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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 Oct 10, 2013, 7:07 am
  #2821  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA, BA, CX, DL, EK, F9, GA, HA, IB, JL, KE, LH, MH, NH, OS, PG, QR, RJ, SA, TG, UA, VN, WN, ZH
Posts: 927
No problem doing online loads with Simple debit card. I love the feature to auto load.
lad2 is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2013, 8:21 am
  #2822  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
No gift card online load allowed now, just get my BB frozen yesterday. called yesterday and asked to verify identity and told me that pre-paid card are on longer allowed to load funds.
chenchunyu88 is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2013, 9:07 am
  #2823  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
Yeah most people are reporting locks because of trying to do online loads. Stick to walmart or VR's
ricohitman is offline  
Old Oct 11, 2013, 3:28 pm
  #2824  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK
Programs: *$ Gold :)
Posts: 1,061
Originally Posted by wackyiraqi
Just got this email this morning:
" During a recent review, we noticed unusual/irregular activity on your Bluebird account...
What did you do to provoke it? Online "debit" load?
pier11 is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 8:56 am
  #2825  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Has anyone confirmed that the online debit loads are in addition to the 5K monthly load limit? Or is it included in that limit?
cashback is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 8:58 am
  #2826  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL PM, HH Gold, the rest come and go
Posts: 313
Originally Posted by cashback
Has anyone confirmed that the online debit loads are in addition to the 5K monthly load limit? Or is it included in that limit?
Yes, additional.
sgideons is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 8:59 am
  #2827  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL PM, HH Gold, the rest come and go
Posts: 313
Originally Posted by ricohitman
Yeah most people are reporting locks because of trying to do online loads. Stick to walmart or VR's
Sure, if you don't have access to a fax machine. It's VERY simple to unlock your account if you do.
sgideons is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 9:01 am
  #2828  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Originally Posted by sgideons
Yes, additional.
Thanks. Anyone on here link their PP debit card? PM me if youd like. Im not sure if I want to go this route if BB is going to request a 3 way call with PP.
cashback is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 9:05 am
  #2829  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PLT, AS 75k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 391
Originally Posted by cashback
Thanks. Anyone on here link their PP debit card? PM me if youd like. Im not sure if I want to go this route if BB is going to request a 3 way call with PP.
You should be able to find a CSR who will unlock it for you with a fax of your DL and PP debit card. One of the posters here managed had a blogpost about it.
floressalicis is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 9:39 am
  #2830  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
Originally Posted by cashback
Has anyone confirmed that the online debit loads are in addition to the 5K monthly load limit? Or is it included in that limit?
The extra limit is nice, but too many reports of BB suspending accounts for online visa gift card loads. Gonna stay away.
ricohitman is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 9:42 am
  #2831  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Originally Posted by ricohitman
The extra limit is nice, but too many reports of BB suspending accounts for online visa gift card loads. Gonna stay away.
Yeah for sure staying away from GCs. Im talking about real debit cards though.
cashback is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 9:55 am
  #2832  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: united 1k
Posts: 186
what have you done ?
Originally Posted by wackyiraqi
Just got this email this morning:

" During a recent review, we noticed unusual/irregular activity on your Bluebird account. For your security and protection, your Bluebird Account has been suspended while we conduct further investigation.

Please fax or mail a legible copy of the following document:

• Picture ID:
· A valid driver’s license card OR
· A valid state issued ID OR
· A valid Government ID Card (e.g. Green Card) OR
· A valid United States Passport

It is important that we receive your documentation within ten days.


Anyone get anything similar?

EDIT: Just a follow up. If you do get this, call them first. I wasn't required to fax any of the documents listed above. They asked me to verify my phone number on file and then called me on that number. This "none of the above" option isn't listed in the email.
buhuffer is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 11:43 am
  #2833  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,740
Originally Posted by cashback
Yeah for sure staying away from GCs. Im talking about real debit cards though.
They do not seem to be bothered with real debit card that is from a real checking account.

They NEED to verify the source of funding. They cannot do that with the GC type "debit card" hence they lock the accounts.

A real debit card from a real checking account is readily verifiable.
Happy is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 11:46 am
  #2834  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
Originally Posted by Happy

A real debit card from a real checking account is readily verifiable.
Right, I was thinking of linking my PP debit card, but if they request a 3 way conference call with PP, Idk how that would go. As we all know, PP isn't very friendly with our kind.
cashback is offline  
Old Oct 12, 2013, 12:10 pm
  #2835  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 109
Tried to search here, couldnt find it but I bet it been asked and answered already... Can I pay someone else's credit card with my bluebird account?

[I'll try it report back]
kdjk5467 is offline  


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