Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Nov 19, 2012, 11:14 pm
#2866
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
Same. All good here in Houston,tx 4/4 so far at CVS.
Amex Hilton good 1 day 1 next day same store
Ink plus 1 in the am 1 in the pm two different store
Req ID and cc for all
Anyone got lucky with a visa/mc/Amex gc? Yet, or is gc for vc dead.
Amex Hilton good 1 day 1 next day same store
Ink plus 1 in the am 1 in the pm two different store
Req ID and cc for all
Anyone got lucky with a visa/mc/Amex gc? Yet, or is gc for vc dead.
Nov 20, 2012, 12:38 am
#2867
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 819
Was there a $200 or $500 limit on the cards?
Nov 20, 2012, 3:57 am
#2868
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
Hopefully this was just a mistake in my case then. Cashier rang it up but the register wouldn't allow her to load more than $200. She contacted her manager who said VRs can only be loaded up to $200. Note: This wasn't an issue with CC though, since we didn't even get to method of payment. I said I'd come back later. Hope to report better success tomorrow.
Nov 20, 2012, 4:19 am
#2869
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
I've not loaded BB at WalMart, but I've purchased a few money orders. Each time, I've requested $100 (maximum, at least in my experience) cash back.
If my money order was for $850, my transaction would go through SunTrust as $950.70 ($850 MO, .70 MO fee, $100 cash) and I'd get points on all.
Anita
If my money order was for $850, my transaction would go through SunTrust as $950.70 ($850 MO, .70 MO fee, $100 cash) and I'd get points on all.
Anita
Nov 20, 2012, 5:07 am
#2870
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
I don't see why AMEX would have an issue with only using the BB for items where you can not use any other credit card. I know that is what I am planning on doing. Pay my property tax, medical insurance etc where no credit cards are accepted. I think the problem would come when you start ATM use and transfers to your checking / savings accounts.
They're position this as a checking alternative. As long as you have a few different outflows a month (pay your credit card bill, even if just in part), a non-chargeable bill (utility or club or something) and one or two other odds and ends, I cannot see anyone being turned off.
Walmart has long wanted to offering checking services, but has been continuously turned down by banking regulators. This is their creative workaround (jointly with Amex).
I've started making odd dollar amount payments on a few of my credit cards from BB. $287.54, $402.11, etc. Just painting a picture of someone who benefits from a low fee account to keep his finances straight.
This NYBanker is "underbanked."
Nov 20, 2012, 7:46 am
#2871
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Houston
Programs: HiltonH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, Hyatt-Diamond,SPG-newbie
Posts: 301
Nov 20, 2012, 8:55 am
#2872
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
+1
They're position this as a checking alternative. As long as you have a few different outflows a month (pay your credit card bill, even if just in part), a non-chargeable bill (utility or club or something) and one or two other odds and ends, I cannot see anyone being turned off.
Walmart has long wanted to offering checking services, but has been continuously turned down by banking regulators. This is their creative workaround (jointly with Amex).
I've started making odd dollar amount payments on a few of my credit cards from BB. $287.54, $402.11, etc. Just painting a picture of someone who benefits from a low fee account to keep his finances straight.
This NYBanker is "underbanked."
They're position this as a checking alternative. As long as you have a few different outflows a month (pay your credit card bill, even if just in part), a non-chargeable bill (utility or club or something) and one or two other odds and ends, I cannot see anyone being turned off.
Walmart has long wanted to offering checking services, but has been continuously turned down by banking regulators. This is their creative workaround (jointly with Amex).
I've started making odd dollar amount payments on a few of my credit cards from BB. $287.54, $402.11, etc. Just painting a picture of someone who benefits from a low fee account to keep his finances straight.
This NYBanker is "underbanked."
Mike
Nov 20, 2012, 9:24 am
#2873
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
info. may be helpful.
Thanks.^
Nov 20, 2012, 9:27 am
#2874
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: US, AA, Delta, BA, Hilton, Marriot, HYATT
Posts: 433
How is anyone paying mortgage using bluebird? I don't see an option to schedule a payment. Do we need to remember to send payment every month? 
Nov 20, 2012, 9:28 am
#2875
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
For another data point. Tonight I bought a vanilla reload at both CVS and Walgreens in Norman, OK. Neither had a problem with me paying with a credit card. Though the second one I bought was declined the first time and I had to reswipe my card, but it went through. Got an text about a minute later from Chase to make sure it wasn't fraud. CVS had tons of reloads but I got the last one at Walgreens.
WalGreens experiences a very HIGH amount of PP GC fraud with CC's.
Therefore, extremely high percentage of fraud alert email if one is succesfully
purchased at WalGreens. (it is a company wide policy NOT to accept CC on some of the GC's....i.e. PP's).
I don't plan to even try myself, since I wish to stay away from FR.
Probably wouldn't have an issue, but it still takes time and creates a headache to deal with it.
I had stopped by several WalGreens and asked, but all seem to have the same answer. So I thought I better call my inside source to find out what the scoop was on this issue.
Last edited by shoreline; Nov 20, 2012 at 9:42 am
Nov 20, 2012, 9:39 am
#2876
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 757
Yes, you have to do it manually. You only have to enter the payee info once though.
Can I schedule recurring payments?
No. Recurring bill payment is not available at this time. However, you are able to pay monthly bills by initiating one-time payments each month.
No. Recurring bill payment is not available at this time. However, you are able to pay monthly bills by initiating one-time payments each month.
Nov 20, 2012, 9:57 am
#2877
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: US, AA, Delta, BA, Hilton, Marriot, HYATT
Posts: 433
Assuming that i am going to make around 3K payments each month, the max gain is $78 with cvs/walgreens trips and making manual payments. Not looking very good.
Yesterday i purchased 2 cards in CVS located in closeby mall. Whatever return i earned, I spent eating some junk food there. End of the day the my gain is cholesterol and fat.
I am out.
Yesterday i purchased 2 cards in CVS located in closeby mall. Whatever return i earned, I spent eating some junk food there. End of the day the my gain is cholesterol and fat.
I am out.
Nov 20, 2012, 10:23 am
#2878
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
The other issue I'm having with VR is that I'm maxxed out with 5K loaded on my BB for the month. I tried loading more after statement closed (got an email), still no go. I would get nervous holding onto an activated (but unloaded) VR for 2 wks, as I suppose it's possible some hacker can generate a program to randomly try random VR numbers to load to his/her prepaid card until one hits. I don't think there's a lock or guard to prevent this.
Last edited by DaveInLA; Nov 20, 2012 at 4:26 pm Reason: shoreline's advice taken
Nov 20, 2012, 10:26 am
#2879
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
The other issue I'm having with VR is that I'm maxxed out with 5K loaded on my BB for the month. I tried loading more after statement closed (got an email), still no go. I would get nervous holding onto an activated (but unloaded) VR for 2 wks, as I suppose it's possible some hacker can generate a program to randomly try random VR numbers to load to his/her prepaid card until one hits. I don't think there's a lock or guard to prevent this.
Hate to give any fraudsters an exact idea.
Nov 20, 2012, 10:27 am
#2880
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
I haven't had issues but yea we heard from others.. maybe they did something wrong to cause it to screw up we don't know. I'm sitting on 4 unloaded ones right now. I bought a bunch last day they went out from OD. From now I'm gonna buy at CVS and load immediately.