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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 Mar 3, 2014, 1:16 pm
  #706  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 920
At least we get reimbursed by Tmo for >$300. Seems that trying to buy +$500 attracts the managers who now have a reason to shut you down.
Guess we really have to stay below $500 to keep our TMos alive.
hitman1420 is offline  
Old Mar 3, 2014, 1:37 pm
  #707  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Originally Posted by hitman1420
At least we get reimbursed by Tmo for >$300. Seems that trying to buy +$500 attracts the managers who now have a reason to shut you down.
Guess we really have to stay below $500 to keep our TMos alive.
that's what I told you guys a while ago.
MaineCoon is offline  
Old Mar 3, 2014, 2:12 pm
  #708  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by john doe iii
You just need to get a cashier to ring it up ...
+1 same story here. Went to the same store twice. First time was a test and the CSR didnt blink about the CC. Second time for a full spend was told cash only.
hambone47 is offline  
Old Mar 3, 2014, 4:32 pm
  #709  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
Originally Posted by MaineCoon
that's what I told you guys a while ago.
what many fail to grasp/understand is how fast their 'go to' store with the 'cool' manager can become a dead store. just because s/he approved the >$500 purchase before doesn't mean s/he is going to ignore the new memo if read, or if someone overhears and enlightens him. they're going to follow store policy. this is THEIR job- not a hobby! and now that cashier and maybe the whole shift is dead to you. dumb. but if the cashier hasn't been told about the memo, and only knows that it was approved before, they just process an under $500 the same as a loaf of bread- nobody in the store knows you bought reloadit- as the gods intended it to be.

so... you fly under the radar as long as possible. for me, i make morning or night trips. mid day is tricky because shifts overlap and a vocal shoot down is witnessed by both shifts, maybe multiple managers get involved - BAD! nothing good can come of this.

be smart people...
uncommonsensical is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 2:55 pm
  #710  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
At this time we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please contact customer service.

I can't login. Anyone has the same issue?
happy9zz is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 2:58 pm
  #711  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by happy9zz
At this time we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please contact customer service.

I can't login. Anyone has the same issue?
on one of my accounts same message--on the other less used account no problem
thewogis is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:02 pm
  #712  
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Priority, SPG - AA, Hawaiian Airline, United, US Airline
Posts: 608
does it mean? is my account closed?
happy9zz is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:16 pm
  #713  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Originally Posted by happy9zz
does it mean? is my account closed?
Don't panic. If they closed the account, a very different message would appear.
MaineCoon is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:33 pm
  #714  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
Originally Posted by thewogis
on one of my accounts same message--on the other less used account no problem

I think I am in trouble here... game over..Perhaps ?

At this time we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please contact customer service.
coolblues is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:35 pm
  #715  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
Talking

Originally Posted by MaineCoon
Don't panic. If they closed the account, a very different message would appear.
You sure ?
coolblues is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:44 pm
  #716  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 108
Originally Posted by coolblues
I think I am in trouble here... game over..Perhaps ?

At this time we are experiencing technical difficulties. Please contact customer service.
How much were you pushing on this?
crimsonred is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 3:53 pm
  #717  
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Heaven
Posts: 552
edit: called CS and they confirmed that the account looks good and suggested to try different browser ... umm, I have my doubts

Last edited by coolblues; Mar 4, 2014 at 4:09 pm
coolblues is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 4:13 pm
  #718  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 143
No issues on either of my accounts.
RedTeam10 is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 5:09 pm
  #719  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Originally Posted by uncommonsensical
what many fail to grasp/understand is how fast their 'go to' store with the 'cool' manager can become a dead store. just because s/he approved the >$500 purchase before doesn't mean s/he is going to ignore the new memo if read, or if someone overhears and enlightens him. they're going to follow store policy. this is THEIR job- not a hobby! and now that cashier and maybe the whole shift is dead to you. dumb. but if the cashier hasn't been told about the memo, and only knows that it was approved before, they just process an under $500 the same as a loaf of bread- nobody in the store knows you bought reloadit- as the gods intended it to be.

so... you fly under the radar as long as possible. for me, i make morning or night trips. mid day is tricky because shifts overlap and a vocal shoot down is witnessed by both shifts, maybe multiple managers get involved - BAD! nothing good can come of this.

be smart people...
my thoughts exactly.

Two of my friendliest stores went "cash only". I now have to drive 7-8 miles each way. And I am afraid one day some too active member of this forum will turn those stores into "cash only" as well.
MaineCoon is offline  
Old Mar 4, 2014, 5:10 pm
  #720  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Originally Posted by coolblues
You sure ?
Yes, I am sure.

No company will put "technical difficulties" to let the customer know his/her account is closed.
MaineCoon is offline  


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