Jun 22, 2013, 10:42 am
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
There is a new thread for 2017: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1819569-pin-available-now-visa-mc-prepaid-debit-cards-2017-a.html
Federal Reserve interpretation of Dodd-Frank financial reform regulations has resulted in Visa/MC gift cards getting PINs as of April 1, 2013.
Setting PINS
At Walmat, many MCs default to credit(and fail) and require pressing a button to change the payment type to debit. Here are the workarounds:
Old POS systems (monochrome black on green terminals and replacement color terminals):
1a. Screen shows "Insert or Swipe Card Quickly" with "Espanol" button in lower right (note if your screen blinks)
1b. Swipe card
1c. Screen shows "Waiting for cashier..." with with working animation in lower center and "Cancel" button in lower right
2. Press "Cancel" on the screen or red button on pad (if your screen blinks, do not hit button until after blink)
3. Press "ATM/DEBIT" from upper left
4. Press "No Cash Back"
5a. Enter PIN
5b. Screen shows "Waiting for cashier..."
6. Cashier hits blue (not green) Debit button on their side.
New POS systems (color terminal):
1. Swipe GC
2. Press "Change Payment" on screen (Yellow button on pad should also work, but screen works better for some. Timing is critical.)
3. Press "DEBIT"
4. Press "No Cash Back"
5. Enter PIN - Screen showing another 'Waiting for cashier...'.
6. Ask Cashier to hit blue color Debit button on the screen
When splitting transactions among multiple cards at a Walmart register, make sure to have the cashier hit the debit button on their physical keypad. If they hit the debit button on the touchscreen, it will not work. If your transaction got declined, try having the cashier hit 'Debit' using the physical keypad on the right of the screen.
As of 6/19/2014, Walmart rejects Debit attempts above $49.99 on all cards issued by InComm/ITC Financial Services, namely all Vanilla VISA and OneVanilla. There is no workaround.
Error Messages
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Not enough funds available to cover whatever amount was typed in, or most likely NOT typed in.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again.
Federal Reserve interpretation of Dodd-Frank financial reform regulations has resulted in Visa/MC gift cards getting PINs as of April 1, 2013.
Setting PINS
- MetaBank VISA or Sunrise VISA -use the last four digits of the card number (or to set personal PIN call 888-524-1283)
- US Bank VISA and Mastercard - Newer cards come with a PIN printed on cardstock inside the package. To set/reset PIN, call 866-952-5653. One person reports: VISA that has pre-set PIN locks PIN on first use if not previously reset; always call to set PIN before use. If you forget to reset the pin and you can't unload the funds to your BB, call the toll free # and ask rep. to "reset" the card and they will do some magic and you should then be able to unload the funds at WM.
- Vanilla VISA and OneVanilla(not MyVanilla, etc) - selection of 4 digits on the first transaction becomes the PIN
At Walmat, many MCs default to credit(and fail) and require pressing a button to change the payment type to debit. Here are the workarounds:
Old POS systems (monochrome black on green terminals and replacement color terminals):
1a. Screen shows "Insert or Swipe Card Quickly" with "Espanol" button in lower right (note if your screen blinks)
1b. Swipe card
1c. Screen shows "Waiting for cashier..." with with working animation in lower center and "Cancel" button in lower right
2. Press "Cancel" on the screen or red button on pad (if your screen blinks, do not hit button until after blink)
3. Press "ATM/DEBIT" from upper left
4. Press "No Cash Back"
5a. Enter PIN
5b. Screen shows "Waiting for cashier..."
6. Cashier hits blue (not green) Debit button on their side.
New POS systems (color terminal):
1. Swipe GC
2. Press "Change Payment" on screen (Yellow button on pad should also work, but screen works better for some. Timing is critical.)
3. Press "DEBIT"
4. Press "No Cash Back"
5. Enter PIN - Screen showing another 'Waiting for cashier...'.
6. Ask Cashier to hit blue color Debit button on the screen
When splitting transactions among multiple cards at a Walmart register, make sure to have the cashier hit the debit button on their physical keypad. If they hit the debit button on the touchscreen, it will not work. If your transaction got declined, try having the cashier hit 'Debit' using the physical keypad on the right of the screen.
As of 6/19/2014, Walmart rejects Debit attempts above $49.99 on all cards issued by InComm/ITC Financial Services, namely all Vanilla VISA and OneVanilla. There is no workaround.
Error Messages
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Not enough funds available to cover whatever amount was typed in, or most likely NOT typed in.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again.
PIN available now for Visa/MC prepaid debit cards(2013-2016).
Jan 31, 2014, 1:25 pm
#3061
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,516
I had the same thing happen to me once except they gave me $100s. The cashier knew exactly what had happened and what to do, and refunded me in cash immediately and apologized for the inconvenience that I would not be able to purchase any MO and neither would those in line behind me. I spent more than the 70 cents I saved on that MO on driving to the next closest WM to buy the rest of the MO I had planned to buy until the first one didn't print.
I was back at that same WM again a month or two later and the same thing happened, only the cashier didn't realize that my receipt saying I received $1,000 in change meant my debit charges wouldn't be reversed and she was supposed to give me cash. I was initially told that it would go back to my card and they would refund me in cash if I returned to the store with my account statement to show the charge had not been refunded. Eventually got it sorted out after the manager got involved, and in this case they were able to refill the paper and ended up giving me a new MO that they entered in the computer as paid for with the cash that I was supposed to have been refunded.
I was back at that same WM again a month or two later and the same thing happened, only the cashier didn't realize that my receipt saying I received $1,000 in change meant my debit charges wouldn't be reversed and she was supposed to give me cash. I was initially told that it would go back to my card and they would refund me in cash if I returned to the store with my account statement to show the charge had not been refunded. Eventually got it sorted out after the manager got involved, and in this case they were able to refill the paper and ended up giving me a new MO that they entered in the computer as paid for with the cash that I was supposed to have been refunded.
Jan 31, 2014, 1:29 pm
#3062
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
For those with spousal accounts how do you load GCs @ WM with a non MSer spouse?
I’d say about 20% of the time the clerk will look at the card before swiping on their register and if they saw Jane Doe and looked at me looking like a John Doe I’d imagine there would be an issue. Besides the one off times I’m asked for ID and BBs are compared to it.
I tried adding myself as a subaccount but the BB FAQ states subaccounts can’t add money.
I’d say about 20% of the time the clerk will look at the card before swiping on their register and if they saw Jane Doe and looked at me looking like a John Doe I’d imagine there would be an issue. Besides the one off times I’m asked for ID and BBs are compared to it.
I tried adding myself as a subaccount but the BB FAQ states subaccounts can’t add money.
Jan 31, 2014, 3:46 pm
#3063
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
No one has ever asked me for an ID at my WM. This morning I purchased $5000 in MOs using Vanilla GCs and there were no problems at all.
Jan 31, 2014, 5:34 pm
#3064
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
I'm trying to buy GCs at the office stores in my area, but the 200 dollar cards are always out. I keep getting foiled!
Jan 31, 2014, 7:28 pm
#3065
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL, maybe EWR
Programs: Plat IHG, Marriott Rewards Silver, CSP, Ink Bold, USDM, *Wood Gold, AA, Club Carl
Posts: 285
Certainly not hard to think on your feet. But harder to walk out out with a spouse's fed BB.
... If they ask for ID give them ID when they say it doesnt match be like oh its my wife's account, she hates trecking all the way to walmart so I do it for her on my way home from work.... If they say its not allowed, just say, oh ok thanks I didnt know, I'll tell her she has to come all the way out here herself. I thought it was similar to putting money into a bank account! and then walk away.... not too hard to think on your feet here.
Feb 2, 2014, 9:49 pm
#3066
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: us
Posts: 7
Keep sharing such type of information in future too.
Feb 2, 2014, 10:27 pm
#3067
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
The WM I go to, which has no machine but does have a money center that was almost always closed, has started to open the MC regularly now.
It simplifies things a lot, because the MO printer is in the MC and the customer service counter is a long way away, so the cashiers would have to trek down to the MC to pick up the MO. Since I usually do 2 $1K MOs, they'd arrange to call in the first MO number and then walk back with the second and type the numbers in. Quite a production.
I need to find out if the MC has regular hours. I used it this afternoon but I came again in the evening and it was closed. I still did 2 sets of $2K, though.
It simplifies things a lot, because the MO printer is in the MC and the customer service counter is a long way away, so the cashiers would have to trek down to the MC to pick up the MO. Since I usually do 2 $1K MOs, they'd arrange to call in the first MO number and then walk back with the second and type the numbers in. Quite a production.
I need to find out if the MC has regular hours. I used it this afternoon but I came again in the evening and it was closed. I still did 2 sets of $2K, though.
Feb 3, 2014, 3:48 am
#3068
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: KWI
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 806
The WM I go to, which has no machine but does have a money center that was almost always closed, has started to open the MC regularly now.
It simplifies things a lot, because the MO printer is in the MC and the customer service counter is a long way away, so the cashiers would have to trek down to the MC to pick up the MO. Since I usually do 2 $1K MOs, they'd arrange to call in the first MO number and then walk back with the second and type the numbers in. Quite a production.
I need to find out if the MC has regular hours. I used it this afternoon but I came again in the evening and it was closed. I still did 2 sets of $2K, though.
It simplifies things a lot, because the MO printer is in the MC and the customer service counter is a long way away, so the cashiers would have to trek down to the MC to pick up the MO. Since I usually do 2 $1K MOs, they'd arrange to call in the first MO number and then walk back with the second and type the numbers in. Quite a production.
I need to find out if the MC has regular hours. I used it this afternoon but I came again in the evening and it was closed. I still did 2 sets of $2K, though.
Feb 3, 2014, 9:41 am
#3069
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Gold (again), US/UA/DL non-elite, ZE Presidents Circle, WN reluctant no fee convert.
Posts: 1,449
One of my chief complaints as I embarked on this MS info highway, was the lack of tools my local WM has in participating in the BB program. I have to admit, I just noticed what looks like a "spanking new" ATM-like kiosk. It's at a close, older Walmart, while the new and bright Walmart I happened by last week, lacks the afore mentioned tool.
I am now interested in BB in a new way.
I am now interested in BB in a new way.
Feb 3, 2014, 1:29 pm
#3070
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 956
Kate and us bank mc gcs. Anyway to load gcs to bb. I can use the cashier and cancel trans trick but that does not work with Kate..any help guys?
Feb 3, 2014, 1:35 pm
#3071
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 49
I just tried using a OneVanilla card at WM to reload my BB.
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
Feb 3, 2014, 1:42 pm
#3072
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold, AS MVP Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, US
Posts: 956
I just tried using a OneVanilla card at WM to reload my BB.
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
Feb 3, 2014, 1:45 pm
#3073
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
I just tried using a OneVanilla card at WM to reload my BB.
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
The cashier got an error message on multiple tries (something like 'debit not available'). She definitely looked like she knew what she was doing. She then looked at my OV card and told me that someone else had had the same issue with these cards earlier today.
Has anyone else had this experience? What is the issue here? Is there anything I can do?
Feb 3, 2014, 1:50 pm
#3074
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA-1P, DL-G, Marriott-PLAT
Posts: 113
Feb 3, 2014, 2:01 pm
#3075
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 148
I like Wally's where the card reader at the register/MC makes you slide the card vertically instead of horizontally. Just makes me feel like there is less risk a stickler clerk sees GC text on the card.