One of the aspects that has made Amazon famous is the quality of service offered to users, in fact, buy on e-commerce allows you to take advantage of a simplified system for online shopping, to place an order quickly, quickly and conveniently receiving the goods in no time. Among the most appreciated services there is the possibility to pay on Amazon in various ways, choosing each time the most appropriate to their needs, with many different options and new solutions always available. In this guide we have analyzed all the payment methods of Amazon, to find out what are the tools offered by the American company to settle the order and finalize the purchase.
Amazon: the payment options available
In recent years, payments on Amazon have become increasingly varied, with many possibilities to choose from that can satisfy every personal need. Today, it is possible to pay with credit, debit and prepaid cards, debit and even with financing by taking advantage of the new installment payment service, not to mention the options that involve the use of vouchers and gift certificates. Obviously there are also some methods that are not accepted, although they are very few, in any case here are all the Amazon payment options available.
Credit, debit and prepaid cards
Undoubtedly the best way to conclude a purchase on the American e-commerce is to pay on Amazon by credit card, in fact it is the absolute fastest and most practical method. In addition, you can also use all major debit cards, or alternatively several prepaid cards. In detail, are accepted cards enabled on the international circuits Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, American Express, CartaSi and Maestro, but only if issued abroad.
In the same way you can also use the prepaid Postepay issued by Poste Italiane, the rechargeable card Hype, including prepaid PayPal if connected to the MasterCard or Visa, or Skrill or Paysafe cards supported by the MasterCard payment circuit. Paying on Amazon with a credit card is very easy, in fact you can both save the card data within the account, and enter the information each time according to your preferences, indicating the holder, the identification number of the card, the expiration date and the security code CVV (Card Validation Value).
In the Amazon account you can manage all the cards registered, for example by deleting expired ones, adding new ones or changing the information reported, just access your profile, select the item Account and lists and choose Your payments. Every time you save a new credit card, a validation operation is carried out, authorizing a symbolic payment of a few cents to check that the card is real and working. However, no additional costs are charged, after which you can use it to finalize any purchase quickly and conveniently.
SEPA Current Account Debit
As an alternative to credit cards, Amazon payments also include the option of SEPA Current Account Debit, a mode available in all European countries such as Italy, the UK, France, Germany and Switzerland. This solution is offered in euros only, with a direct debit to your bank account made at the time of shipment of the package. However, it is not possible to use the debit in all circumstances, in fact it is not valid for Amazon Prime subscribers, on some items that are only available with credit card payment and on digital products such as eBooks, apps, gift certificates and software downloads.
To use SEPA debit you can save your bank account information in your Amazon account, so the information does not have to be entered every time you make a purchase, although it is important to check that it is updated in case of alterations or account transfers. To use this payment method you need to place an order, then when paying you need to select Payment, click on Add a bank account and enter the information about the account holder, IBAN and BIC/SWIFT code. In case of problems you can request a refund by contacting your bank, with 13 months to submit the report of the charge occurred without your consent.
Virtual credit card
In recent years, some banks and payment institutions have begun to offer virtual credit cards, or cards without physical support available in temporary mode to pay online with greater security. These digital cards are also valid on Amazon, if inserted within the circuits accepted by the American company as Visa or MasterCard. To use them, all you have to do is create the virtual card, then all you have to do is enter the codes provided by the company as if it were a real payment card, avoiding typing the data of the main credit card.
Cash with cash recharge
An alternative service to pay on Amazon is represented by the cash recharge, an option that allows you to recharge the balance of your Amazon account with cash. In this case, it is necessary to recharge at one of the points of sale affiliated with the e-commerce, including bars, receivers, tobacconists and newsstands SisalPay and Punto LIS, after which you must request an Amazon recharge code, show the barcode or provide your phone number. Finally, you can choose an amount between 5 and 500 euros, pay in cash and use the credit to make your purchases on Amazon without a credit card.
The barcode can be obtained from your Amazon account within the portal or through the app for mobile devices, letting the retailer scan it to identify your account. Otherwise, the transaction can be done through one’s phone number, however this mode is only available at SisalPay retailers, finalizing the process by confirming the mobile number. Amazon gift codes can also be purchased in the stores, with available denominations of 10, 25, 50 and 100 euros, with the retailer issuing a receipt with a code to be used to finalize the payment online in the e-commerce.
PayPal
Unfortunately, it is not possible to pay on Amazon with PayPal, in fact it is not allowed to connect the application to the website using your email address for payments. However, you can use the balance of your PayPal account to recharge a prepaid card connected to it, as long as it is enabled on the Visa or MasterCard circuits, and then finalize the payment on Amazon using the card. Of course, the transfer of funds takes a couple of working days, so it is important to recharge the card before buying online to be sure that the credit has been added.
Instalment Payment
Since a short time ago, among the options to pay on Amazon has also been introduced the installment payment, a solution valid only for items where this payment method is indicated. The installment is made through the CreditLine service of Cofidis, and is available for amounts with a value between 100 and 1,500 euros. In order to take advantage of this installment payment method, it is necessary to pass the credit assessment, submitting the application online and waiting for the approval or rejection of the request.
In particular, this is a line of credit that is granted by Cofidis without any involvement from Amazon, then you can buy items in the e-commerce and choose this option for repayment in installments. The repayment of the sum can take place up to 24 months, through the payment of monthly installments automatically debited from your current account, you can also use this option for other purchases up to the maximum ceiling of 1,500 euros. To activate the credit line you need to provide some documents, including your health card, the Iban of the account and a valid ID, such as a driver’s license, ID card or passport.
Financing with CreditLine by Cofidis allows you to buy a range of products on Amazon, however digital items and services such as Kindle eBooks, apps and downloading videos, music and games, purchasing gift certificates, pre-sale merchandise and food products are excluded from this payment method. The repayment plan starts after one or two months from the date of shipment of the item, for example charging the first installment on February 1 for goods delivered by January 6, always considering the date of the last shipment made by Amazon.
Amazon payment methods not accepted
Obviously, not all payment options are allowed on the American e-commerce, although the accepted methods are really numerous, in fact, it is not possible to pay on Amazon with cash on delivery. This is a method used mainly by those who do not trust online stores, for example because it is the first time buying on a website that does not know, or by people not used to buying on the internet, so in most cases does not create particular discomfort. The cash on delivery, in fact, is an impractical system, more expensive and inefficient, as it is necessary to be present at the time of delivery to settle the payment with the courier.
Also pay on Amazon with PayPal is not allowed, in fact you can not directly use either the PayPal or Skrill account, but only the MasterCard cards linked to them. Similarly, payments by check, money order, wire transfers and bank transfers are not accepted. Therefore, those who wish to buy online on the portal must necessarily use a credit card, debit card or prepaid card, or a SEPA direct debit or a card linked to PayPal or Skrill, otherwise it is possible to apply for financing with Cofidis CreditLine for the installment of orders suitable for this payment option.