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 4, 2014, 11:34 am
#1456
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
Unfortunately that hasn't helped. Last night I actually kept the fraud department on the phone with me while I told them I was making the $1003 transaction. He said he wasn't sure why it was triggering a fraud alert because Citi released any/all holds on my card.
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.
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, 11:41 am
#1457
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
I am using AFT for my AGC. I used to load them to my SERVE at CVS. I am thinking the cost to load and withdraw 5k is about $65.00. I make about $150.00 through 3% portal/points/miles.
And meet spend.
And meet spend.
Apr 4, 2014, 12:15 pm
#1458
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Austin TX
Posts: 276
I have had better luck using secure message to get Citi fraud alerts to clear fast. Within minutes. Much better than a call.
I got a fraud alert from Chase opening the AFT with a new card. It isn't just Citi, fraud alerts on new CC's are normal.
Citi will deny a second identical $ amount if they are too close together, even a seasoned card. It is the identical $ amount that is the trigger. Ran into it at Safeway this week.
$104.95, second transaction failed. I have run into it even on seasoned cards.
I got a fraud alert from Chase opening the AFT with a new card. It isn't just Citi, fraud alerts on new CC's are normal.
Citi will deny a second identical $ amount if they are too close together, even a seasoned card. It is the identical $ amount that is the trigger. Ran into it at Safeway this week.
$104.95, second transaction failed. I have run into it even on seasoned cards.
Apr 4, 2014, 12:25 pm
#1459
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
Question.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Can I change it to:
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 2: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Can I change it to:
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 2: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Apr 5, 2014, 2:30 am
#1460
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 119
Loading question--how do I tell the cashier I want to load 2 cards in the same transaction and lower the chances they the cashier messes up and I end up paying two $3 fees? So far all the cashiers I've asked to reload my card are completely clueless that the product even existed.
Also just realized that the balance can exceed $2500.. can reload $1k as long as balance is under $2500 at time of reload?
Also just realized that the balance can exceed $2500.. can reload $1k as long as balance is under $2500 at time of reload?
Last edited by bobloblaw; Apr 5, 2014 at 2:35 am
Apr 5, 2014, 2:45 am
#1461
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 27
From the T&C:
You will not be able to reload your Card with funds until your customer information has been verified, which could take up to two (2) business days from time of purchase, and you will not be able to access funds from an ATM until your customer information has been verified and you have received and activated your personalized Card
Apr 5, 2014, 3:04 am
#1462
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 27
ATM Access and weekly limits
Question about ATM withdrawal amounts per week:
Is there a cap on the amount you can withdraw from ATM's per week? I have read and seen conflicting information.
From the T&C on AFT webpage:
"Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $400 US per card, per day, plus any fees assessed."
I recently picked up an AFT card and read through the T&C in the package. Regarding ATM access, it states:
"To get cash, use the "withdrawal from checking" option at a participating ATM. Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $200 US per week, plus any fees assessed."
This is incorrect? I assume the website is more current, and that $400/day is the max, but what is the max per week?
FYI, the cashier had no clue on how to do the transaction. When the AFT UPC is scanned, the POS pops up with "May not be paid for with target gift card" I loaded $497 using an AGC. The POS screen went to "please wait" for about 2 minutes, and I finally asked the cashier to cancel the transaction. When he did, it spit out the receipt and was activated/complete. Weird.
Also, I don't see how anyone is being declined when loading. Directly from the AFT website T&C: "(iii) by loading funds at participating Target stores in the US using any tender type that is accepted at Target stores."
Is there a cap on the amount you can withdraw from ATM's per week? I have read and seen conflicting information.
From the T&C on AFT webpage:
"Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $400 US per card, per day, plus any fees assessed."
I recently picked up an AFT card and read through the T&C in the package. Regarding ATM access, it states:
"To get cash, use the "withdrawal from checking" option at a participating ATM. Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $200 US per week, plus any fees assessed."
This is incorrect? I assume the website is more current, and that $400/day is the max, but what is the max per week?
FYI, the cashier had no clue on how to do the transaction. When the AFT UPC is scanned, the POS pops up with "May not be paid for with target gift card" I loaded $497 using an AGC. The POS screen went to "please wait" for about 2 minutes, and I finally asked the cashier to cancel the transaction. When he did, it spit out the receipt and was activated/complete. Weird.
Also, I don't see how anyone is being declined when loading. Directly from the AFT website T&C: "(iii) by loading funds at participating Target stores in the US using any tender type that is accepted at Target stores."
Apr 5, 2014, 3:42 am
#1463
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: KWI
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 806
Question about ATM withdrawal amounts per week:
Is there a cap on the amount you can withdraw from ATM's per week? I have read and seen conflicting information.
From the T&C on AFT webpage:
"Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $400 US per card, per day, plus any fees assessed."
I recently picked up an AFT card and read through the T&C in the package. Regarding ATM access, it states:
"To get cash, use the "withdrawal from checking" option at a participating ATM. Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $200 US per week, plus any fees assessed."
This is incorrect? I assume the website is more current, and that $400/day is the max, but what is the max per week?
FYI, the cashier had no clue on how to do the transaction. When the AFT UPC is scanned, the POS pops up with "May not be paid for with target gift card" I loaded $497 using an AGC. The POS screen went to "please wait" for about 2 minutes, and I finally asked the cashier to cancel the transaction. When he did, it spit out the receipt and was activated/complete. Weird.
Also, I don't see how anyone is being declined when loading. Directly from the AFT website T&C: "(iii) by loading funds at participating Target stores in the US using any tender type that is accepted at Target stores."
Is there a cap on the amount you can withdraw from ATM's per week? I have read and seen conflicting information.
From the T&C on AFT webpage:
"Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $400 US per card, per day, plus any fees assessed."
I recently picked up an AFT card and read through the T&C in the package. Regarding ATM access, it states:
"To get cash, use the "withdrawal from checking" option at a participating ATM. Subject to the amount of Available Funds on your Card, you may use the Card to obtain up to $200 US per week, plus any fees assessed."
This is incorrect? I assume the website is more current, and that $400/day is the max, but what is the max per week?
FYI, the cashier had no clue on how to do the transaction. When the AFT UPC is scanned, the POS pops up with "May not be paid for with target gift card" I loaded $497 using an AGC. The POS screen went to "please wait" for about 2 minutes, and I finally asked the cashier to cancel the transaction. When he did, it spit out the receipt and was activated/complete. Weird.
Also, I don't see how anyone is being declined when loading. Directly from the AFT website T&C: "(iii) by loading funds at participating Target stores in the US using any tender type that is accepted at Target stores."
Apr 5, 2014, 7:43 am
#1464
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
Has anyone ever found this card for sale at a Target that was not listed on the AFT site as selling it?
Apr 5, 2014, 8:11 am
#1465
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 908
You can purchase a second card on day #2, but you may not be able to load card #1 until amex verifies your information... it usually takes two days.
From the T&C:
You will not be able to reload your Card with funds until your customer information has been verified, which could take up to two (2) business days from time of purchase, and you will not be able to access funds from an ATM until your customer information has been verified and you have received and activated your personalized Card
From the T&C:
You will not be able to reload your Card with funds until your customer information has been verified, which could take up to two (2) business days from time of purchase, and you will not be able to access funds from an ATM until your customer information has been verified and you have received and activated your personalized Card
So I went to Target to get my 2nd AFT card. Declined again. ... Citi. I already spent 10 mins on the phone the day before, and they said everything has been verified. Card declined again for $503.00 Again this is a new Citi Hilton Reserve.
Apr 5, 2014, 8:56 am
#1466
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: WN A-List, AA, UA
Posts: 219
AmEx for Target: $400/week credit card ATM withdrawals for 1.3%+ in certain cities
As I stated in my datapoint on the previous page, citi right now seems to have a block on anything more than $500. You will need to load $497
Apr 5, 2014, 9:22 am
#1467
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
From my previous experience, you could call in and ask the customer service rep to hold when you are doing the transaction. But usually, if you got a fraud alert and cleared, you should be able to make the purchase on the same day without an issue, especially you let them know that you will have a transaction above $1k coming from target.
Apr 5, 2014, 10:15 am
#1468
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: WN A-List, AA, UA
Posts: 219
AmEx for Target: $400/week credit card ATM withdrawals for 1.3%+ in certain cities
Sadly true for my account at least. Attempted a few of my Aa cards, one newer AA exec which has this "$500 limit" and my 2 year old AA Amex. That Amex has high spend on it at target, cvs, and other places throughout the last year. Still denied when trying higher than $500. I even kept the fraud rep on the phone and she couldn't tell me why it was getting denied having released the hold prior to trying again.
Apr 5, 2014, 11:00 am
#1469
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
Sadly true for my account at least. Attempted a few of my Aa cards, one newer AA exec which has this "$500 limit" and my 2 year old AA Amex. That Amex has high spend on it at target, cvs, and other places throughout the last year. Still denied when trying higher than $500. I even kept the fraud rep on the phone and she couldn't tell me why it was getting denied having released the hold prior to trying again.
Apr 5, 2014, 12:07 pm
#1470
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,025
In the wiki what does "dropped" mean? I assumed that it means withdrawing from the ATM but why wait so long to withdraw and how is he "dropping" 1000 at a time or whatever when the limit is 400 per day?
Looking at it again I guess he means that is over 28 days since the load day and you can now load again as that day.
Looking at it again I guess he means that is over 28 days since the load day and you can now load again as that day.