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 15, 2013, 5:08 pm
#346
Formerly known as god_forbids
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL Kettle
Posts: 167
The account specialist eventually told my rep that the last 10 digits of the order number was the tracking number (ha!) and when I debunked that she said the whole order number was the tracking number and I should take it up with UPS. 
I came up empty at UPS and Mail Innovations so I gotta think they are blowing smoke! Anyway I got them to send more checks.
If we end up with 200 free checks each, I certainly won't complain though
I came up empty at UPS and Mail Innovations so I gotta think they are blowing smoke! Anyway I got them to send more checks.If we end up with 200 free checks each, I certainly won't complain though
Apr 15, 2013, 8:28 pm
#347
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Amex BB & WF
I don't recall reading this anywhere, but today I came across the relationship between BB and Wells Fargo.
If this has been stated before, or if this belongs in another thread, mods, feel free to move.
I just found it quite interesting that WF has recently pulled the plug for the current PP debit card loading choices they have & BB recently added checks.
The BB checks are routed through WF. So, anyone with a BB apparently has a WF based checking account (of some sort) whether we knew it or not.
Very interesting data point, I thought.
So, for anyone thinking WF may not have known you were loading BB with the WF PP debit card, think again. It's like using your WF PP debit card to load your AMEX BB Wells Fargo checking account. Yikes.
If this has been stated before, or if this belongs in another thread, mods, feel free to move.
I just found it quite interesting that WF has recently pulled the plug for the current PP debit card loading choices they have & BB recently added checks.
The BB checks are routed through WF. So, anyone with a BB apparently has a WF based checking account (of some sort) whether we knew it or not.
Very interesting data point, I thought.
So, for anyone thinking WF may not have known you were loading BB with the WF PP debit card, think again. It's like using your WF PP debit card to load your AMEX BB Wells Fargo checking account.
Yikes.
Apr 15, 2013, 8:50 pm
#348
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
I think this came out a couple of weeks ago when they announced the new checks and FDIC insurance. As you note it certainly could allow WF more insight into BB transactions, which is never a good thing IMHO.
Apr 15, 2013, 9:05 pm
#349
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
If this is repeat info., the mods may want to merge this thread into that thread, but I found this to be very interesting.
Apr 15, 2013, 9:08 pm
#350
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
This is why I'm always so hesitant about manufacturing spend on Amex cards, they know everything, at least I'm afraid they do.
Apr 15, 2013, 10:51 pm
#351
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Is there a limit on the size of a single check you can write using an actual hard copy check instead of the bill pay feature? I need to send just under $15K a quarter to the IRS and would like to use BB. It's an easy way to max the benefits from my $5K/month in VR deposits.
Apr 15, 2013, 10:58 pm
#352
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
Is there a limit on the size of a single check you can write using an actual hard copy check instead of the bill pay feature? I need to send just under $15K a quarter to the IRS and would like to use BB. It's an easy way to max the benefits from my $5K/month in VR deposits.
under $2k needs the pre authorization number (on the internet or over the phone) and over $2k need the approval over the phone (I think) that takes a few days.
so just it appears it would take less time if you wrote them for under $2k.
the money is withdrawn immediately and the pre authorization code is given online for anything under $2k.
easy process.
Apr 16, 2013, 8:45 am
#353
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
you should be fine.
under $2k needs the pre authorization number (on the internet or over the phone) and over $2k need the approval over the phone (I think) that takes a few days.
so just it appears it would take less time if you wrote them for under $2k.
the money is withdrawn immediately and the pre authorization code is given online for anything under $2k.
easy process.
under $2k needs the pre authorization number (on the internet or over the phone) and over $2k need the approval over the phone (I think) that takes a few days.
so just it appears it would take less time if you wrote them for under $2k.
the money is withdrawn immediately and the pre authorization code is given online for anything under $2k.
easy process.
Apr 16, 2013, 8:53 am
#354
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
They do NOT come in a BOX. So hope you aren't looking for a box. They come glued (with rubber cement) to a flat folder in four groups of 25 checks. The folder is enclosed in plastic inside an opaque white plastic bag with no indication they are from Bluebird - you might think it's junk mail until you open it.
Apr 16, 2013, 9:27 am
#355
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 771
PNC mortgage
My mortgage is with PNC bank and i wanted to know where i can find if I can pay PNC using BB. i am still new to this game but if i use vanilla visa from OD or office max to fund BB , i want to confirm if i am able to pay PNC mortgage with it since its currently being paid via ACH.
Thanks,
Thanks,
Apr 16, 2013, 1:38 pm
#357
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 771
so fund BB with vanilla visas and use BB check (like a normal check)?
i never used BB so i don't know all options of the program...is it pretty straight forward to use this option? wouldn't it be easy to pay it online ? or maybe PNC is not an option to send payment too ?
i never used BB so i don't know all options of the program...is it pretty straight forward to use this option? wouldn't it be easy to pay it online ? or maybe PNC is not an option to send payment too ?
Apr 16, 2013, 2:20 pm
#358
Moderator
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,968
Moderator action
jordandawg05's question has been appended to the primary Bluebird discussion thread. It sounds as if it would be advisable to spend some time in the original Bluebird thread to learn about the fundamentals of the service:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
Last edited by mia; Apr 17, 2013 at 8:16 am Reason: Correct Blueberry to Bluebird
Apr 16, 2013, 3:28 pm
#359
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
jordandawg05's question has been appended to the primary Bluebird discussion thread. It sounds as if it would be advisable to spend some time in the original Blueberry thread to learn about the fundamentals of the service:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
Is "Blueberry" a new code name?
jk! You're an awesome moderator mia!
Apr 16, 2013, 4:23 pm
#360
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CT
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 429
My mortgage is with PNC bank and i wanted to know where i can find if I can pay PNC using BB. i am still new to this game but if i use vanilla visa from OD or office max to fund BB , i want to confirm if i am able to pay PNC mortgage with it since its currently being paid via ACH.
Thanks,
Thanks,
I've been paying PNC Mortgage for the past 4-5 months, never an issue always arrived on the date they said it would.