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 24, 2013, 3:42 pm
#736
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 1,396
May 24, 2013, 3:43 pm
#737
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
May 24, 2013, 3:50 pm
#738
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 880
I don't expect to visit this one too regularly, as I only manufacture for bonuses -- and not speculative "buying" of points -- but I find that if you're polite and friendly in general, buying with a CC goes quite smoothly.
May 25, 2013, 8:57 am
#739
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I got my parents a BB card as well as my Sister, so I have 4, my partner has done the same thing. So we have a total of 8, I just found 4 more stores that sell Visa gift cards that take CC which has really helped, one of the bloggers told me to be a detective when I'm out shopping which I have and keep finding stores that sell these gift cards.
May 25, 2013, 9:00 am
#740
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
My sister at first didn't want to do it, that was until I showed her some of the travel reports from this site, same with my partner. My parents didn't care, next year we are talking the people who are helping us on a nice family vacation to Europe for 2 weeks.
May 25, 2013, 9:18 am
#741
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 212
I found the hiding place at a CVS in DC. Each day there were just a couple fewer. The spot was just under the gift card rack. Any other fav hiding spots that others have found?
May 25, 2013, 10:40 am
#742
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: San Antonio
Programs: AS MVP
Posts: 2,276
Bluebird not accepting VR today - system down?
I picked up a VR like usual, get an error code 93 -
We have NOT reloaded your card. The description of the error can be found below. Please print this screen for your records and contact Customer Service at: 1-877-429-8141
An error has occurred during this transaction. Please try again or contact a service representative for assistance. (93)
InComm CSR says the transaction is timing out on BB's end, and that AMEX system is down for the next few hours. No big deal if it is just a few hours, but has anyone else had problems today?
We have NOT reloaded your card. The description of the error can be found below. Please print this screen for your records and contact Customer Service at: 1-877-429-8141
An error has occurred during this transaction. Please try again or contact a service representative for assistance. (93)
InComm CSR says the transaction is timing out on BB's end, and that AMEX system is down for the next few hours. No big deal if it is just a few hours, but has anyone else had problems today?
May 25, 2013, 11:24 am
#743
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,708
I picked up a VR like usual, get an error code 93 -
We have NOT reloaded your card. The description of the error can be found below. Please print this screen for your records and contact Customer Service at: 1-877-429-8141
An error has occurred during this transaction. Please try again or contact a service representative for assistance. (93)
InComm CSR says the transaction is timing out on BB's end, and that AMEX system is down for the next few hours. No big deal if it is just a few hours, but has anyone else had problems today?
We have NOT reloaded your card. The description of the error can be found below. Please print this screen for your records and contact Customer Service at: 1-877-429-8141
An error has occurred during this transaction. Please try again or contact a service representative for assistance. (93)
InComm CSR says the transaction is timing out on BB's end, and that AMEX system is down for the next few hours. No big deal if it is just a few hours, but has anyone else had problems today?
May 25, 2013, 11:44 am
#745
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,708
I found some hidden behind the shelf product (I think it was shampoo) on the shelf next to the giftcard rack. The stores should put VR cards behind the counter, the stores that do typically have some in stock. The shortage is created by people hiding the cards in the store or taking them home and building a stash at home.
May 25, 2013, 11:52 am
#746
Join Date: May 2013
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 63
I just got my checks in the mail yesterday in a big package!
May 25, 2013, 3:04 pm
#747
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
They threw my package in front of my door. Thought it would've been in my mailbox (much safer). I was gone for weeks and who knew where my packages could've been with the weather, especially my home here in Oklahoma! FWIW, I live in a complex, usually FedEx and UPS packages are delivered to my Box.
May 25, 2013, 3:07 pm
#748
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,818
I found some hidden behind the shelf product (I think it was shampoo) on the shelf next to the giftcard rack. The stores should put VR cards behind the counter, the stores that do typically have some in stock. The shortage is created by people hiding the cards in the store or taking them home and building a stash at home.
May 25, 2013, 7:13 pm
#749
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
Safeway Policy Changing?
Today I revisited my closest Safeway in the SF Bay Area to buy Visa Prepaid cards ($5.95 for up to $500 in value). Unlike the previous visit two weeks ago, I was told I'd need to pay cash or use a debit card. Is this a systemwide Safeway change, or a one-off?
May 25, 2013, 8:27 pm
#750
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Sounds like a store policy change (or rogue checker). I purchased multiple Amex GC's today at 3 different local Von's (Safeway affiliate in SoCal) on CC with no problem.