RIP Redbird... Fun while it lasted
#107
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
FWIW - I've been doing big fat, round-number loads from literally week 1, and was one of the earliest to jump on the $2500 in a single CC swipe bandwagon. I've also been doing big, fat, account depleting bill pays within 1 week of the deposits.
I've yet to receive a shutdown notice.
Maybe I'm tempting fate by posting this, but ....
I've yet to receive a shutdown notice.
Maybe I'm tempting fate by posting this, but ....
It would be interesting to see if your money stayed on the RC long enough to not trip the second (more important) flag of offloading immediately after loading the card.
The computer system may use a scoring system where x points are allocated to round numbers (and gradiations within round numbers) and different scores for the amount of time that cash stayed on your RB.
Knowing Target's data mining capabilities, they likely put scores on each transaction with respect to RB.
There's likely a cutoff number that, when exceeded, kicks the account out to a human to review. Which is likely just a rubber stamp.
I would think that it's Target closing the accounts and AmEx is merely the contracted party to manage the RBs. ... in other words, Target sends a list of accounts to shut down to AmEx and then AmEx sends out a boilerplate letter with the reason(s) why the account was shut down.
#110
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 250
Terrible argument to bring up. You trusted them enough to give them your personal information, but not enough to leave the money in the account a couple days? Sounds like you need to close that account before you leave a bad taste for Amex.
#111
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ONT/LAX
Programs: IHG Plat
Posts: 496
holding personal information is different than holding money hostage, assuming they're holding the funds and wont return it.
#112
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,955
No, I understand the game just fine. I think you didn't understand my post.
#113
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
#114
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 250
I thank the op for sharing this information with us, but I feel what I'm about to say needs emphasis. I have said it few times and someone mentioned it in this thread.
Common sense will get you far in this game.
Common sense will get you far in this game.
#115
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage, UA, Avios
Posts: 637
While some people got shut down early, the whole thing died because too many people were using it to MS, and it cost Amazon too much money. Redbird is going to be the same way. It certainly makes sense to try to avoid the biggest of the red flags, but I wouldn't count on this lasting much longer no matter how you use it.
FWIW - I've been doing big fat, round-number loads from literally week 1, and was one of the earliest to jump on the $2500 in a single CC swipe bandwagon. I've also been doing big, fat, account depleting bill pays within 1 week of the deposits.
I've yet to receive a shutdown notice.
Maybe I'm tempting fate by posting this, but ....
I've yet to receive a shutdown notice.
Maybe I'm tempting fate by posting this, but ....
Regardless, using the REDcard recklessly is stupid (sorry for being blunt). This is a very generous MS vehicle, with just one Redbird you can make $100/month by simply loading and doing billpay for the 2% cards like Citi doublecash, not do mention the 5% venues, scarce as they are. Be content with that and don't suck it dry on an ATM, don't deposit the bulk of it into your checking acct etc.
Basically, use common sense and have at least minimal impulse control. This is for YOUR OWN good, not mine/ours/others.
Basically, use common sense and have at least minimal impulse control. This is for YOUR OWN good, not mine/ours/others.
#116
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Lifetime Platinum, MR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 249
Yawn........MS opportunities come and go and RedBird is no different. Time to just move along to the next opportunity.
#117
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Outside blog shutdown letters (2) plus response #10.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
#118
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 250
Outside blog shutdown letters (2) plus response #10.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
#119
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage, UA, Avios
Posts: 637
Outside blog shutdown letters (2) plus response #10.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....bird-accounts/
All mention round numbers as one reason why the account was shut down. For those of you who want to continue to use round numbers and quickly unload your loads, I encourage that behavior. You're the low hanging fruit that will divert Target's attention for a couple more months.
#120
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
1st - The computer flagged an account based on some flags or algorithms
2nd - A human looked at the account and decided that it indeed needed to be trashed
We as people also have our own algorithms, i.e. risk and reward, so of course we're not all going to behave the same.
No one can guarantee their account wont be shut down, but generally speaking I see the risk takers as a shield for the rest of us more cautious ones, for as long as Redbird (other vehicles) last. To that end, I say more power to you/them =)