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
Jun 1, 2015, 5:57 pm
#7966
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: San Diego
Posts: 229
Just loaded 1k in SD. Bought VGC's from Vons like 5 mins prior to that - had the big ole Gift Card logo on my cards and I didnt even try to hide it. Just met min. spend on my new Chase Hyatt CC!
By the way, my home depots and staples were wiped out of $200 vgc's .... man oh man
By the way, my home depots and staples were wiped out of $200 vgc's .... man oh man
Jun 1, 2015, 6:08 pm
#7967
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
As to this question:
If Target decides to hard-code its registers to reject certain types of cards, you bet they can do that, probably overnight, like they implemented the two changes to Redbird so far: Lowering transaction limits from $2.5K to $1K and exluding credit cards. Walmart for instance has coded its registers to reject Vanilla gift cards over $50 for Serve and Bluebird.
And if they can do that, do you think Target would rely on each individual store and employee to enforce its corporate country-wide policies or would it instead hard-code its registers to reject those particular cards, like it did with credit cards?
If Target decides to hard-code its registers to reject certain types of cards, you bet they can do that, probably overnight, like they implemented the two changes to Redbird so far: Lowering transaction limits from $2.5K to $1K and exluding credit cards. Walmart for instance has coded its registers to reject Vanilla gift cards over $50 for Serve and Bluebird.
And if they can do that, do you think Target would rely on each individual store and employee to enforce its corporate country-wide policies or would it instead hard-code its registers to reject those particular cards, like it did with credit cards?
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:12 pm
#7968
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
I'm pretty sure it's Bancorp (or whoever the parent company is) that rejects the WM amounts at $50 or above.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:18 pm
#7969
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
I managed to avoid the problem with the card holder's name and card number printed in black on a dark background by placing my next order for cards with white backgrounds (balloon design and white rose design). The name and card number were printed in black on a white background. In addition, the word "GIFT" did not appear in large letters on the upper right portion of the card. However, the words "Gift only valid in U.S." are printed under the name. I checked GCM's web site and it is not possible to specify the text of the message that appears under the name.
I feel that this is a bit of bait and switch because the different card designs on GCM's site do not show the word gift on the cards. In addition, the cards with dark backgrounds show white text, which is contrary to cards that I received with the boat design.
The names on the GCM VGCs look to be rather lay cheaper affixed to the cards.
I just placed my first order with giftcards.com and read somewhere that their personalized VGCs have embossed names. I hope that's the case.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:22 pm
#7970
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
I'm pretty sure it's Bancorp (or whoever the parent company is) that rejects the WM amounts at $50 or above.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:25 pm
#7971
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
I loaded 2k today and the receipt showed the balance, but when I got home, the transactions were reversed. I'm pretty sure they reversed the transaction after I left. That's it for me. I'm closing all 3 RB and switching back to Serve. Kate has always been nice (if she's on)
Keep the original gift card receipt. I wrap it around the card(s). Not quite as critical if the receipt gets separated because the card number's on the receipt. (This receipt will come in handy if the money disappears off of the GC).
After I've loaded a gift card onto my RB, I wrap the load receipt around it and make sure that they stay together. When I get home, I put them in a drawer ... I'm more disorganized than many experienced MSers.
After a couple of months, I don't think it's a problem to throw everything 2+ months' old out, but I'd hang onto everything for that long 'just in case'. Probably overly safe, but better to be safe than sorry.
Last tip: Verify that all gift cards are zeroed out before throwing them out.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:31 pm
#7972
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Well, it's not a corporate policy since over 90% of people report loading with gift cards across the country without issues.
From my experience with Target (quite a bit during the Redbird credit card days, like visiting 15+ stores/week, often multiple times the same stores) whenever a local Target store/manager/supervisor makes a policy about something like that/Redbird, they will say it is a Target/corporate policy just to fend off arguments.
Of course I never told them "it is not true because I've done this at many other stores many times" since that argument would benefit me nothing, but I knew for a fact that it wasn't a Target/corporate policy. My take was that this wasn't anything to do with MS but rather fraud risk.
Regardless, if a Target employee won't let you load, just try another cashier/shift, if it turns out it is the entire store not letting you load, just move on to the next Target store; there's no point in arguing with them, you will gain nothing.
From my experience with Target (quite a bit during the Redbird credit card days, like visiting 15+ stores/week, often multiple times the same stores) whenever a local Target store/manager/supervisor makes a policy about something like that/Redbird, they will say it is a Target/corporate policy just to fend off arguments.
Of course I never told them "it is not true because I've done this at many other stores many times" since that argument would benefit me nothing, but I knew for a fact that it wasn't a Target/corporate policy. My take was that this wasn't anything to do with MS but rather fraud risk.
Regardless, if a Target employee won't let you load, just try another cashier/shift, if it turns out it is the entire store not letting you load, just move on to the next Target store; there's no point in arguing with them, you will gain nothing.
Had another Target cashier comment today that she'd never seen a prepaid Redcard before. I told her I got it in CO and liked it because it gave me 5% off and I didn't need to worry about overspending. She liked doing it that way (no overspending). (No need to get into the whole MS process).
I had no problem loading GCs multiple times at two Targets today.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:39 pm
#7974
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
I'm pretty sure it's Bancorp (or whoever the parent company is) that rejects the WM amounts at $50 or above.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
I was doing a MO at a WM right around the change and slid my Vanilla Visa, put in the pin that I always use for the first time (1111). It got denied and I got flustered and put in a different pin the second time (wasn't thinking it through) and the message that time wasn't the regular error, it was "pin incorrect, please retry".
That to me means the order and pin are getting to the bank and it's being rejected there, not by WM. There are plenty of other bank's gift cards that WM isn't blocking.
Vanilla Visa is an Incomm product.
When I load with Kate, it says something like processed by Incomm.
I don't know the exact verbiage, but my guess is that every time there's a $50+ transaction, Incomm goes through its database of Vanilla gift cards and rejects the load if it's one of the gift cards Incomm has issued.
I could be wrong, but it's the best explanation I have. By the way, the $49.99 solution works great but makes the process quite a bit longer. I prefer to offload my Vanilla products at Target. For now.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:42 pm
#7975
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Hopefully they'll just kill RBs in CA, just like NYC MSers killed RBs there.
I'm fortunate in that RBs are a rare sight where I live so I'm hoping no more hard coding of the registers. (Painful enough that CC loads are dead).
I'm fortunate in that RBs are a rare sight where I live so I'm hoping no more hard coding of the registers. (Painful enough that CC loads are dead).
Jun 1, 2015, 8:08 pm
#7976
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 393
Loaded 5x500 SMGC in PA today in 2 nearby stores. CSR mentioned she was happy that they no longer take CC. According to her, loads been reduced by at least 90% since the announcement although I have never run into another person loading the RC while I'm there.
Jun 1, 2015, 10:17 pm
#7978
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 26
Data point failed VGC and BUXX card, successful T-mobile
I tried loading a 200$ VGC from giftcard mall at my local target but was declined. I tried the nationwide BUXX card and was also declined. The CSR said that her computer shows that they can't accept the card and I should the card issuer customer service.
I tried loading using the T-mobile prepaid card and was successful.
BTW, is anyone have experience with loading VGC bought in target and issued by target bank to redcard or to serve?
I tried loading using the T-mobile prepaid card and was successful.
BTW, is anyone have experience with loading VGC bought in target and issued by target bank to redcard or to serve?
Jun 1, 2015, 10:37 pm
#7980
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: Marriott/SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 887
Ditto on the OVC.
$1,000(2X$500), $1,000(2x$500), 1x$500
Clerk had no problem with the split tender.
I normally go slow and easy, but this is a month where I have urgent need of the funds tied up in GC. Next month will return to spacing things out.
$1,000(2X$500), $1,000(2x$500), 1x$500
Clerk had no problem with the split tender.
I normally go slow and easy, but this is a month where I have urgent need of the funds tied up in GC. Next month will return to spacing things out.