Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Dec 25, 2012, 5:36 pm
#4531
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
Well, here is something kind of Scarry! I had funds deposited into my bluebird account and attempted to withdraw at walmart. I first attempted to withdraw $300.00 with success. The system said their was a $1.50 fee associated with the withdraw, this was not the case and American Express took care of this automatically. I tried to take out another $200.00 directly after (With the bluebird card, you can take out a total of $500.00 per day). I was declined because it attempted to charge me that $1.50 again which would have made it $501.50. I went to look at my statement and found that Amex took out the $200.00 thinking I withdrew that money. I called Amex to advise that I have the printed reciept declining this, they said they would run an investigation. It's been 4 days, no response from Amex. I urge anyone needing a prepaid unbank card to STAY CLEAR OF THIS ONE!
I hope this works out.
Why in the world are you using a fee-charging ATM to take money off of bb?? There are so many free ways to liquidate.
Pm if you need help.
Dec 25, 2012, 5:55 pm
#4532
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Has anybody confirmed that small transfers from PP count as DD and give free ATM access?
Dec 25, 2012, 8:13 pm
#4533
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 164
I know there are stories out there concerning accounts being shut down due to perceived fraud, or even Chase Ink getting concerened about OD additions of visa gift cards on their account....how do you stay clear of any events triggering fraud.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
Dec 25, 2012, 8:15 pm
#4534
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 164
NY BANKER...can you please explain your above post about liquidating money from the acct?
Dec 25, 2012, 8:24 pm
#4535
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
Dec 26, 2012, 1:03 am
#4537
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 398
No, I think that's silly unless you are up to something really shady or are a new Amex cardholder with an income that can't support your purchases.
So go ahead and use your Amex Hilton or Amex SPG credit card. I have been doing it regularly (2-3 times per week). They give you maximum value in terms of hotel awards.
So go ahead and use your Amex Hilton or Amex SPG credit card. I have been doing it regularly (2-3 times per week). They give you maximum value in terms of hotel awards.
i have many CCs and report my real income, but i just don't want to deal with the hassle of an FR. i'll just stick to spreading out VR purchases over multiple non-AMEX cards.
Dec 26, 2012, 1:15 am
#4538
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 670
I know there are stories out there concerning accounts being shut down due to perceived fraud, or even Chase Ink getting concerened about OD additions of visa gift cards on their account....how do you stay clear of any events triggering fraud.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
Dec 26, 2012, 2:00 am
#4539
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,165
I know there are stories out there concerning accounts being shut down due to perceived fraud, or even Chase Ink getting concerened about OD additions of visa gift cards on their account....how do you stay clear of any events triggering fraud.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
Right now I am planning to get 1-2 $480 to $500 ( each) visa gift cards at OD and then loading them at CVS with VR...are these transactions small enough so as not to trigger some kind of review? I have no need for more VR amounts.
As long as the OD/CVS purchases remain an indistinguishable amount of store revenue flow, it's unlikely to get shut down - the Vanilla Reload cards sent people pouring into OD stores in an uncontrolled orgy of greed, and that's why you don't see the reload cards there anymore. Do the same at CVS, and either the reload cards or the ability to buy them with credit will be gone there too.
Dec 26, 2012, 5:53 am
#4541
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 398
bluebird and student loans
anyone know how to set it up on bluebird? i'm not even sure who the payee is (i have a subsidized fixed-rate Stafford Federal Loan)
i log in via https://www.myedaccount.com/
i log in via https://www.myedaccount.com/
Dec 26, 2012, 7:07 am
#4542
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
The surprise nature of the FR, the conviction that you are a damned heretic worthy to be burned at the stake, and the likelihood of credit line reduction about covers the fun of an FR. Because you were deemed worthy of torture by The Spanish Inquisition, the credit line lowering (actual torture) is just to prove the Cardinals did their job. However, in my experience, my credit lines soared with other banks and doubled with AMEX by year end (with no change in income).
well, BB is an AMEX product and I've just read this thread on another forum about the intricacies of FRs: http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Cred...d/td-p/1765362
i have many CCs and report my real income, but i just don't want to deal with the hassle of an FR. i'll just stick to spreading out VR purchases over multiple non-AMEX cards.
i have many CCs and report my real income, but i just don't want to deal with the hassle of an FR. i'll just stick to spreading out VR purchases over multiple non-AMEX cards.
Last edited by AlohaDaveKennedy; Dec 26, 2012 at 9:59 am
Dec 26, 2012, 7:14 am
#4543
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Buried within all credit card terms and conditions is the bank right to cancel the relationship for whatever reason. Just because no rules are being broken does not prevent the bank from killing your (credit or deposit) account if their cardinals just don't like the look of your transaction patterns.
Chase has no idea what you're buying at Office Depot - they only see the transaction amount. Now if you are doing the same transaction amount at OD every few days and not using the card anywhere else, that might pique someone's interests if the account is flagged for a check - and if they put two and two together, they might figure out what you're doing, but buying Visa gift cards is not a violation of the cardmember agreement or Visa terms, no rules are being broken here. Chase and Visa earn the transaction fee regardless of whether you buy gift cards or pencils....and OD likely earns at least a small profit from Vanilla or Amex when you buy a gift card - but there is a chance the processing fee OD pays on a large gift card purchase won't cover their revenue from the purchase, so the only party likely to shut you down is Office Depot or CVS - and that would/could happen if some people continue to show greed over restraint.
As long as the OD/CVS purchases remain an indistinguishable amount of store revenue flow, it's unlikely to get shut down - the Vanilla Reload cards sent people pouring into OD stores in an uncontrolled orgy of greed, and that's why you don't see the reload cards there anymore. Do the same at CVS, and either the reload cards or the ability to buy them with credit will be gone there too.
As long as the OD/CVS purchases remain an indistinguishable amount of store revenue flow, it's unlikely to get shut down - the Vanilla Reload cards sent people pouring into OD stores in an uncontrolled orgy of greed, and that's why you don't see the reload cards there anymore. Do the same at CVS, and either the reload cards or the ability to buy them with credit will be gone there too.
Dec 26, 2012, 7:35 am
#4544
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 48
Most of the federal loans are issued through state or local servicing agencies.
You're going to have to contact the servicing company and find out where to mail a check. I've been paying two student loans via two different servicers and some are harder to deal with than others.
I have had success paying both my loans with bluebird.
You're going to have to contact the servicing company and find out where to mail a check. I've been paying two student loans via two different servicers and some are harder to deal with than others.
I have had success paying both my loans with bluebird.
Dec 26, 2012, 8:22 am
#4545
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
[QUOTE=AscorbylPalmitate;19921667] i'm not even sure who the payee is (i have a subsidized fixed-rate Stafford Federal Loan)
QUOTE]
I think knowing whom the payee is on your student loans is a lot more important thantrying ot earn some miles,
I wonder if i can use this question in interviews? i will have to run it by my HR department, "Please tell me the name of your student loan servicer", this will let me know whom pays attention to details on large accounts.
QUOTE]
I think knowing whom the payee is on your student loans is a lot more important thantrying ot earn some miles,
I wonder if i can use this question in interviews? i will have to run it by my HR department, "Please tell me the name of your student loan servicer", this will let me know whom pays attention to details on large accounts.