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)
Apr 25, 2016, 6:51 pm
#451
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UES/MWC
Programs: Braniff, TWA, Eastern, Midwest, AA Exec, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 270
When I got my recent Bluebird card earlier this month (I had one earlier in the pre-Redbird era) I got the same message the first two times I tried to load it - yet I could load via the website (from a "real" debit card) so I wasn't shut down. After a few days (and no action on my part at all), I was able to load a VGC at WM again - exactly once. Once again I wasn't able to and got the "debit not authorized" message, but after a few days was able to again. I've loaded $3k to the card since then.
So I got the same message, but wasn't shut down. It's a glitch of some sort in the WM/AMEX system, or at least it was for me. Of course, the OP *could* be shut down. The way to tell is to use a "real" debit card and add $5.00 via the web site. If he is shut down, he won't be able to load this way. If he *can* load, he is not shut down.
Apr 28, 2016, 6:25 pm
#452
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,277
Originally Posted by wiki
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.
But good to know that the new Staples rebate cards (start 420495, last 4 digits as PIN) work to load.
As a sidenote: My Walmart no longer has a Kate. It has been replaced by a regular ATM. I did this at the counter.
May 4, 2016, 1:28 pm
#453
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: CO, UA, AA, WN, DL Gold
Posts: 2,981
I'm done
Looks like they finally got me. I was cruising along, just doing the usual adding some gift card funds, paying some bills, making some small POS purchases. I was kind of smug actually.
But, just now, tried an online transfer ($150) from my bank to BB to cover a large bill payment and got: Because of the unusual usage on your account, this transaction can not be completed.
I didn't get an email but I think I'm toast.
But, just now, tried an online transfer ($150) from my bank to BB to cover a large bill payment and got: Because of the unusual usage on your account, this transaction can not be completed.
I didn't get an email but I think I'm toast.
May 4, 2016, 3:52 pm
#454
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: All the programs!
Posts: 1,006
Hi smug, welcome to the unusual club.
May 9, 2016, 7:05 am
#455
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 148
So I got the same message, but wasn't shut down. It's a glitch of some sort in the WM/AMEX system, or at least it was for me. Of course, the OP *could* be shut down. The way to tell is to use a "real" debit card and add $5.00 via the web site. If he is shut down, he won't be able to load this way. If he *can* load, he is not shut down.
Also, @Electroman, i was wondering if after getting that message you tried loading at the register? Wonder if it's a Kate issue or if it's across the board?
May 9, 2016, 7:35 am
#456
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
loading online with a linked bank DC is the only way to find out if one's account has been limited. If load goes through, then account is in good standing BUT if one gets the message that adding funds is no longer allowed on one's account, that's the end.
May 9, 2016, 8:02 am
#457
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 148
it's been fun while it lasted.
May 9, 2016, 3:24 pm
#458
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: UES/MWC
Programs: Braniff, TWA, Eastern, Midwest, AA Exec, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 270
Loading at the register is where I got that message. I read your other post here, so I'm sorry to see that you're shut down. I'm not yet, but I definitely know that it could happen any day to me.
May 9, 2016, 8:19 pm
#459
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
I have received the same message twice with my BB at wal-mart register, it was a few weeks ago. No one knew much about it, but basically I think it was simply a BB/walmart glitch that resolved itself after a while. It certainly does not necessarily mean that you're shutdown.
May 10, 2016, 7:40 am
#460
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Have not received a shutdown email.
May 19, 2016, 12:58 pm
#461
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
Is everyone still getting problem loading their BB at Kate?
Or nobody has any BB left?
Or nobody has any BB left?
May 21, 2016, 12:34 pm
#463
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 80
Looks like the BB product is dead and replaced with Serve. On their homepage, if you click on "Get a Card", you will get the Serve card page.