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Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2013-2014)

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Old Apr 3, 2013, 11:44 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: markr33
Read the wiki before posting a question.

Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.

Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.

The original FlyerTalk discussion thread is here: Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card

Bluebird Load Limits:
  • BB loading via VR or WM load: $2,500/day and $5,000 total per calendar month
  • Online Debit Card Load* - $200/day and $1,000/month
  • Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
  • Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
  • ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month

*For online debit load, only use of bank-issued cards is allowed. The use of pre-paid debit cards (Netspend, Paypower, Univision, Paypal, etc.) and VGC/MGC/AGCs is not allowed. Your account will be flagged upon first/second attempt. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).

The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.

For online bill pay
  • You can pay the credit card that you used to buy reloads
  • Error 1302 means that you have 1 pending payment the same amount as the one you just submitted. For example, 1000 bill pay to sapphire preferred from Friday and then on Saturday you submit another bill pay for 1000 to sapphire preferred, you will get this error.
  • Tip: if using online bill pay to the same place multiple times, vary your amounts by $0.01 to make it easier to track since your confirmation number does not match the tracking number on your credit card statement


Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.

Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.

Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.

If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.

Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.

Training a WM cashier:
  • If the WM cashier doesn't know how to load the card, advise them to enter "70" then press "action code".
  • If you are using a temp card that doesn't have your name on it, you can swipe the card from your side of the terminal. The WM rep never has to touch any of your cards. The screen will say "enter account." That is your prompt to slide the card.
  • The terminal will ask the WM employee if you are loading in multiples of $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
  • Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.

Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.

DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.

TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .

HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.

UPdate Notice on Sept 15, 2014.
Some minor changes on the ATM limits and fees:
Out-of-Network ATM Fees:
Beginning October 30, 2014, the fee for withdrawing funds using out-of-network ATMs will increase from $2.00 to $2.50. ATM operator fees may also apply.
Free In-Network MoneyPass® ATMs:
Effective immediately, all Bluebird Customers can withdraw funds for free when using in-network MoneyPass ATMs. You can find one of the more than 24,000 MoneyPass ATMs below.
ATM Withdrawal Limits Increase:
We have increased your daily ATM limit, so you can withdraw up to $750 per day. Your monthly ATM withdrawal limit will remain at $2,000.

-----

•If you use Wal-Mart Savings Catcher, you can earn double rewards by redeeming to your BlueBird account <== Doubling of savings catcher amounts ended sometime in the summer of 2015.
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Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2013-2014)

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Old Jul 17, 2013, 6:23 am
  #1531  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Originally Posted by agp423
For all the limits of $xxxx/month, does anyone know if that's per calendar month? If I load/spend the monthly limit on July 31st, can I load/spend more on Aug 1st?
Calendar month. Yes.
ThereYaGo is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 8:42 am
  #1532  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 11
Originally Posted by DCBob
Use the ZIP code printed on the coupon you would mail in if you were paying by mail. I certainly hope you aren't using YOUR own ZIP code - that's usually why it doesn't work for BB holders who have posted on FT.
I am a moron! That is what I get for trying to set it up when I am half awake. Thank you.
roblawrenc is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:04 am
  #1533  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
I bought Vanilla Visa Gift Card $500 at CVS yesterday and tried reloading it to my BB card at WM Kiosk this morning, but it was not successful. I never had any problems before. I always reload Vanilla Visa GC for $500/$200/$100 into my BB card at WM without problems. Anyone having same problems?
frugaltravel is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:17 am
  #1534  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
What specific problem did you experience? Did you get an error message?

Originally Posted by frugaltravel
I bought Vanilla Visa Gift Card $500 at CVS yesterday and tried reloading it to my BB card at WM Kiosk this morning, but it was not successful. I never had any problems before. I always reload Vanilla Visa GC for $500/$200/$100 into my BB card at WM without problems. Anyone having same problems?
dprice121 is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:39 am
  #1535  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
Originally Posted by dprice121
What specific problem did you experience? Did you get an error message?
At first, it seemed it went thru, but when the receipt came out, it said debit was unable to reload, something like that, I don't remember the exact words, I threw away the receipts. So, I tried the second time, same thing happened, debit was unable to reload on the receipt.

So, I went to the customer service and she tried helping me reloading the GC to my BB. After I entered the PIN no (last 4 digits), the customer service said she couldn't reload it. There was an error.
frugaltravel is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:46 am
  #1536  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
I would recommend double checking the balance of the card online. And also resetting the pin online and trying again.

https://www.vanillavisa.com/home.html?product=giftcard

Last edited by dprice121; Jul 17, 2013 at 9:54 am
dprice121 is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:53 am
  #1537  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
Originally Posted by dprice121
I would recommend double checking the balance of the card online. And also resetting the pin online and trying again.
I called the 1-800 behind the card, the minute I failed reloading and the balance is $500, no problem. I never have to set up PIN online with this Vanilla Visa GC. I just use last 4 digits as PIN. I bought numerous Vanilla Visa GC at OD, OM & Staples, never have problem before. This is the first time I bought the Vanilla GC at CVS and have a problem.
frugaltravel is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:55 am
  #1538  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
And you haven't reached the maximum for the month have you?
dprice121 is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 9:56 am
  #1539  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 757
Are you over the $5K debit/VR cap for the month? I sometimes miscount.
dcpilgrim is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 10:35 am
  #1540  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
Thank you dprice121 & dcpilgrim! I forgot to count my direct deposit last Friday! I direct deposited some of my paychecks to BB. So it brings the balance to almost $5K. Now, my next question is, will my direct deposit get rejected by BB for this coming Friday due to the limit of $5K?

EDIT: I just checked BB FAQ, the limit for direct deposit is up to $10,000/month, so I should be OK.
frugaltravel is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 10:44 am
  #1541  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
May be a dumb question, but why would you DD to BB?
heyeaglefn is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 10:49 am
  #1542  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 142
Originally Posted by heyeaglefn
May be a dumb question, but why would you DD to BB?
I pay all the bills, including CC, HOA, mortgage, property taxes thru BB and most of the funds come from the incomm (Vanilla GC and VR). Don't want to attract any FR, so I added DD to BB. Just a small fraction of my paycheck.

Last edited by frugaltravel; Jul 17, 2013 at 10:55 am
frugaltravel is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 10:59 am
  #1543  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
Glad you solved this one!

Originally Posted by frugaltravel
Thank you dprice121 & dcpilgrim! I forgot to count my direct deposit last Friday! I direct deposited some of my paychecks to BB. So it brings the balance to almost $5K.
dprice121 is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 11:44 am
  #1544  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
Originally Posted by frugaltravel
Thank you dprice121 & dcpilgrim! I forgot to count my direct deposit last Friday! I direct deposited some of my paychecks to BB. So it brings the balance to almost $5K. Now, my next question is, will my direct deposit get rejected by BB for this coming Friday due to the limit of $5K?

EDIT: I just checked BB FAQ, the limit for direct deposit is up to $10,000/month, so I should be OK.
Recount the total # of debit loads for the calendar month. DD has nothing to do with that limit, and only has a max limit of 100K/yr.

*Total Add Funds Transactions
(exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
Up to $10,000 per month
https://www.bluebird.com/faqs#fees-and-limits
Bender464 is offline  
Old Jul 17, 2013, 11:57 am
  #1545  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,172
7-Eleven manager asked to copy my License if I wanted to purchase anymore at the store saying "security reasons if anyone asked".

I declined.
vrbaba is offline  


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