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 3, 2013, 7:11 pm
#196
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 also ordered checks on Tues., 3/26 and am still waiting for the checks to arrive.
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.
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.
Apr 3, 2013, 8:22 pm
#197
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Flyover Territory
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 687
Checks
My Bluebird checks arrived today also. I used two for small transactions that could not be paid with CC (kid's field trip and guitar lessons). Authorization was immediate and the process was simple.
I think the checks are going to be great
I think the checks are going to be great
Apr 4, 2013, 6:08 am
#198
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
I'll be REALLY happy when my permanent card arrives so I CAN order the checks, set-up DD, ect.
Day 6 now.....
Day 6 now.....
Apr 4, 2013, 8:13 am
#199
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 266
My checks arrived yesterday. Already wrote my first two. I really like the idea. Great way to spend Bluebird dollars on just about anything now.
Apr 4, 2013, 10:17 am
#201
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,142
How are the checks shipped (USPS, UPS, FedEx)?
Apr 4, 2013, 10:45 am
#203
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
My day will not be complete until someone posts a photo of themselves holding up their new checks.
Apr 4, 2013, 12:41 pm
#205
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Got my checks yesterday as well.
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
Apr 4, 2013, 12:49 pm
#206
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,396
Got my checks yesterday as well.
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
Apr 4, 2013, 12:59 pm
#207
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Got my checks yesterday as well.
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
One small concern though - I understood that the checks needed a pre-authorization before writing. No big deal there. My concern however, is that upon receiving the checks I noticed that it states on there that the payee has to call AMEX and provide the pre-authorization number over the phone. Well, I have a feeling that certain payees will be too lazy (my landlord), too automated (comcast), have other reasons why they won't actually do that. So I'm afraid I'm going to be bouncing checks left and right. Does this "feature" run a risk of making these checks useless, or am I missing something?
Apr 4, 2013, 1:49 pm
#208
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
Apr 4, 2013, 2:16 pm
#209
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 59
So, one complaint I have about BB is that their bank account transfer service is slow.
Both my wife and I have BB accounts, and I just ordered checks for both of us. Does anyone forsee a big problem with writing checks to each other to pull cash out of accounts?
The benefit of this is that my bank (USAA) does check deposits with instant fund availability using their deposit @ home feature.
Both my wife and I have BB accounts, and I just ordered checks for both of us. Does anyone forsee a big problem with writing checks to each other to pull cash out of accounts?
The benefit of this is that my bank (USAA) does check deposits with instant fund availability using their deposit @ home feature.
Apr 4, 2013, 2:52 pm
#210
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
"Confirm the pre-authorization code" reads like "stow your tray tables for landing" in my mind. As in, not optional.