Apr 3, 2013, 11:44 am
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)
Apr 2, 2013, 5:10 am
#151
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC & PEK
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, UA GS, AA EXP
Posts: 292
Apr 2, 2013, 6:18 am
#152
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Apr 2, 2013, 6:25 am
#154
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Apr 2, 2013, 6:57 am
#155
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Curious as to if anyone has any thoughts on why the supply of VR is so limited in general? I've not seen this discussed before. Do you think AMEX/BB or some larger power is incentivizing them to limit production? Because it's not like printing VR is some vastly resource-intensive process that requires tons of effort to scale. But from the availablity you would think they were made of pure rare-earth metals.
Apr 2, 2013, 8:43 am
#156
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
Curious as to if anyone has any thoughts on why the supply of VR is so limited in general? I've not seen this discussed before. Do you think AMEX/BB or some larger power is incentivizing them to limit production? Because it's not like printing VR is some vastly resource-intensive process that requires tons of effort to scale. But from the availablity you would think they were made of pure rare-earth metals.
1. 2 stores only re-stock them every two weeks, and at 20 at a time. They claim there is not enough demand.
2. One supervisor (who clearly didn't understand exactly what VR's are) told me they cut back on ordering them after the holidays since "gift card" sales decline after that period.
3. One store stopped selling them all together, again citing weak demand, and switched to other reloadable cards.
I would not extrapolate this limited data across all stores, but I think it provides some insight. I doubt Incomm (VR owner) has any incentive to limit production or distribution, since this would limit sales. No idea what AMEX thinks, but again I doubt they have an incentive to limit distribution if these cards lead to more BB use.
Just my 2 cents.
Apr 2, 2013, 9:06 am
#157
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Fairmont Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,041
VRs hided in the past week behind:
XBox GCs
Facebook GCs
You can hide but I will find them
XBox GCs
Facebook GCs
You can hide but I will find them
Apr 2, 2013, 9:22 am
#158
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
I would guess it has more to do with CVS ordering them in a timely fashion. I'm not sure if this is an automated process within the store, done by a corporate/regional ordering center, etc. The few limited conversations I've had with CVS Managers/Supervisors yielded the following info:
1. 2 stores only re-stock them every two weeks, and at 20 at a time. They claim there is not enough demand.
2. One supervisor (who clearly didn't understand exactly what VR's are) told me they cut back on ordering them after the holidays since "gift card" sales decline after that period.
3. One store stopped selling them all together, again citing weak demand, and switched to other reloadable cards.
I would not extrapolate this limited data across all stores, but I think it provides some insight. I doubt Incomm (VR owner) has any incentive to limit production or distribution, since this would limit sales. No idea what AMEX thinks, but again I doubt they have an incentive to limit distribution if these cards lead to more BB use.
Just my 2 cents.
1. 2 stores only re-stock them every two weeks, and at 20 at a time. They claim there is not enough demand.
2. One supervisor (who clearly didn't understand exactly what VR's are) told me they cut back on ordering them after the holidays since "gift card" sales decline after that period.
3. One store stopped selling them all together, again citing weak demand, and switched to other reloadable cards.
I would not extrapolate this limited data across all stores, but I think it provides some insight. I doubt Incomm (VR owner) has any incentive to limit production or distribution, since this would limit sales. No idea what AMEX thinks, but again I doubt they have an incentive to limit distribution if these cards lead to more BB use.
Just my 2 cents.
Apr 2, 2013, 9:28 am
#159
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
I was looking over the limits and I'm bummed that BB may not be the goldmine I thought it was. Here is what the account balance limits say:
Transaction Limits
Total Account Balance
$100,000
Total Account Balance (exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
$10,000
I may be reading it wrong, but it appears to be saying that you cannot load more than $10,000 total to the account by any method other than direct deposit and check by mail. Thoughts or experiences?
Transaction Limits
Total Account Balance
$100,000
Total Account Balance (exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
$10,000
I may be reading it wrong, but it appears to be saying that you cannot load more than $10,000 total to the account by any method other than direct deposit and check by mail. Thoughts or experiences?
Apr 2, 2013, 9:33 am
#160
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,727
I was looking over the limits and I'm bummed that BB may not be the goldmine I thought it was. Here is what the account balance limits say:
Transaction Limits
Total Account Balance
$100,000
Total Account Balance (exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
$10,000
I may be reading it wrong, but it appears to be saying that you cannot load more than $10,000 total to the account by any method other than direct deposit and check by mail. Thoughts or experiences?
Transaction Limits
Total Account Balance
$100,000
Total Account Balance (exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
$10,000
I may be reading it wrong, but it appears to be saying that you cannot load more than $10,000 total to the account by any method other than direct deposit and check by mail. Thoughts or experiences?
Apr 2, 2013, 9:40 am
#161
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
The checks are a nice new perk, but the new account limits offer no new points earning opportunties.
Apr 2, 2013, 10:06 am
#162
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Apr 2, 2013, 11:15 am
#163
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
Which is exactly my concern. I have $10K sitting in the account already and wanted to take it to $20K so I will have enough to write checks for tuition in June. Apparently I cannot do that by using VRs. Putting more money in by check or direct deposit is useless for earning points.
The checks are a nice new perk, but the new account limits offer no new points earning opportunties.
The checks are a nice new perk, but the new account limits offer no new points earning opportunties.
Apr 2, 2013, 11:28 am
#164
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
I went to the actual terms and conditions, rather than the FAQs quoted above, and it appears you can keep loading by VR even when you have more than $10K in the account: "The aggregate amount of funds that may be added to a Bluebird Account and linked Sub-Accounts from all Add Funds Sources, exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail, may not exceed $10,000 per calendar month."
I think the FAQ just left off the "per calendar month" part by mistake. I'm going to buy a VR today or tomorrow to give it a shot. I'll report back if it loaded to BB successfully or not.
For those of you who like to churn big time, there appears to be a limit on it of $100K per year: "The aggregate amount of funds that may be added to a Bluebird Account and linked Sub-Accounts from all Add Funds Sources, inclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail, may not exceed $100,000 per calendar year."
I think the FAQ just left off the "per calendar month" part by mistake. I'm going to buy a VR today or tomorrow to give it a shot. I'll report back if it loaded to BB successfully or not.
For those of you who like to churn big time, there appears to be a limit on it of $100K per year: "The aggregate amount of funds that may be added to a Bluebird Account and linked Sub-Accounts from all Add Funds Sources, inclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail, may not exceed $100,000 per calendar year."
Apr 2, 2013, 11:56 am
#165
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: In CT,left my heart in Leicester.
Programs: Work in progress.
Posts: 1,237
