Amazon AWS free? Guess not

I recently tried to create a "free" account on AWS to try out Amazon Web Services‎. Here is the live support chat I had with ShaFiq from Amazon, it should give all the insight needed:

Live Chat (Case ID - ********** 821) End Chat You are now connected to Shafiq A from AWS. Please type your question below. Me:Regarding case ********** 821 Shafiq A:Hello, my name is Shafiq A. How can I help you today. Me:Shafiq are you there? Shafiq A:Yes I am. How can I help you Me:have you read what i wrote? I have just signed up for a free account. When I try to add a new webapp, I get the "Your service sign-up is almost complete!" screen. I suspect this is because the $1 charge to my credit card is unsuccessful. There are no funds in my account, so the transaction will not complete. Shafiq A:I have just checked the case you send us. I can help you with the verification. The Phone and Payment method verification is still outstanding, I can help you complete the Phone verification, however, you will need to contact your bank to find out why the card is not being validated on their end. Me:It is because there is no money in my account Shafiq A:yes, the bank will deduct a 1USD from the account and place it back. but without funds, the bank will not be able to complete the validation Would you like me to complete the phone verification in the interim Me:Will my account be activated without the credit card charge? Shafiq A:unfortunately no but it will be one step closer to the activation Me:That is unfair and discriminatory. I am unemployed and trying to make a living. You are excluding me because I have no money Shafiq A:Im sorry you feel that way, I understand your predicament, however, our services are ones that charge for having a service active, and we need to ensure that should charges occure, the customers would have a valid payment method to honor the charges they have created. I can assure you, we are not excluding you, it is a security step to protect you when you use the services and AWS who is providing the services Me:I have a potential client, for whom I might build an API. Before the client will agree to use me, I first need to learn how to do that. The client has a paid AWS account Shafiq A:In that case, we do have online services which allow you to use AWS, as well as a program that allows customer who intend on building on AWS to use it without the need of the card. The program is called AWS Educate. http://aws.amazon.com/education/awseduc...(See full link) that is one option. Me:No, it is not an option. I am not a student Shafiq A:We also have AWS Activate, for start-ups. https://aws.amazon.com/activate/contact...(See full link) That would be a good option, however, the account would be required to be active, even though your account would receive a credit to cover any charges. Me:If you’re a member of an accelerator, incubator, seed/VC fund, or other startup-enabling organization, check to see if your organization is an AWS Activate provider at Portfolio and Portfolio Plus Packages. If your organization is listed, ask your program director for details on how to sign up. That does not apply to me Shafiq A:those are the only two options right now that would allow you to test our platform without having a payment method available. Me:Please escalate my case Shafiq A:The Free Tier on the account which is activated as soon as the account is validated will also allow you to use the services for free, however, the Free Tier still has limitations, and can still cause a charge. This will not work for you. Should the account cause charges, and become suspended, you might not be able to start up a second account. I will recommend consulting the Educate and Activate with your problem, as exceptions can be granted by them, especially so with the Activate team. If you are approved, you could start using your account immediately. Im sorry, escalating your case on our end would not be possible, we are not able to activate an account without a valid payment method available. You could contact our Sales and Business Development team here: http://aws.amazon.com/contact-us/aws-sa...(See full link) Our Sales team may be able to work out a non-standard payment arrangement for you, though these arrangements are rare. Me:I'm speechless. Do you know that I get $200 free credit per month on Azure? Shafiq A:I am sorry we cannot top that offer. The Free Tier period if used to its fullest potential prevents charges of more than $1000 a month, however, the account needs to be activated in order for you get access to the Free Tier period. Me:I see. Thanks Shafiq Shafiq A is typing...