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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 20, 2013, 4:51 pm
  #1591  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
Originally Posted by frugalgal1001
I did a search through this thread and didn't see this question, so hopefully someone can help me out.

When adding a new payee for citibusiness on bb, do you enter the business account # or the card #?

Thanks in advance.
I asked the same question about a month ago.

The answer is both works, I actually did both and both worked.

I prefer using the card # as it is easier to check.
supergrandslam is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2013, 4:55 pm
  #1592  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: TX
Posts: 94
Originally Posted by supergrandslam
I asked the same question about a month ago.

The answer is both works, I actually did both and both worked.

I prefer using the card # as it is easier to check.
great, thanks for the quick answer.
frugalgal1001 is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2013, 5:01 pm
  #1593  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 246
Originally Posted by SuperKirby
I just figured they all had their company pay. =)
I might ask my company to give me 50% of what they spend extra for business and go in economy instead.. Well, may be not..
slickpokerdealer is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2013, 10:38 pm
  #1594  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Shandong/WV
Posts: 158
Originally Posted by stockmanjr
My BB account was suspended for trying to load with a GC and while I got it reopened I was "advised" not to try it again. Just a data point.
Cheers
Howie
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?
cfisher6 is offline  
Old Jul 20, 2013, 10:59 pm
  #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
Originally Posted by cfisher6
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?
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?
jasonvr is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 4:49 am
  #1596  
Formerly known as god_forbids
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL Kettle
Posts: 167
Originally Posted by Bender464
Originally Posted by god_forbids
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.
What the heck are "white beans" and "black beans"?


Black bean and white bean. Confusing? It was just shorthand. Can anyone answer the question, please?
daringtofly is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 5:45 am
  #1597  
Accor Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Ahhhh haven't seen those in ages.
TOMFORD is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 7:50 am
  #1598  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: DL DM Hub Captive, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, PC Plat, and other stuff.
Posts: 904
Originally Posted by god_forbids


Black bean and white bean. Confusing? It was just shorthand. Can anyone answer the question, please?

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.
thegasguru is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 9:10 am
  #1599  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I believe he meant the question about avoiding fees that he bolded above.
WhateverDude is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 9:49 am
  #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?
slickpokerdealer is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 10:41 am
  #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
Originally Posted by god_forbids
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.
Loads at WM are always free

Originally Posted by slickpokerdealer
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?
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.
jasonvr is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 10:58 am
  #1602  
 
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 SuperKirby
Lol, I wonder if there is a M&P anonymous.
Originally Posted by agp423
Haha, I'm not ready to quit yet.
"I can quit whenever I want to".
Bender464 is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 11:13 am
  #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
Originally Posted by Bender464
"I can quit whenever I want to".
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
jasonvr is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 11:16 am
  #1604  
 
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 jasonvr
You skipped the first stage - denial - "I don't have a problem"
LOL
Bender464 is offline  
Old Jul 21, 2013, 11:41 am
  #1605  
Accor Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
Originally Posted by jasonvr
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
It's more like...
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."
TOMFORD is offline  


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