Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card
Oct 31, 2012, 7:47 pm
#1201
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 904
I'll say this for MMS: he keeps his cool. He's getting torched in the comments on his web site, but he never takes the bait. And he manages to post the occasional humorous jab at himself. I still wish the blogosphere didn't make the tradecraft rise to the top of the google search results, but oh well.
Oct 31, 2012, 7:49 pm
#1202
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
I try to be polite on discussion forums, but if you believe that there are folks that buy 50+ cards at a time on multiple occasions, then I got a bridge I can sell ya in Manhattan. And I accept Vanilla Reload cards for payment.
As for buying bean cards, I thinkiIt depends a lot on the store you go to...or for that matter, what manager is on duty. I got told one day at the OD I frequent that I can only buy one card at a time. I was told this was their "policy". I didn't bother pointing out that I've purchased several at a time on numerous occasions, because I didn't want the b*ttwipe going back to the management team in some meeting and actually changing the store policy. I just went back the next day, a different guy was on duty, and I bought 4.
Ultimately, if you get lucky enough to find a store that is well stocked, and you get to know the regular cashiers...THAT is the golden ticket. They smile when I walk in and never ask for ID any more. They just ring em up.
God I hope this lasts.
As for buying bean cards, I thinkiIt depends a lot on the store you go to...or for that matter, what manager is on duty. I got told one day at the OD I frequent that I can only buy one card at a time. I was told this was their "policy". I didn't bother pointing out that I've purchased several at a time on numerous occasions, because I didn't want the b*ttwipe going back to the management team in some meeting and actually changing the store policy. I just went back the next day, a different guy was on duty, and I bought 4.
Ultimately, if you get lucky enough to find a store that is well stocked, and you get to know the regular cashiers...THAT is the golden ticket. They smile when I walk in and never ask for ID any more. They just ring em up.
God I hope this lasts.
You bought $2000 worth of beans? Put 'em on a Chase card, or other card?
Just wondering...
My OD didn't have any. Also they were confused about the Vanilla Reloads, didn't know the difference between the gift cards and the reloadables. They didn't have any, nonetheless.
They did tell me, though, you can only buy one on a credit card.
Oct 31, 2012, 7:52 pm
#1203
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 904
You bought $2000 worth of beans? Put 'em on a Chase card, or other card?
Just wondering...
My OD didn't have any. Also they were confused about the Vanilla Reloads, didn't know the difference between the gift cards and the reloadables. They didn't have any, nonetheless.
They did tell me, though, you can only buy one on a credit card.
Just wondering...
My OD didn't have any. Also they were confused about the Vanilla Reloads, didn't know the difference between the gift cards and the reloadables. They didn't have any, nonetheless.
They did tell me, though, you can only buy one on a credit card.
Like I said, I've been told I could only buy 1 before. Like many things in the points hobby....hang up and try again.
Unfortunately, its looking like there is going to be a much higher ratio of wild goose chase for a lot of people in trying to reliably procure the reloadable cards.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:01 pm
#1204
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Wallyworld is really stepping up their game. Last week BB, this week, $500 Vanilla MC GCs (not Visas, NOT reloads!!!), which are very rare beasts in these parts. Up till now, they only stocked GCs up to $200. So...goodbye Walgreens, hello WM + Amex HHonors 6X! Activation fee? $4.94, not $4.95! A penny saved...is still just a penny.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:21 pm
#1208
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Gold, SPG Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 354
Just a quick data point. I used my bluebird at Costco yesterday without having to enter a pin number. Two separate transactions went through no problem. So unless they changed their policy about credit cards, this is a nice little bonus since I don't have to use my debit card anymore.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:40 pm
#1210
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
All purchases from Super Wal-Marts and Neighborhood Wal-Marts are always classed as Grocery by Chase, I know that from previously this year during the Freedom 5X category bonus. Pretty sure Amex will class it as the same. We've done all our grocery shopping at WM for over a decade. Is it unusual for WMs not to sell groceries? I'm serious. I've never seen a WM in the US that doesn't sell groceries. In Canada, yes, but not south of the 49th.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:49 pm
#1211
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,145
I try to be polite on discussion forums, but if you believe that there are folks that buy 50+ cards at a time on multiple occasions, then I got a bridge I can sell ya in Manhattan. And I accept Vanilla Reload cards for payment.
As for buying bean cards, I thinkiIt depends a lot on the store you go to...or for that matter, what manager is on duty. I got told one day at the OD I frequent that I can only buy one card at a time. I was told this was their "policy". I didn't bother pointing out that I've purchased several at a time on numerous occasions, because I didn't want the b*ttwipe going back to the management team in some meeting and actually changing the store policy. I just went back the next day, a different guy was on duty, and I bought 4.
Ultimately, if you get lucky enough to find a store that is well stocked, and you get to know the regular cashiers...THAT is the golden ticket. They smile when I walk in and never ask for ID any more. They just ring em up.
God I hope this lasts.
As for buying bean cards, I thinkiIt depends a lot on the store you go to...or for that matter, what manager is on duty. I got told one day at the OD I frequent that I can only buy one card at a time. I was told this was their "policy". I didn't bother pointing out that I've purchased several at a time on numerous occasions, because I didn't want the b*ttwipe going back to the management team in some meeting and actually changing the store policy. I just went back the next day, a different guy was on duty, and I bought 4.
Ultimately, if you get lucky enough to find a store that is well stocked, and you get to know the regular cashiers...THAT is the golden ticket. They smile when I walk in and never ask for ID any more. They just ring em up.
God I hope this lasts.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:52 pm
#1212
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 249
Super Walmarts are definitely not classified grocery for AMEX IME. Other bank Visa and MCs yes.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:52 pm
#1213
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 994
i bought two vanillas at OD 3 weeks ago using citi biz card. they called in to verify. Then they had me sign for transaction. in activities section, i see the OD charge that posted and a second OD charge that is pending. The $1000 pending charge is still there. weird.
Oct 31, 2012, 8:54 pm
#1214
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
All purchases from Super Wal-Marts and Neighborhood Wal-Marts are always classed as Grocery by Chase, I know that from previously this year during the Freedom 5X category bonus. Pretty sure Amex will class it as the same. We've done all our grocery shopping at WM for over a decade. Is it unusual for WMs not to sell groceries? I'm serious. I've never seen a WM in the US that doesn't sell groceries. In Canada, yes, but not south of the 49th.
Oct 31, 2012, 9:02 pm
#1215
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
Chase Freedom classes both our Super WM and Neighborhood WM as Grocery. They both sell groceries--lots of groceries! 5X category spend counted there during 2nd quarter. Maxed out bonus on WM GCs--on 3 Freedom cards. As for AMEX, give it a try and see what happens. Everything I buy there, except gas and oil changes, is classed as grocery.