Jan 20, 2014, 12:11 pm
Last edit by: Alcibiades
These cards no longer earn fuel points.
TIP:Purchases of $500 or more require manager override. You will hold up the line and risk getting shutdown: Hint: $495 + $4.95 fee = $499.95
As of July 16, 2014, cards are not PINable(again) without registration; calling to activate sends to representative. Before Feb 3 2014 and after ~ Mar 17 2014, a PIN could/can be set for one-time use.
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard can only be used for credit card transactions*, not debit. Debit/PIN requires SSN registration for enhanced use. This is a standard restriction for this type of card.
*ask the cashier to enter a partial payment amount if your transaction exceeds your card's stored value, otherwise your card will seem broke/inactive.
Enhanced use reports...
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard is product from The Bancorp Bank.
Until 3/24 you could load with VR. Just like with the PIN working, not working, then working again, keep trying with VR and if you succeed, please report here.
TIP:Purchases of $500 or more require manager override. You will hold up the line and risk getting shutdown: Hint: $495 + $4.95 fee = $499.95
As of July 16, 2014, cards are not PINable(again) without registration; calling to activate sends to representative. Before Feb 3 2014 and after ~ Mar 17 2014, a PIN could/can be set for one-time use.
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard can only be used for credit card transactions*, not debit. Debit/PIN requires SSN registration for enhanced use. This is a standard restriction for this type of card.
*ask the cashier to enter a partial payment amount if your transaction exceeds your card's stored value, otherwise your card will seem broke/inactive.
Enhanced use reports...
- Monthly fee at ~30-day anniversary of registration
- ReloadIt and Moneypak reloading
- Do not load over 950 in a day, they will suspend your card
- VR reloading now seems broken
- Cashover(cashback) available with debit purchase at some registers
- ACH Pull does not work
The Univision Prepaid Mastercard is product from The Bancorp Bank.
Until 3/24 you could load with VR. Just like with the PIN working, not working, then working again, keep trying with VR and if you succeed, please report here.
Univision Prepaid Mastercard from Safeway/Vons
Jan 26, 2014, 12:45 pm
#121
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Posts: 1,887
I would liquidate in 1 shot. Go to walmart and pay your CC bill with checkfreepay for $1.88. I have swiped $1450 in one shot just fine. All my univision cards are drained and won't be bothering to register or load any more. Doesn't seem worth the risk.
Jan 26, 2014, 1:04 pm
#122
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: MR,UR, UA, BA, AA, Hotels
Posts: 581
That's helpful. Thank you.
The company itself can't seize anything, it would have to be initiated by state or federal LE. The only other path to the state is frozen balances are escheated to the state after a certain time...but that is after 1-7 years depending on state.
I would file a CFPB complaint as well (expect a month before your hear anything) and then send a letter to Bancorp referencing the two complaints your have filed. It will take some time but you will get your funds back.
The other option is to use a corporate address (Univision Card Services, P.O. Box 543000, Omaha, NE 68154) and send them a letter referencing your complaint #s. State that your have complied with their document request and that failure to release your funds within x days will result in legal action.
I would file a CFPB complaint as well (expect a month before your hear anything) and then send a letter to Bancorp referencing the two complaints your have filed. It will take some time but you will get your funds back.
The other option is to use a corporate address (Univision Card Services, P.O. Box 543000, Omaha, NE 68154) and send them a letter referencing your complaint #s. State that your have complied with their document request and that failure to release your funds within x days will result in legal action.
Jan 26, 2014, 1:45 pm
#123
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
I don't know why so many wanted to rush and register when they could be liquidated so easily without doing so (HikerT excluded since he's used to playing this game). I'm very aprehensive in dealing with these companies -- I've done the dance with GreenDot an Incomm (MVD/Mio) in the past and at best it's 'very aggravating'. Thus my original thoughts of just using this as a 'one and done' (or as in my case for the past couple weeks: 50ish X 'one and done')
Besides... would you seriously want to give all your personal information, and leave vast sums of money with this guy who was mentioned earlier in the thread?
You can almost hear the guy saying 'I've got your money, and just what do you think you are you going to do about it?' as he waives that finger in your direction.
Besides... would you seriously want to give all your personal information, and leave vast sums of money with this guy who was mentioned earlier in the thread?
You can almost hear the guy saying 'I've got your money, and just what do you think you are you going to do about it?' as he waives that finger in your direction.
Jan 26, 2014, 2:37 pm
#124
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 14
Thanks HikerT for the advice.
Hawk75, we all have to find our comfort zone right? Been at it awhile and wanted to swim past the ropes just a bit. Being able to load $950 Reloadits was my main driver to try it out. In the end I would have had to chalk it up to an "Educational Tax". They are still one of my favs for one and done for grocery spend.
Good point about the pic...no matter where I move in the room his eyes always seem to follow the pants pocket with my wallet in it.
Hawk75, we all have to find our comfort zone right? Been at it awhile and wanted to swim past the ropes just a bit. Being able to load $950 Reloadits was my main driver to try it out. In the end I would have had to chalk it up to an "Educational Tax". They are still one of my favs for one and done for grocery spend.
Good point about the pic...no matter where I move in the room his eyes always seem to follow the pants pocket with my wallet in it.
Jan 27, 2014, 1:32 pm
#127
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 163
This is a great thread. Better way to load BB than using GC or even beans. Fees are $1 less than GC, may be $1 more than VR, but with the $1 off per gallon of gas,(which saves me around $20 when I fill up 20 gallons), this is a great MM + 2% CB CC.
Jan 27, 2014, 6:46 pm
#128
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,516
Am I getting this right, that both this card (Univision) and PayPower can be activated some how by phone and 1) you can setup a PIN and 2) you don't need to provide your personal information. In other words, these cards may works as plain Visa GCs?
Jan 27, 2014, 7:36 pm
#129
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 163
Yes for the Univision card, I think it's the same for Paypower, but I haven't used it.
Jan 27, 2014, 9:30 pm
#130
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 374
Ditto. Major kudos to those who contributed to the knowledge in this thread. ^^^
Jan 27, 2014, 10:07 pm
#131
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,562
Univision is confirmed to wait until 30 days after activation for first monthly fee. No hard evidence on when the Paypower monthly fee kicks in though. I liquidated mine (2x) within an hour of purchase.
Jan 28, 2014, 8:47 pm
#132
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,562
FYI, emailed Paypower last night to inquire about the monthly fee and already got a response back:
So, no immediate fee like like Paypal does. Sounds like this is the new winner! 3.95 activation fee for a $500 load. Same fee as VR, but can earn 2x miles at grocery stores!
Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding monthly maintenance fees.
If your activate your card on the 28th of the month then your maintenance fees will come due every month on the 28th starting one month after activation.
If there is any other way we can assist you please call or email at the contact information provided below.
If your activate your card on the 28th of the month then your maintenance fees will come due every month on the 28th starting one month after activation.
If there is any other way we can assist you please call or email at the contact information provided below.
Jan 28, 2014, 10:36 pm
#134
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: The Internet
Programs: Alaska Mileage Plan
Posts: 714
Paypower is free, but Safeway in my current area (Phoenix) isn't allowing credit card purchases at all. The guy actually insisted on cash today, not even offering the option of debit!
Jan 28, 2014, 10:44 pm
#135
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 374
Didn't earn any gas points though. I have had issues with earning points for GCs once or twice at this store though so I'll be interested to hear if anyone else reports differently.