Have you ever been in a situation where you needed to send money to a friend or family member quickly, and wondered if your American Express card could help? You're not alone! While American Express is primarily known for its credit and charge cards used for purchases, they do offer ways to facilitate money transfers. However, it's not always as straightforward as a direct bank transfer from your card.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods of sending money with American Express, focusing on their Send & Split feature and other avenues. We'll break down the process step-by-step, highlight important considerations, and answer some frequently asked questions.
How Can I Send Money with American Express?
American Express provides a convenient feature called Send & Split, which allows eligible Card Members to send money to and split purchases with Venmo and PayPal users directly from the Amex App. This is the primary and most integrated way to send money using your Amex Card. While direct transfers from your Amex credit card to a bank account are generally not supported in the same way as a debit card, Amex's partnership with Venmo and PayPal offers a workaround.
It's crucial to understand that sending money from your American Express card through these methods isn't a "cash advance" in the traditional sense, which typically incurs high fees and immediate interest. Instead, funds are first loaded into an "Amex Send Account" and then transferred.
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility & Get Set Up! ✅
Before you can start sending money, you need to ensure your American Express card is eligible and that you've set up the necessary accounts.
Sub-heading: Are You Eligible?
Eligible Cards: Amex Send & Split is generally available to US-issued Basic Consumer Cards that are issued by American Express National Bank and are not canceled.
Prepaid Cards, American Express Corporate Cards, American Express Small Business Cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other financial institutions are typically not eligible.
Amex App: You'll need to have the official American Express App downloaded on your smartphone.
Venmo or PayPal Account: You must have an active Venmo or PayPal account linked to your Amex account.
Sub-heading: Enrolling in Send & Split
Open the Amex App: Launch the American Express App on your mobile device.
Navigate to Send & Split:
From the Home tab, you might see an option to swipe through your accounts to access Send & Split.
Alternatively, tap the "Account" tab (usually located at the bottom or top of the screen).
Look for and select "Send & Split" within the Payment Tools section.
Enroll: Follow the on-screen prompts to enroll in the Send & Split feature. This will involve agreeing to terms and conditions.
Link Your External Accounts: You'll be prompted to link your Venmo and/or PayPal accounts. This is a crucial step as Amex Send operates by facilitating transfers through these platforms.
Step 2: Adding Money to Your Amex Send Account
Once enrolled, you'll have an "Amex Send Account," which acts as an intermediary. You need to fund this account from your eligible American Express Card before you can send money.
Sub-heading: Funding Your Send Account from the Amex App
Access Send & Split: In the Amex App, go to the "Account" tab and select "Send & Split."
Go to the Send Tab: Ensure you are on the "Send" tab within the Send & Split section.
Tap "Add Money": You'll see an option to "Add Money." Tap on it.
Enter Amount: Input the amount of money you wish to add to your Send Account.
Confirm: Review the details and confirm the transaction. The money will be instantly added to your Amex Send Account.
Important Note: When you add money to your Send Account, it appears as a charge on your American Express Card billing statement. This charge is typically treated like a purchase and is subject to your card's purchase APR, but it does NOT earn rewards. This is a key distinction from a cash advance, which often carries higher fees and immediate interest.
Step 3: Sending Money to a Venmo or PayPal User ➡️
With funds in your Amex Send Account, you're ready to send money! You have two main ways to do this: directly from the Amex App, or by selecting your Amex Send Account as a payment method within the Venmo or PayPal apps.
Sub-heading: Option A: Sending from the Amex App
This is often the most direct method once you've funded your Amex Send Account.
Access Send & Split: In the Amex App, go to "Account" then "Send & Split."
Tap "Send Money": On the "Send" tab, tap the "Send Money" option.
Select Recipient: You can choose a contact from your device's contacts list, or manually enter the Venmo or PayPal username, email, or phone number of the person you want to send money to.
The recipient does not need to be an American Express Card Member; they only need a Venmo or PayPal account.
Enter Amount: Input the amount you wish to send. If your Amex Send Account balance is insufficient, the app will prompt you to add more funds from your Amex Card.
Review and Complete: Carefully review all the payment details before confirming the transaction.
Confirmation: Once confirmed, the money should be available in the recipient's Venmo or PayPal account almost immediately. Be aware that once a send transaction is initiated, it generally cannot be canceled.
Sub-heading: Option B: Sending from the Venmo or PayPal App
If you prefer to initiate the transfer directly within the Venmo or PayPal environment, you can do so, provided your Amex Send Account is linked and funded.
Fund Amex Send Account (if needed): First, ensure you have sufficient balance in your Amex Send Account by following the steps in Step 2.
Open Venmo or PayPal App: Launch the respective app (Venmo or PayPal).
Initiate Payment: Proceed to send money as you normally would within that app (select recipient, enter amount, add a note).
Select Payment Method: Before completing the payment, tap on the payment method icon. You should see an option to select your "Amex Send Account" from the list of payment options.
Complete Payment: Select the Amex Send Account and then complete the payment.
Step 4: Understanding "Split Purchases" (Optional but Related)
While distinct from sending money, American Express's "Send & Split" feature also includes the ability to split purchases you've made on your Amex Card. This is useful when you've covered a group expense and want others to pay you back.
Sub-heading: How to Split a Purchase
Log in to Amex App: Open your American Express App.
Select a Purchase: Tap on any pending or posted purchase from your current or most recent billing cycle that you wish to split.
Tap "Split It": You'll see a "Split It" option associated with the transaction.
Choose Contacts: Select up to 20 Venmo or PayPal users you want to split the purchase with, either from your contacts or by manually entering their details.
Adjust Shares (Optional): Amex will initially divide the cost evenly, but you can adjust each person's share as needed.
Choose Reimbursement Method: You can elect to receive the money back as a statement credit to your Amex Card account or to your linked Venmo or PayPal account.
Send Request: Your selected contacts will receive a payment request via Venmo or PayPal.
When they accept and pay, if you chose statement credit, the money will be applied to your Amex Card account within 24-36 hours.
Key Benefit: You still earn all the rewards on the original purchase you made with your Amex Card, regardless of whether you split it.
Other Considerations for Sending Money with Amex
American Express Serve Prepaid Cards: If you have an American Express Serve prepaid debit card, you might have other options for sending money. Serve cardholders can send payments to other Serve cardholders, and in some cases, via Amex's partnership with Ria for cash collection in the US.
Wire Transfers (Amex Bank Accounts): If you have an American Express Bank account (e.g., an Amex savings account), you may be able to initiate domestic or international wire transfers. This is separate from using your Amex credit card. Wire transfers typically involve fees and specific cut-off times.
For domestic wire transfers, you'll need the recipient's name, contact details, bank account details, and wire routing number (ABA code).
For international wire transfers, you'll need the recipient's name, address, overseas bank account number, and bank ID (like SWIFT code/BIC).
Third-Party Services: While many third-party money transfer services allow credit card payments, Amex network cards are often not supported due to various processing complexities and fees. The Amex Send & Split feature is designed to circumvent these issues by integrating with Venmo and PayPal.
Fees:
There is no Amex fee to send money using the Amex Send & Split feature to Venmo or PayPal accounts for US recipients.
However, if you send money to a non-US recipient via PayPal, PayPal may charge a fee.
Adding money to your Amex Send Account from your eligible Card does not incur a fee from Amex, but the transaction is subject to your card's purchase APR if you don't pay your statement in full.
Traditional cash advances from credit cards (if available directly from Amex, which is rare for standard credit card P2P transfers) typically have high fees and immediate interest. The Send & Split feature avoids this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to send money to a non-Amex user with American Express?
You can send money to any Venmo or PayPal user, regardless of whether they have an American Express Card, by using the Amex Send feature within the Amex App.
How to avoid fees when sending money with American Express?
When using the Amex Send & Split feature to send money to Venmo or PayPal accounts for US recipients, there are no Amex fees. However, if you don't pay your credit card statement in full, the amount you added to your Send Account will be subject to your card's purchase APR.
How to link my PayPal or Venmo account to American Express?
You can link your PayPal and/or Venmo accounts during the enrollment process for the Send & Split feature within the American Express App, typically found in the "Account" tab under "Send & Split."
How to transfer money from American Express card to bank account directly?
Generally, you cannot directly transfer money from your American Express credit card to a bank account in the same way you would with a debit card. The Amex Send & Split feature routes payments through Venmo or PayPal. If you have an American Express bank account, then wire transfers are an option.
How to check my Amex Send Account balance?
You can check your Amex Send Account balance within the American Express App by navigating to the "Account" tab and then selecting "Send & Split."
How to split a purchase with American Express?
In the Amex App, select a pending or posted purchase from your activity, tap "Split It," choose the Venmo or PayPal contacts you want to split with, adjust amounts, and select your preferred reimbursement method (statement credit or Venmo/PayPal account).
How to get paid back as a statement credit when splitting purchases?
When setting up a split purchase in the Amex App, you'll have the option to choose whether the funds you receive from others are applied as a statement credit to your American Express Card or deposited into your linked Venmo or PayPal account.
How to cancel a money transfer with American Express Send?
Once a send transaction is initiated through the Amex Send feature and the money is available in the recipient's Venmo or PayPal account, it generally cannot be canceled.
How to earn rewards when sending money with Amex Send?
When you add money to your Amex Send Account, that specific transaction typically does not earn rewards. However, if you use the "Split Purchases" feature, you do earn rewards on the original purchase made with your Amex Card, even if you split the cost with others.
How to use American Express Serve to send money?
If you have an American Express Serve prepaid card, you can send money to other Serve cardholders directly. Some Serve cards may also allow sending money for cash pickup via Ria, typically within the US. Check your specific Serve card's terms and conditions for details.
