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)
Mar 29, 2013, 4:36 pm
#91
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: CA
Programs: BA, AA, United
Posts: 429
Lucky you, they let you do it.
I have never been able to successfully get a VR with a gift card. All the CVS stores that I have been to have a policy of not accepting gift cards to purchase VRs.
I have never been able to successfully get a VR with a gift card. All the CVS stores that I have been to have a policy of not accepting gift cards to purchase VRs.
Here's an interesting conversation I had this afternoon as I tried to purchase 2 VRs with 5 $200 Amex GC. I had swiped my first gift card against a total of $1007.90 and got the dread "Alernate Payment Required" message.
I said to the cashier, "would you mind swiping, sometimes these terminals don't like the card but it will go thru if you swipe it", and handed the card to her.
She looks at the card and says "oh, did you say you wanted $500 on each?"
"Yes", I replied.
She said, "because the card is only good for $200".
To which I replied, "yes, it's a partial payment". She immediately said "oh!", then hits a button on the register and reswipes the card. Magically the signature form came up, I signed, and swiped thru the remaining four cards and thanked her and walked out.
So I'm now wondering whether I should be upfront with partial payments. Has anyone else experienced a similar conversation?
I said to the cashier, "would you mind swiping, sometimes these terminals don't like the card but it will go thru if you swipe it", and handed the card to her.
She looks at the card and says "oh, did you say you wanted $500 on each?"
"Yes", I replied.
She said, "because the card is only good for $200".
To which I replied, "yes, it's a partial payment". She immediately said "oh!", then hits a button on the register and reswipes the card. Magically the signature form came up, I signed, and swiped thru the remaining four cards and thanked her and walked out.
So I'm now wondering whether I should be upfront with partial payments. Has anyone else experienced a similar conversation?
Mar 29, 2013, 4:52 pm
#92
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sweet Home Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 646
Interesting. All but one of mine have no problem with it. And the one is one specific assistant manager who works on Saturdays. Grrrr.
Mar 29, 2013, 5:39 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
It is a personal thing, but if you look at this from the standpoint of free travel than there will be hoops to jump through. I guess I'm lucky to have found 2 CVS's and Walgreens who take or allow CC to buy VRs that are less than 5 miles from my house. I stop at one CVS on my way home from work and buy 2 VRs every other night and I use different cards each night. I works for me to get the manufactured spend to get the extra miles I need. I want miles on AA and UA so this means having multi cards to get the miles I want. It's not a much of a problem for me as I fully understand the game and I'm willing to jump through the hoops to get it.
Mar 29, 2013, 7:04 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
It is a personal thing, but if you look at this from the standpoint of free travel than there will be hoops to jump through. I guess I'm lucky to have found 2 CVS's and Walgreens who take or allow CC to buy VRs that are less than 5 miles from my house. I stop at one CVS on my way home from work and buy 2 VRs every other night and I use different cards each night. I works for me to get the manufactured spend to get the extra miles I need. I want miles on AA and UA so this means having multi cards to get the miles I want. It's not a much of a problem for me as I fully understand the game and I'm willing to jump through the hoops to get it.
Mar 29, 2013, 7:06 pm
#96
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 47
Paying Off Credit Cards with Blue Feathered Friend
Hello everyone!
I am sure this has been discussed before but I searched the forum and didn't see anything directly related, so please keep the flames to yourself.
I recently entered the miles game and got our blue feathered friend in the mail today. I was playing around with payees and noticed you can setup payees such as "Capital One Credit Cards" and "Chase Credit Cards". This got me thinking: Can I use my Chase card to buy beans, load my blue feathered friend, then pay off my Chase card with it!?
If so, this seems a bit too good to be true!? If so, perhaps I should have kept it to myself and some moderator can delete this post before it gets too abused.
Thanks!
I am sure this has been discussed before but I searched the forum and didn't see anything directly related, so please keep the flames to yourself.
I recently entered the miles game and got our blue feathered friend in the mail today. I was playing around with payees and noticed you can setup payees such as "Capital One Credit Cards" and "Chase Credit Cards". This got me thinking: Can I use my Chase card to buy beans, load my blue feathered friend, then pay off my Chase card with it!?
If so, this seems a bit too good to be true!? If so, perhaps I should have kept it to myself and some moderator can delete this post before it gets too abused.
Thanks!
Mar 29, 2013, 7:14 pm
#97
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
And for me at least no hoops to jump through. I live 2 blocks away from a 24-hour CVS that keeps a stash of 10 VR cards for me to buy each month. I'm one of their best customers, so we both benefit.
Mar 29, 2013, 8:02 pm
#98
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Yes, and there is a thread that's all about the "Blue Feathered Friend" that answers this in depth in many posts ... it's only the most popular thread in this subforum -- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
BTW, if something seems too good to be true, chances are:
1) It is.
Or
2) FT has already figured it out.
BTW, if something seems too good to be true, chances are:
1) It is.
Or
2) FT has already figured it out.
Last edited by amolkold; Mar 29, 2013 at 10:08 pm
Mar 29, 2013, 8:23 pm
#99
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Here's an interesting conversation I had this afternoon as I tried to purchase 2 VRs with 5 $200 Amex GC. I had swiped my first gift card against a total of $1007.90 and got the dread "Alernate Payment Required" message.
I said to the cashier, "would you mind swiping, sometimes these terminals don't like the card but it will go thru if you swipe it", and handed the card to her.
She looks at the card and says "oh, did you say you wanted $500 on each?"
"Yes", I replied.
She said, "because the card is only good for $200".
To which I replied, "yes, it's a partial payment". She immediately said "oh!", then hits a button on the register and reswipes the card. Magically the signature form came up, I signed, and swiped thru the remaining four cards and thanked her and walked out.
So I'm now wondering whether I should be upfront with partial payments. Has anyone else experienced a similar conversation?
I said to the cashier, "would you mind swiping, sometimes these terminals don't like the card but it will go thru if you swipe it", and handed the card to her.
She looks at the card and says "oh, did you say you wanted $500 on each?"
"Yes", I replied.
She said, "because the card is only good for $200".
To which I replied, "yes, it's a partial payment". She immediately said "oh!", then hits a button on the register and reswipes the card. Magically the signature form came up, I signed, and swiped thru the remaining four cards and thanked her and walked out.
So I'm now wondering whether I should be upfront with partial payments. Has anyone else experienced a similar conversation?
Mar 29, 2013, 9:08 pm
#100
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Unfortunately we were all taught rubbish. We learned from our parents that if something seemed too good to be true it was and that there is no such thing as a free lunch. That was sooo wrong! Reality has taught us that there is often such a thing as a free lunch and for years it was served by the US Mint cafeteria.
So now we know we know the truth - weeez all entitled to fly free and our mantra is gimmee, gimmee, gimmee.
So now we know we know the truth - weeez all entitled to fly free and our mantra is gimmee, gimmee, gimmee.
Mar 29, 2013, 9:36 pm
#101
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 47
Yes, and there is a thread that's all about the "Blue Feathered Friend" that answers this in depth in many posts ... it's only the most popular thread in this subforum -- http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ebit-card.html
BTW, if something seems too good to be true, chances are:
1) It is.
2) FT has already figured it out.
BTW, if something seems too good to be true, chances are:
1) It is.
2) FT has already figured it out.
Mar 29, 2013, 10:00 pm
#102
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 398
doesnt matter what u do with the funds once it is on BB. the issue is how will u get the funds on BB
Mar 29, 2013, 10:04 pm
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 465
I would love to buy Starwood points at 0.8 cents each! They are easily worth 2.5 cents each. So....OF COURSE, it's worth it! OR how about getting Delta SkyMiles for FREE at Walmart using the SunTrust Delta Debit MasterCard (esp. if you already bank at SunTrust)?
And for me at least no hoops to jump through. I live 2 blocks away from a 24-hour CVS that keeps a stash of 10 VR cards for me to buy each month. I'm one of their best customers, so we both benefit.
And for me at least no hoops to jump through. I live 2 blocks away from a 24-hour CVS that keeps a stash of 10 VR cards for me to buy each month. I'm one of their best customers, so we both benefit.
At the end of the day they are worth what you would pay for them. For some buying beans or moneypaks is simply not worth it, to others it is.
Mar 29, 2013, 11:02 pm
#104
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
As the time goes by the VR rush will cool off, as more people will realize its not worth a lot for them
Mar 29, 2013, 11:08 pm
#105
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
Of course I wouldn't pay face value using an intermediate step for anything - it's just an extra step that I can avoid by buying directly at face value. On the other hand, if you are already paying the lowest Internet rate for a room at Starwood, why wouldn't you pay more than 50% off that lowest rate by buying VRs and save a great deal of money?