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
Mar 5, 2014, 9:22 am
#1366
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
I would love to find out what counts as a "participating" Target store. I've been to old stores and new stores, none of which actually sell the card, and I've always been able to load it. I feel bad for those with these non-participating stores 8-/.
Mar 5, 2014, 11:40 am
#1367
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ONT/LAX
Programs: IHG Plat
Posts: 496
No, it ran as credit...but the card machine has credit/debit together. The cashier was not ok with credit, but fine with debit, which the card says. I just hit the credit/debit and swiped the card, no problem. It also was a fee free way to unload instead of the target ATM and costco surcharge. It never gave me the option to input a pin, but if you have a cashier that allows "debit" this may help.
Mar 6, 2014, 7:02 am
#1368
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Is it bad that although I'm driving to St Louis to a funeral, I've looked up Target locations that will allow me to sign up for the Amex Target? I'm going to stop in a city along the way to see if they have it there also. MS never stops. Please feel free to PM with tips. I'll be driving the Kentucky and Illinois.
Mar 6, 2014, 3:43 pm
#1369
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
Okay I'm just trying to understand something. I know Target for Amex doesn't charge for your first monthly ATM withdraw, however the ATM user fee is added to the fee correct?
I did my first ATM withdraw at an AllPoint ATM and was hit with a $3 ATM fee.
I did my second ATM withdraw at a Credit Union ATM and was only hit with a 1.50 ATM fee, plus $3 from AFT.
I thought I had read that All Point ATM's were charging in another thread.
So, I guess I should keep using my credit union $1.50 ATM or hit Costco only for ATM withdraws.
I did my first ATM withdraw at an AllPoint ATM and was hit with a $3 ATM fee.
I did my second ATM withdraw at a Credit Union ATM and was only hit with a 1.50 ATM fee, plus $3 from AFT.
I thought I had read that All Point ATM's were charging in another thread.
So, I guess I should keep using my credit union $1.50 ATM or hit Costco only for ATM withdraws.
Mar 6, 2014, 4:25 pm
#1370
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PHL based
Programs: USAir, UA, AA, BA, Hyatt, HHonors, SPG, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 356
Okay I'm just trying to understand something. I know Target for Amex doesn't charge for your first monthly ATM withdraw, however the ATM user fee is added to the fee correct?
I did my first ATM withdraw at an AllPoint ATM and was hit with a $3 ATM fee.
I did my second ATM withdraw at a Credit Union ATM and was only hit with a 1.50 ATM fee, plus $3 from AFT.
I thought I had read that All Point ATM's were charging in another thread.
So, I guess I should keep using my credit union $1.50 ATM or hit Costco only for ATM withdraws.
I did my first ATM withdraw at an AllPoint ATM and was hit with a $3 ATM fee.
I did my second ATM withdraw at a Credit Union ATM and was only hit with a 1.50 ATM fee, plus $3 from AFT.
I thought I had read that All Point ATM's were charging in another thread.
So, I guess I should keep using my credit union $1.50 ATM or hit Costco only for ATM withdraws.
Love this in NJ, where Wawa's are everywhere and ATMs are fee free. Only problem I'm having is fitting the wad of $20's from 3 cards (soon to be 4) in my pocket
Mar 6, 2014, 4:41 pm
#1371
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
ATM fees are separate from the Axp4TGT fees for using ATM. So if you use an ATM with a $3 fee (and its not the first ATM withdrawal that month), you're paying $3 plus $3 Axp fee.
Love this in NJ, where Wawa's are everywhere and ATMs are fee free. Only problem I'm having is fitting the wad of $20's from 3 cards (soon to be 4) in my pocket
Love this in NJ, where Wawa's are everywhere and ATMs are fee free. Only problem I'm having is fitting the wad of $20's from 3 cards (soon to be 4) in my pocket
Mar 6, 2014, 5:32 pm
#1372
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 437
Do you think I can buy an AFT with 4x$100 GC?
Mar 6, 2014, 5:43 pm
#1374
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PHL based
Programs: USAir, UA, AA, BA, Hyatt, HHonors, SPG, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 356
Mar 9, 2014, 8:43 am
#1375
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: United MP, American AAdvantage, Chase UR, AMEX MR
Posts: 211
I have had luck loading this at both customer service and the registers. It just depends on the competency of the person at the register.
I've started using this card again since I realized I have a card that gets me 3x points, plus I can load GCs easily. I actually am considering acquiring another one.
I've started using this card again since I realized I have a card that gets me 3x points, plus I can load GCs easily. I actually am considering acquiring another one.
Mar 9, 2014, 9:56 am
#1376
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
ATM fees are separate from the Axp4TGT fees for using ATM. So if you use an ATM with a $3 fee (and its not the first ATM withdrawal that month), you're paying $3 plus $3 Axp fee.
Love this in NJ, where Wawa's are everywhere and ATMs are fee free. Only problem I'm having is fitting the wad of $20's from 3 cards (soon to be 4) in my pocket
Love this in NJ, where Wawa's are everywhere and ATMs are fee free. Only problem I'm having is fitting the wad of $20's from 3 cards (soon to be 4) in my pocket
Mar 9, 2014, 9:58 am
#1377
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I bought another card on my trip to St. Louis. The drivers license scan made the signup quick and easy. I'm anxiously awaiting my permanent card to come in the mail.
Mar 9, 2014, 10:28 am
#1378
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sweet Home Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 646
I have 4 of these as well and have had them for a year. One of my very favorite ways to MS. With a card earning greater than 1X (or to meet minimum spend), the extra $8k/mo is wonderful. I prefer this 100X more than standing in line at WM.
Mar 9, 2014, 4:32 pm
#1379
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Warm, sunny Florida
Posts: 251
Alright, anyone have any luck finding this I'm Florida? The Target stores all in my area don't know what this card is or does. I'd probably have better luck at finding Kate than this card.
Mar 9, 2014, 8:46 pm
#1380
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
https://www279.americanexpress.com/G.../whereToBuy.do