Jan 10, 2015, 9:20 pm
Last edit by: NoonRadar
Nov 24, 2015
Dear XXXXXXXXX,
We want to let you know that we are making a change to your Target Prepaid REDcard® by American Express, and you will no longer be able to add money from your debit card at Target stores. As always, you can continue to add money to your Prepaid REDcard by using:
• Your debit card online through your Account
• Cash at a Target Store
• Direct Deposit (You can automatically add all or part of your paycheck, government benefits and federal tax refunds to your Prepaid REDcard)
DEAD FOR DEBIT CARD LOADS EFFECTIVE 10/12/2015 - MEMO: http://frequentmiler.boardingarea.co...uests-can-use/
DEAD FOR CREDIT CARD LOADS. (Amex GCs Included)
Effective May 6, 2015 registers are hard-coded to not allow credit card reload. PIN-based debit cards are working, however YMMV. PIN-based debit cards may be refused by cashiers.
WHAT IS TARGET PREPAID REDCARD?
Prepaid Redcard is a reloadable American Express card. It is only available to purchase at select Target stores.
WEBSITE:
This site may error when in Firefox, especially with adding payees / bill pay. Customer service says to use Chrome or Internet Explorer.
https://amex.serve.com/prepaidredcard
PREPAID REDCARD LOAD LIMITS
Cash (or debit card) loading at Target: ** - $1,000/transaction, $2,500/day and $5,000/month
Online Debit Card Load * - $200/day and $1,000/month
Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month
All "Monthly" limits are per calendar month and reset on the 1st of each month.
Daily limits reset at midnight Eastern time, 9 PM Pacific time.
*For online debit load, only use of bank-issued cards is allowed. The use of pre-paid debit cards (Netspend, Paypower, Univision, Paypal, etc.) and VGC/MGC/AGCs is not allowed. Your account will be flagged upon first/second attempt.
ATM Withdrawals:
No-fee ATM usage at US Target stores* and U.S. Allpoint network ATMs. (ATM usage not available at any other ATMs.) Find an Allpoint ATM at: www.allpointnetwork.com Note that some ATMs only allow $400/transaction. There is a $750/day and $2,000/month limit to ATM withdrawals.
RedCard is only available in specific Target stores and is not available in all states. Go to this site to find a list of available locations:https://amex.serve.com/prepaidredcard
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I reload a RB at a Target that doesn't sell RB?
Yes. However, the cashier may not know how to do it. You may be able to coach them through it by saying "It's like reloading a Starbucks (or Gift) card". For step-by-step instructions on one method of 'coaching' new cashiers see Post#1904
Q: Can I buy or reload a RB in North Carolina?
See post here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...a-63.html#2520
There is currently a software issue preventing any reload of any kind in NC. It is a known issue but there is no ETA on a fix.
Q: Can I reload the RB at any register, or just at the Customer Service desk?
It can be done at any register, however some cashiers are not trained on how to do this and you may have to go to Customer Service.
Q: What is the most efficient way to drain a RedCard?
Use BillPay to pay bills. For example, pay the credit card you used to load RedCard with. You can also withdraw money at ATMs.
Q: I cant access the BillPay feature through the RB website!
Verify that your account information correctly reflects a 10-digit phone number (including area code). Numerous people have reported that their account only had a 7-digit phone number (no area code) and that, after updating to a 10-digit phone number, BillPay miraculously started working.
Q: Can we buy a temporary Redbird card while we still have a Bluebird or Serve account?
Yes.
Q: How many Redbird cards can you purchase at once?
You can only purchase one Redbird card a day per SSN. If you plan to purchase more than one, be sure to use a different SSN for each purchase to avoid activation issues.
Q: Can we register our temporary Redbird online while we still have a Bluebird or Serve account?
No. You will have to cancel your Bluebird or Serve account first before registering.
Q: How do I cancel my BlueBird or Serve Account online? Do I need to call them?
Frequent Miler posted a useful trick that will help you cancel online How to cancel Bluebird online This works for both BlueBird and Serve.
Q: Cancelled Bluebird, why does registering Redbird error out saying Bluebird is still active?
If you have open transactions that have not been settled, like BillPay checks that have not yet been cashed, the account cannot settle and will not be truly closed. Thus Target will reject it until it's permanently closed.
Q: Can we get Redbird online?
No. The only way to get Redbird is to find a participating Target store and buy a temporary card there. Some people have purchased RB on Ebay, Amazon, or through private deals. Be aware that doing so may violate the TOS of one or more of these services. Also be aware that buying an un-activated RB, you are potentially buying "stolen" merchandise; the seller *may* have simply taken the un-activated RB cards from a target store without permission. At best they got permission from a low-level employee; they certainly are not getting permission from someone authorized to allow sale of RB outside of the current Target-authorized roll out markets. It is highly recommended to only buy already activated Redbirds because many Targets which do not offer Redbirds also will not be able to activate them and you will spend a month with the Customer Service line trying to get a new one.
Q: Does the initial load you put in when purchasing the Redbird count against the monthly limit?
No. After registering the Redbird online, any loads done will count against your monthly limit, even on your temp card.
Q: Can we load Redbird with Target gift cards at Target?NO.
When loading, the register displays a large message saying that gift cards cannot be used to pay for this transaction.
Q: What are the card’s load limits per transaction at Target?
[B]As of 2/2/2015 there is a maximum $1,000 load per transaction. You can no longer load the same RB multiple times (multiple swipes) in 1 transaction. Likewise, you can no longer load multiple RBs (say your's and your spouse's) in 1 transaction. Maximum of 1 load, for $1,000 per debit card payment. End of story.
Q: What credit cards can I use to reload RedCard in Target stores?
NONE. As of May 6, 2015, credit cards cannot be used to reload.
Q: Can I reload with a debit card?
Yes, but only if the debit card can be authenticated with PIN-number. Signature-based debit that processes on the Visa/MasterCard/AmEx networks will NOT work.
Q: Can I reload with a prepaid debit card or Vanilla Visa?
Yes, but only if you have a PIN for that card.
Q: How can I load 2 debit cards in one transaction? Example 2x$500.
1. Swipe debit card on my terminal after total comes up $1000.
2. PIN pad comes up. Enter 4 digit PIN.
3. Do you want cash back? press NO
4. Do you want full amount on this card? press NO <<<Note: I pressed YES and did not have a step 5. - PHLisa
5. Cashier reads something on register, asks how much on this card. $500. They push something to continue.
6. Swipe card #2. Enter PIN
7. Repeat 3 to 5. Total: 0.00
8. Receipt prints. Thank cashier. The end.
(thanks to Mamibear)
Q: Can someone else buy a Redbird card for you?
Yes. When you buy a temp Redbird card at Target, you have to give them your drivers license info, your SSN (can be any set of numbers, does not need to be real), birthdate, and more. Then, you have to register the card online in order to get a permanent card. In the process of registering online, they ask for the birthday of the original buyer on the first screen, but you can put your own and it will still work. Either way, you can still change the details on the following screens. I did this for my wife. I bought the card at Target and used my own driver’s license, SSN, etc. But, when I got home, I registered the card to my wife. I can’t promise this will work for everyone, but it worked for me.
Q: Can you reload Serve/Bluebird at Target?
No.
Q: How do I contact Target's support team to resolve an issue with my RedCard?
Call Target's Prepaid Resolution Team, their direct telephone number is 800 438 6468 (open from 8AM to 430PM MST).
Q: Can you have both Redbird and AFT cards?
Yes.
You can have both Redbird and AFT since they are independent products.
Q: I got a "Pending" notice that the registration is being reviewed, what now?
Add [email protected] to your address book, and check your spam folder for an email about it. You can also call in. They will need images or faxes of:
• Social Security Documentation (must clearly show full 9 digit Social Security Number). Choose 1 of the following options:
◦ Social Security Card, OR
◦ A Medicare insurance card
Plus...
• Picture ID
◦ A valid driver's license card OR
◦ A valid state issued ID OR
◦ A valid United States Government ID Card (e.g. Green Card) OR
◦ A valid United States Passport (photo page only)
◦ Social Security Card, OR
◦ A Medicare insurance card
Plus...
• Picture ID
◦ A valid driver's license card OR
◦ A valid state issued ID OR
◦ A valid United States Government ID Card (e.g. Green Card) OR
◦ A valid United States Passport (photo page only)
Secure Document Upload
Here's the link to upload secure documents to REDcard: https://secure.prepaidredcard.com/User/SecureFileUpload
Prepaid REDcard (Target) 2015-2016
Feb 26, 2015, 7:59 am
#2823
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: AAdvantage, UA, Avios
Posts: 637
Feb 26, 2015, 8:03 am
#2826
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
People using both Serve and Bluebird have reported loading errors in various states. Redcard is reporting both loading and log on errors. As Pittpoints said, deep breaths. Sit tight today and see what happens when the system is fixed.
Don't load today!!! A ton of frantic calls about "where's my $2500 credit card load" won't help our case at all.
Don't load today!!! A ton of frantic calls about "where's my $2500 credit card load" won't help our case at all.
Feb 26, 2015, 8:03 am
#2828
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Midwest U.S.A
Programs: Too many to list. Since the early 90's.
Posts: 1,407
I never leave the store unless I see the receipts show my red was loaded properly. Due to the system wide errors (which I didn't know about until yesterday), as soon as we saw there was an error when attempting to load and yet it took money from my card, I had them void the transaction (basically a return) so I'd have a receipt of the voided transaction and Target's system will credit back to my card in the next couple days. It can take a couple days when it's a debit, AGC and even cc sometimes.
Although, I'm like everyone else and can't get into my Red account. Seems like they shut it down to prevent more problems (hacking issues?). Hacks are the scum of the earth. They hurt everyone in their greedy, selfish pursuits. They have no regard for anyone and no doubt have stolen from their own families. They are the lowest of the low and yet arrogant. They just don't care.
Be patient. Amex will get this worked out. It's not the death of this. It's an error that needs repaired. Fear not. The only thing I fear is a certain proposal before the FCC today that the fcc chairman won't let any of the public see. They're only telling people what they want to hear is in it, but hiding the other parts. Deceit is criminal.
Although, I'm like everyone else and can't get into my Red account. Seems like they shut it down to prevent more problems (hacking issues?). Hacks are the scum of the earth. They hurt everyone in their greedy, selfish pursuits. They have no regard for anyone and no doubt have stolen from their own families. They are the lowest of the low and yet arrogant. They just don't care.
Be patient. Amex will get this worked out. It's not the death of this. It's an error that needs repaired. Fear not. The only thing I fear is a certain proposal before the FCC today that the fcc chairman won't let any of the public see. They're only telling people what they want to hear is in it, but hiding the other parts. Deceit is criminal.
Last edited by Churnman; Feb 26, 2015 at 8:11 am
Feb 26, 2015, 8:08 am
#2829
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,040
I heard from a guy who's girlfriend's BFF's cousin's bartender's uncle works for the DEA and they have traced a lot of illegal money laundering to the RedBird so they are shutting it down to get the criminals to panic and head to Target to unload their ill-gotten gains. The DEA along with ATF, state and local police are staking out every Target in the country to catch the criminals. You don't even have to go in the store since there is a secret RFID chip in the card that can be read from 500 yards away. Anyone getting close to a Target with a RB in their posession this morning will be detained and subjected to an in-person Amex financial review. The sting is scheduled until 2:00 local time, so stay away from target until then.
Or maybe it is just a server glitch.
Or maybe it is just a server glitch.
Feb 26, 2015, 8:09 am
#2830
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
I heard from a guy who's girlfriend's BFF's cousin's bartender's uncle works for the DEA and they have traced a lot of illegal money laundering to the RedBird so they are shutting it down to get the criminals to panic and head to Target to unload their ill-gotten gains. The DEA along with ATF, state and local police are staking out every Target in the country to catch the criminals. You don't even have to go in the store since there is a secret RFID chip in the card that can be read from 500 yards away. Anyone getting close to a Target with a RB in their posession this morning will be detained and subjected to an in-person Amex financial review. The sting is scheduled until 2:00 local time, so stay away from target until then.
Or maybe it is just a server glitch.
Or maybe it is just a server glitch.
Love the humor!
Oh wait, were you serious???
Feb 26, 2015, 8:18 am
#2835
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 613
You're joking, right? Target in no way assumes the $5,000 that you put on your account is revenue. No way, no how. IF they charged a 1% fee to load your account THAT would be revenue = $5,000 * .01 = $50 to revenue. But there is no charge so they make nothing on it. It is just an internal transaction. They cannot book something as a sale unless they actually sell you something... this is very clear and highly regulated by federal regulators, their internal audit teams consisting of hundreds of employees, and their external auditors who are on the hook if they lie/screw this very simple concept up.
"In a typical gift card transaction, the consumer pays a card issuer in exchange for purchasing the gift card. In doing so, the consumer is prepaying for the right to receive goods and services in the future. The resultant obligation is recorded by the card issuer as a liability...
When a gift card is used, marking the point at which the goods or services are transferred, the card issuer should reduce the corresponding liability for the card, simultaneously recognizing revenue by the amount for which the card was used."
This isn't exactly the same as the RedCard but similar accounting methods are probably in use. Cash--asset; gift card--liability. Oversimplified of course.