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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old Jan 22, 2014, 3:27 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: XP1
Warning: The T-M website contains an apparent Bill Pay function. Attempting to use it to pay credit card bills, or probably any significant $ amount bills of any sort, will get your account frozen. Ditto large scale ATM or MO withdrawals. The one method of unloading likely to keep you under the radar is small scale WM BP. Also likely to get you shut down, according to consensus reports, is running much more than $5K a month thru your account. You ignore this advice at your own risk.

SUMMARY

1. FAQ's
2. Free to use for TMo customers.
3. Issued by Bancorp
4. Load at T-mobile store (Registers are HARD CODED not to accept anything other than cash.)
5. or Reloadit, (find a grocery store that sold reloadit cards with a cc)

List Stores hard coded for cash or Credit Card accepted
T-Mobile (cash only)
Home Depot (cash only, hard coded)
Harris Teeter - Bought with CC on 2/16/14, hard coded denied CC on 5 APR 2014
Winn-Dixie - Hard coded for cash (debit may work, untested) as of Oct-2015
Meijer (Cash/Debit including VGC)
Giant Eagle/GetGo (Cash, Debit including VGC )
Safeways/Vons/Pavilions in California - most only Cash
Food Lion - Manager override now required. Many stores cash or bank debit only, but registers are not hard coded.
Save-A-Lot: Hard coded cash only
BigY: At least some stores have gone cash only as of 1/8
Acme in PA: Hard-coded cash only (Source)

Note on ReloadIt Cards
These come in two main flavors, up to $500, and up to $950 (there are ones that go up to $50, too). Both are $3.95 load fee. The older grey cards, have CASH ONLY on them. Even if the cash register is coded to accept it, many cashiers will be hesitant to even try, or get shut down by manager.
The maximum value reload will be $2,500.00. There is no maximum number of times you may value reload your Card Account per day; however, the maximum dollar amount of value reloads you may make to your Card Account in one day is $2,500.00. We will accept direct deposits larger than $2,500.00, but any direct deposit value reloaded to your Card Account will count against the $2,500.00 daily limit.
Value Reload Fee: Each time you value reload $300.00 or more to your Card Account in a single transaction, you will receive a credit for any fee you paid. If you are a T-Mobile Wireless Customer and value reload your Card Account at a participating T-Mobile Wireless location, you will receive a refund at the register (and will pay no fee for your value reload). If you value reload your Card Account for $300.00 or more via another method, we will issue a credit to your Card Account in the amount of the fee you paid.

In practice, a ReloadIt >= $300 loaded via the safe will receive credit for the fee. However, the terms formally state "Please note: Value reloads made from Reloadit Packs that have been placed in the Program Manager’s Reloadit `Safe' are not eligible for any fee credit." so this is not guaranteed.

The Limits:
Daily limit: $2500 during a rolling 24 hour period
Monthly limit: ?
Annual Limit: ?
Max Bill Pay (per transaction): = $5000 (tested March 6th, can do 'at least' a second for the same amount to the same payee momment later).
Daily ATM limit: $500 (rolling 24 hr rather than calendar day)

Total monthly bill pay limit: ?
The maximum value of your Card Account is restricted to $10,000.00

T-Mobile Prepaid Customer Service Email: [email protected]

If you need to escalate to the FDIC, Bancorp's registered FDIC# is 35444.
If you want to try to open an FDIC complaint or investigation you can send one in electronically at
http://www2.fdic.gov/IDASP/DIRSInfoRequest.asp

Alternative FDIC link to file complaint
https://www2.fdic.gov/starsmail/index.asp

FAQ
  • My fee did not get refunded. Has there been a policy change? ReloadIt Fees are processed overnight and could take 24 hours after you reload the card. As of 9/2015, ReloadIt cards added to the safe prior to loading on T-Mobile will still get the $3.95 refunded.
  • What is a safe transaction amount? There is no definite safe or unsafe amount. However, starting the last week of Jul 2015, people have been reporting the account frozen after transactions larger than $1K.
  • Can I use the BP Feature? It works well for some people. Many have reported getting shutdown after using it. A few have reported having the payments lost. Like all MS activity, use at your own risk.
  • Should I mix in some regular spending to make it look like this is my primary card? If it makes you feel better, go for it. However people who do this still get shutdown.
  • I can't log in. Did I get shutdown? Possibly. But more likely the website is having technical issues. Call in, o try to make a swipe purchase and test it out.
  • If I pay my taxes with this card, will I get shutdown? Large purchase raise red flags. Taxes are no different and there are reports of people being shut down for doing this.
  • What is a T-Mobile wireless customer? A qualifying T-Mobile wireless customer can be either a postpaid or prepaid customer. Source: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24790705-post3703.html
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T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)

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Old Jul 9, 2014, 8:23 pm
  #2266  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
I plan on paying my mortgage in 3 $1K payments a month, through a free *online* bill pay service. Assuming little other usage, should I expect to get my account blocked in short order? No BB/MO or ATM unloads..just online mortgage bill pay.
yngdiego is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2014, 9:28 pm
  #2267  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by ericdabbs
Not sure why you are calling Reloadit concerning this issue. It sounds like the issue is with Tmobile. You should be calling the Tmobile CSR to ask them to issue you a ticket so that the risk dept can contact you. Reloadit CSR's can't do anything to remove the block that is preventing you from loading to your Tmo card.
The number I called is the number shown in the error message (888) 633-9434.

I guess the number you called/mentioned is the number on the back of the Tmobile card (866) 306-9636.

Since I've already issued a ticket number from calling the first phone number, can I still call the 866 number to get the CSR to validate the card ? Or better just wait ?
newdoct is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2014, 9:30 pm
  #2268  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by yngdiego
I plan on paying my mortgage in 3 $1K payments a month, through a free *online* bill pay service. Assuming little other usage, should I expect to get my account blocked in short order? No BB/MO or ATM unloads..just online mortgage bill pay.
Might be better to use Evolvemoney. check the other post
newdoct is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2014, 9:45 pm
  #2269  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: DL MM, Marriott LT Titanium, AA EXP, Avis Chairmans
Posts: 1,399
Originally Posted by newdoct
Might be better to use Evolvemoney. check the other post
That's exactly the service I was going to use.
yngdiego is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2014, 9:46 pm
  #2270  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,509
Originally Posted by newdoct
The number I called is the number shown in the error message (888) 633-9434.

I guess the number you called/mentioned is the number on the back of the Tmobile card (866) 306-9636.

Since I've already issued a ticket number from calling the first phone number, can I still call the 866 number to get the CSR to validate the card ? Or better just wait ?
Honestly to get your Tmobile card unblocked, you have to call the 9636 number and get a ticket number issued by them. Reloadit serves many partners for prepaid cards but the fact that it doesn't take the reloadit pack has nothing to with the Reloadit company. It is Tmobile that is blocking you from reloading it so its their issue.

If you just did what I told you earlier which is call the 9636 number and enter your card information. If you don't get your balance of your T-mo card after entering your phone number, your T-mo card is blocked. At that point you will be transfer to a T-mo CSR agent which can then issue you a ticket which is then forwarded to the risk dept to call you about this. You are doing everything backwards by talking to reloadit CSR in the first place if indeed your Tmobile card is blocked.
ericdabbs is offline  
Old Jul 9, 2014, 10:11 pm
  #2271  
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Originally Posted by yngdiego
I plan on paying my mortgage in 3 $1K payments a month, through a free *online* bill pay service. Assuming little other usage, should I expect to get my account blocked in short order? No BB/MO or ATM unloads..just online mortgage bill pay.
No problems the last few months on one of my T-Mo cards paying part of a mortgage. I pay the limit I can on Evolve with VGCs and then pay the balance on my mortgage company's website since they accept Visa debit cards as a payment method. I know you can use ReloadIts on Evolve but paying with the T-Mo gets the load fee refunded so I come out slightly ahead.
payeco is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2014, 5:59 am
  #2272  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 126
Originally Posted by susieling
Did anyone happen to load to your t-mobile account on 7/3? I did a couple but I noticed there is no credit of the $3.95 fee till now (the system just slept through July 4th and forgot about it?) Some of my later loads on 7/5 and 7/6 have already got the credits..
EDIT: Load credits from 7/9 posted at 8am eastern. Still nothing from 7/3.

Several loads on 7/3 and several loads on 7/9 (maybe it's too early), did not receive the $3.95 credit as expected. If this continues, this card will no longer be any good for me since my RLI source only takes debit. I've been using VGCs and don't need a double-dip on the fees (4.95 + 3.95).

Last edited by met152; Jul 10, 2014 at 6:10 am Reason: 7/9 credits posted.
met152 is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2014, 7:12 am
  #2273  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Originally Posted by yngdiego
I plan on paying my mortgage in 3 $1K payments a month, through a free *online* bill pay service. Assuming little other usage, should I expect to get my account blocked in short order? No BB/MO or ATM unloads..just online mortgage bill pay.
Still not necessarily a lot of information on this. However, I will say that after I was reinstated, I tested making a $200 Bill Pay at Walmart. The same day, I did close to $1k on Evolve. I got a "Warning" email about continuing to do what I was told not to and they specifically called out the WM transaction. They never said anything about the higher Evolve payment. So not saying that it will necessarily be OK but just giving some info.
cdancer20 is offline  
Old Jul 10, 2014, 9:47 pm
  #2274  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by cdancer20
Still not necessarily a lot of information on this. However, I will say that after I was reinstated, I tested making a $200 Bill Pay at Walmart. The same day, I did close to $1k on Evolve. I got a "Warning" email about continuing to do what I was told not to and they specifically called out the WM transaction. They never said anything about the higher Evolve payment. So not saying that it will necessarily be OK but just giving some info.
I am still new to this card... So no amount of WM BP is okay? While their own BP is flaky at best? It's hard to believe a mere $200 would trigger anything. They might as well say BP is not a feature of this card.
unnamedone is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 4:54 am
  #2275  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
well I have not used this for a month since reloadit dried out. Today I found some and happily bought 10 but when I came back home trying to load them I realized my tmobile card has been blocked [currently zero balance and giving a message "Your Reloadit Pack appears to be in a status that will not allow funds to be transferred. Please contact customer service 1 (888) 633-9434".]. This is my second block. First block was three months ago due to bill pay to AMEX. Anyone able to unblock even after lots of WM BP activities. I used the card for both everyday spending and WMBP (mostly). Assuming they do not unblock my tmobile card, what do people do with the reload it cards? I know I can try AN but they are also shutting people down left and right, right?
ANyone tried to get refund for these reloadit cards?
yoyo is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 6:33 am
  #2276  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Originally Posted by hokiegl
Same here. But the one from yesterday was refunded. Must have been some kind of glitch over 4th of July. No biggie. Definitely not worth calling about.
Was just going thru my account and I also got shorted the fee credit for a 7/3 load. Not going to call tho. I think I can afford the $4 considering I've been fee-free MS'ing for a while now
skitch23 is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 6:42 am
  #2277  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Originally Posted by yoyo
well I have not used this for a month since reloadit dried out. Today I found some and happily bought 10 but when I came back home trying to load them I realized my tmobile card has been blocked [currently zero balance and giving a message "Your Reloadit Pack appears to be in a status that will not allow funds to be transferred. Please contact customer service 1 (888) 633-9434".]. This is my second block. First block was three months ago due to bill pay to AMEX. Anyone able to unblock even after lots of WM BP activities. I used the card for both everyday spending and WMBP (mostly). Assuming they do not unblock my tmobile card, what do people do with the reload it cards? I know I can try AN but they are also shutting people down left and right, right?
ANyone tried to get refund for these reloadit cards?
Wow, you bought 10 RLits at once?!! That's gutsy...I can't imagine any of my stores allowing that.
unkinected is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 7:09 am
  #2278  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Originally Posted by yoyo
well I have not used this for a month since reloadit dried out. Today I found some and happily bought 10 but when I came back home trying to load them I realized my tmobile card has been blocked [currently zero balance and giving a message "Your Reloadit Pack appears to be in a status that will not allow funds to be transferred. Please contact customer service 1 (888) 633-9434".]. This is my second block. First block was three months ago due to bill pay to AMEX. Anyone able to unblock even after lots of WM BP activities. I used the card for both everyday spending and WMBP (mostly). Assuming they do not unblock my tmobile card, what do people do with the reload it cards? I know I can try AN but they are also shutting people down left and right, right?
ANyone tried to get refund for these reloadit cards?
If applicable to you and you aren't doing it already, I suggest you look into Evolve Money and any other Reloadit reloadable product. It definitely doesn't hurt to call and try to get your account reinstated.
cdancer20 is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 7:38 am
  #2279  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
Originally Posted by unkinected
Wow, you bought 10 RLits at once?!! That's gutsy...I can't imagine any of my stores allowing that.
It was not 10 at once. It was 1-3 each at 4 stores.
yoyo is offline  
Old Jul 11, 2014, 7:43 am
  #2280  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
Originally Posted by cdancer20
If applicable to you and you aren't doing it already, I suggest you look into Evolve Money and any other Reloadit reloadable product. It definitely doesn't hurt to call and try to get your account reinstated.
Thanks. I do have a evolve account and subscribes to that forum but really not any bills to pay. Will try to get my account reinstated.
yoyo is offline  


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