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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 Aug 10, 2013, 5:49 am
  #2071  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: UA, DL, AA, ANA
Posts: 226
Originally Posted by ricohitman
Billpay is back up for me.
Just paid two myself
vinyalwhl is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2013, 10:59 am
  #2072  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
Billpay is back up for me without issue.

My wife's account is experiencing something strange like metoo's experience.

The transaction goes through and then bounces back. I cannot make another payment because it says that one is already scheduled, however the full amount scheduled still shows as available in her account. I've done this 2 times on her Ink Bold credit card payment and both times the transaction history shows money withdrawn and then redeposited.
yOyOYoo is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2013, 11:20 am
  #2073  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
As an update to the above, I just had my wife make another pay to account with the same account number and different nickname and now the payment went through just fine.

Not sure why the other 2 payments bounced back.
yOyOYoo is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2013, 11:03 pm
  #2074  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO bay area
Programs: UA 1MM, AA EXP 1MM, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,729
Question Can't see "Order Bluebird Checks" tab

When I hover over "My Account", I don't see "Order Bluebird Checks" tab. I seem to recall reading somewhere in this forum/thread that one may need to link an external bank account to be able to order the checks. But I don't find any mention of this upon doing a search.

Can anyone confirm what I need to do to order the checks? I just opened the account, so I don't have the physical card yet. Is that why?
2cardinalalums is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2013, 11:28 pm
  #2075  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
Originally Posted by 2cardinalalums
When I hover over "My Account", I don't see "Order Bluebird Checks" tab. I seem to recall reading somewhere in this forum/thread that one may need to link an external bank account to be able to order the checks. But I don't find any mention of this upon doing a search.

Can anyone confirm what I need to do to order the checks? I just opened the account, so I don't have the physical card yet. Is that why?

You need to activate with physical card to order.
frudd38 is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 7:16 am
  #2076  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I used to be able to scroll through all of my saved payees. Now, I have to type the name in. If I have two similar accounts with the same bank, it's a pain in the butt to figure out who I'm paying. Nuisance.
TheDapperDon is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 7:29 am
  #2077  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
I just opened my 2nd BB minutes after I closed my Serve account. Makes me wonder if you even need to close your Serve. I wonder if the mobile app would still approve you...
cashback is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 9:22 am
  #2078  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
Originally Posted by cashback
I just opened my 2nd BB minutes after I closed my Serve account. Makes me wonder if you even need to close your Serve. I wonder if the mobile app would still approve you...
Even if you could, you get in trouble later on...if they get mixed up. The 30-day waiting period came in, and they started to enforce it because some people were taking advantage of having both BB & Serve. It wasn't like that like 5 - 6 months ago. Also, the CSR told me that it wasn't like that 5 - 6 months ago (cancel Serve & can immediately apply BB).
vagrants is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 9:32 am
  #2079  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Originally Posted by cashback
I just opened my 2nd BB minutes after I closed my Serve account. Makes me wonder if you even need to close your Serve. I wonder if the mobile app would still approve you...
Are you loading with beans or gcs?
TheDapperDon is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 9:33 am
  #2080  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
GCs. No CVS's near me. I had a near disaster with Money Paks... So I quit Serve...
cashback is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 10:57 am
  #2081  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 498
got my checks the other day. BB and I may become fast friends soon
aeneas3 is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 11:13 am
  #2082  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 204
Welcome to the party. There's no more good booze (VR's @ OD) left, but there's still a bit of schanpps (VR's @ CVS) left on the corner table.
turnpike13 is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 11:29 am
  #2083  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Originally Posted by cashback
GCs. No CVS's near me. I had a near disaster with Money Paks... So I quit Serve...
I quit MPs a while ago. I think I pmed you about my ordeal on another forum.
TheDapperDon is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 11:32 am
  #2084  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Marriot Platinum, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 28
Originally Posted by TheDapperDon
I used to be able to scroll through all of my saved payees. Now, I have to type the name in. If I have two similar accounts with the same bank, it's a pain in the butt to figure out who I'm paying. Nuisance.
On the website? I just logged onto my account and I can still scroll through my list of saved payees.
mozart23 is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2013, 12:02 pm
  #2085  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 672
I got a fraud alert call on my Amex today. I was wondering if it was about the $4k or so over the last week that I've spent at CVS. Nope... apparently someone was trying to spend $30 on the opposite coast for a dating and/or "religious group" or something. Yay!
stils is offline  


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