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
Jul 22, 2014, 8:38 am
#2266
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 5
Any idea how to liquidate this .... apart from ATM w/d.
I tried to get a money order at USPS and it was declined at register.
I tried to get a money order at USPS and it was declined at register.
Jul 22, 2014, 8:52 am
#2267
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Jul 22, 2014, 10:21 am
#2269
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 29
0/4 finding this card the past week in stores listed on the site as being a partner. havent gone to the desk though, just the tower by the greeting cards and all the registers
Jul 22, 2014, 10:54 am
#2271
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 466
This doesn't make sense to me.
Let's look at a $2k example (because the math is easy)
Buy $2k AGC through portal with FIA: $40 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
Liquidate at ATMs: $15 @ fee free ATM
Net: $25 + portal cash - $6 load fees
Buy $2k AGC through portal with AFT: $0 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
No ATM liquidation needed: $0
Net: $0 + portal cash - $6 load fees
So the only thing you get in scenario B is portal cash, which you ALSO get in scenario A. Plus in scenario a, you also get CC rewards.
I realize the math changes if you have to pay at the ATM, but if that makes this avenue a losing proposition, then you shouldn't be doing AFT in the first place.
Let's look at a $2k example (because the math is easy)
Buy $2k AGC through portal with FIA: $40 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
Liquidate at ATMs: $15 @ fee free ATM
Net: $25 + portal cash - $6 load fees
Buy $2k AGC through portal with AFT: $0 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
No ATM liquidation needed: $0
Net: $0 + portal cash - $6 load fees
So the only thing you get in scenario B is portal cash, which you ALSO get in scenario A. Plus in scenario a, you also get CC rewards.
I realize the math changes if you have to pay at the ATM, but if that makes this avenue a losing proposition, then you shouldn't be doing AFT in the first place.
Jul 22, 2014, 11:02 am
#2272
Join Date: May 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 391
Nor to me. It was meant in jest. I guess I should have included a 
If you know what I mean 
The original question specifically asked for non-ATM options:
If you know what I mean The original question specifically asked for non-ATM options:
Jul 22, 2014, 11:20 am
#2274
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
This doesn't make sense to me.
Let's look at a $2k example (because the math is easy)
Buy $2k AGC through portal with FIA: $40 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
Liquidate at ATMs: $15 @ fee free ATM
Net: $25 + portal cash - $6 load fees
Buy $2k AGC through portal with AFT: $0 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
No ATM liquidation needed: $0
Net: $0 + portal cash - $6 load fees
So the only thing you get in scenario B is portal cash, which you ALSO get in scenario A. Plus in scenario a, you also get CC rewards.
I realize the math changes if you have to pay at the ATM, but if that makes this avenue a losing proposition, then you shouldn't be doing AFT in the first place.
Let's look at a $2k example (because the math is easy)
Buy $2k AGC through portal with FIA: $40 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
Liquidate at ATMs: $15 @ fee free ATM
Net: $25 + portal cash - $6 load fees
Buy $2k AGC through portal with AFT: $0 + portal cash (which we'll ignore)
No ATM liquidation needed: $0
Net: $0 + portal cash - $6 load fees
So the only thing you get in scenario B is portal cash, which you ALSO get in scenario A. Plus in scenario a, you also get CC rewards.
I realize the math changes if you have to pay at the ATM, but if that makes this avenue a losing proposition, then you shouldn't be doing AFT in the first place.
Really the only benefit of scenario B is that you have less to do. You take your card and immediately purchase more cards, expediting the process. Quantity over quality, really. For one card, it takes you 5 days of ATM use to get all the money off it. Then however long it takes to get into your bank account to pay off the other credit card. If you are also using MOs to deposit the money, then there's a few more fees.
Given that the card is limited each month with loads though, it really just depends how much your time is worth compared to the alternatives.
Jul 23, 2014, 9:39 am
#2275
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,857
I bought my card about a week ago, and got a letter today saying that my identity couldn't be verified. I called, and they said there was nothing they could do - the card wouldn't be activated for ATM usage, and had to be used as a credit card to drain it. Has anybody been able to get around this issue somehow? An escalated customer service line or something? If not, I guess I'll be using this to buy a VGC or something that I can easily convert into cash(/BB credit).
Any tips for buying another one? They had no idea why they couldn't verify my identity - the CSR guessed that I may have mis-typed my SSN or something, but I checked it before I submitted it. I've had half a dozen Amex cards over the past decade, so I know I'm in their systems (although I'm sure it's a whole different department).
Any tips for buying another one? They had no idea why they couldn't verify my identity - the CSR guessed that I may have mis-typed my SSN or something, but I checked it before I submitted it. I've had half a dozen Amex cards over the past decade, so I know I'm in their systems (although I'm sure it's a whole different department).
Jul 24, 2014, 9:11 am
#2277
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: LAX
Posts: 7
I went to two different Targets and wasn't able to buy this card. We went through the whole process--verify name, I put in my social, DOB, phone number, etc., and then at the end, right before I'm supposed to swipe my cc, the screen says the request was denied and prints out a receipt saying "We're sorry! We can't complete this request." My card isn't getting rejected--it happens before I even swipe.
I called the number, they told me to try different registers, and then eventually a different store. But same thing happened. The Target employees have no idea why, and neither, it seems, do the AmEx people.
Anyone have any ideas? With MOs at WM out, I'm kind of desperate as I have three weeks to finish my citi card. The only thing I can think is I'm in CA using a MA license?
Sorry if this has been brought up before--I went through the first and last few pages and google searched it but didn't see this exact problem anywhere.
ETA: When I called the number I asked if it was because I was attempting more than one purchase (though this still wouldn't explain why I got denied the first time) and they said I wasn't in the system at all--so it's not the one application per day thing.
I called the number, they told me to try different registers, and then eventually a different store. But same thing happened. The Target employees have no idea why, and neither, it seems, do the AmEx people.
Anyone have any ideas? With MOs at WM out, I'm kind of desperate as I have three weeks to finish my citi card. The only thing I can think is I'm in CA using a MA license?
Sorry if this has been brought up before--I went through the first and last few pages and google searched it but didn't see this exact problem anywhere.
ETA: When I called the number I asked if it was because I was attempting more than one purchase (though this still wouldn't explain why I got denied the first time) and they said I wasn't in the system at all--so it's not the one application per day thing.
Jul 24, 2014, 9:29 am
#2278
Join Date: May 2014
Location: New York
Posts: 391
I don't recall any reports involving out-of-state DL, neither positive nor negative. Maybe give it a few days and try again. It doesn't sound like an ID verification issue, as that doesn't seem to occur until after the card has already been purchased. Hopefully just a hiccup and your next attempt will work.
Jul 24, 2014, 9:36 am
#2279
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: FLL / BKK
Posts: 703
I grabbed both of my cards out of state without issue. Just have them type your current info in the register. I used the address that is on my credit report and both my cards registered fine within 2 days. I wonder if some of the mismatches are caused by conflicting info. 
Jul 24, 2014, 10:05 am
#2280
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 14
I bought my card about a week ago, and got a letter today saying that my identity couldn't be verified. I called, and they said there was nothing they could do - the card wouldn't be activated for ATM usage, and had to be used as a credit card to drain it. Has anybody been able to get around this issue somehow? An escalated customer service line or something? If not, I guess I'll be using this to buy a VGC or something that I can easily convert into cash(/BB credit).
Any tips for buying another one? They had no idea why they couldn't verify my identity - the CSR guessed that I may have mis-typed my SSN or something, but I checked it before I submitted it. I've had half a dozen Amex cards over the past decade, so I know I'm in their systems (although I'm sure it's a whole different department).
Any tips for buying another one? They had no idea why they couldn't verify my identity - the CSR guessed that I may have mis-typed my SSN or something, but I checked it before I submitted it. I've had half a dozen Amex cards over the past decade, so I know I'm in their systems (although I'm sure it's a whole different department).