I think when you pay with card (you don's have it yet) the limit for pin is $200 or so these days. On the phone, you don't need a pin. They want you to activate your card first. If you activated, you are good to go. I think there are some numbers they want from you during activation process. That is there may be some questions (fraud detection). If I were you, I would call Amex and let them know what you are trying to do and I am sure they will try to assist (for fraud detection reasons)...So i added my card, used it to pay a few larger bills I was waiting for it for (for points so I can meet the spend etc), i tried to do a pin in the app, wont let me, so had to call it was all automated set up a pin, but assume when I tap as usual in the past I wont need the pin?