Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Dec 1, 2012, 3:54 pm
#3481
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 514
Apparently they flag the phone number of whoever calls them. I called them once regarding my lost check. They advised me to wait longer. I didn't accept and then the CSR said that she will file a dispute for that transaction but the call was disconnected. When I called them back using the same phone, it kept saying "Due to success and high demand for Bluebird, we are unable to answer your call" or something like that. I suspect that I called them a few minutes ago and how is that Bluebird has become so successful in a few minutes?!! I decided to call them using another phone number and it worked!
This is a bad company to deal with, even if it is Amex. One should always consider that Bluebird is low-end product. In this context you always prone to higher risk and Amex works just like any other unreliable company that usually launches a low-end product. However due to "success and high demand" Amex may en up being even worse!
This is a bad company to deal with, even if it is Amex. One should always consider that Bluebird is low-end product. In this context you always prone to higher risk and Amex works just like any other unreliable company that usually launches a low-end product. However due to "success and high demand" Amex may en up being even worse!
Dec 1, 2012, 3:56 pm
#3482
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CT
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 429
Went to 3 cee vee ess stores today, all well stocked, all took a CC w/ no problem. Only bought 1 card at each, now I will have to start experimenting on how many they will let you purchase at one time.
Dec 1, 2012, 4:26 pm
#3483
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
On a side note, one thing that bugs me when using a VR card is that they only ask you for your card number and the long PIN when applying the amount. I am always paranoid that I have mistyped my card number and will wind up crediting someone else's card. It might be nice if they also required the 3 or 4 digit security code off the card you wish to apply to as a double check. I wonder if you have any recourse if you accidentally applied your VR to the wrong account?
Dec 1, 2012, 5:28 pm
#3484
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Programs: UR(ink bold; Freedom), Skymiles Silver, HH Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold)
Posts: 39
Hi all, long time FT lurker, 1st time poster, so take it easy.
Visited 2 W-greens and 2 CVS locations in my area over the past 2 days. All of them had beans but all of them said cahs only. One lady at W-greens said this was a national rule for them.
Is she right or blowing smoke? Do I just keep trying my luck to find one who will take CC? The last CVS who was cahs only had like 25 bean cards and i practically drooled on myself before I was turned down.
Visited 2 W-greens and 2 CVS locations in my area over the past 2 days. All of them had beans but all of them said cahs only. One lady at W-greens said this was a national rule for them.
Is she right or blowing smoke? Do I just keep trying my luck to find one who will take CC? The last CVS who was cahs only had like 25 bean cards and i practically drooled on myself before I was turned down.
Dec 1, 2012, 5:43 pm
#3485
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
Dec 1, 2012, 7:25 pm
#3486
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bay Area (the one in CA)
Programs: UR, *A, UA
Posts: 26
Dec 1, 2012, 7:46 pm
#3487
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
Just back with 2k worth of beanie from CVS. Took a couple of swipes before it worked on AMEX card. It did not work on B of A Virgin Atlantic card. Swiped several times but the transaction wouldn't go through.
Dec 1, 2012, 8:04 pm
#3488
Formerly known as cagalindo
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MCO TPA
Programs: Citi AA/HH/TYP Amex SPG/HH & Chase SP/PC
Posts: 1,335
Same happened to me before with another card metoo. The bank probably saw the first transaction come in and didn't even it let that one go through. Any other swipes after that wouldn't work even for just water or something. I bet if you call they will transfer you to fraud department to verify.
Dec 1, 2012, 8:31 pm
#3489
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
Have not gotten a single bean in the Bay Area in last 30 days. Pretty much given up and resigned myself to buying Amex Prepaids with Chase Ink from OD.
Dec 1, 2012, 8:35 pm
#3490
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bay Area (the one in CA)
Programs: UR, *A, UA
Posts: 26
no more beans...
But I am curious - since at least 2 stores have had a whole column of "Vanilla Prepaid (NOT the Vanilla Visas, which are on a different part of the rack) with a big sticker that says coming soon. Maybe they are rebrading?
Oh well I'll just stick to buying $500 SBUX cards at OD ::-D:
Dec 1, 2012, 9:16 pm
#3491
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 21
I probably shoulda asked this before I got my ice cream a few times today...does either chase or citi charge cash advance fees for purchases at CVS of the ice cream type? I always buy a pack of gum to go with it just in case, but has there been problems with this at all?
Dec 1, 2012, 9:19 pm
#3492
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
I am doing the same. Better than nothing, but I guess I missed my bonus mile train for bill pay. Sigh.
But I am curious - since at least 2 stores have had a whole column of "Vanilla Prepaid (NOT the Vanilla Visas, which are on a different part of the rack) with a big sticker that says coming soon. Maybe they are rebrading?
Oh well I'll just stick to buying $500 SBUX cards at OD ::-D:
But I am curious - since at least 2 stores have had a whole column of "Vanilla Prepaid (NOT the Vanilla Visas, which are on a different part of the rack) with a big sticker that says coming soon. Maybe they are rebrading?
Oh well I'll just stick to buying $500 SBUX cards at OD ::-D:
Dec 1, 2012, 9:20 pm
#3493
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
No, it's just another purchase
Dec 1, 2012, 9:20 pm
#3494
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Nope. Reported many times in the thread.
Dec 1, 2012, 10:00 pm
#3495
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,795
I don't need MO to cash out BB, I just need a MO and dont want to pay cash or use debit card where I get no points. I don't have DD so unless I do the paypal verification it doesnt make sense to withdraw any BB funds expecially with wallyworlds atm's set at $300 max per transaction that would add up fast....I am fine using BB for mortgage, and bills.
The target ppamex on the other hand only allows one free withdrawal (amex fee) per month and you still get stuck with the atm owner fees, $400 daily limit also can cause the fees to add up....so buying a MO with it would be a vast improvement to get money back out of it. It does have my name on it and I guess I could buy VR at CVS in order to liquidate.
Anyhow I guess I will try the MO route at the post office and a store or 2 and see what happens.
The target ppamex on the other hand only allows one free withdrawal (amex fee) per month and you still get stuck with the atm owner fees, $400 daily limit also can cause the fees to add up....so buying a MO with it would be a vast improvement to get money back out of it. It does have my name on it and I guess I could buy VR at CVS in order to liquidate.
Anyhow I guess I will try the MO route at the post office and a store or 2 and see what happens.
In any case, the only way to earn points from buying a MO and only from certain place is with the ST Delta debit card or the BofA AS debit card. I dont see how you can earn points from buying MOs with other means no matter how you conjure it up... MO purchase is always a PIN based transaction AFAIK because MO is the true cash equivalent which can be deposited to bank account directly. It is essentially a prepaid CHECK.