Thinking about sending money with your American Express card? You're in the right place! While Amex isn't primarily known for direct person-to-person money transfers in the same way some other financial services are, they do offer convenient options to send money, particularly through partnerships with popular payment apps. Let's break down how you can leverage your American Express card for sending money.
Sending Money with American Express: Your Options
American Express offers a few key ways to send money, primarily through its Send & Split® feature and its American Express Serve® prepaid debit card. Understanding these avenues will help you choose the best method for your needs.
Step 1: Discover Your American Express Tools ️
First things first, let's explore the primary ways Amex enables money transfers. Are you looking to send money to a friend for dinner, split a bill, or perhaps send funds to someone's bank account? Your specific need will guide your choice.
Amex Send & Split®: This is Amex's most prominent feature for person-to-person payments, integrating directly with popular apps like Venmo and PayPal.
American Express Serve®: If you have a Serve prepaid debit card, you have options for sending money to other Serve cardholders or even for cash pickup via Ria in the US.
Wire Transfers (through American Express National Bank): While not directly from your credit card, if you have an American Express National Bank account, you can initiate wire transfers.
Step 2: Unlocking Amex Send & Split® for Easy Transfers
This is often the most convenient way for eligible U.S. Consumer Card Members to send money using their Amex card.
2.1 Enrollment and Linking Accounts
Access the Amex App: Open your American Express® App on your mobile device. If you don't have it, download it from your app store.
Navigate to Send & Split: Once logged in, tap on "Account" and then look for "Send & Split: Venmo/PayPal."
Review and Agree: Read the "How it Works" information and then tap "Agree and Enroll" to proceed.
Link Your Accounts: You'll be prompted to link your Venmo and/or PayPal accounts. If you don't have these, you can create them during this step. This creates an Amex Send™ Account for you.
2.2 Sending Money via Amex Send & Split®
Once enrolled and linked, you have two primary ways to send money:
From the Amex® App:
In the Amex App, go to the Send & Split section.
Select the option to "Send money."
Choose your recipient from your contacts (if they use Venmo or PayPal) or manually enter their Venmo or PayPal details (username, email, or phone number).
Enter the amount you wish to send. The funds will be drawn from your linked American Express card.
Confirm the transaction.
From the Venmo or PayPal App:
Open your Venmo or PayPal app.
When you initiate a payment, you should see your linked American Express card as a funding source.
Select your American Express card and proceed with the payment as you normally would within Venmo or PayPal.
Important Note: While American Express generally doesn't charge a fee for sending money via Send & Split, PayPal may assess a fee if you're sending to an international PayPal account. Venmo typically has no fees for standard transfers.
2.3 Splitting Purchases with Amex Split™
Amex Send & Split isn't just for sending; it's also great for splitting costs!
Make a Purchase: Use your eligible American Express Card for a shared expense (e.g., a group dinner, a gift).
Access "Split It" in the Amex App: After the purchase is pending or posted, log in to your Amex® App.
Select the Purchase: Tap on the relevant transaction you want to split.
Tap "Split It": Choose this option.
Select Recipients: You can select up to 20 Venmo or PayPal users from your contacts or manually enter their details.
Adjust Shares: Amex can divide the purchase evenly, or you can adjust individual portions.
Track Requests: You can track the payment requests directly within the Amex App. When your friends accept and pay, you'll receive a statement credit on your Card.
Step 3: Utilizing American Express Serve® for Transfers
If you're an American Express Serve cardholder, you have additional options for sending money.
To Other Serve Cardholders:
You can send money for free to other American Express Serve cardholders. These transfers are typically instant.
You'll need to have an active Serve account with sufficient funds.
This can usually be done online or through the Serve mobile app.
For Cash Collection via Ria (US only):
Serve cardholders can also send payments for cash collection within the US through Ria.
Be aware that fees apply for Ria transfers. For example, sending up to $50 might incur a $4.99 fee, while sending up to $1,000 might cost $8.99.
You will need to provide the recipient's details for cash pickup.
Step 4: Considering American Express Wire Transfers (through American Express National Bank)
If you have an American Express National Bank account (such as a savings account), you can initiate wire transfers. This is different from using your credit card directly.
Domestic Wire Transfers:
You can initiate these online, via mobile banking, or by visiting a branch (appointments may be needed).
You'll need the recipient's name, contact details, bank account details (including transit number), and wire routing number (ABA code).
Fees for outgoing domestic wires can vary based on the transfer value.
International Wire Transfers:
Requires the recipient's name and address, overseas bank account number, recipient bank ID (like SWIFT code or BIC), foreign currency, and the purpose of the transfer.
Fees for outgoing international wires also vary.
Important Considerations for Wire Transfers:
Limits: There are typically daily minimum and maximum limits. For example, a daily maximum might be $10,000 or 70% of your approved credit limit, whichever is lesser.
Cut-off Times: American Express National Bank imposes strict cut-off times (e.g., 8:00 PM Eastern Time) for both domestic and international wire transfers. Transfers initiated after this time will be processed on the next business day.
Processing Time: Funds generally appear in the external bank account within one to three business days, though they may be available for withdrawal later.
Step 5: Understanding Fees and Limits
It's crucial to be aware of any associated costs and restrictions.
Fees:
Amex Send & Split®: Generally, no Amex fee to send money via Venmo or PayPal. However, PayPal might charge a fee for international transfers.
American Express Serve®: No fee for transfers between Serve cardholders. Fees apply for cash pickups via Ria (e.g., $4.99 for up to $50, $8.99 for up to $1,000).
Wire Transfers (through Amex National Bank): Fees vary for both domestic and international outgoing wires. Incoming wires are generally free.
Cash Advance Fees: Be extremely careful not to initiate a "cash advance" on your credit card, as this incurs significant fees and higher interest rates immediately. The methods described above are specifically designed money transfer services, not cash advances.
Limits:
Amex Send & Split®: While Amex doesn't explicitly state limits for sending through Send & Split, Venmo and PayPal have their own transaction limits. Always check the respective app's limits.
American Express Serve®: Limits apply based on the type of transfer and the service used (e.g., Ria cash pickup limits).
Wire Transfers (through Amex National Bank): As mentioned, there are daily minimums (e.g., $50) and maximums (e.g., $10,000 or 70% of your credit limit).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to send money from my American Express credit card to a bank account?
You generally cannot directly send money from your American Express credit card to a bank account. Instead, you can use the Amex Send & Split feature to send money via Venmo or PayPal, which can then be transferred to a bank account by the recipient. If you have an American Express National Bank savings account, you can initiate a wire transfer to a bank account.
How to use Amex Send & Split for P2P payments?
Enroll in Send & Split through the American Express App, link your Venmo or PayPal account, then use either the Amex App or the Venmo/PayPal app to send money from your Amex card to another Venmo or PayPal user.
How to split a purchase with my American Express card?
In the Amex App, select a pending or posted purchase, tap "Split It," choose the Venmo or PayPal contacts you want to split with, and adjust the amounts. They'll be sent a request, and you'll receive a statement credit when they pay you back.
How to send money internationally with American Express?
You can send money internationally using Amex Send & Split via PayPal, though PayPal may charge fees for international transfers. For broader international transfers directly to bank accounts, alternative services like Wise or Western Union (which may accept Amex cards as a payment method, but are not direct Amex services) might be more suitable.
How to send money with an American Express Serve card?
You can send money to other American Express Serve cardholders for free. Additionally, you can send money for cash pickup within the US via Ria, though this incurs fees. These actions can be performed online or through the Serve mobile app.
How to avoid fees when sending money with American Express?
Using Amex Send & Split for standard transfers to Venmo or PayPal accounts typically incurs no Amex fee. Transfers between American Express Serve cardholders are also free. For other methods, like Ria cash pickups or wire transfers, fees are usually applied.
How to check the status of a money transfer with American Express?
For Amex Send & Split, you can track the status of payment requests within the Amex App. For wire transfers through American Express National Bank, you would typically check your online banking account or contact customer service.
How to cancel a money transfer initiated with American Express?
The ability to cancel a money transfer depends on the method and its status. For transfers via Venmo or PayPal, it's usually difficult to reverse a payment once sent, similar to how those apps operate. For wire transfers, you'd need to contact American Express National Bank customer service immediately.
How to increase my money transfer limit with American Express?
Money transfer limits vary by service and your account type. For wire transfers through American Express National Bank, limits are generally fixed. For Amex Send & Split, the limits are typically governed by the linked Venmo or PayPal account's limits.
How to receive money using an American Express card?
If someone sends you money via Amex Send & Split to your linked Venmo or PayPal account, you'll receive it in that app. If someone uses Amex Split to send you funds for a shared purchase, you'll receive it as a statement credit on your Amex Card. If you have an American Express National Bank savings account, you can receive incoming wire transfers directly.
