I was told about the new 1k limit as well, but the woman at my local mall said it'd be only for business purchases (ie filling out the form and all that)

Does anyone know what Bank Blackhawk uses? Bancorp, USBank, MetaBank?

What good would these new ones be if you can't load them to BB/Serve?

As long as everyone and their blogger continue to pump simon for ms, then disaster looms as usual. At this point, I know there'll be new designs offered for a variety of occassions which is nice. But, let's also discuss the negatives of Blackhawk so people's expectations of ms glory with the new cards will subside into reality.

Does Blackhawk have negatives?

I was gonna make my first foray to Simon's on Saturday.

Hopefully something is still there!

Blackhawk=Bancorp=FTC Investigation=Vanilla=No MO @ WM = loss of easy MS

USB Visas are just so much less of a hassle...

Edit: Apparently I'm an idiot - while Bancorp partners with Blackhawk on some things (T-Mo Prepaid), Blackhawk runs their own payment network and issues meta-VGCs.

Truth!

it still should work fine at other locations for MO if it comes with a PIN.

Blackhawk owns GCM who issues MetaBank GCs. Don't know where you are getting information that Simon is going to switch to Bancorp.

I bought 5 cards yesterday, was told that the new program will be cheaper for us and will arrive in a few months.

You go ahead and keep thinking that.

Has anyone tried the Aventura Mall by Simon Mall MCGC from Sunrise Bank? They seem to be very good at accepting CC to buy them. Many International Latin-Americans paying with foreign cards (Forex and Int Fees). With $2.95 Activation for $500, it seems like a better option versus WD VGC. Well, I will go ahead a try one to see if Kate likes it or MO s can be issued at the MC

I hope many keep thinking that too.

I have access to many cards that work at other places for MO, but I need ones that will work on Kate. That is key for me. As long as these stay that way in the future I'll be happy and very happy to get them in other stores as well. We can only hope for now. I liked the way things have been and the somewhat more limited availability depending on location. Once the masses can get them anywhere, that creates other problems but I'll try to stay optimistic and not think too far ahead.

Just got back from the mall, my favorite cashier said they won't allow AGC to purchase the visas :(