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
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
T-Mobile Visa Prepaid - Bluebird Competitor for MS! (May not load w/CC)
#2419
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
#2420
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Even if they only allow debit, you could by OVs elsewhere about but them with those. Since the RL fee is refunded it's still useful. Obviously not as useful or lucrative as a direct CC purchase but it's better than nothing.
#2421
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 159
Got charged $2 atm fee for the atm I normally use, which is still showing to be in the network, for the first time ever. Any one having the same problem? Just wondering if it's a glitch, like the monthly fee they charge by mistake sometimes. Or are they changing atm affiliates without updating them on the web. Or worst scenario, no more free atm withdraws.
#2422
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 88
Bought a reloadit at VONS for $950. It needed manager approval and she told the cashier I couldn't buy with a credit card. I told them I've done it before and she said just try to push the transaction through amd it went. She then said there was an email that said to take cash only and was going to show it to the cashier. I just walked out. That sucks.
#2423
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 47
#2425
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Bought a reloadit at VONS for $950. It needed manager approval and she told the cashier I couldn't buy with a credit card. I told them I've done it before and she said just try to push the transaction through amd it went. She then said there was an email that said to take cash only and was going to show it to the cashier. I just walked out. That sucks.
#2426
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SAN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 428
Got charged $2 atm fee for the atm I normally use, which is still showing to be in the network, for the first time ever. Any one having the same problem? Just wondering if it's a glitch, like the monthly fee they charge by mistake sometimes. Or are they changing atm affiliates without updating them on the web. Or worst scenario, no more free atm withdraws.
#2427
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Yeah... works great if all you care about is getting less than $500 per visit/transaction and you don't value your time all that much (nor care about the cost of gas).
If your goal is just to fly under the radar and a few miles/points/cb here or there, fine, cool, so be it. However, sometimes it 'pays' to just announce your 'flight plan', show your 'flight clearance and credentials', allow your self to be found on the 'radar', and, 'be cleared for landing'... 'repeatedly'... day after day....(after day, after day, after day...)
#2428
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Often this 'wisdom' is repeated, again and again... and again... and again........ and again.................
Yeah... works great if all you care about is getting less than $500 per visit/transaction and you don't value your time all that much (nor care about the cost of gas).
If your goal is just to fly under the radar and a few miles/points/cb here or there, fine, cool, so be it. However, sometimes it 'pays' to just announce your 'flight plan', show your 'flight clearance and credentials', allow your self to be found on the 'radar', and, 'be cleared for landing'... 'repeatedly'... day after day....(after day, after day, after day...)
Yeah... works great if all you care about is getting less than $500 per visit/transaction and you don't value your time all that much (nor care about the cost of gas).
If your goal is just to fly under the radar and a few miles/points/cb here or there, fine, cool, so be it. However, sometimes it 'pays' to just announce your 'flight plan', show your 'flight clearance and credentials', allow your self to be found on the 'radar', and, 'be cleared for landing'... 'repeatedly'... day after day....(after day, after day, after day...)
#2429
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 293
You can even do three! Some Vons permit up to $2,999.99 in "gift card" purchases. And it is a "myth" that anything over $500 requires manager intervention. It only requires the override key, which many managers will leave with one of the cashiers, especially late at night. YMMV
#2430
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
You can even do three! Some Vons permit up to $2,999.99 in "gift card" purchases. And it is a "myth" that anything over $500 requires manager intervention. It only requires the override key, which many managers will leave with one of the cashiers, especially late at night. YMMV