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:
*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
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:
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.
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.
Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2013-2014)
#1591
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
The answer is both works, I actually did both and both worked.
I prefer using the card # as it is easier to check.
#1594
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Shandong/WV
Posts: 158
I feel like this isn't getting near the amount of attention it deserves -- I've never heard of a BB account suspension or closure before this report. Has anyone else ever had this experience?
#1595
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
There have been multiple reports of peoples accounts getting locked and BB requesting all sorts of weird info, including a copy of SS card. I think some have managed to get their account unlocked without providing the info after calling in and asking what was going on. Several these reports have been on accounts that had been opened and active for months. How could BB know what kind of debit card you are using?
#1596
Formerly known as god_forbids
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL Kettle
Posts: 167
Black bean and white bean. Confusing? It was just shorthand. Can anyone answer the question, please?
#1598
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 904
A long time ago, someone started referring to the Vanilla reload cards as "vanilla beans". One thing led to another, and before we knew it, beans meant vanilla beans which meant vanilla reload cards.
#1599
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I believe he meant the question about avoiding fees that he bolded above.
#1600
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 246
Tried searching but could not find.. Planning to link BB to paypal.. If I withdraw from paypal to BB, will it count towards the $5K limit per month? Or is it considered as Direct Deposit and counted under $10K DD limit?
#1601
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Just a data point. Haven't seen any white beans for a while, in the CVS stores I usually check here in HNL. Those of you who buy black beans and load to BB at WM are direct depositors with BB to avoid the fees, right? Or is there some other good way to avoid the load fee? PMs appreciated.
Never link anything related to MS to PayPal. PayPal is generally considered evil here (might as well be a four letter word) and will close down your account in a heartbeat if they want to.
#1602
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
#1603
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
You skipped the first stage - denial - "I don't have a problem"
Lets go for the full list:
Denial - "I don't have a mileage problem"
Anger - "Stop accusing me of have a problem! You know you get the benefit of this too...How do you think we get to fly in first and business everywhere, huh?"
Grief - "I'm sorry I missed our wedding anniversary - I was hunting for beans. I swear it won't happen again (well at least for a year because that's when the next anniversary is)"
Bargaining - "I swear, I'll cut back. How about only one BB? I'll only use one AP account, I swear"
Acceptance - No known example. We'll never get there
Lets go for the full list:
Denial - "I don't have a mileage problem"
Anger - "Stop accusing me of have a problem! You know you get the benefit of this too...How do you think we get to fly in first and business everywhere, huh?"
Grief - "I'm sorry I missed our wedding anniversary - I was hunting for beans. I swear it won't happen again (well at least for a year because that's when the next anniversary is)"
Bargaining - "I swear, I'll cut back. How about only one BB? I'll only use one AP account, I swear"
Acceptance - No known example. We'll never get there
#1604
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
#1605
You skipped the first stage - denial - "I don't have a problem"
Lets go for the full list:
Denial - "I don't have a mileage problem"
Anger - "Stop accusing me of have a problem! You know you get the benefit of this too...How do you think we get to fly in first and business everywhere, huh?"
Grief - "I'm sorry I missed our wedding anniversary - I was hunting for beans. I swear it won't happen again (well at least for a year because that's when the next anniversary is)"
Bargaining - "I swear, I'll cut back. How about only one BB? I'll only use one AP account, I swear"
Acceptance - No known example. We'll never get there
Lets go for the full list:
Denial - "I don't have a mileage problem"
Anger - "Stop accusing me of have a problem! You know you get the benefit of this too...How do you think we get to fly in first and business everywhere, huh?"
Grief - "I'm sorry I missed our wedding anniversary - I was hunting for beans. I swear it won't happen again (well at least for a year because that's when the next anniversary is)"
Bargaining - "I swear, I'll cut back. How about only one BB? I'll only use one AP account, I swear"
Acceptance - No known example. We'll never get there
Denial - "I probably won't get approved"
Anger - "Calling for recon, put me on hold longer."
Grief - "Great, approved, but how am I going to meet the minimum spending?"
Bargaining - "I guess I can pay some fees for reloads to manufacture the spending"
Acceptance - "50K UR points? Happily accepted."