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 28, 2014, 4:27 pm
#1411
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
You have to wait for the permanent card with your name on it and activate them.
I am in MSP. I purchased 2 AFT last week at a target in town that sells them. I activated both temp cards and can obtain a PIN online which I was told by customer service means I am approved.
I went to another Target (that does not sell AFT) in town this morning to load $1000 on each from an AMEX gift card. I went to Customer Service. They scanned my card and nothing came up on the screen that told them how to load. They even showed me the screen after they scanned the card.
So, I figure it is one of three things: my cards are not approved, the Target is not a Target that can do loads or they should have swiped rather than scanned my card.
I went to another Target (that does not sell AFT) in town this morning to load $1000 on each from an AMEX gift card. I went to Customer Service. They scanned my card and nothing came up on the screen that told them how to load. They even showed me the screen after they scanned the card.
So, I figure it is one of three things: my cards are not approved, the Target is not a Target that can do loads or they should have swiped rather than scanned my card.
Mar 29, 2014, 4:44 pm
#1412
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: Hilton HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, US Air Gold
Posts: 57
Anybody seen the cards in the greater Boston or Providence area? I bought 3, but trying to get last one for my wife. Been in about 10 over the last month, and nobody has any left.
Mar 30, 2014, 8:31 am
#1414
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 268
Hello,
How do people unload from AFT and pay the credit card company? I know we can do ATM withdrawals for unloading, do you deposit the money into bank and do the Bill Pay? Other option is, we can do Bill Pay on Walmart and pay thru cash. I am trying to do the best option without depositing lot of cash into the Bank account which might cause red flags.
Thanks
ramamosn
How do people unload from AFT and pay the credit card company? I know we can do ATM withdrawals for unloading, do you deposit the money into bank and do the Bill Pay? Other option is, we can do Bill Pay on Walmart and pay thru cash. I am trying to do the best option without depositing lot of cash into the Bank account which might cause red flags.
Thanks
ramamosn
Mar 30, 2014, 10:08 am
#1415
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Hello,
How do people unload from AFT and pay the credit card company? I know we can do ATM withdrawals for unloading, do you deposit the money into bank and do the Bill Pay? Other option is, we can do Bill Pay on Walmart and pay thru cash. I am trying to do the best option without depositing lot of cash into the Bank account which might cause red flags.
Thanks
ramamosn
How do people unload from AFT and pay the credit card company? I know we can do ATM withdrawals for unloading, do you deposit the money into bank and do the Bill Pay? Other option is, we can do Bill Pay on Walmart and pay thru cash. I am trying to do the best option without depositing lot of cash into the Bank account which might cause red flags.
Thanks
ramamosn
Mar 30, 2014, 9:05 pm
#1416
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: PHL suburbs
Posts: 216
Just an update, apparently some Amex GCs take up to 24 hours to activate. I waited til the next day, and they loaded fine.
Mar 31, 2014, 10:36 am
#1417
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SQSP
Programs: 1&2
Posts: 167
Anyone know if the Rock Hill, SC store stocks these regularly? It's listed on the website as being one of the stores , but it's a two hour drive. Trying to see if it might be worthwhile.
Mar 31, 2014, 6:56 pm
#1418
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: Hilton HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond, US Air Gold
Posts: 57
Mar 31, 2014, 7:53 pm
#1419
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New England
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Jetblue Mosaic (past)
Posts: 298
Since I see a number of Boston area folks on here I was wondering if anyone can offer fee free or low fee ATMs in downtown Boston or Cambridge? As a reply in thread or via PM would be great! Thanks.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:03 pm
#1420
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
I am in MSP. I purchased 2 AFT last week at a target in town that sells them. I activated both temp cards and can obtain a PIN online which I was told by customer service means I am approved.
I went to another Target (that does not sell AFT) in town this morning to load $1000 on each from an AMEX gift card. I went to Customer Service. They scanned my card and nothing came up on the screen that told them how to load. They even showed me the screen after they scanned the card.
So, I figure it is one of three things: my cards are not approved, the Target is not a Target that can do loads or they should have swiped rather than scanned my card.
I went to another Target (that does not sell AFT) in town this morning to load $1000 on each from an AMEX gift card. I went to Customer Service. They scanned my card and nothing came up on the screen that told them how to load. They even showed me the screen after they scanned the card.
So, I figure it is one of three things: my cards are not approved, the Target is not a Target that can do loads or they should have swiped rather than scanned my card.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:08 pm
#1421
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
I redid the wiki with more info on the 3k/2k load pattern. That was really good info that should not be left behind.
I used dates based on being able to load after two days. I was able to load after about 48 hours, but if there are lots of people finding they can't it is easy to move the reloads back 10-14 days and follow the pattern.
I used dates based on being able to load after two days. I was able to load after about 48 hours, but if there are lots of people finding they can't it is easy to move the reloads back 10-14 days and follow the pattern.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:20 pm
#1422
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
Hi, I am a little confused. I thought max load is 1k per card per 24hrs?
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:23 pm
#1423
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
Hi, I am a little confused. I thought max load is 1k per card per 24hrs?
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:33 pm
#1424
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
It is loading $1k. The number in parenthesis is the balance.
Hi, I am a little confused. I thought max load is 1k per card per 24hrs?
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Then how to you do: $1500, 2000, 2500, 3000 loads in 1 day?
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 30: ($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.
Apr 2, 2014, 2:36 pm
#1425
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
I'm rethinking the CPM. It wasn't my math, just my format.
5k load, $15
5k unload, no fee ATM at $400 each w/d (odd number because in reality you do 12 w/d in one month 13 the next, to take out $400 every time)
12.5 ATM w/d, 2 free, $3x10.5= $31.50
$5,000/$46.50 or $4.65 per $1000
Costco ATM add 12.5 x1.25 or $6.15 per $1000
1 mile = .0047 or .0062
Check my math, it isn't my strong suit.
5k load, $15
5k unload, no fee ATM at $400 each w/d (odd number because in reality you do 12 w/d in one month 13 the next, to take out $400 every time)
12.5 ATM w/d, 2 free, $3x10.5= $31.50
$5,000/$46.50 or $4.65 per $1000
Costco ATM add 12.5 x1.25 or $6.15 per $1000
1 mile = .0047 or .0062
Check my math, it isn't my strong suit.