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).
May 9, 2013, 2:40 pm
#1066
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 14
Loaded some US bank master gift card from staples / randalls to BB this morning. OK.
1 Set pins. Call to the # on the back of the card 866-952-5653 to set pins.
2 Loaded at walmart kiosk. NCR kiosk.
Tried to load a rebate card (from Mcafee, visa, metabank), did not set pin at first, failed
by using the last 4 digits as the pin.
Cancelled the transaction. Luckily, the kiosk is not dead. :P And the money is still in the rebate card. :-)
1 Set pins. Call to the # on the back of the card 866-952-5653 to set pins.
2 Loaded at walmart kiosk. NCR kiosk.
Tried to load a rebate card (from Mcafee, visa, metabank), did not set pin at first, failed
by using the last 4 digits as the pin.
Cancelled the transaction. Luckily, the kiosk is not dead. :P And the money is still in the rebate card. :-)
Last edited by daviddyer; May 9, 2013 at 3:31 pm
May 9, 2013, 4:45 pm
#1067
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 182
The forum has a nice "new page" bug going on. 
May 9, 2013, 5:57 pm
#1068
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 203
Data Point. Attempted to purchase a variable load Vanilla MC at WM today. The register did not accept CC as payment (tried an amex and chase visa). The cashier said the MC gift cards are coming through as cash/debit only, but the Visas have been working fine with CC. I would have tried that, but they only had $25 Visas.
May 9, 2013, 8:15 pm
#1069
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
Tried to lower my Citi CA limit but the system would only go down to $750.
My question, if I buy two $500 GCs from GCM, will it go thru as a $1000 transaction and decline if for some reason it's coded as a CA or is it two separate $500 transactions?
My question, if I buy two $500 GCs from GCM, will it go thru as a $1000 transaction and decline if for some reason it's coded as a CA or is it two separate $500 transactions?
May 9, 2013, 8:20 pm
#1070
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Bay Area, California
Programs: UA, UR, USAir, AMEX, AA
Posts: 3
Was new to this method, I had almost closed my BB account since I couldn't buy the VR cards at CVS anymore. However, today went to Safeway (here in California) and bought 2x$500 of the MetaBank cards, set the pin in the parking lot, then went to WM. No machine, but the guy at the Money counter had no problem loading up my BB card. Looks like I have a new method to meet minimum spending requirements! Maybe using the online mall to save a few bucks, but for short-term goals this method works fine.
With respect to the Chase cards, I don't have any new ones with minimum requirements nor do my cards earn great points (all are x1 or x1.25). So, I don't really think it's worth it if not going for minimum spend, which I'm not.
However, this just got me thinking about long-term rewards gains...at some point I'll want to stop app-o-ramas every 91 days and just pick one or two cards to play out and try to do my best (with tricks like this or their future equivalents). Currently it seems like the best bet would be any card with a 5x or 6x multiplier anywhere I can get these gift cards. Since office supply stores seem to have nothing more than $200 GCs (at $5.95 fee it's almost not worth the hassle), would that mean something like the OPs mentioned AMEX Blue Cash card...getting 6% at grocery stores? That's cash, not points...any other card where this would really pay off? Sorry, might be going off-topic for this forum.
With respect to the Chase cards, I don't have any new ones with minimum requirements nor do my cards earn great points (all are x1 or x1.25). So, I don't really think it's worth it if not going for minimum spend, which I'm not.
However, this just got me thinking about long-term rewards gains...at some point I'll want to stop app-o-ramas every 91 days and just pick one or two cards to play out and try to do my best (with tricks like this or their future equivalents). Currently it seems like the best bet would be any card with a 5x or 6x multiplier anywhere I can get these gift cards. Since office supply stores seem to have nothing more than $200 GCs (at $5.95 fee it's almost not worth the hassle), would that mean something like the OPs mentioned AMEX Blue Cash card...getting 6% at grocery stores? That's cash, not points...any other card where this would really pay off? Sorry, might be going off-topic for this forum.
May 9, 2013, 8:23 pm
#1071
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
If you are loading BB and paying bills that wouldn't earn points anyway, aren't you still coming out ahead no matter what? Esp. with gift cards from staples?
May 9, 2013, 8:59 pm
#1072
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 367
Same is true for one in the near west burbs...I wonder why none of the Chicago kiosks can do MOs
May 9, 2013, 9:38 pm
#1073
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 34
So, the PIN option is awesome, a game-changer, etc. But is there a way to take advantage of this without having to go to Walmart?
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
May 9, 2013, 9:39 pm
#1074
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
So, the PIN option is awesome, a game-changer, etc. But is there a way to take advantage of this without having to go to Walmart?
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
May 9, 2013, 9:53 pm
#1075
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: MSP
Posts: 376
went to Walmart to load using US Bank Mastercard gc. No success. "tender not allowed"
May 9, 2013, 10:22 pm
#1076
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sweet Home Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 646
Kiosks for BB can be found in the City at the Walmart Express in Boystown, River North, and also inside Presidential Towers in the West Loop. The WE at Broadway & Diversey may have it, but the store is too hard to get in and out of unless you're on foot so it's not on my runs. Also, regular WM in Austin has a kiosk, but it's practically at the counter so I don't use it.
In the western suburbs, you'll find BB kiosks at the Northlake store at North Ave & Wolf and in Villa Park on Route 83. Don't bother with Elk Grove Village or Lombard.
That's all I can remember right now.
May 9, 2013, 10:54 pm
#1077
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
May 9, 2013, 10:58 pm
#1078
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta silver, HH silver, IHG platinum, SPG gold, AMEX platinum
Posts: 400
Data Point. Attempted to purchase a variable load Vanilla MC at WM today. The register did not accept CC as payment (tried an amex and chase visa). The cashier said the MC gift cards are coming through as cash/debit only, but the Visas have been working fine with CC. I would have tried that, but they only had $25 Visas.
May 9, 2013, 11:03 pm
#1079
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
So, the PIN option is awesome, a game-changer, etc. But is there a way to take advantage of this without having to go to Walmart?
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
I'd been boycotting Walmart since I read Nickel and Dimed, not that my boycotting it dropped a dime from its bottom line. Capitalist at heart, though, I crossed the line to load BB and buy MOs. Had good luck at a kiosk over the weekend. Unfortunately, no kiosk at the WM on the way home.
Evidently, a guy in a suit, darkening the doors for the first time in a decade, eight gift cards in hand, loading $2K onto 2 BBs and buying a $2k money order, and then going back the next day with the same order, tends to draw attention. On the second run, the MC Rep grumpily loaded the BBs, said she remembered me from yesterday (she was there but not the person I had dealt with), demanded to see the cards and asked where I got them, scoffed that a gift card wouldn't work (it had the day before), kept typing in a code (51, she said) to ensure she was true to her word, called a manager for a void, handed me the $2 I had given her for the MO fees and refused to try again. Not even a Have a Nice Day.
May 10, 2013, 5:43 am
#1080
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ORD, LAS
Programs: AA-EXP, BAEC Silver, Hyatt-Globalist, Hilton-gold, SPG-gold
Posts: 855
I agree that I think abnormal activity might make an employee nervous. Fortunately, there are many places to buy gift cards (chase, grocery stores, drugstores) that there is no need to go to the same store every day.