Jan 22, 2014, 3:27 pm
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)
Mar 7, 2014, 2:34 pm
#841
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
This is correct. I haven't done it with TMobile nor Discover, but in general, many banks will post your payment instantly upon submission and only retract it a few days later if it ends up being rejected.
Mar 7, 2014, 3:15 pm
#843
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 293
Heck, I wish I could get that far. Everything is working fine for me except I continue to have difficulties adding new Payees. Each time I get a message that the information is not consistent with their records. I get the same results on the mobile app. One of these payees, for example, was SoCal Edison.
Mar 7, 2014, 3:32 pm
#844
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
You're the pioneer here! What's your method of withdrawal (MO, BP, other) and general pattern of load/unload timing? Swipes mixed in? Saw your other post about your 4 stores shutting down CC Rlit buys though... I hope that doesn't hold up. Trying another one here today. Will report back soon.
.
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I grab as many as I can, one per store per day, under $500 total with groceries, when I am told "cash-only", I just smile and take the card back to the rack. Load them immediately and do a BP same or the next day.
Mar 7, 2014, 3:59 pm
#847
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 293
Perhaps some of the "loss prevention" tightening that we have been seeing is in anticipation of this deal? Regardless, continues to by YMMV, as I still am able to get $950s at one of my favorite Vons, where they throw around the manager override card to each other like it's a football game! In most other stores, it's just not worth the risk going over $500, as the buck stops at the managers.
Mar 7, 2014, 4:30 pm
#848
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Perhaps some of the "loss prevention" tightening that we have been seeing is in anticipation of this deal? Regardless, continues to by YMMV, as I still am able to get $950s at one of my favorite Vons, where they throw around the manager override card to each other like it's a football game! In most other stores, it's just not worth the risk going over $500, as the buck stops at the managers.
Enjoy it while you can folks.
but don't be greedy and don't spoil the stores for the rest of us.
Mar 7, 2014, 5:06 pm
#850
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 293
I get that. However, I am also using Reloadits to load wife's and my AN cards (I've been banned by Moneypak) and staying under $500 would mean doubling my costs (an extra $800 per year). So, $950s get loaded on AN and, as you correctly note, I'm keeping under $500s for TM loads.
Mar 7, 2014, 5:16 pm
#852
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
I get that. However, I am also using Reloadits to load wife's and my AN cards (I've been banned by Moneypak) and staying under $500 would mean doubling my costs (an extra $800 per year). So, $950s get loaded on AN and, as you correctly note, I'm keeping under $500s for TM loads.
it is reloadit card that matters.
if you can get away w/$950 rlit w/o shutting down the store completely for yourself and for the rest of us, by all means go for it, doesn't make any difference.
Mar 7, 2014, 5:29 pm
#853
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 293
I understand that it does not make a difference for t-mo and, to date, all of my t-mo loads have been under $500. That is, after all, the low lying fruit. It does, however, make a big difference for loading my two AN cards, neither of which refunds the fee. So, by using $950s instead of < $500s to load my AN cards, I am saving approximately $800 per year in fees. My point is that some of us have very good reasons for purchasing $950s, and we were doing so well before the t-mo opportunity.
Mar 7, 2014, 5:34 pm
#854
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
I understand that it does not make a difference for t-mo and, to date, all of my t-mo loads have been under $500. That is, after all, the low lying fruit. It does, however, make a big difference for loading my two AN cards, neither of which refunds the fee. So, by using $950s instead of < $500s to load my AN cards, I am saving approximately $800 per year in fees. My point is that some of us have very good reasons for purchasing $950s, and we were doing so well before the t-mo opportunity.
Just don't be surprised if and when the manager will show up in order to override the transaction >$500 and tells you: "those cards are cash-only, it is a store policy" loud and clear, so all the cashiers will hear that and remember that. Alas, your big savings of $800/year won't matter anymore.
Mar 7, 2014, 6:01 pm
#855
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
The memo about rlits being "cash only" has been out. I know this 100%.
The cashiers do not read the memos, but managers - sometimes - do. And when asked by the cashier they will go and check. Ka-boom!!
I always have my drivers license along with the cc when trying to do the transaction. Sometimes it helps, but not always. Some of those cashiers are super cautious, especially the "career cashiers", lol.
The cashiers do not read the memos, but managers - sometimes - do. And when asked by the cashier they will go and check. Ka-boom!!
I always have my drivers license along with the cc when trying to do the transaction. Sometimes it helps, but not always. Some of those cashiers are super cautious, especially the "career cashiers", lol.