Feb 8, 2014, 2:22 pm
Last edit by: weezl
please be aware the Target breach cards are currently on the black market, as always be aware of activity on all accounts
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets sometime in the wee hours of the morning)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link:
Free and Low-Cost ATMs
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Will this show up as a CA?
A: No, Target is not a financial institution.
Q: Even with xxxx cards?
A: Yes, no cards will be charged a CA.
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Yes. Also the balance can be detected and drained if you ask to load more than the value on a prepaid it will just prompt you to give a second payment form. Great for draining random balances.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes. Up to 3 cards can be loaded in one transaction, but each card will be charged $3.
Q: Why load multiple accounts in one transaction?
A: to avoid multiple $1003 transactions on same CC in minutes. This may trigger a fraud alert.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: Any reason not to load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: Yes, when you have multiple small value gift cards to unload because of 7 swipe limit.
Q: The title says withdrawals are 1.3%, is that true?
A: No. Do the math. I'm not very good at math. Under 1.3% includes Costco ATM fees. It is not possible to edit a thread title, the fees are lower due to the ATM limit now being $400.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
AmEx for Target: $400/week credit card ATM withdrawals for 1.3%+ in certain cities
May 11, 2014, 6:58 pm
#1621
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 33
I'm looking for some data points from others who use this card:
1. How do you use these cards? Simply load/unload? Or do you make a few small purchases as well?
2. For those who only load/unload - any peep out of Amex?
3. Have you ever loaded/unloaded in the same day? Results?
Thanks. Trying to get an idea of acceptable usage for this card.
1. How do you use these cards? Simply load/unload? Or do you make a few small purchases as well?
2. For those who only load/unload - any peep out of Amex?
3. Have you ever loaded/unloaded in the same day? Results?
Thanks. Trying to get an idea of acceptable usage for this card.
3. No issues so far, remember that you load $1000 and unload $400 (via ATM)
May 12, 2014, 6:48 am
#1623
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 95
New rolling load limits?
I've recently loaded almost $6k across my two cards in less than 28 days. It was by accident as I erroneously though the limits were by calendar month.
I loaded $2k or close to it (split between the 2 cards) each day on 4/13, 4/29, and 5/5 but was denied on 5/10 and customer service said I could load again on 5/11, 28 days from my 4/13 load.
Customer service even told me the limit was $5k every 28 days (in line with the wiki) but it wasn't until I hung up that I checked my transaction logs and saw that I had somehow managed to load in excess of the limits.
Anyone else have this experience?
I loaded $2k or close to it (split between the 2 cards) each day on 4/13, 4/29, and 5/5 but was denied on 5/10 and customer service said I could load again on 5/11, 28 days from my 4/13 load.
Customer service even told me the limit was $5k every 28 days (in line with the wiki) but it wasn't until I hung up that I checked my transaction logs and saw that I had somehow managed to load in excess of the limits.
Anyone else have this experience?
May 12, 2014, 7:48 am
#1624
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 466
I'm looking for some data points from others who use this card:
1. How do you use these cards? Simply load/unload? Or do you make a few small purchases as well?
2. For those who only load/unload - any peep out of Amex?
3. Have you ever loaded/unloaded in the same day? Results?
Thanks. Trying to get an idea of acceptable usage for this card.
1. How do you use these cards? Simply load/unload? Or do you make a few small purchases as well?
2. For those who only load/unload - any peep out of Amex?
3. Have you ever loaded/unloaded in the same day? Results?
Thanks. Trying to get an idea of acceptable usage for this card.
May 12, 2014, 9:49 am
#1625
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cambridge, MA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 278
Hello guys,
I just now got my Amex for Target Card. It was really a hard time, as my nearest Target store is 100 Miles away. I went to city to meet a friend, and along by got this card.
The used my DL Scan and my DL has my OLD house address. But my Credit Reports, Amex CC Address and all has NEW HOME ADDRESS.
Just now I have logged in and it said, we are still verifying your identity.
Do you guys think my Identity verification will FAIL? or should I call Amex and update my NEW ADDRESS before they verify or can I change this after I get the card?
I just now got my Amex for Target Card. It was really a hard time, as my nearest Target store is 100 Miles away. I went to city to meet a friend, and along by got this card.
The used my DL Scan and my DL has my OLD house address. But my Credit Reports, Amex CC Address and all has NEW HOME ADDRESS.
Just now I have logged in and it said, we are still verifying your identity.
Do you guys think my Identity verification will FAIL? or should I call Amex and update my NEW ADDRESS before they verify or can I change this after I get the card?
In any case, I was in the same situation recently, and I just registered my card online shortly after purchasing it and changed the address through the website. I was able to load/unload after 48 hours, and I just got the permanent card in the mail today.
May 12, 2014, 9:53 am
#1626
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 407
Just out of curiosity, are you planning to drive 100 miles 3x a month to load it from now on?
In any case, I was in the same situation recently, and I just registered my card online shortly after purchasing it and changed the address through the website. I was able to load/unload after 48 hours, and I just got the permanent card in the mail today.
In any case, I was in the same situation recently, and I just registered my card online shortly after purchasing it and changed the address through the website. I was able to load/unload after 48 hours, and I just got the permanent card in the mail today.
May 12, 2014, 10:14 am
#1627
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,506
What is the purpose of this card again?
May 12, 2014, 10:37 am
#1628
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: DEN
Programs: SPG Gold; HH Diamond
Posts: 223
May 12, 2014, 10:54 am
#1629
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cambridge, MA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP
Posts: 278
May 12, 2014, 7:17 pm
#1630
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
I tried again this week to just run my $200 cards, and it didn't work: they had to split the tender. But I've been doing this at Customer Service, and they seem quite chill with it. A heck of a lot friendlier (and helpful) than what happens when I go to Walmart.
May 12, 2014, 8:42 pm
#1631
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
I've recently loaded almost $6k across my two cards in less than 28 days. It was by accident as I erroneously though the limits were by calendar month.
I loaded $2k or close to it (split between the 2 cards) each day on 4/13, 4/29, and 5/5 but was denied on 5/10 and customer service said I could load again on 5/11, 28 days from my 4/13 load.
Customer service even told me the limit was $5k every 28 days (in line with the wiki) but it wasn't until I hung up that I checked my transaction logs and saw that I had somehow managed to load in excess of the limits.
Anyone else have this experience?
I loaded $2k or close to it (split between the 2 cards) each day on 4/13, 4/29, and 5/5 but was denied on 5/10 and customer service said I could load again on 5/11, 28 days from my 4/13 load.
Customer service even told me the limit was $5k every 28 days (in line with the wiki) but it wasn't until I hung up that I checked my transaction logs and saw that I had somehow managed to load in excess of the limits.
Anyone else have this experience?
It seems to be the case that as long as you are below the limit of 5k it will let you load a card for a full 1k. I tend to do $997 loads with $1000 Prepaid AmEx cards.
The wiki already overwhelms people, so I have not put that tip in. I also don't mention the AmEx gift cards that make this an easy zero cost or money maker. That's just because I'm mean
May 12, 2014, 8:55 pm
#1632
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
Here's an update:
Tried it again today and ran into the same issue while trying to load $600 using three Vanilla MC gift cards. It kept declining the charge since it appeared it was trying to take the full $603 from a $200 card. The cashier was especially nice so I handed over the gift card. She looked at it, said it could be run as credit, and also said "I don't know why this isn't working. Since it's a gift card that is credit, it should just take the whole $200 and then ask for another one."
In the end, she had to manually split tender into three different $200 charges (one for each card). Anyone else experience this?
Tried it again today and ran into the same issue while trying to load $600 using three Vanilla MC gift cards. It kept declining the charge since it appeared it was trying to take the full $603 from a $200 card. The cashier was especially nice so I handed over the gift card. She looked at it, said it could be run as credit, and also said "I don't know why this isn't working. Since it's a gift card that is credit, it should just take the whole $200 and then ask for another one."
In the end, she had to manually split tender into three different $200 charges (one for each card). Anyone else experience this?
That happens. I'm not sure why. However it will not matter what amount they try to take from the card so long as it is equal to or more than the value on your gift card, it will just drain and then prompt for another form of payment.
I'm finding it goes faster if I ask for a split tender. I think cashiers that have been around awhile just know how to make it work, but if you ask for split tender it always works.
May 12, 2014, 10:07 pm
#1633
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 33
Yes. It seems to allow a full $1,000 load so long as you are below the limit before you do the load. So if you have $4k loaded so far across two cards you can load just under $1k to the first one and then $1k to the second card.
It seems to be the case that as long as you are below the limit of 5k it will let you load a card for a full 1k. I tend to do $997 loads with $1000 Prepaid AmEx cards.
The wiki already overwhelms people, so I have not put that tip in. I also don't mention the AmEx gift cards that make this an easy zero cost or money maker. That's just because I'm mean
It seems to be the case that as long as you are below the limit of 5k it will let you load a card for a full 1k. I tend to do $997 loads with $1000 Prepaid AmEx cards.
The wiki already overwhelms people, so I have not put that tip in. I also don't mention the AmEx gift cards that make this an easy zero cost or money maker. That's just because I'm mean
May 13, 2014, 7:42 am
#1634
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 466
Yes. It seems to allow a full $1,000 load so long as you are below the limit before you do the load. So if you have $4k loaded so far across two cards you can load just under $1k to the first one and then $1k to the second card.
It seems to be the case that as long as you are below the limit of 5k it will let you load a card for a full 1k.
It seems to be the case that as long as you are below the limit of 5k it will let you load a card for a full 1k.
May 13, 2014, 11:25 am
#1635
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,710
Can anyone recommend a surcharge-free ATM other than Star One/Co-op? I'm not having much luck with those around here, which are either restricted access or not open during normal hours.
