Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Nov 10, 2012, 8:20 pm
#2236
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC & PEK
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, UA GS, AA EXP
Posts: 292
Nov 10, 2012, 8:20 pm
#2237
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 229
Only one OD in the area still had any, and I only found 2 (which were behind a PrePaid AMEX, not in the normal Vanilla Reload stock). The manager came out and said that these were no longer being sold because Chase knew what everyone was up to and got OD to stop selling these. There were 2 left and he let me buy them at $200 each, but that was it.
I thought I'd inject some humor into this -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6R5cEEqXpk
I thought I'd inject some humor into this -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6R5cEEqXpk
Nov 10, 2012, 8:23 pm
#2238
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: FRA
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 134
Only one OD in the area still had any, and I only found 2 (which were behind a PrePaid AMEX, not in the normal Vanilla Reload stock). The manager came out and said that these were no longer being sold because Chase knew what everyone was up to and got OD to stop selling these. There were 2 left and he let me buy them at $200 each, but that was it.
I thought I'd inject some humor into this -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6R5cEEqXpk
I thought I'd inject some humor into this -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6R5cEEqXpk
Nov 10, 2012, 8:26 pm
#2239
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
Also, by that point in the war (when he was losing it, shaking crazy in his bunker) the german airforce was crushed so i suspect first class in LH might not have been very good.
Then again these are just symantics lol
Nov 10, 2012, 8:33 pm
#2240
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
I haven't seen the load cap with credit cards, in my office depot. I figure if they pull the reloads, I could just start buying the AMEX Temp again....That's how I did it before, but if they cap the spend at $200 for Prepaids....all prepaid deals at OD are dead. At least I get 5x on cable, internet, phone. I'll just pay my whole families' cell/cable/home phone bills. 
Nov 10, 2012, 8:33 pm
#2241
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Missed the boat on the VR craze, still waiting on the IB to arrive.
However, after reading all these post, I was near an OD tonight and stopped in to check out the situation.
Of course, acting completely stupid to the craze, I spoke with the manager about the empty shelf for VR and the BB.
He said they will no longer be offering the VR. He was not aware of exactly how it worked, but what he mentioned was that too many people had been taking advantage of the 5% back and buying $1000 or even in the thousands of dollars at one time on the card.
Of course, it's not exactly 5% back, but I am certain he was talking about the IB 5x issue.
I guess they thought it would be too complex just to ask OD stores to mandate cash sales on those. That alone would have pulled the plug. But, it
appears that it was definitely Chase who called the shots on this one.
However, for me, I will be happy to be able to earn points on bill pay (and possibly set our college daughter up on the BB for spending). Guess I missed even being able to try some of our bill pay with the OD/IB/VR. (bummer~)
I know CC churning has gone on for quite some time. I have considered it, but never jumped on it (just still debating). However, what I find amazing is that the CC companies allow each person to have so many cards with such high credit lines without making them close some of them out.
I wouldn't be surprised if they start raising the spend to meet the bonus offer if it grows out of hand.
However, after reading all these post, I was near an OD tonight and stopped in to check out the situation.
Of course, acting completely stupid to the craze, I spoke with the manager about the empty shelf for VR and the BB.
He said they will no longer be offering the VR. He was not aware of exactly how it worked, but what he mentioned was that too many people had been taking advantage of the 5% back and buying $1000 or even in the thousands of dollars at one time on the card.
Of course, it's not exactly 5% back, but I am certain he was talking about the IB 5x issue.
I guess they thought it would be too complex just to ask OD stores to mandate cash sales on those. That alone would have pulled the plug. But, it
appears that it was definitely Chase who called the shots on this one.
However, for me, I will be happy to be able to earn points on bill pay (and possibly set our college daughter up on the BB for spending). Guess I missed even being able to try some of our bill pay with the OD/IB/VR. (bummer~)
I know CC churning has gone on for quite some time. I have considered it, but never jumped on it (just still debating). However, what I find amazing is that the CC companies allow each person to have so many cards with such high credit lines without making them close some of them out.
I wouldn't be surprised if they start raising the spend to meet the bonus offer if it grows out of hand.
Nov 10, 2012, 8:44 pm
#2242
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,430
For each of us milking this for FF miles, there was a SDer or FWer milking it for cash back (churn 10k, get $500 cash).
People here just happen to like miles, not everyone flies though, and many can still recognize a good cash rebate deal.
Nov 10, 2012, 8:52 pm
#2243
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,430
I haven't seen the load cap with credit cards, in my office depot. I figure if they pull the reloads, I could just start buying the AMEX Temp again....That's how I did it before, but if they cap the spend at $200 for Prepaids....all prepaid deals at OD are dead. At least I get 5x on cable, internet, phone. I'll just pay my whole families' cell/cable/home phone bills.
Nov 10, 2012, 8:58 pm
#2244
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
To be fair, Chase cut value out of the AMEX Platinum Card, so AMEX just kinda gave Chase a friendly stab in the back. What's a little knife fight between friends?
Vanilla is dead
The whole story behind vanilla is American Express. They always try to take advantage of other bank, especially Chase. American Express prepaid card is unexpected popular because of vanilla, OD and chase. But it is just within points and miles community. Without vanilla, do you still have interest to use american express prepaid card?
American Express is too greedy. Bluebird is disaster for chase. Suddenly everyone knows that trick. It is easy for chase to cut down this deal， just threaten the OD to terminate the relationship if OD continue to sell vanilla.
That is the story.
The whole story behind vanilla is American Express. They always try to take advantage of other bank, especially Chase. American Express prepaid card is unexpected popular because of vanilla, OD and chase. But it is just within points and miles community. Without vanilla, do you still have interest to use american express prepaid card?
American Express is too greedy. Bluebird is disaster for chase. Suddenly everyone knows that trick. It is easy for chase to cut down this deal， just threaten the OD to terminate the relationship if OD continue to sell vanilla.
That is the story.
Nov 10, 2012, 9:37 pm
#2245
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Yes, it was 5% back. You can redeem for 1 cent/1 point check. Or, you can get the ink cash back card, the sister card to the premium travel, that offers the same category bonuses as a straight 5% statement credit.
For each of us milking this for FF miles, there was a SDer or FWer milking it for cash back (churn 10k, get $500 cash).
People here just happen to like miles, not everyone flies though, and many can still recognize a good cash rebate deal.
For each of us milking this for FF miles, there was a SDer or FWer milking it for cash back (churn 10k, get $500 cash).
People here just happen to like miles, not everyone flies though, and many can still recognize a good cash rebate deal.
When considering a CC churn, i also thought about looking at the cash back cards, but never got that far. I just jumped on this card (Ink Plus) when the spend was lowered again this time.
I understand a good deal, but I also understand any good deal will only last so long.
Nov 10, 2012, 9:39 pm
#2246
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: Various Programs of Interest & LT Collector.
Posts: 1,483
Seriously?
Chase seems to be the manipulator in the last 5 years. Any travel company that has fallen on hard times has chase come to the rescue buying boat loads of their points or miles.
Then it appears that those companies stop participating in other programs or devalue the conversion rates.
Look at SPG with a couple of them now.... UA (devalue), WN(lost?),
Look at Amex with a couple... no longer WN and ....
Look at Hyatt - many thing that a part of those decline is the Chase CC.
Chase coming out with Sappire is a direct competition to Amex and now ever better as the premier travel card.....
So it seems to me that Chase has crept into Amex's domain and Amex is fighting to find a way to survive. I wouldn't feel sorry for chase for one second as they have made major stides that look to me like unfair business practices cutting out or devaluing other conversions. I personally think these devaluations are due to Chase Influence.
I don't feel bad for one moment about Chase. And if Amex makes a product that reduces profits and makes it less expensive for consumers then this is what capitalism is all about. Driving for efficiencies that benefit society over the profits of any one company. Companies that come out with a new idea.... Chase did with 5x points for some of these things. This isn't profitable for them... they are doing it to win business away from competitors.
Chase seems to be the manipulator in the last 5 years. Any travel company that has fallen on hard times has chase come to the rescue buying boat loads of their points or miles.
Then it appears that those companies stop participating in other programs or devalue the conversion rates.
Look at SPG with a couple of them now.... UA (devalue), WN(lost?),
Look at Amex with a couple... no longer WN and ....
Look at Hyatt - many thing that a part of those decline is the Chase CC.
Chase coming out with Sappire is a direct competition to Amex and now ever better as the premier travel card.....
So it seems to me that Chase has crept into Amex's domain and Amex is fighting to find a way to survive. I wouldn't feel sorry for chase for one second as they have made major stides that look to me like unfair business practices cutting out or devaluing other conversions. I personally think these devaluations are due to Chase Influence.
I don't feel bad for one moment about Chase. And if Amex makes a product that reduces profits and makes it less expensive for consumers then this is what capitalism is all about. Driving for efficiencies that benefit society over the profits of any one company. Companies that come out with a new idea.... Chase did with 5x points for some of these things. This isn't profitable for them... they are doing it to win business away from competitors.
Nov 10, 2012, 9:50 pm
#2247
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC & PEK
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, UA GS, AA EXP
Posts: 292
If there is no credit card load, do you still use AME prepaid or bluebird?
If cash is only one option, do you still want to use bluebird?
Nov 10, 2012, 9:53 pm
#2248
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORD, LAS
Programs: AA-EXP, BAEC Silver, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-gold, SPG-gold
Posts: 855
you can load your BB with a miles earning debit card at Walmart
Nov 10, 2012, 10:00 pm
#2249
Formerly known as cagalindo
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MCO TPA
Programs: Citi AA/HH/TYP Amex SPG/HH & Chase SP/PC
Posts: 1,335
aint nobody got time for that
Nov 10, 2012, 10:10 pm
#2250
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: MSP
Programs: DL, UA, HHonors, SPG
Posts: 41
There's still options to use a credit card for the Bean cards, just not at Office Depot.