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)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,828
Bluebird master thread (2016 onwards)
If you are a Bluebird holder, you probably got today's e-mail that, effective immediately, Bluebirds cannot be used for foreign ATM withdrawals.
If you are currently travelling, the short notice might not be appreciated.
If you are currently travelling, the short notice might not be appreciated.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MKE
Posts: 614
They could have at least gave a few week notice. I would have been screwed if I was on a international trip right now.
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
I mentioned this in another BB thread several hours ago. Can't believe they gave zero days' notice for a change like this.
Never smart to travel with only one ATM option, but no doubt this will affect some such people.
Never smart to travel with only one ATM option, but no doubt this will affect some such people.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
BB was a great travel card that works in a lot of countries but I always carry my Schwab DC as back up. I left the primary BB in the US and use subacct card so that I can ask mom to fill up the card in case I need more funds. I'll definitely miss BB
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
Sorry, but not very clear from the WIKI and some of the posts, but can I load this Vanilla Gift Card (VGC) into Bluebird @ Walmart?:
Thanks-
Thanks-
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
His wife dumped him, hadn't seen him online in months boasting his BA F flights to India LOL and its from Google Images.
But seriously.. I see posts here about VGC loading Bluebird @ Walmart, can this be done?!!!
But seriously.. I see posts here about VGC loading Bluebird @ Walmart, can this be done?!!!
#9
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 148
Only up to $49.99 at a time. Anything from Vanilla(Bancorp) is limited for reloads to BB and Serve at Walmart. You could load that card to a Serve VIP at Family dollar though.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
What ajhardee said is correct. Its easiest to use those ones for mo's if you have friendly stores nearby.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
Thanks I already loaded Serve VIP @ FD and Rite Aid, but have to fill up a $20K Spend within 3 Months for an Amex Platinum, so was thinking to load up my siblings BB, then unloading BB by having BB mail me a check.
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
Ha! I just found his blog post about it and skimmed the comments... can't believe people were so devastated about it. Emily must have finally realized she could earn just as many miles without his sorry butt lol.
What ajhardee said is correct. Its easiest to use those ones for mo's if you have friendly stores nearby.
What ajhardee said is correct. Its easiest to use those ones for mo's if you have friendly stores nearby.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 148
I actually have learned a lot from the points guy. He helped me get to Hawaii for free using my ultimate awards points via Korean Air. I would have never figured that out by myself. That being said, I have mixed emotions of how these websites "spoon feed" info to those who without doing the research can screw this whole MS thing up for us that are careful not to get it killed.
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,782
I actually have learned a lot from the points guy. He helped me get to Hawaii for free using my ultimate awards points via Korean Air. I would have never figured that out by myself. That being said, I have mixed emotions of how these websites "spoon feed" info to those who without doing the research can screw this whole MS thing up for us that are careful not to get it killed.
Last edited by mattp1987; Jan 7, 2016 at 8:38 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 208
Uh-oh
Dear xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx,
We are writing to let you know that we have observed unusual usage patterns on your Bluebird Account. Because of this, effective immediately, you will no longer be able to add money to your Account.1 We have made this change in accordance with Section 22.d of our Member Agreement, which you can view here.
Please be aware that you continue to have full access to the funds on your Account and can withdraw them at any time.
Once your balance reaches $0, please close your Account online via your Profile page accessible here. Scroll down to the Close Account section and click “Close Account.”
If you have any questions or would like to inquire further about this issue, you may write to us at the following address:
American Express
C/O Customer Relations 02-04-40
4315 S 2700 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84184-0440
We are writing to let you know that we have observed unusual usage patterns on your Bluebird Account. Because of this, effective immediately, you will no longer be able to add money to your Account.1 We have made this change in accordance with Section 22.d of our Member Agreement, which you can view here.
Please be aware that you continue to have full access to the funds on your Account and can withdraw them at any time.
Once your balance reaches $0, please close your Account online via your Profile page accessible here. Scroll down to the Close Account section and click “Close Account.”
If you have any questions or would like to inquire further about this issue, you may write to us at the following address:
American Express
C/O Customer Relations 02-04-40
4315 S 2700 W
Salt Lake City, UT 84184-0440