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)
May 7, 2013, 9:02 pm
#586
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 81
I pay my bills mid cycle and check on the other end (e.g. car loan website) to insure the payment was received.
Generally, yes. You will see the estimate date by BB for your payment to arrive. It's usually 2-3 business days for electronic payment. And obviously longer if the payment is via a paper check. Add 1-2 business days on top of that for payment processing time on the biller's end to be on the safe side.
If you can, do a small test payment mid-cycle so you can test & gauge how long it would take for your particular case.
If you can, do a small test payment mid-cycle so you can test & gauge how long it would take for your particular case.
May 7, 2013, 9:20 pm
#587
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 79
One thing I don't like about the billpay feature is that you can't look at details for the stored payees. For example, my utility company seems to be in the system but all I'm able to see is the name. No street address or phone number to make sure I'm sending payment to the intended place.
I guess I'm just going to have to enter everything in manually until it's improved.
I guess I'm just going to have to enter everything in manually until it's improved.
May 8, 2013, 6:42 am
#588
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Once a month each way (2 cards), BB accts linked to different bank accts. Mix in ATM WD, paying CC bills, a few swipes and one direct transfer to said acct. trying to look "mostly normal".
May 8, 2013, 10:57 am
#589
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT
Posts: 1,467
Am I missing something?
I stopped using BB checks about a month ago and now only paying off CCs.
I haven't used BB for any swipe(the sticker is still on my BB card
) and haven't linked to my bank account.
May 8, 2013, 12:21 pm
#590
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I am sure this has been answered upthread but I thought I'd ask anyway - if the biller is in the automatic system, does it mean that the payment will be electronically sent, or is it still possible that a check might be issued? The reason I ask is because I'd rather not risk my mortgage payment being late due to a paper check being issued - I'd rather Provident just ACH it out of my account instead of risking late fees.
This is ideal if your mortgage co. is NOT in the BB system as an electronic payee, and you don't want to risk BB being ontime with the paper check they send.
Read the FAQ for paper checks before doing this cause it's got a few differences from your basic paper check that you write from your bank account.
May 8, 2013, 12:35 pm
#591
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
One thing I don't like about the billpay feature is that you can't look at details for the stored payees. For example, my utility company seems to be in the system but all I'm able to see is the name. No street address or phone number to make sure I'm sending payment to the intended place.
I guess I'm just going to have to enter everything in manually until it's improved.
I guess I'm just going to have to enter everything in manually until it's improved.
May 8, 2013, 12:44 pm
#592
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
I supect that if you send a payment to the wrong payee, the incorrect account # you enter will cause it to be kicked out and returned to your account
May 8, 2013, 2:17 pm
#593
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Understood but no one has gotten shutdown BB by doing so... yet.
Am I missing something?
I stopped using BB checks about a month ago and now only paying off CCs.
I haven't used BB for any swipe(the sticker is still on my BB card) and haven't linked to my bank account.
Am I missing something?
I stopped using BB checks about a month ago and now only paying off CCs.
I haven't used BB for any swipe(the sticker is still on my BB card
) and haven't linked to my bank account.withdrawals and maybe a bank account transfer in addition to paying off certain card bills, just to keep it diverse.
May 8, 2013, 9:19 pm
#594
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,173
The system worked just as it was designed to work. Amex wants BB to be your primary checking account, not an account used to deposit and immediately cash out large amounts in dollars. If you were really going pay CC bills, that's fine and you should use BB to do that directly - but Amex looks at a $9,000 check payable to a spouse or child or anyone else living with you as an abusive use of the account, even if that wasn't your purpose.
Secondly the BB account gradually got a balance of over 10K in the last 6 months even with me paying mortgage and a CC bill or two. Since I got the checks I tried to reduce the excess tied up with BB. I didn't load it up quickly and try to unload it all.
I don't have a bank account tied to it and I prefer to pay my CC bills from a bank account not BB, which would seem the safer, more indirect way to cycle. I am paranoid that paying CC bills with BB wont someday cause a financial revue from amex or shutdown from chase after seeing reload purchases made with their card and payment made with BB.
This was a test to see if I could send a check to my wife (which others have done) and let her put the funds in a real bank. It was denied with no phone call or questions or explanations. If this were a true BANK that would be illegal. So instead I paid a 4k ink bill and a 5K amex bill. The fact that you cant write a large check to a loved one is annoying. If they had asked I would have told them we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend and the casino doesn't take BB. It's my money, but they dictate who I can write a check to and have hoops for me to jump through to get it back?
Piss on BB I will run them up to the max every month and dump the cash back in the bank or pay the CC bills directly until they shut me down. I will continue to pay my mortgage, but no other charges will ever hit my or my wife's BB.
BB CHECKS ARE A WORTHLESS ATTEMPT TO LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE BANKING ACCOUNT.
Instead of what they are, which is a shady dodge by walmart to enter the banking business after the US government told them they couldn't.
Last edited by wise2u; May 8, 2013 at 9:24 pm
May 9, 2013, 7:39 am
#595
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Bullcrap, first of all the system was designed to only allow a check over 2000 with approval from them after questioning? What other BANK sticks their nose that deep into your business?!
Secondly the BB account gradually got a balance of over 10K in the last 6 months even with me paying mortgage and a CC bill or two. Since I got the checks I tried to reduce the excess tied up with BB. I didn't load it up quickly and try to unload it all.
I don't have a bank account tied to it and I prefer to pay my CC bills from a bank account not BB, which would seem the safer, more indirect way to cycle. I am paranoid that paying CC bills with BB wont someday cause a financial revue from amex or shutdown from chase after seeing reload purchases made with their card and payment made with BB.
This was a test to see if I could send a check to my wife (which others have done) and let her put the funds in a real bank. It was denied with no phone call or questions or explanations. If this were a true BANK that would be illegal. So instead I paid a 4k ink bill and a 5K amex bill. The fact that you cant write a large check to a loved one is annoying. If they had asked I would have told them we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend and the casino doesn't take BB. It's my money, but they dictate who I can write a check to and have hoops for me to jump through to get it back?
Piss on BB I will run them up to the max every month and dump the cash back in the bank or pay the CC bills directly until they shut me down. I will continue to pay my mortgage, but no other charges will ever hit my or my wife's BB.
BB CHECKS ARE A WORTHLESS ATTEMPT TO LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE BANKING ACCOUNT.
Instead of what they are, which is a shady dodge by walmart to enter the banking business after the US government told them they couldn't.
Secondly the BB account gradually got a balance of over 10K in the last 6 months even with me paying mortgage and a CC bill or two. Since I got the checks I tried to reduce the excess tied up with BB. I didn't load it up quickly and try to unload it all.
I don't have a bank account tied to it and I prefer to pay my CC bills from a bank account not BB, which would seem the safer, more indirect way to cycle. I am paranoid that paying CC bills with BB wont someday cause a financial revue from amex or shutdown from chase after seeing reload purchases made with their card and payment made with BB.
This was a test to see if I could send a check to my wife (which others have done) and let her put the funds in a real bank. It was denied with no phone call or questions or explanations. If this were a true BANK that would be illegal. So instead I paid a 4k ink bill and a 5K amex bill. The fact that you cant write a large check to a loved one is annoying. If they had asked I would have told them we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend and the casino doesn't take BB. It's my money, but they dictate who I can write a check to and have hoops for me to jump through to get it back?
Piss on BB I will run them up to the max every month and dump the cash back in the bank or pay the CC bills directly until they shut me down. I will continue to pay my mortgage, but no other charges will ever hit my or my wife's BB.
BB CHECKS ARE A WORTHLESS ATTEMPT TO LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE BANKING ACCOUNT.
Instead of what they are, which is a shady dodge by walmart to enter the banking business after the US government told them they couldn't.
May 9, 2013, 7:45 am
#596
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
Bullcrap, first of all the system was designed to only allow a check over 2000 with approval from them after questioning? What other BANK sticks their nose that deep into your business?!
Secondly the BB account gradually got a balance of over 10K in the last 6 months even with me paying mortgage and a CC bill or two. Since I got the checks I tried to reduce the excess tied up with BB. I didn't load it up quickly and try to unload it all.
I don't have a bank account tied to it and I prefer to pay my CC bills from a bank account not BB, which would seem the safer, more indirect way to cycle. I am paranoid that paying CC bills with BB wont someday cause a financial revue from amex or shutdown from chase after seeing reload purchases made with their card and payment made with BB.
This was a test to see if I could send a check to my wife (which others have done) and let her put the funds in a real bank. It was denied with no phone call or questions or explanations. If this were a true BANK that would be illegal. So instead I paid a 4k ink bill and a 5K amex bill. The fact that you cant write a large check to a loved one is annoying. If they had asked I would have told them we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend and the casino doesn't take BB. It's my money, but they dictate who I can write a check to and have hoops for me to jump through to get it back?
Piss on BB I will run them up to the max every month and dump the cash back in the bank or pay the CC bills directly until they shut me down. I will continue to pay my mortgage, but no other charges will ever hit my or my wife's BB.
BB CHECKS ARE A WORTHLESS ATTEMPT TO LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE BANKING ACCOUNT.
Instead of what they are, which is a shady dodge by walmart to enter the banking business after the US government told them they couldn't.
Secondly the BB account gradually got a balance of over 10K in the last 6 months even with me paying mortgage and a CC bill or two. Since I got the checks I tried to reduce the excess tied up with BB. I didn't load it up quickly and try to unload it all.
I don't have a bank account tied to it and I prefer to pay my CC bills from a bank account not BB, which would seem the safer, more indirect way to cycle. I am paranoid that paying CC bills with BB wont someday cause a financial revue from amex or shutdown from chase after seeing reload purchases made with their card and payment made with BB.
This was a test to see if I could send a check to my wife (which others have done) and let her put the funds in a real bank. It was denied with no phone call or questions or explanations. If this were a true BANK that would be illegal. So instead I paid a 4k ink bill and a 5K amex bill. The fact that you cant write a large check to a loved one is annoying. If they had asked I would have told them we wanted to go to Vegas for the weekend and the casino doesn't take BB. It's my money, but they dictate who I can write a check to and have hoops for me to jump through to get it back?
Piss on BB I will run them up to the max every month and dump the cash back in the bank or pay the CC bills directly until they shut me down. I will continue to pay my mortgage, but no other charges will ever hit my or my wife's BB.
BB CHECKS ARE A WORTHLESS ATTEMPT TO LOOK LIKE A LEGITIMATE BANKING ACCOUNT.
Instead of what they are, which is a shady dodge by walmart to enter the banking business after the US government told them they couldn't.
May 9, 2013, 8:03 am
#597
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Exactly. BB has its limits, and apparently writing a large check to your spouse solely to churn is one of them. That may mean I won't be able to write $10K checks to my father this year and next to pay off the money I owe him. If so, I'm disappointed, but it's not the end of the world. I'm still able to pay $20K in tuition and $10K to a contractor this year, plus other various payments that I can't put on a credit card, which will let me hit my $40K spend threshold to max out the benefits on a new credit card.
May 9, 2013, 8:07 am
#598
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Exactly. BB has its limits, and apparently writing a large check to your spouse solely to churn is one of them. That may mean I won't be able to write $10K checks to my father this year and next to pay off the money I owe him. If so, I'm disappointed, but it's not the end of the world.
May 9, 2013, 8:54 am
#599
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
I also wouldn't assume just because one person got denied on writing a $9k check to a related party that everyone will. If others want to do this, try it.
All of that said, if you have come to hate BB stop using it. I dumped GreenDot products years ago for this. There are other ways, most of which are splashed across this forum.
May 9, 2013, 9:26 am
#600
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
+1. I hate to interfere with a couple of good rants, but this seems blindingly obvious. You got a bunch of checks for free (admittedly the next batch looks pricey), so use them.
I also wouldn't assume just because one person got denied on writing a $9k check to a related party that everyone will. If others want to do this, try it.
All of that said, if you have come to hate BB stop using it. I dumped GreenDot products years ago for this. There are other ways, most of which are splashed across this forum.
I also wouldn't assume just because one person got denied on writing a $9k check to a related party that everyone will. If others want to do this, try it.
All of that said, if you have come to hate BB stop using it. I dumped GreenDot products years ago for this. There are other ways, most of which are splashed across this forum.