Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you've covered a group dinner bill or bought tickets for a concert with friends, and then faced the awkward task of chasing everyone down for their share? Or perhaps you needed to send money to a friend quickly, but didn't want to incur credit card fees? American Express has a brilliant solution for these common scenarios: Send & Split. This feature, integrated directly into the Amex App, offers eligible Card Members a seamless way to send money and split purchases with anyone who has a Venmo or PayPal account, often without the usual credit card fees!
Let's dive deep into how this powerful tool works, step-by-step.
How American Express Send & Split Works: A Comprehensive Guide
American Express Send & Split is designed to simplify personal payments and expense sharing. It comprises two main functionalities: Send for person-to-person payments, and Split for dividing up purchases made with your Amex Card.
Eligibility Requirements: Are You Ready to Send & Split?
Before we begin, let's ensure you're eligible. To use Send & Split, you'll need:
An Eligible American Express Card: This feature is primarily available to US-issued Basic Consumer Cards from American Express National Bank. Prepaid Cards, Corporate Cards, Small Business Cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other financial institutions or outside the US are generally not eligible.
An American Express Online Account: Your eligible Card must be linked to your online account.
The Amex App: You must have the American Express App installed on a supported mobile device and have completed all registration requirements. Keep your app updated for the best experience!
A Venmo or PayPal Account: Send & Split integrates directly with these popular peer-to-peer payment platforms. You'll need to link your Venmo and/or PayPal account to your Amex Send Account. If you don't have one, you'll be prompted to create it during enrollment.
If you meet these criteria, you're all set to begin!
Step 1: Getting Started – Enroll and Link Your Accounts
The first hurdle, and perhaps the most important, is setting up Send & Split. Without this, you won't be able to leverage its benefits.
Step 1.1: Open the Amex App and Navigate to Send & Split
First things first, grab your smartphone and open the American Express App.
Once logged in, look for the "Account" tab. This is typically located at the bottom or top of your screen, depending on your app version.
Tap on "Account" and then scroll down to find the "Send & Split" option.
Step 1.2: Initiate Enrollment
Upon selecting "Send & Split," you'll be guided through the enrollment process. This is where American Express sets up your Amex Send Account. Think of this as a prepaid, stored balance account specifically for Send & Split transactions.
Follow the on-screen prompts carefully. You might need to confirm your email address on file.
Step 1.3: Link Your Venmo or PayPal Account(s)
This is a crucial step. To send or receive money through Send & Split, you must link your existing Venmo or PayPal account(s).
The app will typically redirect you to the Venmo or PayPal login page to authorize the connection.
Ensure you link the correct accounts that you intend to use for sending and splitting. You can link both if you use both services.
Once enrolled and linked, you're ready to start using the Send and Split features!
Step 2: Sending Money with Amex Send
The "Send" feature allows you to send money directly from your Amex Send Account to any Venmo or PayPal user. The best part? There are generally no standard credit card fees when sending money this way!
Step 2.1: Adding Money to Your Amex Send Account
Before you can send money, you need to have funds in your Amex Send Account. This account acts as an intermediary.
In the Amex App, within the "Send & Split" section, navigate to the "Send" tab.
You'll see an option to "Add Money". Tap on it.
Choose the eligible American Express Card you wish to use to fund your Send Account.
Enter the amount you want to add. This will appear as a charge on your Amex Card billing statement, treated like a purchase.
Important Note: Adding money to your Send Account generally does not earn rewards or count towards sign-up bonuses.
Review the details and confirm the transaction. The funds should be available in your Send Account almost instantly.
Limits: Be aware of the limits on how much money you can add to your Send Account. These limits vary by card type (e.g., Platinum Card typically has higher limits than Gold or Green Cards) and are subject to a rolling 30-day person-to-person transaction limit. You can usually find these limits within the Amex App's Send & Split FAQs. For example, many eligible consumer cards have a limit of $2,000, while Platinum Cards may allow up to $4,000.
Step 2.2: Initiating a Send Payment
Once your Amex Send Account is funded, you can send money.
From the "Send" tab, tap "Send Money".
Choose your recipient: You can select a contact from your device's contact list or manually enter their email address or phone number associated with their Venmo or PayPal account.
Enter the amount you wish to send.
Add a note for the payment, if desired (e.g., "Dinner last night!").
Select your linked Venmo or PayPal account as the payment method. The money will be sent through your Amex Send Account.
Review all details carefully before confirming.
Tap to complete the transaction. The recipient should receive the money in their Venmo or PayPal account almost immediately, provided they have an existing account.
Step 2.3: Sending from Venmo or PayPal App (Advanced Option)
You can also send money from within the Venmo or PayPal app itself using your Amex Send Account.
First, ensure you've added money to your Amex Send Account via the Amex App.
Open the Venmo or PayPal app and proceed to send money as you normally would.
When prompted to select a payment method, look for and choose your "Amex Send Account".
Complete the payment in the Venmo or PayPal app.
Step 3: Splitting Purchases with Amex Split
The "Split" feature is fantastic for sharing the cost of purchases you've made on your American Express Card with friends and family. The great news here is that you earn all the rewards on the original purchase, and there's no fee to split the purchase!
Step 3.1: Identifying an Eligible Purchase
Open the Amex App.
Navigate to your Card account and browse your recent transactions.
You can split both pending and posted charges within your current or most recent billing cycle.
Tap on the specific purchase you want to split.
If eligible, you'll see a "Split It" option.
Step 3.2: Selecting Recipients and Customizing Amounts
Tap "Split It."
You can select up to 20 contacts you want to split the purchase with. Again, these individuals need to have Venmo or PayPal accounts.
By default, Amex will divide the total purchase amount evenly among the selected individuals.
However, you have the flexibility to adjust the amount each person owes. This is incredibly useful if, for example, someone ordered a more expensive dish or you're splitting an uneven bill. Amex will automatically recalculate the remaining amounts as you make changes.
Step 3.3: Choosing How You Get Paid Back
This is a key decision point! American Express offers two convenient ways to receive the split funds:
Directly to your American Express Card as a statement credit: This is often the preferred option as it directly reduces the balance on your card, effectively "paying you back" for the split portion of the expense.
To your linked Venmo or PayPal account: The funds will be deposited directly into your chosen Venmo or PayPal balance.
Make your selection before proceeding.
Step 3.4: Sending the Split Request and Tracking Payments
Once you've set up the split, send the requests. Your friends will receive a payment request notification through Venmo or PayPal, just like any other request.
Tracking: The Amex App provides a clear overview of your split requests, including who has paid you back and who still owes you.
Receiving Funds:
If you chose to be paid back to your Card, you'll receive an American Express notification when a request is accepted, and the money will be applied as a statement credit to your Card account, typically within 24-36 hours.
If you chose to be paid back to your Venmo or PayPal account, you'll receive a notification directly from that app when the payment is made.
Crucial Reminder: You are still responsible for the full purchase amount charged to your Card, regardless of whether you are paid back via Send & Split. Interest or fees on the original purchase may still apply if you don't pay your statement balance in full by the due date.
Key Benefits of American Express Send & Split ✨
No Standard Credit Card Fees for Sending Money: Unlike using your credit card directly on Venmo or PayPal, using Amex Send avoids the typical 3% credit card processing fees. This is a significant saving!
Earn Rewards on Original Purchases: When you split a purchase, you still earn all the rewards (points, cashback, miles) on the entire original transaction, as it's treated as a regular purchase on your Amex Card.
Seamless Integration: Everything is managed within the familiar Amex App, making it convenient and easy to use.
Direct Statement Credits: For split purchases, receiving funds back as a statement credit simplifies your finances and reduces your outstanding balance.
Works with Anyone: Your friends or family don't need to be Amex Card Members; they just need a Venmo or PayPal account.
Flexibility: Whether it's sending money or splitting a bill, you have control over amounts and how you receive funds.
Important Considerations
No Rewards for Funding Send Account: Remember, adding money to your Amex Send Account from your Card does not earn rewards.
Still Responsible for Full Purchase: For Split purchases, you remain fully responsible for the original charge on your Amex Card. If your friends don't pay you back, you're still on the hook.
Limits Apply: Be mindful of the daily/rolling 30-day limits for adding money to your Send Account and for sending funds.
International Fees: While sending to US recipients generally has no Amex fee, PayPal may charge fees for sending to non-US recipients.
Not a Cash Advance: Adding money to your Send Account is treated as a purchase, not a cash advance, so you avoid cash advance fees and high interest rates typically associated with them. However, standard purchase APR applies if you don't pay your statement in full.
American Express Send & Split is a powerful and highly convenient tool for managing your personal finances and group expenses. By following these steps, you can confidently use this feature to streamline your payments and make sharing costs a breeze!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to enroll in American Express Send & Split?
To enroll, simply open your American Express App, navigate to the "Account" tab, select "Send & Split," and follow the on-screen prompts to link your eligible Amex Card and your Venmo or PayPal account.
How to add money to my Amex Send Account?
In the Amex App, go to "Send & Split," then the "Send" tab, and tap "Add Money." Select your Amex Card and the amount, then confirm. The funds will be instantly available in your Send Account.
How to send money using Amex Send?
First, ensure your Amex Send Account has funds. In the Amex App, go to "Send & Split," "Send" tab, tap "Send Money," choose a contact, enter the amount, select your linked Venmo or PayPal, and confirm.
How to split a purchase with American Express Split?
In the Amex App, find an eligible pending or posted transaction on your Card account, tap on it, select "Split It," choose the Venmo or PayPal users you want to split with, adjust amounts if necessary, select how you want to be paid back (statement credit or linked account), and send the requests.
How to track my split requests in the Amex App?
The Amex App provides a dedicated section within the "Send & Split" feature where you can view all your outstanding and completed split requests, showing who has paid you back.
How to receive money back from a split purchase?
You can choose to receive money back as a statement credit directly to your American Express Card (typically within 24-36 hours of payment confirmation) or directly into your linked Venmo or PayPal account.
How to avoid fees when sending money with Amex Send?
When sending money via Amex Send to US-based Venmo or PayPal users, American Express generally does not charge any fees. This helps you avoid the standard credit card fees often applied by Venmo or PayPal for direct credit card payments.
How to know if my American Express Card is eligible for Send & Split?
Generally, US-issued Basic Consumer Cards from American Express National Bank are eligible. You can confirm eligibility by trying to enroll in the Send & Split feature within the Amex App; if your card isn't eligible, the option may not appear or you'll be notified during enrollment.
How to understand the limits for Amex Send & Split?
Limits apply to how much money you can add to your Amex Send Account from your card and how much you can send from the Send Account over a rolling 30-day period. These limits vary by card type and can be found in the Send & Split FAQs within the Amex App.
How to transfer money from my Amex Send Account back to my Card?
Within the "Send" tab of Send & Split in the Amex App, look for a "Manage Balance" or similar option. From there, you should be able to initiate a transfer of your remaining Amex Send Account balance back to your eligible Amex Card as a statement credit.
