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
Feb 23, 2014, 3:37 pm
#1336
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lafayette, LA
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, BA Gold, UA Gold MM, DL SM MM, Hyatt Glob, HH Diam, Marriott Ti/LT Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 274
I tried to buy a card on February 18 at the Target in Falls Church, VA. Despite several tries by the helpful cashiers, we kept getting "Cannot Process Transaction. Processor Offline." I found it somewhat frustrating that this message came each time only after a lengthy process that took lots of information and gave both me and the cashiers the false impression that something must be working. The cashiers wanted to call the store manager to see if he could help, but I had read on this forum about the processor-offline problem and decided to wait a few days. Stopped by the same Target again this afternoon, and the transaction went through on the first try. So I guess the problem really is fixed.
Feb 24, 2014, 7:28 am
#1337
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: CHS
Programs: United 1K, Globalist Hyatt, Plat Marriott
Posts: 289
Got one ok in warrenville, il yesterday. Everything went fine with the exception of the cashier complaining about all the data that needed to be entered. apparently he doesn't understand that he gets his $8/hr whether he's checking out 100 people or just me.
Feb 24, 2014, 8:48 am
#1338
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 1,407
Orrrrrr they may have a competition between the associates to see who can get people in and out the fastest. Never know!
Feb 24, 2014, 8:50 am
#1339
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Most cashiers get graded on a few metrics, the most important being items scanned/second. Someone having to input all that info kills their averages.
Feb 24, 2014, 11:08 am
#1340
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
The rep then said to be sure to call 2 days in advance for clearance next time. Um yeah, that's realistic to the average Joe.
Feb 26, 2014, 12:36 am
#1341
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Register 2nd card online?
Hi,
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try to register the second card later after at least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try to register the second card later after at least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
Last edited by babehwa; Feb 26, 2014 at 9:04 am
Feb 26, 2014, 5:28 am
#1342
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SNA/LAX
Posts: 1,407
Hi,
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try yup register the second card later after art least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try yup register the second card later after art least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
Feb 26, 2014, 6:55 am
#1343
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
Hi,
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try yup register the second card later after art least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
I've read through the whole thread first, but didn't see any problem like mine. I tried to use "Set up another card" in my account. However, I keep getting "Sorry, but the information you entered does not match our records. Please try again. If the error persists, call Customer Service at 1-888-872-9105." I called customer service, but the rep only told me it has to do with the verification process, I should try yup register the second card later after art least 48 hours. What I don't understand is that the first card didn't have this issue, and it's killing me not being able to link the second card to the account.
Do I actually have to create another login for the second card? Or I should just wait for another day or two to try again? I'm wondering how people set up the second card? Thanks a lot in advance!
Feb 26, 2014, 9:12 am
#1344
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
If it allows you to go through by making a second log-in I would do so. Chills the risk of AMEX worrying about you having multiple accounts (although I know many do). MS can be a little bit of a burden sometimes, but I wouldn't worry about having so many accounts to log into. Same situation with MVD.
Feb 26, 2014, 9:26 am
#1345
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
In my case, I ended up having to create another login for the second card. I manage my family member's account as well and this happened to one of them. It seems that I tried to register too soon. When I waited a day or two before registering on a different account, I was able to manage both card under the same login. This particular one, did not have a way to remedy -- hence having two logins at this point.
Mar 1, 2014, 12:43 pm
#1346
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Orange County, CA
Programs: DL Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 142
I finally got my card in the mail and tried to reload at the service desk. They were clueless on how to do it and had never seen the card before. They swiped it, but didn't know what to do and said they couldn't load it. Any steps I can give them next time or is reload limited to stores that are on the website as Targets that sell the card.
Mar 1, 2014, 12:51 pm
#1347
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
I finally got my card in the mail and tried to reload at the service desk. They were clueless on how to do it and had never seen the card before. They swiped it, but didn't know what to do and said they couldn't load it. Any steps I can give them next time or is reload limited to stores that are on the website as Targets that sell the card.
1) Ask the cashier to swipe the card on the side of the keyboard.
2) Screen will prompt asking for load amount ($1000 max)
3) Alert will follow saying the load cannot be paid for with a Target Gift Card. (Note, the register is not hard-coded to prevent it.)
4) If the alert confuses the cashier, ask them to just press continue. (Normal screen will pop up again.)
5) You can now load another card, or pay for the purchase.
I believe all targets are capable of loading AMFT cards.
Mar 1, 2014, 1:03 pm
#1348
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: KWI
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 806
I finally got my card in the mail and tried to reload at the service desk. They were clueless on how to do it and had never seen the card before. They swiped it, but didn't know what to do and said they couldn't load it. Any steps I can give them next time or is reload limited to stores that are on the website as Targets that sell the card.
1) Ask the cashier to swipe the card on the side of the keyboard.
2) Screen will prompt asking for load amount ($1000 max)
3) Alert will follow saying the load cannot be paid for with a Target Gift Card. (Note, the register is not hard-coded to prevent it.)
4) If the alert confuses the cashier, ask them to just press continue. (Normal screen will pop up again.)
5) You can now load another card, or pay for the purchase.
I believe all targets are capable of loading AMFT cards.
Last edited by LoneTree; Mar 2, 2014 at 1:36 am
Mar 1, 2014, 5:26 pm
#1350
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sweet Home Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 646
In my experience the Customer Service folks are more familiar with the process. I used to go to regular registers and walk the rep thru it, but now i just head over to CS.
Strangely, and I've been using this method for quite some time so I am reasonably familiar with it, the new Target at Cabrini Green is incapable of loading my cards. The registers just don't do it. I've tried multiple times and with multiple people and always the same sad result. So I wind up going over to the West Loop Target where it works perfectly every time.
The reason I point this out is that it *is* possible that some Target locations just aren't built to handle AFT loads. If you run into that, try another Target. It may just be that location that is not working and there is nothing wrong with your card(s).
Strangely, and I've been using this method for quite some time so I am reasonably familiar with it, the new Target at Cabrini Green is incapable of loading my cards. The registers just don't do it. I've tried multiple times and with multiple people and always the same sad result. So I wind up going over to the West Loop Target where it works perfectly every time.
The reason I point this out is that it *is* possible that some Target locations just aren't built to handle AFT loads. If you run into that, try another Target. It may just be that location that is not working and there is nothing wrong with your card(s).