Ever wondered how you can easily send money to friends and family using your American Express Card? If so, you're in the right place! American Express offers a convenient feature called Amex Send Account (part of their Send & Split offering) that allows you to do just that, leveraging the power of your existing Amex relationship. It's like having a dedicated wallet within your Amex ecosystem, specifically designed for peer-to-peer payments.
How Does the American Express Send Account Work?
The American Express Send Account is essentially a stored balance (prepaid) account linked to your eligible American Express Card. Think of it as a separate, virtual fund that you can load money into from your Amex Card and then use to send payments to others through popular platforms like Venmo and PayPal. The beauty of this system is that it offers a seamless way to leverage your Amex Card for peer-to-peer transactions without incurring standard credit card fees that Venmo or PayPal might otherwise charge.
Key Characteristics:
Prepaid Nature: It's not a credit line; you must add money to your Send Account from your Amex Card before you can send payments.
No Credit Checks: Opening an Amex Send Account doesn't involve a credit check and won't impact your credit score.
Integrated with Amex App: All the magic happens directly within the American Express App, making it incredibly convenient.
Venmo & PayPal Integration: It's designed to work specifically with Venmo and PayPal users, allowing you to send funds to almost anyone who uses these platforms.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Your Amex Send Account
Ready to start sending money? Let's walk through the process.
Step 1: Getting Started - Enrollment and Linking
Your First Move: Check Eligibility! Before anything else, ensure your American Express Card is eligible. Generally, US-issued Basic Consumer Cards from American Express National Bank that are not cancelled are eligible. Prepaid Cards, Corporate Cards, Small Business Cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other financial institutions or outside the US are typically not eligible.
Enroll in Send & Split:
Open the Amex App: Log in to your American Express mobile application.
Navigate to "Account" Tab: Look for the "Account" tab, usually found at the bottom of the screen.
Find "Send & Split": Tap on the "Send & Split: Venmo/PayPal" option.
Review and Agree: You'll see information on how the feature works. Read through it and then tap "Agree and Enroll."
Link Your Venmo or PayPal Account:
Prompt to Link: After enrolling, you'll be prompted to link your Venmo or PayPal account.
Follow On-Screen Instructions: You'll be redirected to either Venmo or PayPal's login page to authorize the connection. Make sure you have an email address on file with American Express for this step.
Step 2: Adding Money to Your Send Account
This is where you fund your Amex Send Account from your eligible American Express Card. Remember, you can only send money that's already in your Send Account.
Access the Send Account: Within the Amex App, go to the "Send & Split" section.
Select "Add Money": You'll see an option to "Add Money" to your Send Account.
Choose Your Amex Card: Select the eligible American Express Card you wish to fund your Send Account from.
Enter the Amount: Specify the amount of money you want to add.
Confirm Transaction: Review the details and confirm the transaction.
Important Note: When you add money to your Send Account, it will appear as a charge on your American Express Card billing statement. This charge generally does not earn rewards and is subject to your Card's purchase APR. However, there is typically no fee to add money to your Amex Send Account.
Step 3: Sending Money to Venmo or PayPal Users
Now that your Send Account is funded, you can send money!
Initiate a Send: In the "Send & Split" section of the Amex App, select the "Send" option.
Choose Recipient: You can select a contact from your phone, or manually enter the recipient's Venmo or PayPal username/email.
Enter Amount: Input the amount you wish to send.
Select Amex Send Account as Payment Method: When prompted to choose a payment method, select your Amex Send Account. This is crucial to avoid standard credit card fees from Venmo/PayPal.
Review and Confirm: Double-check all the details of the transaction (recipient, amount, payment method) and then confirm.
Once the Send is completed and available in the recipient's Venmo or PayPal account, you generally cannot cancel the transaction. There is typically no fee to send money to US recipients. However, PayPal may charge a fee for sending to non-US recipients.
Step 4: Splitting Purchases (Optional, but Handy!)
Beyond sending money, the "Send & Split" feature also allows you to split eligible purchases made with your Amex Card and get paid back.
Select a Purchase to Split: Within the Amex App, go to the "Send & Split" section and choose the "Split" option. You can select pending or posted purchases made with your eligible Amex Card.
Choose Contacts to Split With: Select the contacts you want to request to split the purchase with.
Choose How You Get Paid Back: You have two options for receiving funds:
As a statement credit to your American Express Card account.
To your linked Venmo or PayPal account.
Send the Request: Once you've set up the split, send the request to your contacts.
Important: You are still responsible for paying the full purchase amount charged to your Card, regardless of whether you are paid back via the split feature. You do earn rewards for purchases you split, just as you would for any other purchase.
Benefits of Using the Amex Send Account
The Amex Send Account offers several advantages for American Express Card Members:
Avoid P2P Fees: One of the most significant benefits is the ability to send money to Venmo or PayPal users without incurring the typical credit card fees those platforms might charge. This can save you a good amount of money over time.
Leverage Existing Amex Relationship: It integrates seamlessly with your current American Express online account and mobile app, offering a familiar and trusted environment.
Convenience: It simplifies sending money to friends, family, or even splitting bills, all from within the Amex App.
No Credit Impact: Since it's a prepaid account, opening and using it doesn't affect your credit score.
Important Considerations and Limitations
While the Amex Send Account is very convenient, keep these points in mind:
Eligibility is Key: Not all American Express Cards are eligible. Always check if your specific card qualifies.
No Rewards on Loading Funds: Money added to the Send Account from your Amex Card typically does not earn rewards. Rewards are generally earned when you make the initial purchase on your Amex Card, not when you transfer funds to the Send Account.
Irreversible Transactions: Once funds are sent to a Venmo or PayPal recipient and made available, the transaction is generally irreversible. Double-check recipient details carefully!
Transaction Limits: Like most financial services, there are usually daily, weekly, or monthly limits on how much you can add to your Send Account and how much you can send. These limits are subject to change and can be found in the Amex App or on their website.
International Transfers: The Amex Send Account primarily focuses on domestic (US) peer-to-peer payments. While PayPal allows international transfers (often with a fee), the Amex Send Account itself is generally for US recipients. For broader international transfers, American Express offers separate services like American Express Global Pay for businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to enroll in the Amex Send Account?
You can enroll in the Amex Send Account through the American Express App. Log in, go to the "Account" tab, and look for "Send & Split: Venmo/PayPal." Follow the prompts to agree and enroll.
How to add money to my Amex Send Account?
Within the Amex App, navigate to the "Send & Split" section, select "Add Money," choose your eligible Amex Card, enter the desired amount, and confirm the transaction.
How to send money to someone using Amex Send Account?
After funding your Send Account, select the "Send" option in the Amex App, choose your recipient, enter the amount, and ensure you select your Amex Send Account as the payment method.
How to avoid fees when sending money with Amex Send Account?
By using your Amex Send Account as the payment method within Venmo or PayPal via the Amex App, you generally avoid the standard credit card fees that Venmo or PayPal might otherwise impose.
How to split a purchase with the Amex Send Account?
In the "Send & Split" section of the Amex App, select the "Split" option, choose an eligible purchase, select the contacts you want to split with, and decide whether to receive funds as a statement credit or to your linked Venmo/PayPal.
How to check my Amex Send Account balance?
Your Amex Send Account balance will be visible within the "Send & Split" section of the American Express App.
How to cancel a payment made with Amex Send Account?
Once a payment is sent and available to the recipient in their Venmo or PayPal account, it is generally not possible to cancel the transaction. Always double-check before confirming.
How to link a different Venmo or PayPal account to Amex Send?
You can usually manage your linked Venmo or PayPal accounts within the "Send & Split" settings in the American Express App. There might be options to unlink and re-link accounts.
How to find transaction limits for Amex Send Account?
Transaction limits (daily, weekly, monthly) are typically detailed within the American Express App when you attempt to add money or send funds, or you can find them in the terms and conditions on the American Express website.
How to get customer support for Amex Send Account issues?
For any issues or questions regarding your Amex Send Account, contact American Express customer service directly through the Amex App, their website, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your Amex Card.
