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)
#181
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,179
Strange. I've made close to 30 payments to Amex and they all reach on the date scheduled by BB. Do note that Amex takes a day or two to actually post the payment to the account. I usually get an email of the payment on the scheduled BB delivery date but it takes about 2 days to see that amount credited to the account
#182
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 145
I'm curious how many VR's people have personally purchased so far...
#183
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Just off the Main Line
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT 2MM, DL Lifetime GM 2MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, HH Diamond, IHG Amb Diamond
Posts: 881
Got my checks
I received a large, flat plastic-wrapped package in the mail today, return address is Customer Satisfaction Department, New Braunfels, TX. I really had no idea what was inside. Opened it up to find my free 100 checks (four books of 25) laid out flat inside a folder. Just in time for tax season!
#184
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
Hello! Long time FT-Lurker here finally actively joining the Community.
While I languish the slow arrival of my perm BB, can someone tell me if the recent changes will now allow pulls from an outside FI?
And FYI, VR's are available in my area. But NOT with CC, OR at WM.
While I languish the slow arrival of my perm BB, can someone tell me if the recent changes will now allow pulls from an outside FI?
And FYI, VR's are available in my area. But NOT with CC, OR at WM.
#185
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 514
BB Checks-Time to deliver
I ordered BB check last Tuesday and have not received them yet? Anyone on the same boat?
#187
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 1,270
Strange. I've made close to 30 payments to Amex and they all reach on the date scheduled by BB. Do note that Amex takes a day or two to actually post the payment to the account. I usually get an email of the payment on the scheduled BB delivery date but it takes about 2 days to see that amount credited to the account
#188
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
Don't be surprised if next month your AMEX payment posts per BB.
#189
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 519
I read the thread and somebody mentioned on first page about loading gift cards to BB? Can anyone please explain?
Last edited by mak101; Apr 3, 2013 at 1:35 pm Reason: reference link added
#190
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
I read the thread and somebody mentioned on first page about loading gift cards to BB? Can anyone please explain?
#191
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.
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.
#192
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
I did not receive any email when they shipped (nor was I provided with tracking information). However, my "Checkbook Order" appears in my transaction history and I can click "view order status" and see that they have shipped.
#193
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
I've been using BlueBird to pay Amex and other accounts for months and have never had an issue with payments not being received. Do you have alerts setup with Amex to be notified when a payment is received? Sometimes payment will be received by amex (it is listed within received payments section) but sometimes it doesn't affect your balance for a day or two. I've paid my Hilton, SPG and Zync without any problems.
#194
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: AA Citi Visa and Amex, Citi AA Biz, SPG, Amex Green, Zync, Discover It (Starbucks Gold) HHonors Gold
Posts: 268
I received a large, flat plastic-wrapped package in the mail today, return address is Customer Satisfaction Department, New Braunfels, TX. I really had no idea what was inside. Opened it up to find my free 100 checks (four books of 25) laid out flat inside a folder. Just in time for tax season!
#195
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,389
Got mine as well. Nice to get them while they're free, but I doubt I'll end up using any.