Jan 10, 2015, 9:20 pm
Last edit by: NoonRadar
Nov 24, 2015
Dear XXXXXXXXX,
We want to let you know that we are making a change to your Target Prepaid REDcard® by American Express, and you will no longer be able to add money from your debit card at Target stores. As always, you can continue to add money to your Prepaid REDcard by using:
• Your debit card online through your Account
• Cash at a Target Store
• Direct Deposit (You can automatically add all or part of your paycheck, government benefits and federal tax refunds to your Prepaid REDcard)
DEAD FOR DEBIT CARD LOADS EFFECTIVE 10/12/2015 - MEMO: http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.co...uests-can-use/
DEAD FOR CREDIT CARD LOADS. (Amex GCs Included)
Effective May 6, 2015 registers are hard-coded to not allow credit card reload. PIN-based debit cards are working, however YMMV. PIN-based debit cards may be refused by cashiers.
WHAT IS TARGET PREPAID REDCARD?
Prepaid Redcard is a reloadable American Express card. It is only available to purchase at select Target stores.
WEBSITE:
This site may error when in Firefox, especially with adding payees / bill pay. Customer service says to use Chrome or Internet Explorer.
https://amex.serve.com/prepaidredcard
PREPAID REDCARD LOAD LIMITS
Cash (or debit card) loading at Target: ** - $1,000/transaction, $2,500/day and $5,000/month
Online Debit Card Load * - $200/day and $1,000/month
Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month
All "Monthly" limits are per calendar month and reset on the 1st of each month.
Daily limits reset at midnight Eastern time, 9 PM Pacific time.
*For online debit load, only use of bank-issued cards is allowed. The use of pre-paid debit cards (Netspend, Paypower, Univision, Paypal, etc.) and VGC/MGC/AGCs is not allowed. Your account will be flagged upon first/second attempt.
ATM Withdrawals:
No-fee ATM usage at US Target stores* and U.S. Allpoint network ATMs. (ATM usage not available at any other ATMs.) Find an Allpoint ATM at: www.allpointnetwork.com Note that some ATMs only allow $400/transaction. There is a $750/day and $2,000/month limit to ATM withdrawals.
RedCard is only available in specific Target stores and is not available in all states. Go to this site to find a list of available locations:https://amex.serve.com/prepaidredcard
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I reload a RB at a Target that doesn't sell RB?
Yes. However, the cashier may not know how to do it. You may be able to coach them through it by saying "It's like reloading a Starbucks (or Gift) card". For step-by-step instructions on one method of 'coaching' new cashiers see Post#1904
Q: Can I buy or reload a RB in North Carolina?
See post here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...a-63.html#2520
There is currently a software issue preventing any reload of any kind in NC. It is a known issue but there is no ETA on a fix.
Q: Can I reload the RB at any register, or just at the Customer Service desk?
It can be done at any register, however some cashiers are not trained on how to do this and you may have to go to Customer Service.
Q: What is the most efficient way to drain a RedCard?
Use BillPay to pay bills. For example, pay the credit card you used to load RedCard with. You can also withdraw money at ATMs.
Q: I cant access the BillPay feature through the RB website!
Verify that your account information correctly reflects a 10-digit phone number (including area code). Numerous people have reported that their account only had a 7-digit phone number (no area code) and that, after updating to a 10-digit phone number, BillPay miraculously started working.
Q: Can we buy a temporary Redbird card while we still have a Bluebird or Serve account?
Yes.
Q: How many Redbird cards can you purchase at once?
You can only purchase one Redbird card a day per SSN. If you plan to purchase more than one, be sure to use a different SSN for each purchase to avoid activation issues.
Q: Can we register our temporary Redbird online while we still have a Bluebird or Serve account?
No. You will have to cancel your Bluebird or Serve account first before registering.
Q: How do I cancel my BlueBird or Serve Account online? Do I need to call them?
Frequent Miler posted a useful trick that will help you cancel online How to cancel Bluebird online This works for both BlueBird and Serve.
Q: Cancelled Bluebird, why does registering Redbird error out saying Bluebird is still active?
If you have open transactions that have not been settled, like BillPay checks that have not yet been cashed, the account cannot settle and will not be truly closed. Thus Target will reject it until it's permanently closed.
Q: Can we get Redbird online?
No. The only way to get Redbird is to find a participating Target store and buy a temporary card there. Some people have purchased RB on Ebay, Amazon, or through private deals. Be aware that doing so may violate the TOS of one or more of these services. Also be aware that buying an un-activated RB, you are potentially buying "stolen" merchandise; the seller *may* have simply taken the un-activated RB cards from a target store without permission. At best they got permission from a low-level employee; they certainly are not getting permission from someone authorized to allow sale of RB outside of the current Target-authorized roll out markets. It is highly recommended to only buy already activated Redbirds because many Targets which do not offer Redbirds also will not be able to activate them and you will spend a month with the Customer Service line trying to get a new one.
Q: Does the initial load you put in when purchasing the Redbird count against the monthly limit?
No. After registering the Redbird online, any loads done will count against your monthly limit, even on your temp card.
Q: Can we load Redbird with Target gift cards at Target?NO.
When loading, the register displays a large message saying that gift cards cannot be used to pay for this transaction.
Q: What are the card’s load limits per transaction at Target?
[B]As of 2/2/2015 there is a maximum $1,000 load per transaction. You can no longer load the same RB multiple times (multiple swipes) in 1 transaction. Likewise, you can no longer load multiple RBs (say your's and your spouse's) in 1 transaction. Maximum of 1 load, for $1,000 per debit card payment. End of story.
Q: What credit cards can I use to reload RedCard in Target stores?
NONE. As of May 6, 2015, credit cards cannot be used to reload.
Q: Can I reload with a debit card?
Yes, but only if the debit card can be authenticated with PIN-number. Signature-based debit that processes on the Visa/MasterCard/AmEx networks will NOT work.
Q: Can I reload with a prepaid debit card or Vanilla Visa?
Yes, but only if you have a PIN for that card.
Q: How can I load 2 debit cards in one transaction? Example 2x$500.
1. Swipe debit card on my terminal after total comes up $1000.
2. PIN pad comes up. Enter 4 digit PIN.
3. Do you want cash back? press NO
4. Do you want full amount on this card? press NO <<<Note: I pressed YES and did not have a step 5. - PHLisa
5. Cashier reads something on register, asks how much on this card. $500. They push something to continue.
6. Swipe card #2. Enter PIN
7. Repeat 3 to 5. Total: 0.00
8. Receipt prints. Thank cashier. The end.
(thanks to Mamibear)
Q: Can someone else buy a Redbird card for you?
Yes. When you buy a temp Redbird card at Target, you have to give them your drivers license info, your SSN (can be any set of numbers, does not need to be real), birthdate, and more. Then, you have to register the card online in order to get a permanent card. In the process of registering online, they ask for the birthday of the original buyer on the first screen, but you can put your own and it will still work. Either way, you can still change the details on the following screens. I did this for my wife. I bought the card at Target and used my own driver’s license, SSN, etc. But, when I got home, I registered the card to my wife. I can’t promise this will work for everyone, but it worked for me.
Q: Can you reload Serve/Bluebird at Target?
No.
Q: How do I contact Target's support team to resolve an issue with my RedCard?
Call Target's Prepaid Resolution Team, their direct telephone number is 800 438 6468 (open from 8AM to 430PM MST).
Q: Can you have both Redbird and AFT cards?
Yes.
You can have both Redbird and AFT since they are independent products.
Q: I got a "Pending" notice that the registration is being reviewed, what now?
Add [email protected] to your address book, and check your spam folder for an email about it. You can also call in. They will need images or faxes of:
• Social Security Documentation (must clearly show full 9 digit Social Security Number). Choose 1 of the following options:
◦ Social Security Card, OR
◦ A Medicare insurance card
Plus...
• Picture ID
◦ A valid driver's license card OR
◦ A valid state issued ID OR
◦ A valid United States Government ID Card (e.g. Green Card) OR
◦ A valid United States Passport (photo page only)
◦ Social Security Card, OR
◦ A Medicare insurance card
Plus...
• Picture ID
◦ A valid driver's license card OR
◦ A valid state issued ID OR
◦ A valid United States Government ID Card (e.g. Green Card) OR
◦ A valid United States Passport (photo page only)
Secure Document Upload
Here's the link to upload secure documents to REDcard: https://secure.prepaidredcard.com/User/SecureFileUpload
Prepaid REDcard (Target) 2015-2016
Oct 6, 2015, 3:34 pm
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 407
I haven't been loading with a gift card, but the last two times I have gone to load they have asked me if I'm using a debit card. I say yes, and they say "like a bank debit card, not a gift card"
I say yes again -- they never bother to check but I'm assuming my local target does not have it working? They started asking this since Sunday...so right around when the article came out. I did not bother reading anything until today since they asked it again without bothering to check what I actually used.
I say yes again -- they never bother to check but I'm assuming my local target does not have it working? They started asking this since Sunday...so right around when the article came out. I did not bother reading anything until today since they asked it again without bothering to check what I actually used.
Oct 6, 2015, 3:47 pm
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
By the way, I think the takeaway from my post is that registering new RB may still have issues. Like I said, one store hid all temp cards b/c it was freezing, and the other one we did see it freeze, but I was lucky enough they had an 'old register' where it worked fine.
Some data points; everything below is in Maryland (coming from Arlington)
1) Tried to purchase a prepaid red card at location 1. They took them all off of the racks because they were freezing systems, and told me that's why they cleared the prepaid racks.
2) Went to another Target. They had prepaid RB on the racks. Grabbed one to activate + load a single $500 Vanill VGC. We went to register 1 - trying to swipe froze it up. Didn't use this register, it was late and only one open so manager took me to another one.
3) Second register; it was asking me for a PIN and amount and stuff, but got stuck on 'please wait'. We assumed it also froze up.
4) We went to a third register. She said it had the old software. This time, it acted like it was registering me; asked for my address, social, mobile number, etc. THEN it got to the screen with amounts/PIN/etc. It went through, and my OneVanilla also loaded. I should have done my second one, but didnt since I was working with the manager and I think she whispered to the initial employee from (2) to make sure it was a regular debit card (although she didn't inspect it when she personally ran mine up on two different registers).
5) Went to another Target, tried to load my second $500 OneVanilla...it did not work, felt like it was frozen. He said to try again once I get my permanent card, which I plan to do.
Various data points for various activities.
1) Tried to purchase a prepaid red card at location 1. They took them all off of the racks because they were freezing systems, and told me that's why they cleared the prepaid racks.
2) Went to another Target. They had prepaid RB on the racks. Grabbed one to activate + load a single $500 Vanill VGC. We went to register 1 - trying to swipe froze it up. Didn't use this register, it was late and only one open so manager took me to another one.
3) Second register; it was asking me for a PIN and amount and stuff, but got stuck on 'please wait'. We assumed it also froze up.
4) We went to a third register. She said it had the old software. This time, it acted like it was registering me; asked for my address, social, mobile number, etc. THEN it got to the screen with amounts/PIN/etc. It went through, and my OneVanilla also loaded. I should have done my second one, but didnt since I was working with the manager and I think she whispered to the initial employee from (2) to make sure it was a regular debit card (although she didn't inspect it when she personally ran mine up on two different registers).
5) Went to another Target, tried to load my second $500 OneVanilla...it did not work, felt like it was frozen. He said to try again once I get my permanent card, which I plan to do.
Various data points for various activities.
Oct 6, 2015, 3:50 pm
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
I haven't been loading with a gift card, but the last two times I have gone to load they have asked me if I'm using a debit card. I say yes, and they say "like a bank debit card, not a gift card"
I say yes again -- they never bother to check but I'm assuming my local target does not have it working? They started asking this since Sunday...so right around when the article came out. I did not bother reading anything until today since they asked it again without bothering to check what I actually used.
I say yes again -- they never bother to check but I'm assuming my local target does not have it working? They started asking this since Sunday...so right around when the article came out. I did not bother reading anything until today since they asked it again without bothering to check what I actually used.
Oct 6, 2015, 5:48 pm
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 407
It's like immigrations asking me if I intend on bringing weapons in.
Oct 6, 2015, 6:29 pm
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
The point he/she was making in replying to you is that the article you mentioned was referring to hard-coding of the Target registers to reject some/all pin-based gift cards for Redbird loading. There's no credible evidence that this has happened at Target for any type of pin-enabled gift card.
If Target were to hard code its registers to reject gift cards when being fed to Redbird, this thread would light up like a Christmas tree...it is prob the most popular Redbird thread out there, both in terms of views and comments, to date it has been viewed 1.3 million times. Take a look at the frequency (date & time) of posts on this thread around May 6th (when Target hard-coded its registers to reject credit cards for Redbird) and you will see what a hard-coding by Target looks like in terms of reports here.
Oct 6, 2015, 9:45 pm
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 46
A lot of things make you/me/others weird about MS, some of us more than others. This thread--and overall this forum--has plenty of such examples.
The point he/she was making in replying to you is that the article you mentioned was referring to hard-coding of the Target registers to reject some/all pin-based gift cards for Redbird loading. There's no credible evidence that this has happened at Target for any type of pin-enabled gift card.
If Target were to hard code its registers to reject gift cards when being fed to Redbird, this thread would light up like a Christmas tree...it is prob the most popular Redbird thread out there, both in terms of views and comments, to date it has been viewed 1.3 million times. Take a look at the frequency (date & time) of posts on this thread around May 6th (when Target hard-coded its registers to reject credit cards for Redbird) and you will see what a hard-coding by Target looks like in terms of reports here.
The point he/she was making in replying to you is that the article you mentioned was referring to hard-coding of the Target registers to reject some/all pin-based gift cards for Redbird loading. There's no credible evidence that this has happened at Target for any type of pin-enabled gift card.
If Target were to hard code its registers to reject gift cards when being fed to Redbird, this thread would light up like a Christmas tree...it is prob the most popular Redbird thread out there, both in terms of views and comments, to date it has been viewed 1.3 million times. Take a look at the frequency (date & time) of posts on this thread around May 6th (when Target hard-coded its registers to reject credit cards for Redbird) and you will see what a hard-coding by Target looks like in terms of reports here.
When I saw her mentioned buying AGC online then went to drug store for tons of VGC (presumably more than 2k) in the past, I never went to her blog again
Oct 7, 2015, 8:57 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
My mantra when it comes to churning and MS is do what makes sense to you and what you're comfortable doing, don't compete with others.
Oct 7, 2015, 3:29 pm
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: ORD
Posts: 701
Just left target and csr said they can no longer load RB. I dint push him to try but this is someone who has loaded my card numerous of times. I will try again with another csr.
When I loaded yesterday, it froze the first terminal but worked on the 2nd terminal.
When I loaded yesterday, it froze the first terminal but worked on the 2nd terminal.
Oct 7, 2015, 3:36 pm
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Oct 7, 2015, 5:15 pm
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
I got told the same thing at one store. Loaded at another the next day. CSRs pull stuff out of their backsides when it comes to RB.
Oct 7, 2015, 5:52 pm
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
In fairness to them, the Target cashiers, even supervisors, get no training about Redbird (at least this has been my experience throughout the months I've visited many Targets regularly) and are left to guess or trial & error issues related to Redbird, unless a manager who might know is nearby to be asked. The same applies to things that are not a firm store policy, such as whether you can load Redbird or not, what you can and can't load it with, etc. This accounts for a significant portion of the negative reports on this thread and elsewhere on the internet, though prob more so elsewhere, since here I think we do a good job at clarifying things so people that follow this thread regularly have a very good understanding of the current Redbird state of affairs.
We can't take all the credit though, it helps that there's only one Redbird thread on FlyerTalk, as opposed to Reddit (r/Churning) or other forums/blogs where data points and Q&As are often scattered on various threads throughout the forum.
Last edited by NoonRadar; Oct 7, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Oct 7, 2015, 6:33 pm
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 46
Well, she is a heavy MS-er, so are several other blogger and non-blogger, therefore they go the extra steps of dipping, so I don't see what's wrong with that as such.
My mantra when it comes to churning and MS is do what makes sense to you and what you're comfortable doing, don't compete with others.
My mantra when it comes to churning and MS is do what makes sense to you and what you're comfortable doing, don't compete with others.
The bad thing for what she done is that it will raise red flag of that CVS! I know which CVS she went; and because of her actions (dumping tons of AGC for VGC), the manager has been extremely sensitive to buying gift cards. Good job for that!
As a side-hobby, I am currently doing least 70~80k per month. However, one should never done anything for their own benefit while jeopardizing other people's benefit. I always lay low and never done anything like that.
There is nothing wrong with her actions legally speaking, but it is just morally f-ed up IMHO. That's the primary reason, I never visited that blog.
Oct 7, 2015, 6:48 pm
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Programs: CarlsonGold,HHDiamond, SPGGold,ChoiceGold, *Silver, WNCompanionPass, ASMVPGold, HyattDiamond,IHGPlat
Posts: 255
Data Point - Success
I loaded 4x500 VGC today. The clerk had done it for me before (last month), but I guess forgot because she looked at her keyboard in confusion and said, "let me ask a manager." I said "something about k8?" and she said, "Oh yeah!". And proceeded to load with no problems.
I wouldn't feel the need to provide these banal datapoints if people didn't scare me into thinking the sky was falling on RB!
I wouldn't feel the need to provide these banal datapoints if people didn't scare me into thinking the sky was falling on RB!