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 27, 2015, 9:21 am
#3001
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, DL Diamond 1MM, Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AMEX 2015 Centurion
Posts: 323
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/24010709-post1904.html
Being these directions were written before the multiple swipe method stopped working (1000x1000x500), you will not be able to load more than 1000 in a transaction but you should still be able to load your RB and then make a purchase.
That being said, given the recent problems with loading RB, why over complicate the loading process. If you are trying to make a load look inconspicuous to your cc company, just load an odd amount (i.e. $745.32).
Feb 27, 2015, 9:38 am
#3002
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 15
No one knows for sure how long it will take to get this squared away. (New territory) so I guess they are just throwing 6 months out there as an extreme. I don't know that you will lose any money unless you choose to not follow the path to do so. Some warrant against calling and I agree to some extent. However, I would personally not just let $1000 or w/e slide forever. I will note though that there are some MS avenues that take a while to actually get your money back if you are shutdown or whatever for some reason. Just take a trip to the Paypal thread and you will see.
Is there any case to be made that dealing with Target is the best course of action? I spoke with a manager who clearly saw the charges were erroneous. Shouldn't they be the ones correcting this on their end? It seems to me it would add considerable more credibility by them contacting Amex.
Feb 27, 2015, 9:48 am
#3003
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 108
There is a Super Target at North Atlanta refused to load redbird with any cash/debit card/credit card and cited they didn't accept RB or AFT anymore.
However, if I go to another target 4 miles away and they don't care at all.
However, if I go to another target 4 miles away and they don't care at all.
I had to dig back to find your post on this. Due to the recent issues the thread has grown by 15 pages in the last two days, so I have certainly missed some of these posts. There is at least one other San Jose location that is now "cash only", but others seem to be working as of right now.
Feb 27, 2015, 9:59 am
#3004
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NY
Posts: 28
At least that's the way I've been doing it.
Feb 27, 2015, 10:02 am
#3005
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MDW
Programs: WN (CP 6x, A+ 2x), Marriott (LT Titanium), Hyatt Explorer, Hertz PC, UA/*A Silver
Posts: 425
I'm going to hold off calling for a bit as I'm still hoping things work out (ex Target doesn't balance out, requests a credit on my behalf) I had a similar experience with a one vanilla card/drugstore on a card that didn't load so hoping something like that occurs soon. That said, I could be being completely ignorant of how Amex and Target communicate with each other and this won't happen. There is no chance I will just eat the loss without disputing it.
Is there any case to be made that dealing with Target is the best course of action? I spoke with a manager who clearly saw the charges were erroneous. Shouldn't they be the ones correcting this on their end? It seems to me it would add considerable more credibility by them contacting Amex.
Is there any case to be made that dealing with Target is the best course of action? I spoke with a manager who clearly saw the charges were erroneous. Shouldn't they be the ones correcting this on their end? It seems to me it would add considerable more credibility by them contacting Amex.
In my case, I have no idea if the $100 load had anything to do with the $500 appearing or if the $500 showed up between the last time I checked my account yesterday afternoon and my trip to the store. But, maybe loading a small amount (even just $10) might trigger it.
Good luck.
Feb 27, 2015, 10:04 am
#3006
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MDW
Programs: WN (CP 6x, A+ 2x), Marriott (LT Titanium), Hyatt Explorer, Hertz PC, UA/*A Silver
Posts: 425
Feb 27, 2015, 11:13 am
#3008
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Just tried a load on a TEMP card before activating the permanent card which I have received (just putting all the info out there, don't know if it's relevant).
First load went through. Receipt printed with updated balance and got an email confirmation.
Tried a second load to top off the card with the max $1500, but the register had the error message display the two times I tried a second load.
Knowing this, I didn't push through and walked away.
First load went through. Receipt printed with updated balance and got an email confirmation.
Tried a second load to top off the card with the max $1500, but the register had the error message display the two times I tried a second load.
Knowing this, I didn't push through and walked away.
Feb 27, 2015, 11:38 am
#3009
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Feb 27, 2015, 12:19 pm
#3010
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: DTW
Programs: Dirt Status w/ All
Posts: 5,040
To switch gears a bit, an off-topic post for most here, but on-topic for the people that I think Target/Amex intended this product for....
Can a Redcard be used to pay for a purchase as a debit card w/ PIN? For example, Dollar Tree does not take Amex, so it could not be used as a credit card. Can you select debit and enter your PIN with this card?
Reason I ask is that I have a few friends with bad/no credit who are paying exorbitant load fees for other prepaid Visa/MC products if they want to shop online and such. Since they are restaurant workers (lots of cash tips) and Targets are everywhere around here I was pushing them towards this product as a no fee banking solution. Plus I figure the more people that use it as intended, the less focus on the MS crowd.
Can a Redcard be used to pay for a purchase as a debit card w/ PIN? For example, Dollar Tree does not take Amex, so it could not be used as a credit card. Can you select debit and enter your PIN with this card?
Reason I ask is that I have a few friends with bad/no credit who are paying exorbitant load fees for other prepaid Visa/MC products if they want to shop online and such. Since they are restaurant workers (lots of cash tips) and Targets are everywhere around here I was pushing them towards this product as a no fee banking solution. Plus I figure the more people that use it as intended, the less focus on the MS crowd.
Feb 27, 2015, 12:40 pm
#3013
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Yep, we're talking about the same people. They load with cash because that's all they've got/can get. There's a decent chance they're in that situation partially because they don't understand how finances work, so losing even $50-100 for a few days (and being afraid it might be gone for good) could really wreak some havoc on them. They're the ones I worry about/feel sorry for the most in this situation.
I'm in 100% agreement with you.
Reloaded $250 successfully today. Still no word on the missing load. I'm going to wait until I get back from Disney World before I file a dispute. Maybe AMEX will get their .... figured out by then.
Feb 27, 2015, 12:47 pm
#3014
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 7
Well I can attest that because of RB, I frequent Target alot and, aside from RB loads, I have spent maybe 3-4k in the past 3 months just on regular merchandise. For a 5% discount...why not! I usually max all my grocery earning cards on VGCs so having the ability to earn an uncapped 5% plus the points earned from loading RB...they have definitely won my business! While I struggle to believe that Target is making any kind of profit on loading with CCs, they are definitely taking business away from Walmart and expanding their market share with this product.
I have noticed that their prices are a bit higher on most things, even after the discount. Rain X "orange" windshield wiper fluid for example, I just paid $3.99 - 5%. Walmart has it for 25% less. It's only a buck, but it adds up on higher priced items.
That said, I'm willing to pay a few bucks more to be treated like a human, not have insane checkout wait times and just generally enjoy the shopping experience more. Same reason why some drive a BMW vs a Chevy.
Feb 27, 2015, 1:58 pm
#3015
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
There are some people who do MS who are charging more than they have savings to cover their MS charges. They are leaving no pad for hiccups like this one.
I had $5K disappear when I did a BB BillPay to my brokerage account last year. It should have been easy to resolve and credit my account. It ended up taking almost a month to get my money back, as AmEx had a 'team' that I couldn't talk to nor contact 'investigate' the missing money. And I didn't bother reporting that it was missing for three weeks because I had family health issues that I was dealing with.
It wasn't a big deal to me; it was just investing the money. But everything moved at a snail's pace. And that was a one-off event for the AmEx Brain Trust to deal with. How long will it take to resolve this many missing money events?
When I started MSing with BB, there were regular warnings to not MS with money you couldn't afford to float for a very long time. I don't know if anyone specified a time length, but if an MS liquidation path got shut down tomorrow, one would need an alternative method to liquidate that MS. Like being stuck with gift cards or some other previously liquid asset that is now only able to be used as intended.
Perhaps I was insensitive when I wrote
It's pretty clear that Target is starting to implement policies designed to stop MS abuse right now. No longer allowing one to load money onto someone else's RB is one thing they're doing and I wouldn't be surprised to see that become a Target policy in most of their stores.
No credit card loads to RB policy is another obvious attempt to stop MS on RB.
It appears that they're now trying to tweak RB a bit to chase out the biggest abusers of RB.