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 22, 2013, 6:48 pm
#721
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: Bunch of mid-tiers
Posts: 1,034
The signs I saw were handmade and on all the self-checkout lanes at the local WM. They were not there a week before when I successfully paid for a couple of items and got cash back using a gift card with PIN. I tried it anyway, but no go with a Chase gift card. Today the reader at the WM service desk would not accept GCs with PIN for money orders, and the clerk knew all about it. I feel the walls closing in.
Hoping this doesn't hit BB loads as well.
May 22, 2013, 7:37 pm
#722
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 599
There are many ways this could go (including the status quo, fingers crossed) but it can at least serve as a reminder to assess your own personal risk tolerance for having a large amount of money floating in gift cards at any given moment. Remember to always consider what the consequences would be for you if the music were to stop 
May 22, 2013, 7:46 pm
#723
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MKE
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold,
Posts: 639
There are many ways this could go (including the status quobut , fingers crossed) but it can at least serve as a reminder to assess your own personal risk tolerance for having a large amount of money floating in gift cards at any given moment. Remember to always consider what the consequences would be for you if the music were to stop
May 22, 2013, 7:56 pm
#724
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
I tried a second WM and they were able to take the GCs, although only on the clerk's reader.
May 23, 2013, 9:55 am
#725
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I really think that it is smarter to use the debit cards to load BB, rather than to use the cards to purchase MOs. It seems like loading BB isnt' a problem and it is easy to do that without showing the card to the person at the register.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
May 23, 2013, 10:19 am
#726
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
I really think that it is smarter to use the debit cards to load BB, rather than to use the cards to purchase MOs. It seems like loading BB isnt' a problem and it is easy to do that without showing the card to the person at the register.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
May 23, 2013, 11:48 am
#727
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
I really think that it is smarter to use the debit cards to load BB, rather than to use the cards to purchase MOs. It seems like loading BB isnt' a problem and it is easy to do that without showing the card to the person at the register.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
I hope the minority that are over doing it are shut down and that WalMart doesn't pull the plug nationwide.
May 24, 2013, 1:11 pm
#729
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
My wife and i have an account each with BB. I am easily hitting the 10 K mark between us. What are people doing once they want to go over that? Was thinking asking my bro if he wanted to open an account and filter through that. Any thoughts/ideas?
May 24, 2013, 1:20 pm
#730
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
Most people think that's plenty of manufactured spending. Getting your relatives involved is asking for trouble. Some may violently disagree, but greed is not such a good thing.
May 24, 2013, 1:23 pm
#731
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
+1 but everyone has their own reasons, feelings, and values. I already feel guilty buying 1 VR a week.
May 24, 2013, 1:48 pm
#733
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
I agree - but between the 2 of us, we have a few cards. I guess deciding on one or 2 cards is the way to go ahead. Hitting the 10K mark isn't hard at all (not using one card - currently spreading it amongst 4-6 cards).
May 24, 2013, 3:15 pm
#734
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 880
Always an adventure in this game. Thought I had found a relatively easy bean source on Sunday. I return today and they're cleaned out. Went with Visa GC instead. Cashier asks for ID, says 99% max GC loads are accompanied by fake ID . Don't understand why more places don't allow CC and ask for ID like this one. Off to Wally where the kiosk is broken. Never had to do a POS swipe there so hoping for the best. Goes through like a charm.
. Don't understand why more places don't allow CC and ask for ID like this one. Off to Wally where the kiosk is broken. Never had to do a POS swipe there so hoping for the best. Goes through like a charm.
May 24, 2013, 3:25 pm
#735
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
Always an adventure in this game. Thought I had found a relatively easy bean source on Sunday. I return today and they're cleaned out. Went with Visa GC instead. Cashier asks for ID, says 99% max GC loads are accompanied by fake ID . Don't understand why more places don't allow CC and ask for ID like this one. Off to Wally where the kiosk is broken. Never had to do a POS swipe there so hoping for the best. Goes through like a charm.
. Don't understand why more places don't allow CC and ask for ID like this one. Off to Wally where the kiosk is broken. Never had to do a POS swipe there so hoping for the best. Goes through like a charm.