Money: Fund an "Amex Send Account" from your eligible American Express card and then use that balance to send money to any Venmo user without the standard Venmo credit card fee.
Split Purchases: Easily split eligible purchases made on your American Express card with friends and family on Venmo (or PayPal) and get paid back directly to your Amex card as a statement credit.
This distinction is important, as it helps you avoid unnecessary fees and leverage the benefits of your Amex card.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Using Amex with Venmo
Let's get down to business! Follow these steps carefully to set up and utilize your American Express card with Venmo.
Step 1: Are You Ready? Initial Checks and Requirements
Do you have the Amex App? This is absolutely crucial! The Amex Send & Split feature is managed primarily through the American Express mobile application. If you don't have it, download it from your app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) and log in with your American Express online account credentials.
Is your Amex Card Eligible? Only U.S.-issued Basic Consumer American Express Cards that are not canceled are eligible for Send & Split. This means prepaid cards, American Express Corporate Cards, American Express Small Business Cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other financial institutions are generally not eligible. Make sure you have an email address on file with American Express as well.
Do you have a Venmo Account? This might seem obvious, but you'll need an active Venmo account to link and send/receive money. If you don't have one, download the Venmo app and set up your profile.
Engage with me here: Got both apps downloaded and your accounts ready? Fantastic! Give me a thumbs up (mentally, of course!) and let's move on to linking them up!
Step 2: Enrolling in Amex Send & Split
This is where the magic begins. You'll primarily initiate the link from the American Express app.
Sub-heading 2.1: Initiating Enrollment from the Amex App
Open the Amex App: Launch the American Express app on your smartphone.
Navigate to the Account Tab: At the bottom of the screen, you'll typically see a navigation bar. Tap on the "Account" tab.
Find "Send & Split": Scroll down within the Account tab until you find the "Send & Split: Venmo/PayPal" option. Tap on it.
Review and Agree: You'll likely see a "How it Works" section. Take a moment to read through this information carefully to understand the terms and conditions. Once you're comfortable, tap "Agree and Enroll."
Sub-heading 2.2: Linking Your Venmo Account
Prompt to Link: After agreeing to the terms, you'll be prompted to link your Venmo or PayPal account. Choose Venmo.
Sign into Venmo: You'll be redirected to the Venmo login screen (either within the Amex app or it will launch the Venmo app). Sign in with your Venmo credentials.
Authorize Connection: Venmo will ask for your permission to connect with American Express. Review the permissions carefully and then authorize the connection.
Confirmation: Once successfully linked, you'll receive a confirmation message in both the Amex and Venmo apps. Congratulations, your accounts are now connected!
Step 3: Adding Money to Your Amex Send Account (for Sending Payments)
To send money to others via Venmo using your American Express card without the standard Venmo credit card fee, you'll first need to add funds to your Amex Send Account. Think of this as a temporary balance powered by your Amex card.
Open the Amex App: Go back to the American Express app.
Access Send & Split: From the "Account" tab, select "Send & Split."
Go to the "Send" Tab: Within the Send & Split section, there will be a "Send" tab. Tap on it.
Tap "Add Money": You'll see an option to "Add Money." Tap this.
Choose Amount and Card: Select the amount of money you wish to add to your Amex Send Account. You'll also choose which eligible American Express card you want to fund it from.
Confirm Transaction: Review the details and confirm the transaction. The amount will be charged to your chosen Amex card and will appear on your billing statement. Important Note: This charge typically does not earn rewards and is subject to your card's purchase APR.
Step 4: Sending Money to Venmo Users
Now that you have funds in your Amex Send Account, you can send money. You have two primary ways to do this:
Sub-heading 4.1: Sending from the Amex App
Open Amex App & Go to Send & Split: Follow the usual path: Amex App > Account Tab > Send & Split > Send Tab.
Tap "Send Money": Select this option.
Choose Recipient: You can select a contact from your device or manually enter a Venmo username, phone number, or email address.
Enter Amount and Note: Input the amount you want to send and add a note for the payment.
Select Amex Send Account: When prompted to choose a payment method, select "Amex Send Account."
Review and Complete: Review all details carefully and confirm the send. The money will be instantly available to the recipient in their Venmo account. Be aware: Once sent, these transactions cannot be canceled.
Sub-heading 4.2: Sending from the Venmo App (Using Amex Send Account)
Ensure Amex Send Account is Funded: Before doing this, make sure you've already added money to your Amex Send Account in the Amex app (refer to Step 3).
Open the Venmo App: Launch the Venmo application.
Initiate a Payment: Tap the "Pay & Request" button (usually a pencil and paper icon or similar) to start a new payment.
Choose Recipient, Amount, and Note: Select the person you're paying, enter the amount, and add a note.
Change Payment Method: Crucially, before completing the payment, tap on the current payment method displayed (it might default to your Venmo balance or another linked card). From the list of payment options, select "Amex Send Account."
Confirm Payment: Review the payment details and send.
Step 5: Splitting American Express Purchases
This is a fantastic feature for group outings, shared expenses, or anything you've paid for with your Amex card that others owe you for.
Open the Amex App: Launch the American Express app.
Go to the Home or Account Tab: You can either view your recent transactions on the "Home" tab or navigate to the "Account" tab and then "Send & Split."
Select an Eligible Transaction: Tap on a pending or posted charge from your current or most recent billing cycle that you wish to split. Look for the "Split It" icon within the transaction details.
Tap "Split It": This option will appear for eligible purchases.
Add More Charges (Optional): You can often add up to 20 additional pending or posted charges to the same split request, making it incredibly convenient for multiple shared expenses.
Choose Contacts: Select up to 20 contacts from your device whom you want to split the amount with. You can also manually enter their details.
Adjust Amounts (Optional): Amex will initially divide the total purchase amount evenly among the selected contacts. However, you have the flexibility to customize the individual request amounts if the split isn't equal (e.g., someone ordered more expensive food).
Choose Payback Option: This is a key decision! You can choose to get paid back in one of two ways:
Directly to your Amex Card (as a statement credit): This is often the preferred option as it reduces your Amex bill.
To your linked Venmo account: The funds will appear in your Venmo balance.
Review and Send Request: Review all the details and send the split request. Your contacts will receive a Venmo request, just like any other Venmo request.
Track Your Splits: The Amex app provides a dedicated "Split" tab within the Send & Split section where you can track the status of your split requests, outstanding payments, and money received.
Important Considerations and Tips
Fees: Using the Amex Send Account for sending money to Venmo users is typically fee-free from the American Express side. However, if you try to add your Amex card directly as a payment method within Venmo (outside of the Send & Split feature), Venmo generally charges a 3% credit card fee for sending personal payments.
Rewards: When you add money to your Amex Send Account, the charge on your Amex card does not earn rewards. However, when you use the "Split Purchases" feature, you do earn rewards on the original purchase you made with your Amex card. The statement credit you receive when others pay you back doesn't affect your original rewards earned.
Cash Advance: Adding money to your Amex Send Account is treated as a purchase by American Express, not a cash advance. This means it's generally subject to your card's purchase APR, not the higher cash advance APR.
Transaction Limits: Both American Express and Venmo have their own transaction limits. Be aware of these if you're planning to send or receive large sums. American Express typically limits Send transactions to $10,000 per transaction and has a rolling 30-day Send transaction limit.
Eligible Cards: Remember, only U.S.-issued Basic Consumer American Express Cards are eligible for Send & Split. Business cards and corporate cards are not.
Direct Deposit: While you can set up direct deposit to your Venmo account using Venmo's routing and account numbers, this is distinct from using your American Express card with Venmo.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my Amex card is eligible for Send & Split?
You can check eligibility by logging into the American Express App, going to the "Account" tab, and looking for the "Send & Split: Venmo/PayPal" option. If it's there, your card is likely eligible.
How to avoid fees when sending money from my Amex card to Venmo?
Utilize the "Amex Send & Split" feature. By adding money to your Amex Send Account in the Amex app and then using that account as the payment method in Venmo, you can avoid the standard 3% Venmo credit card fee.
How to get paid back to my Amex card when splitting a purchase?
When using the "Split Purchases" feature in the Amex App, you will be given the option to choose whether you want the money to be credited directly to your Amex card as a statement credit or to your linked Venmo account. Select the Amex card option.
How to add multiple charges to a single split request in Amex Send & Split?
After tapping "Split It" on an initial eligible transaction in the Amex app, you'll often see an option to add more charges. You can typically add up to 20 additional pending or posted charges to the same split request.
How to track my split purchase requests and received payments?
In the Amex App, navigate to the "Account" tab, then "Send & Split," and then the "Split" tab. Here, you can view the status of all your split requests, outstanding payments, and money received.
How to transfer money back from my Amex Send Account to my Amex Card?
If you have a balance in your Amex Send Account, you can transfer it back to your linked American Express Card. In the Amex app, go to "Account" > "Send & Split" > "Send" tab, then look for a "Manage Balance" or similar option, and select "Transfer to Card."
How to change the amount someone owes me when splitting a purchase?
When you're setting up a split purchase request in the Amex App, after selecting the contacts, Amex will initially divide the amount evenly. You can then manually adjust the individual amounts each person owes to customize the split.
How to cancel a Venmo payment sent using Amex Send & Split?
Once a payment is sent from your Amex Send Account and made available in the recipient's Venmo account, you generally cannot cancel the transaction. It's crucial to ensure the recipient and amount are correct before confirming.
How to use Amex Business Cards with Venmo via Send & Split?
Unfortunately, American Express Small Business Cards and Corporate Cards are not eligible for the Send & Split feature. Only U.S.-issued Basic Consumer Cards can utilize this integration.
How to troubleshoot issues linking Amex and Venmo?
First, ensure both apps are updated to their latest versions and your device's operating system is current. Try logging out and back into both apps. If the issue persists, contact American Express customer support, as they can assist with connection problems.
