Feb 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
Last edit by: weezl
please be aware the Target breach cards are currently on the black market, as always be aware of activity on all accounts
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
AmEx for Target: $400/week credit card ATM withdrawals for 1.3%+ in certain cities
Sep 30, 2014, 10:56 pm
#2821
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
Same issue today. After they entered the load amount the screen just went blank. Seems like an AFT issue that hopefully gets ironed out soon. I was using a well seasoned permanent card and not in danger of crossing any load limits. The good news is it errored before I swiped my payment card. That is a real mess when it happens and has to get refunded/investigated to get the funds back.
Turns out there was a glitch on the Target (or possibly Amex) side of the fence. I only wish someone somewhere had the info to offer when the staff inquired about what to do through their "help desk". One staff member hinted maybe the store was not a participating store any longer. I offered something similar to "wouldn't there have been some notification to the store about that?"
I finally found out thru the AFT cust. service line after the two visits. They had been aware of the problem for sometime and were offering suggestions to customers to wait til Wed. to load the AFT card.
Last edited by jan_believes; Oct 1, 2014 at 6:31 pm
Oct 1, 2014, 12:51 pm
#2822
Join Date: May 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 391
Even though the Targets in my area show up on the VISA Merchant code tool as Grocery/Supermarket, they're showing up in Amex as a wholesale store. You could always make a small purchase and then click on the transaction after it posts and it'll tell you what category it'll be listed under.
Oct 1, 2014, 6:04 pm
#2823
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 84
Thornton's was another gas station chain with free ATM in FL. Found today that they reduced max withdraw amount to $150.
Oct 1, 2014, 6:28 pm
#2824
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
While I'm here, can anyone tackle my erratic loading schedule and tell me when I can reload?
Initial Load:
07/29/2014 07/29/2014 Value Load $ 500.00
Next Load:
08/07/2014 08/07/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
08/09/2014 08/09/2014 Value Load $ 997.00
Next Load:
09/06/2014 09/06/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/09/14 09/09/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/11/2014 09/11/2014 Value Load $ 850.00
Next Load:
09/15/2014 09/15/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/18/2014 09/18/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Was turned away yesterday and today. Anxious to have my first of the month surcharge free WD!
Thanks.
Last edited by jan_believes; Oct 1, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Oct 1, 2014, 7:00 pm
#2825
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Have you checked multiple locations? I did a bunch of back to back $400 withdraws at a fee free PNC branded ATM at a local chain around me and went back a few days later and the limit had been reduced to $300. Went to another location down the street and it was still $400. Went back to the reduced location about a month later and it was back up to $400.
Oct 1, 2014, 7:29 pm
#2826
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
Disappointing. Was in Central FL just recently and used a PNC sponsored ATM at a Thornton's with $400 WD.
While I'm here, can anyone tackle my erratic loading schedule and tell me when I can reload?
Initial Load:
07/29/2014 07/29/2014 Value Load $ 500.00
Next Load:
08/07/2014 08/07/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
08/09/2014 08/09/2014 Value Load $ 997.00
Next Load:
09/06/2014 09/06/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/09/14 09/09/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/11/2014 09/11/2014 Value Load $ 850.00
Next Load:
09/15/2014 09/15/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/18/2014 09/18/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Was turned away yesterday and today. Anxious to have my first of the month surcharge free WD! Thanks.
While I'm here, can anyone tackle my erratic loading schedule and tell me when I can reload?
Initial Load:
07/29/2014 07/29/2014 Value Load $ 500.00
Next Load:
08/07/2014 08/07/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
08/09/2014 08/09/2014 Value Load $ 997.00
Next Load:
09/06/2014 09/06/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/09/14 09/09/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/11/2014 09/11/2014 Value Load $ 850.00
Next Load:
09/15/2014 09/15/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Next Load:
09/18/2014 09/18/2014 Value Load $ 1000.00
Was turned away yesterday and today. Anxious to have my first of the month surcharge free WD!
Thanks.
Oct 1, 2014, 7:36 pm
#2827
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 61
Nothing like well trained employees and evenly enforced rules...
just got back from Target. first register, cashier had no idea what the card was. Thought I was trying to do BP or something. Asked her to swipe the card, "oh wow I've never seen that before!" *sigh*
Walk over to another register for card #2 (in retrospect I shouldn't have), cashier tells me $500 load limit - store policy. Great. Also txn denied and fraud alert on CC to top it off.
But, I can confirm that loads are working fine - no issues like those reported in previous posts.
just got back from Target. first register, cashier had no idea what the card was. Thought I was trying to do BP or something. Asked her to swipe the card, "oh wow I've never seen that before!" *sigh*
Walk over to another register for card #2 (in retrospect I shouldn't have), cashier tells me $500 load limit - store policy. Great. Also txn denied and fraud alert on CC to top it off.
But, I can confirm that loads are working fine - no issues like those reported in previous posts.
Oct 1, 2014, 8:38 pm
#2828
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
But, using that logic, the next load date would be near Oct. 13, just one day before I am in FL.....and near fee-free ATMs!
Thanks!
To Bryant Leeds below:
Really? Cool. Even better! Thanks and welcome to FT, also.
PS. Can anyone in NOVA verify AFT is reloadable in stores there (a participating store area)? Ashburn, Sterling?
Last edited by jan_believes; Oct 2, 2014 at 10:16 am
Oct 2, 2014, 8:59 am
#2829
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 48
It is 28 days * 24 hours (29 days to be safer).
Oct 2, 2014, 9:06 am
#2830
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 7
United MilagePlus Explorer rejected during loading
Hello All:
I am new to this and testing waters on MS. I was able to find a AFT card after a little bit of search in the bay area. During my initial load I swiped my United MilagePlus Explorer card for the initial $500 load. The card was rejected saying 'card type not correct'. I was a little nervouse so did not try the same card again. I then used my Barclay's Arrival Plus Elite and it went through w/o any problems.
Was wondering if I am doing anything wrong? Has anyone else faced similar issues?
I am new to this and testing waters on MS. I was able to find a AFT card after a little bit of search in the bay area. During my initial load I swiped my United MilagePlus Explorer card for the initial $500 load. The card was rejected saying 'card type not correct'. I was a little nervouse so did not try the same card again. I then used my Barclay's Arrival Plus Elite and it went through w/o any problems.
Was wondering if I am doing anything wrong? Has anyone else faced similar issues?
Oct 2, 2014, 9:33 am
#2831
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
Hello All:
I am new to this and testing waters on MS. I was able to find a AFT card after a little bit of search in the bay area. During my initial load I swiped my United MilagePlus Explorer card for the initial $500 load. The card was rejected saying 'card type not correct'. I was a little nervouse so did not try the same card again. I then used my Barclay's Arrival Plus Elite and it went through w/o any problems.
Was wondering if I am doing anything wrong? Has anyone else faced similar issues?
I am new to this and testing waters on MS. I was able to find a AFT card after a little bit of search in the bay area. During my initial load I swiped my United MilagePlus Explorer card for the initial $500 load. The card was rejected saying 'card type not correct'. I was a little nervouse so did not try the same card again. I then used my Barclay's Arrival Plus Elite and it went through w/o any problems.
Was wondering if I am doing anything wrong? Has anyone else faced similar issues?
Welcome to FT!
Oct 2, 2014, 1:43 pm
#2832
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 7
Anyone knows a store around LA has this card?
Much appreciation.
Oct 2, 2014, 1:49 pm
#2833
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 13
Has anyone loaded a Chase credit card this month with AFT? The reason I ask is because there's another thread on Chase now coding Serve CC loads as cash advances. I was wondering if this method is coding as CA as well.
Oct 2, 2014, 1:54 pm
#2834
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 343
If meeting minimum spend, then use Chase, but AFT is generally not too kind to 1% cards.
Oct 2, 2014, 1:59 pm
#2835
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SoCal LA
Programs: Chase Ink Bold, Amex Gold
Posts: 91
Yes, Almost all stores I've been to in LA have it. The one where I bought is on Century Blvd on Inglewood. Also, noticed it at target in the Westside mall in culver city. Also, Sepulveda in MB had one. It is usually kept at the last cashier - 12. Surprisingly, asking people who work there did not help since they don't know, happened twice.