Jan 7, 2016, 8:18 am
Last edit by: RedSun
This is the 2016 and onwards Bluebird thread.
The original discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread. The previous 2015 megathread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read the wiki before posting a question.
The most recent huge wave of shutdowns occurred in May 2019.
Most accounts used for MS were shut down on Jan 8, 2016. Another wave of shutdowns occurred on March 4, 2016. Using Bluebird for MS is very likely to lead to account closure. There is no clear pattern as to how to avoid the account shut-downs. Some of the dormant accounts were not shut down.
Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.
Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).
The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.
For online bill pay
Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.
Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.
Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.
If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.
Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.
Training a WM cashier:
Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.
The original discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread. The previous 2015 megathread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read the wiki before posting a question.
The most recent huge wave of shutdowns occurred in May 2019.
Most accounts used for MS were shut down on Jan 8, 2016. Another wave of shutdowns occurred on March 4, 2016. Using Bluebird for MS is very likely to lead to account closure. There is no clear pattern as to how to avoid the account shut-downs. Some of the dormant accounts were not shut down.
Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.
Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
- Cash loading: $2,500 ($1,999.99 at Walmart) per card per day; $9,000 per day all BB cards combined; $5,000 total per calendar month each card; $10,000 calendar month and $100,000 per year all BB cards combined for each SSN.
- Direct Deposit: $100,000 per year
- Online Debit Card Load* - $200/day and $1,000/month
- Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
- Mobile Check Capture by Ingo® Money - $5,000/day and $10,000/month
- ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).
The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.
For online bill pay
- You can pay the credit card that you used to buy reloads
- Error 1302 means that you have 1 pending payment the same amount as the one you just submitted. For example, 1000 bill pay to sapphire preferred from Friday and then on Saturday you submit another bill pay for 1000 to sapphire preferred, you will get this error.
- Tip: if using online bill pay to the same place multiple times, vary your amounts by $0.01 to make it easier to track since your confirmation number does not match the tracking number on your credit card statement
Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.
Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.
Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.
If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.
Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.
Training a WM cashier:
- If the WM cashier doesn't know how to load the card, advise them to enter "70" then press "action code".
- If you are using a temp card that doesn't have your name on it, you can swipe the card from your side of the terminal. The WM rep never has to touch any of your cards. The screen will say "enter account." That is your prompt to slide the card.
- The terminal will ask the WM employee if you are loading in multiples of $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
- Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.
Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.
Bluebird master thread (2016 onwards)
I passed by a DG and was able to load $500 to VIP.
Feb 6, 2016, 12:20 pm
#242
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
So far it's been 2, and the $0.73 hasn't shown up yet.
Feb 6, 2016, 7:34 pm
#244
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
have you tried loading online with DC? if not, try that first and hope you don't get the dreaded message that your account has been disabled for loading funds due to unusual activities. I haven't read of a 2nd wave of shutdowns, so let's hope for the best.
Feb 6, 2016, 7:48 pm
#245
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 53
There's only 1 KATE remaining in my town that will still accept vgc (the others reject them). Today she had a sign up saying:
"Out of order
Sorry for inconvenience
Per Cash Office
Waiting on NCR."
Anyone know what NCR might mean?
"Out of order
Sorry for inconvenience
Per Cash Office
Waiting on NCR."
Anyone know what NCR might mean?
Feb 6, 2016, 9:23 pm
#246
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,828
NCR, formerly known as National Cash Register. They manufacture ATMs.
Feb 8, 2016, 7:19 am
#247
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 148
I got the message online that I'm unable to load. I decided to call and see if I could get them to give me back my loading capability. .....Nope. Spoke to a Manager and she kept saying to write to the address on the Email sent (which I never received ) . Lesson learned, it's a waist of time to fight it.
Feb 8, 2016, 8:30 am
#248
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 113
Had 3 birds shut down. Acquired 4 more through friends and still going strong.
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
Feb 8, 2016, 8:48 am
#249
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Had 3 birds shut down. Acquired 4 more through friends and still going strong.
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
Feb 12, 2016, 10:07 am
#250
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Marriott Plat, Hertz Pres
Posts: 3,649
Had 3 birds shut down. Acquired 4 more through friends and still going strong.
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
I'm not judging here just amused. In line this morning lady before me pulled her EBT card out of her Louis Vuitton wallet that was in her Louis Vuitton bag.
I'm gonna miss coming to wally when it's all over
Well I'm betting they were fake. Same with any your likely to find at TJ Maxx.
Feb 12, 2016, 9:50 pm
#253
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 53
Thankyou Steve for the info. The kate is still down; the NCR sign was taken off & replaced w/ a plain ol' out-of-order sign. The pessimist in me believes NCR will "fix" it with new software that will prevent debit loads, like the other kate in my town that takes cash but not debit. So I'm just waitin' while time keeps on tickin'.
Feb 12, 2016, 10:12 pm
#254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,782
Feb 13, 2016, 11:49 am
#255
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
New Account Denied
Finally closed my old BB account some days ago, after getting the last $0.73 sent to my checking account.
FYI Just tried to open a new account. Used a new email and a different phone #, but figured I had to use the same name, address, and SS#. When I finished all that, it denied the app. Anything that's worth a try is worth a try.
FYI Just tried to open a new account. Used a new email and a different phone #, but figured I had to use the same name, address, and SS#. When I finished all that, it denied the app. Anything that's worth a try is worth a try.