May 27, 2015, 12:00 am
Last edit by: iflyjetz
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 discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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.
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 discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
- Cash loading via VR or WM load: $2,500/day and $5,000 total per calendar month
- Cash loading up to $1999.99/day at Walmart registers (tested by PedroNY in Post #525 and showed to not be enforced. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1501215-bluebird-prepaid-debit-now-fdic-insurance-paper-checks-2015-a-35.html#post25611848 )
- 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
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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.
Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2015)
Oct 18, 2015, 3:04 pm
#497
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Oct 19, 2015, 1:35 pm
#498
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
Data point on limits:
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Oct 19, 2015, 5:41 pm
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
What's the profile of someone who kills a deal? What is it that caused RB to die?
Rude MSers? WM employees are less tolerant of rude MSers, as there are several who have posted in the past of being banned from WM ... although they leave out any details that portray them in a negative light.
MSers with 20+ RBs/BBs? Those people 1) likely converted a ton of BBs/Serves to RBs, 2) it will take them a while to get all of those cards converted back over, and 3) certain GCs (such as Vanilla) which are bought in stores which give multipliers to credit cards (ex grocery stores, office supply stores) are difficult/impossible to unload at WMs.
Will BB and Serve get killed? Maybe. But I also think that more than a few RB MSers got burned by being stuck with GCs they can't unload or missing money that's still in dispute and are ambivalent about chasing MS to another card.
Rude MSers? WM employees are less tolerant of rude MSers, as there are several who have posted in the past of being banned from WM ... although they leave out any details that portray them in a negative light.
MSers with 20+ RBs/BBs? Those people 1) likely converted a ton of BBs/Serves to RBs, 2) it will take them a while to get all of those cards converted back over, and 3) certain GCs (such as Vanilla) which are bought in stores which give multipliers to credit cards (ex grocery stores, office supply stores) are difficult/impossible to unload at WMs.
Will BB and Serve get killed? Maybe. But I also think that more than a few RB MSers got burned by being stuck with GCs they can't unload or missing money that's still in dispute and are ambivalent about chasing MS to another card.
I manage 3 for my family. Honestly, it can get pretty exhausting: I actually feel "pressure" to get through the $15K every month. It seems like I'm always buying gift cards and unloading them at WM. The process isn't very fun. This ain't like the old days when I could wander into a CVS, buy $5K of Vanilla Reloads, go home and load them on my computer in a couple of minutes. I do like the rewards I earn -- especially my Chase UR points. But it's hard to imagine anyone doing 6x this much. It would basically be a full time job. And even if you wanted to spend your time that way, I'd think you'd quickly wear out your welcome at your local WMs. Heck, the cashiers in my store know me, and I try to spread it out among 4 or 5 stores.
I suppose if you had a bunch of always working Kate machines near your house, you could manage to load a few more cards. But doing $100K a WM a month? It would be something.
Oct 19, 2015, 5:52 pm
#500
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,782
Data point on limits:
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Oct 19, 2015, 7:58 pm
#501
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
As far as the new register load limits, it appears that they're velocity limits similar to Kate and/or restricted to a single register in a day. I just got my BB today and loaded $2500 at registers/customer service.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
Oct 20, 2015, 3:38 am
#502
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: CA
Posts: 48
As far as the new register load limits, it appears that they're velocity limits similar to Kate and/or restricted to a single register in a day. I just got my BB today and loaded $2500 at registers/customer service.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
I've never MS'ed that much via BB but a while back I was running roughly 300-350k per month. It was about about 10-12 hours per week, it got pretty exhausting and repetitive.
Oct 20, 2015, 6:31 am
#503
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I can also confirm that the $1999.99 is related to Kate loading only which means nothing has changed. After loading BB at Kate, I proceeded to register to load another $500 and it went through w/o issues. This was done yesterday afternoon.
Oct 20, 2015, 7:53 am
#504
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
My post was merely to test whether or not the FAQ stated daily $1999.99 register limit would apply if one loaded at multiple registers and honored the Kate velocity limit timing.
Oct 20, 2015, 8:45 am
#505
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
Second that. I manage 5 bluebirds and standing at KATE for 30-45 min a few times a month does get old. I feel like the people at WM are getting a little too comfortable with me, I hope they don't start asking questions....
I've never MS'ed that much via BB but a while back I was running roughly 300-350k per month. It was about about 10-12 hours per week, it got pretty exhausting and repetitive.
I've never MS'ed that much via BB but a while back I was running roughly 300-350k per month. It was about about 10-12 hours per week, it got pretty exhausting and repetitive.
Oct 20, 2015, 2:49 pm
#506
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 783
As far as the new register load limits, it appears that they're velocity limits similar to Kate and/or restricted to a single register in a day. I just got my BB today and loaded $2500 at registers/customer service.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
My loads:
Neighborhood Market $500x2, @ 17:10:49 and 17:12:48
Walmart $500x2, @ 17:28:32 and 17:29:24
Super Walmart $500x1 @ 17:59:58
There are some MSers out there doing 7 figures annually - I don't know how many. 20 cards would be 40 x $2500 loads - doable if you're dedicated. FWIW, I agree with you that it gets old - and I only manage 2 BBs.
Well, you could be a Walmart employee and do your MSing during slower part of the day...
LOLCheers,
PedroNY
Oct 20, 2015, 3:47 pm
#507
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Oct 20, 2015, 5:36 pm
#508
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Just got our second set of BB cards today, after recently closing our RB cards. What I used to do was $1999.99 with Kate, take a 15 minute break or perhaps shop, then do another $1999.99. Anyone know if this is still workable? I'm assuming yes, but you know what it means when you assume.
It was still $1999.99 for PedroNY last Friday:
Data point on limits:
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Friday, 10/16, one BB card
Kate: 3x$500, 1x499.99 = 1,999.99
Customer Service Register: $500
Total: $2499.99
So not sure about new limits or what it means, but this has been my MO for a very long time with this single BB. Cannot speak for trying a second one right afterwards and if 10 minutes still works for Kate.
Cheers,
PedroNY
I have a hard time picturing a WM employee running 6 figures/month on MS.
Oct 20, 2015, 7:03 pm
#509
Join Date: May 2013
Location: RMS
Programs: DL Plat, UA Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Credit Card Diamond
Posts: 8,782
Today was the second day in a row that I loaded $1999.99 at Kate and then walked to a register and loaded $500.
Oct 21, 2015, 10:02 am
#510
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Anyone dealt with applying for a BB and being told "your RB account is still open", despite it having been closed a week ago. This third card is being issued to a family member for me to use. Not only don't I want to bother them, but if they did call in they probably wouldn't know what to say, since they have never dealt with BB or RB. I'll probably need to call in "as them", but would like to know what to expect when I do.