A Question for Amex Pros ?

lg8302ch · ‎12-20-2015

Hello

Since I have a minimum spend to achieve on my new SPG card I have been using the card also on PayPal and yes I know it is not the best way to do that. It is for purchases ( merchandise or services ) but I noticed a strange "marking" when Amex is used thru PP.

PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK or PAYPAL MARK

Does anybody know what this strange "MARK" is supposed to indicate? I am just curious to why it happens only on Amex and never on any other network. A red flag indicator?

Once the minimum spend is done I will not use Amex on PP anymore ..and hopefully my account will survive the next 3 months

Anonymous · ‎12-20-2015

@lg8302ch wrote:
Hello
Since I have a minimum spend to achieve on my new SPG card I have been using the card also on PayPal and yes I know it is not the best way to do that. It is for purchases ( merchandise or services ) but I noticed a strange "marking" when Amex is used thru PP.
PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK or PAYPAL MARK
Does anybody know what this strange "MARK" is supposed to indicate? I am just curious to why it happens only on Amex and never on any other network. A red flag indicator?
Once the minimum spend is done I will not use Amex on PP anymore ..and hopefully my account will survive the next 3 months

I believe it has to do with EBay validating a new card. Buy Amex gift cards instead as an alternative if you're concerned about Amex not liking the PayPal charges.

Anonymous · ‎12-20-2015

+1000

Bmac66 · ‎12-20-2015

Everything I've read here indicates do not use Amex to pay through PP. It sets off all kinds of red flags with them. I believe the issue stems from people using PP to circumvent cash advance fees and interest. Lots of AA come as a result of using pp.

lg8302ch · ‎12-20-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Hello
Since I have a minimum spend to achieve on my new SPG card I have been using the card also on PayPal and yes I know it is not the best way to do that. It is for purchases ( merchandise or services ) but I noticed a strange "marking" when Amex is used thru PP.
PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK or PAYPAL MARK
Does anybody know what this strange "MARK" is supposed to indicate? I am just curious to why it happens only on Amex and never on any other network. A red flag indicator?
Once the minimum spend is done I will not use Amex on PP anymore ..and hopefully my account will survive the next 3 months
I believe it has to do with EBay validating a new card. Buy Amex gift cards instead as an alternative if you're concerned about Amex not liking the PayPal charges.

Thanks Irish80 for the suggestion to buy AX gift cards.Since I would have to buy them directly from Amex I think this is not the best way to avoid red flags either. I think I will give it a break for now and not use AX in PP for a moment. I would hate to lose the card. I checked and not only the first transaction get that strange "MARK" at the end

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL MARK

It is all of the transactions that PP is involved get that "PAYPAL MARK" or "PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK"

Is there anybody that has an AX revolver inside their PP account and has been using it regularly for Ebay purchases without any issues for a longer period of time ? I am just curious if AX really is that sensitive if the card is used for merchandise payments.

Anonymous · ‎12-20-2015

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Hello
Since I have a minimum spend to achieve on my new SPG card I have been using the card also on PayPal and yes I know it is not the best way to do that. It is for purchases ( merchandise or services ) but I noticed a strange "marking" when Amex is used thru PP.
PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK or PAYPAL MARK
Does anybody know what this strange "MARK" is supposed to indicate? I am just curious to why it happens only on Amex and never on any other network. A red flag indicator?
Once the minimum spend is done I will not use Amex on PP anymore ..and hopefully my account will survive the next 3 months
I believe it has to do with EBay validating a new card. Buy Amex gift cards instead as an alternative if you're concerned about Amex not liking the PayPal charges.
Thanks Irish80 for the suggestion to buy AX gift cards.Since I would have to buy them directly from Amex I think this is not the best way to avoid red flags either. I think I will give it a break for now and not use AX in PP for a moment. I would hate to lose the card. I checked and not only the first transaction get that strange "MARK" at the end

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL MARK
It is all of the transactions that PP is involved get that "PAYPAL MARK" or "PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK"

Is there anybody that has an AX revolver inside their PP account and has been using it regularly for Ebay purchases without any issues for a longer period of time ? I am just curious if AX really is that sensitive if the card is used for merchandise payments.

Buying gift cards directly from Amex seems fine. It's not a bonus category for anything and I haven't heard of anyone getting AA because of this. Last month I bought $7K worth to meet threshold spend on OBC.

Jaylima91 · ‎12-20-2015

You shouldn't get AA for using Amex for a PayPal purchase. The "Mark" isn't a red flag. I've shopped online using PayPal with my Amex and nothing has ever happened. It's just the way PayPal reports a temp authorization charge. I've done it hundreds of time using my Amex. Of course, the charges are valid considering I was shopping on ebay or other online store using PayPal. As long as you don't MS you'll be alright.

Jaylima91 · ‎12-20-2015

*Mark is simply short for Marketplace. PayPal Marketplace is the transaction

Anonymous · ‎12-20-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Hello
Since I have a minimum spend to achieve on my new SPG card I have been using the card also on PayPal and yes I know it is not the best way to do that. It is for purchases ( merchandise or services ) but I noticed a strange "marking" when Amex is used thru PP.
PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK or PAYPAL MARK
Does anybody know what this strange "MARK" is supposed to indicate? I am just curious to why it happens only on Amex and never on any other network. A red flag indicator?
Once the minimum spend is done I will not use Amex on PP anymore ..and hopefully my account will survive the next 3 months
I believe it has to do with EBay validating a new card. Buy Amex gift cards instead as an alternative if you're concerned about Amex not liking the PayPal charges.
Thanks Irish80 for the suggestion to buy AX gift cards.Since I would have to buy them directly from Amex I think this is not the best way to avoid red flags either. I think I will give it a break for now and not use AX in PP for a moment. I would hate to lose the card. I checked and not only the first transaction get that strange "MARK" at the end

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK

Merchant Name:

PAYPAL MARK
It is all of the transactions that PP is involved get that "PAYPAL MARK" or "PAYPAL ON EBAY MARK"

Is there anybody that has an AX revolver inside their PP account and has been using it regularly for Ebay purchases without any issues for a longer period of time ? I am just curious if AX really is that sensitive if the card is used for merchandise payments.
Buying gift cards directly from Amex seems fine. It's not a bonus category for anything and I haven't heard of anyone getting AA because of this. Last month I bought $7K worth to meet threshold spend on OBC.

Exactly. They don't care and you'll be fine.

lg8302ch · ‎12-20-2015

@Bmac66 wrote:
Everything I've read here indicates do not use Amex to pay through PP. It sets off all kinds of red flags with them. I believe the issue stems from people using PP to circumvent cash advance fees and interest. Lots of AA come as a result of using pp.

...that is exactly why I am getting concerned now. But at the same time I have a hard time to believe that if you use your card for regular merchandise payments trough PP that this is such a big thing for Amex. On the other hand I am also not courageous enough to see what will happen if I continue...so I will stop and see how it goes with my minimum spend otherwise. I might just make it with my other payments and if not then I will have to buy gift cards at the end.