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
Apr 3, 2014, 6:11 pm
#1443
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 647
Can't find this anywhereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Apr 3, 2014, 9:33 pm
#1444
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
I went to another Target just for the heck of it. There were rolls of AFT.
So Cal.
So Cal.
Apr 4, 2014, 12:38 am
#1445
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: WN A-List, AA, UA
Posts: 219
Has anyone run into a Fraud alert being triggered over when a single swipe is done over $500?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Apr 4, 2014, 3:45 am
#1446
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PHL based
Programs: USAir, UA, AA, BA, Hyatt, HHonors, SPG, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 356
Has anyone run into a Fraud alert being triggered over when a single swipe is done over $500?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Apr 4, 2014, 5:55 am
#1447
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 647
can someone find me a card and send it and Ill pay....
Apr 4, 2014, 10:08 am
#1450
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 22
Has anyone run into a Fraud alert being triggered over when a single swipe is done over $500?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Example:
Attempted to load $1000, total $1003. Swiped Citi Exec MC, denied. I then got an email from citi that a fraud alert was triggered... Great. Called, asked them about it, got it released and they said i was good to try the $1003 again.
Tried the same exact thing... denied. Another fraud alert. I gave up with this target... decided to go over to another one in my area.
Tried again... denied, fraud alert.
After all that... I ended up trying $1003, putting $500 on my citi exec AA, $500 on another card I need to complete min spend on, and $3 on a third card. APPROVED.
Lesson I learned... you can't swipe with anything over $500 at least at my targets and... for citi? This specific card is new (3 days old) but I've tried this with a 1.5 year old AA Plat Visa and the same happened. Not sure if the culprit is Citi or something changed after the whole Target hacking situation.
FWIW I haven't tried loading with only the Citi AA but having them swipe it in... $500 + $500 + $3.
Anyone else hit this limitation?
Apr 4, 2014, 10:17 am
#1451
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,060
Citi gets very wary of you and your card if they see large transactions right out of the gate. At this point you are in what they call "fraud card" territory. Call them and have a conversation. Tell them you have the card and go through the security questions. Then say, I have had the card and the last "X" number of times you have denied me. It is embarrassing and annoying. Please reset my card so that I can spend as I need. tell them that you will be spending 1K or so at Target and CVS or a grocery store and that you will be in need of a card that actually works! They will help!
Apr 4, 2014, 10:31 am
#1452
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
Called Citi later that night, and was on the phone with the fraud department for like 10 mins.
Question though. Did you tell the cashier you wanted to load 1k? Do you have to tell them you are using multiple cards ahead of time, ex. card 1, card 2, and card 3 for 3.00.
I don't want to try my 1k AGC and get denied cuz i am short 3.00.
Apr 4, 2014, 11:13 am
#1453
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: WN A-List, AA, UA
Posts: 219
I was at Target last night to get the AFT. New Citi Hilton Reserve. Swipe for 503.00 denied.
Called Citi later that night, and was on the phone with the fraud department for like 10 mins.
Question though. Did you tell the cashier you wanted to load 1k? Do you have to tell them you are using multiple cards ahead of time, ex. card 1, card 2, and card 3 for 3.00.
I don't want to try my 1k AGC and get denied cuz i am short 3.00.
Called Citi later that night, and was on the phone with the fraud department for like 10 mins.
Question though. Did you tell the cashier you wanted to load 1k? Do you have to tell them you are using multiple cards ahead of time, ex. card 1, card 2, and card 3 for 3.00.
I don't want to try my 1k AGC and get denied cuz i am short 3.00.
I figured it out over the last 3 times ive been to target. It's auto denial from a Citi card if it's over $500.00. You can load $1000 (total $1003) as long as you split the transactions up into $500 + $500 + $3.
The real question is... can I get away with swiping the same Citi card 3 times....
I'll let you know tonightEdit*: Sorry didn't answer your question. Tell them you want to load $1k, they'll tell you $1003 total... then say can I split it up and do $XXX.XX first? They don't care (at least in my area) that I use visa/Amex GCs (i use my target amex to liquidate rebate cards often). THey usually just tell me to swipe, run it as credit then they punch in the last 4. So far it's been successful every time except for this damn Citi issue that will autodeny over $500.
Last edited by nakataboi; Apr 4, 2014 at 11:19 am
Apr 4, 2014, 11:21 am
#1454
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: WN A-List, AA, UA
Posts: 219
Citi gets very wary of you and your card if they see large transactions right out of the gate. At this point you are in what they call "fraud card" territory. Call them and have a conversation. Tell them you have the card and go through the security questions. Then say, I have had the card and the last "X" number of times you have denied me. It is embarrassing and annoying. Please reset my card so that I can spend as I need. tell them that you will be spending 1K or so at Target and CVS or a grocery store and that you will be in need of a card that actually works! They will help!
I'm curious if anyone else has tried with another bank's CC recently... I think I remember having this same issue with my US Bank card as well a few months back but I just gave up using it at target.
Apr 4, 2014, 11:33 am
#1455
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 22
After Citi denies the charge, I end up paying the $1003 with Chase BA. No problems with Chase.