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)
Dec 22, 2015, 8:12 am
#632
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
I looked at the wiki and didn't find the answer...
I converted my last RB to BB.
Does the $1500 load on the temp card count towards the $5k limit for the month?
I converted my last RB to BB.
Does the $1500 load on the temp card count towards the $5k limit for the month?
Dec 22, 2015, 1:51 pm
#634
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,938
Dec 24, 2015, 7:40 am
#636
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
I hit my monthly limit today (including the 1.5k before I activated).
I tried loading another $500 and got a debit not approved, which according to the wiki indicates I have reached my monthly limit.
I was able to use the same vgc for an MO purchase.
Did you both load on the temp card before registering?
Dec 27, 2015, 6:12 pm
#637
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 36
Looks like I screwed up. I went to the WM and loaded my card with 4X 500 VGCs. Everything was fine but I did not realize I should have stopped at that. I tried loading another one and it just declined the transaction and Manager had to override.
She asked for my information and drivers lic etc, diligently wrote down everything. Has anybody experienced this? I did not want to create a scene so I handed over my Lic.
She asked for my information and drivers lic etc, diligently wrote down everything. Has anybody experienced this? I did not want to create a scene so I handed over my Lic.
Dec 27, 2015, 6:25 pm
#638
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
"The manager had to override???" Whatever are you talking about? You also describe 4X$500 which is well within the daily limit.
It makes no sense that you were asked for all of your personal information. I almost can't buy the story.
It makes no sense that you were asked for all of your personal information. I almost can't buy the story.
Dec 27, 2015, 6:30 pm
#639
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 36
Hope it is clear this time. As I said I screwed up since she already saw me at another checkout line.
Dec 27, 2015, 6:31 pm
#640
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Looks like I screwed up. I went to the WM and loaded my card with 4X 500 VGCs. Everything was fine but I did not realize I should have stopped at that. I tried loading another one and it just declined the transaction and Manager had to override.
She asked for my information and drivers lic etc, diligently wrote down everything. Has anybody experienced this? I did not want to create a scene so I handed over my Lic.
She asked for my information and drivers lic etc, diligently wrote down everything. Has anybody experienced this? I did not want to create a scene so I handed over my Lic.
Dec 27, 2015, 6:37 pm
#642
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 36
Understand. But I could not do so in this instance since she started calling multiple people, as if I am committing some crime. If she bans me from that WM, I will care less since it is from different state and I was on a trip there.
All I want to know is if anybody had any experience with this and are there unexpected consequences?
All I want to know is if anybody had any experience with this and are there unexpected consequences?
Dec 27, 2015, 6:46 pm
#644
Dec 27, 2015, 6:54 pm
#645
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
I don't think there are consequences. Go back tomorrow and buy something you need anyway and use your Bluebird to do it. If at all possible, go to the same cashier that "busted" you. That is the proof that your BB is working and you get to leave on a good note.
Last edited by BillyBaloney; Dec 28, 2015 at 11:35 am