Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Oct 20, 2012, 11:49 am
#151
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 308
I thought I was very clear that this was risky, but just in case I was unclear, I've edited the original to add more of a caution to the post. Why not do it myself? Because it is higher risk than I'm willing to take. The good news is that we learned from the very next post that it has been tried and does not work so there's no reason for anyone else to risk it.
Oct 20, 2012, 3:04 pm
#153
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 769
Just came back from Walmart and checked out the BB display again. It says on the packs that there is a $2 charge to use atm to load money onto the card and $1 if you use cash. Not sure if it was mentioned here, but probably won't have much of an effect for the ice cream users.
Oct 20, 2012, 4:34 pm
#154
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Stop hassling FM. The guy's almost singlehandedly responsible for blessing all of us with insights into how to get better at the game. Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Oct 20, 2012, 4:35 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
Just came back from Walmart and checked out the BB display again. It says on the packs that there is a $2 charge to use atm to load money onto the card and $1 if you use cash. Not sure if it was mentioned here, but probably won't have much of an effect for the ice cream users.
https://bluebird.com/faqs/?linknav=u...ees-and-limits
Cash through Walmart $1(fee no longer applies)
You probably saw the old fees from before the change.
Oct 20, 2012, 4:52 pm
#156
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: In The Cockpit, Left Seat
Programs: AA, UA, HH, SPG
Posts: 78
This is just MHO, but everyone needs to take a step back and wait for the registered bluebird card then go ahead and try things that may make sense to you in your pursuit of miles & points but in moderation.
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
Oct 20, 2012, 5:04 pm
#159
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 769
From:
https://bluebird.com/faqs/?linknav=u...ees-and-limits
(has a strikethrough on the price - don't know the BB code for that)
You probably saw the old fees from before the change.
https://bluebird.com/faqs/?linknav=u...ees-and-limits
(has a strikethrough on the price - don't know the BB code for that)
You probably saw the old fees from before the change.
Oct 20, 2012, 9:35 pm
#162
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 99
This is just MHO, but everyone needs to take a step back and wait for the registered bluebird card then go ahead and try things that may make sense to you in your pursuit of miles & points but in moderation.
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
Someone who gets it...
Oct 20, 2012, 9:55 pm
#163
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,433
One important thing I think a lot of people also miss, is AMEX has always struggled to get both small business and more importantly, small purchase chain retailers to accept their cards. Acceptance is great at where there traditional credit demographic shops, but acceptance is poor at other places (Cigarette store, Burger King, etc.... you get the point).
The amount of customer which fit this demographic and now have an American Express card may hard-handily force some of these businesses to change their card acceptance behavior. It's no longer merely enough to say I know you have a debit card in that wallet next to your Platinum card... because they probably don't, and will shop elsewhere.
This alone, is a powerful business driver to in some ways, subsidize this product. Don't get me wrong, they still expect it to make money and hold its own weight, but they have other vested interests in it receiving more than the netspend card who's sole objective is monthly and transaction fees.
In any case, I tossed $200/month off my paycheck (Direct deposit) there way. I might as well keep them happy, and perhaps an account with DD activity is more likely to survive.
The amount of customer which fit this demographic and now have an American Express card may hard-handily force some of these businesses to change their card acceptance behavior. It's no longer merely enough to say I know you have a debit card in that wallet next to your Platinum card... because they probably don't, and will shop elsewhere.
This alone, is a powerful business driver to in some ways, subsidize this product. Don't get me wrong, they still expect it to make money and hold its own weight, but they have other vested interests in it receiving more than the netspend card who's sole objective is monthly and transaction fees.
In any case, I tossed $200/month off my paycheck (Direct deposit) there way. I might as well keep them happy, and perhaps an account with DD activity is more likely to survive.
This is just MHO, but everyone needs to take a step back and wait for the registered bluebird card then go ahead and try things that may make sense to you in your pursuit of miles & points but in moderation.
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
This card, like all the other pseudo bank debit cards, are in the business of making as much money as they can from the people that can least afford the fees. .They want to see dozens of small monthly transactions: gas, cigs, fast food, pizza, convince stores, etc with the expected large monthly or semi monthly trip to the supermarket. .Then they expect weekly ATM transactions but for $20 not $500. .Finally they are targeting people with no credit cards and expect the DD's to be pay checks, disability checks, etc. .occasional loads from a 'money pack' will not raise flags. .Some people like to cash their paychecks, the card owner could get a reload card as a gift from a family member.
These are predatory institutions and significant, regular deviations from programmed expected activity will get you shut down.
I agree, BB may be somewhat more tolerant because of AMEX targeted demographic up to this point but let's not forget who their partner is in this case. .Walmart is not Saks
This card has a lot of possibilities to accumulate a reasonable number of miles over an extended period of time for very little cost but ' go big, go fast ' and you will get shut down. If you want to spend 10-20x more than the average user you will have to mix your loading and spending to mimic a more well heeled Walmart customer, but fit a Walmart customer profile none the less.
AMEX is smart here. .They understand most of their revenue comes from transaction fees so they are making it cheap enough on the consumer side to get people to at least give the card a try and Walmart customers is a huge market for them to play in.
One final point and that is what makes this card different from the others. .We have a retailer and a financial institution in partnership. .You can get shut down by Walmart as well just buy purchasing large MO's made out to yourself or cash. .There are two huge organizations watching this closely. .We all know the years long rumor that walmart wants to add full banking services. .Is this the beginning?
/ end of rant
Oct 21, 2012, 12:11 am
#164
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL PM, SPG Plat
Posts: 885
+1. It seems we like to bash bloggers here on FT, but FM is (IMO) a true innovator in the points game. And I think his post was clear.
Oct 21, 2012, 2:55 am
#165
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,758
What good does it do to post something that will get accounts closed? What the post should have made clear is that your account will be closed if you try this. Bloggers are great for the 47%.