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
Oct 13, 2015, 4:39 am
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Red's dead baby, Red's dead.
I can't believe no one's posted the RB version of the famous Pulp Fiction lines:
MSer's Girlfriend: What kind of credit card is this?
Crusty MSer: It's a debit card, baby.
MSer's Girlfriend: What kind of debit card is this?
Crusty MSer: Red.
MSer's Girlfriend: What's Red?
Crusty MSer: Red's dead baby, Red's dead.
Time to ride off into the MS sunset. I know it's premature to call Red dead, but this thread needs a bit of levity.
MSer's Girlfriend: What kind of credit card is this?
Crusty MSer: It's a debit card, baby.
MSer's Girlfriend: What kind of debit card is this?
Crusty MSer: Red.
MSer's Girlfriend: What's Red?
Crusty MSer: Red's dead baby, Red's dead.
Time to ride off into the MS sunset. I know it's premature to call Red dead, but this thread needs a bit of levity.
Oct 13, 2015, 5:47 am
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Gotta be positive my friend. I recently watched the "Happy" documentary on Netflix though so that might be also rubbing off me 
But really, I for once am thankful it lasted thus far. Nothing is guaranteed in the MS hobby. In the end, it is free or nearly free travel and money that we benefit, so if an MS venue stops we should be grateful for what we got out of it, as opposed to miserable about it no longer being available.
Besides, there's always other opportunities. Though I can't say that I'm looking forward to dealing with Walmart employees (nearby Walmarts have no KATE).
But we're all really high on Redbird adrenaline today; it behooves us to take a deep breath for a few hours, or days if need be....says the guy who went on a long wrambling article about the fate of Redbird because he couldn't take a deep breath and wait a day or two.
But really, I for once am thankful it lasted thus far. Nothing is guaranteed in the MS hobby. In the end, it is free or nearly free travel and money that we benefit, so if an MS venue stops we should be grateful for what we got out of it, as opposed to miserable about it no longer being available.
Besides, there's always other opportunities. Though I can't say that I'm looking forward to dealing with Walmart employees (nearby Walmarts have no KATE).
But we're all really high on Redbird adrenaline today; it behooves us to take a deep breath for a few hours, or days if need be....says the guy who went on a long wrambling article about the fate of Redbird because he couldn't take a deep breath and wait a day or two.
I am a little bit optimistic on this one for a couple of reasons. It seems there is an EMV connection here: Either RB with EMV or eventually TGT sets up its terminals to accept EMV cards. If latter, then we would need GCs to have EMV as well and I am not sure when that would happen.
My understanding/thinking is that the cost of loads is still less than 50 cents and that is absorbed by Amex. TGT benefits from it as it gets foot traffic -- I had not been to a TGT in five years and my total shopping at TGT in 15 years before RB was under $1k for sure. Since RB, I have been to TGT dozens of time and spent over $2K. Take 33% gross margin on that and we get a fair idea of how much TGT benefits.
RB to TGT is equivalent to points and miles to hotels and airlines. You tie your customers to your store through a loyalty program.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:13 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
I am a little bit optimistic on this one for a couple of reasons. It seems there is an EMV connection here: Either RB with EMV or eventually TGT sets up its terminals to accept EMV cards. If latter, then we would need GCs to have EMV as well and I am not sure when that would happen.
My understanding/thinking is that the cost of loads is still less than 50 cents and that is absorbed by Amex. TGT benefits from it as it gets foot traffic -- I had not been to a TGT in five years and my total shopping at TGT in 15 years before RB was under $1k for sure. Since RB, I have been to TGT dozens of time and spent over $2K. Take 33% gross margin on that and we get a fair idea of how much TGT benefits.
RB to TGT is equivalent to points and miles to hotels and airlines. You tie your customers to your store through a loyalty program.
My understanding/thinking is that the cost of loads is still less than 50 cents and that is absorbed by Amex. TGT benefits from it as it gets foot traffic -- I had not been to a TGT in five years and my total shopping at TGT in 15 years before RB was under $1k for sure. Since RB, I have been to TGT dozens of time and spent over $2K. Take 33% gross margin on that and we get a fair idea of how much TGT benefits.
RB to TGT is equivalent to points and miles to hotels and airlines. You tie your customers to your store through a loyalty program.
1)When I asked Amex about a month ago or so about whether they would issue emv Redbird cards, they said they have nothing to report of when or even if they would do that.
2) There's no mention or expectation of gift/prepaid card issuers coming up with emv gift/prepaid cards anytime soon.
3) The enemy for Target has always been fraud above and beyond MS. This point is mostly my educated guess, that is no one specifically put it as such from Target that I know. Several Target managers though have said or alluded to fraud with Redbird, mostly during my trips to activate temp Redbird cards. I believe it was also fraud and not MS the reason why select Target stores curbed credit cards, then gift cards, as well as for Target corporate eventually doing away with both (if it now is indeed dead).
Oct 13, 2015, 6:20 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
Switching from Redbird to Serve or Bluebird
Are instructions for switching to BB posted anywhere? Only one I can find is on the serve wiki for switching from BB to Serve. Hoping it's not really dead, but seeing as I have no loads done yet this month and I'm assuming it will take at least a few days to switch I'm thinking I'd better get the process started.
2) Go online under Settings, Profile and close the account.
3) Register for Serve/Bluebird with the same email and phone number as you had on Redbird.
Having said that, and even having read the events of yesterday as to mean that Redbird is dead, I'm surprised as to how jumpy some of you guys are (no offense). I'm sure you got some gift cards left to liquidate, so do I (several grands of Vanillas) but it won't kill us to wait a couple of days to confirm this. In fact we should, just in case we're proven wrong in thinking that is dead.
Waiting a couple of days would help us avoid unecessary switching back and forth. It's still the middle of the month, there's time to get another prepaid acct set up and do the October loads even with waiting a couple of days
Oct 13, 2015, 6:26 am
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Except for:
1)When I asked Amex about a month ago or so about whether they would issue emv Redbird cards, they said they have nothing to report of when or even if they would do that.
2) There's no mention or expectation of gift/prepaid card issuers coming up with emv gift/prepaid cards anytime soon.
3) The enemy for Target has always been fraud above and beyond MS. This point is mostly my educated guess, that is no one specifically put it as such from Target that I know. Several Target managers though have said or alluded to fraud with Redbird, mostly during my trips to activate temp Redbird cards. I believe it was also fraud and not MS the reason why select Target stores curbed credit cards, then gift cards, as well as for Target corporate eventually doing away with both (if it now is indeed dead).
1)When I asked Amex about a month ago or so about whether they would issue emv Redbird cards, they said they have nothing to report of when or even if they would do that.
2) There's no mention or expectation of gift/prepaid card issuers coming up with emv gift/prepaid cards anytime soon.
3) The enemy for Target has always been fraud above and beyond MS. This point is mostly my educated guess, that is no one specifically put it as such from Target that I know. Several Target managers though have said or alluded to fraud with Redbird, mostly during my trips to activate temp Redbird cards. I believe it was also fraud and not MS the reason why select Target stores curbed credit cards, then gift cards, as well as for Target corporate eventually doing away with both (if it now is indeed dead).
Regarding 3, I am not sure how much or how it is that RB has higher rate of fraud than Serve or MOs.
Also, I am sure there are multiple ways people do fraudulent activities that most of us can't even imagine, but the only way I see fraud impacting TGT/WMT and MO issuers is that the VGCs are fake, meaning the hacker convinces TGT system that it is getting $500, that money gets loaded to RB and then he withdraws it and the fraudster is personally not traceable. All of this seems like a very low probability events if you ask me.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:38 am
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Also, I am sure there are multiple ways people do fraudulent activities that most of us can't even imagine, but the only way I see fraud impacting TGT/WMT and MO issuers is that the VGCs are fake, meaning the hacker convinces TGT system that it is getting $500, that money gets loaded to RB and then he withdraws it and the fraudster is personally not traceable. All of this seems like a very low probability events if you ask me.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:41 am
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Also, I am sure there are multiple ways people do fraudulent activities that most of us can't even imagine, but the only way I see fraud impacting TGT/WMT and MO issuers is that the VGCs are fake, meaning the hacker convinces TGT system that it is getting $500, that money gets loaded to RB and then he withdraws it and the fraudster is personally not traceable. All of this seems like a very low probability events if you ask me.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
And to add to this - if I had a fraudulent GC, I'd simply buy something with it rather than load it onto RB/BB/Serve.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:43 am
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
On May 5th, I went to local TGT to complete my monthly load before the shutdown. I did two loads and because there were people behind me, I decided to go back in line and do two more loads. That freaked the CSR out and she called the security. I told them why I went back and they said that next time I need to do every loads at one time and can't come back a second time in the same day.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:47 am
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
if a scammer has a fake VGC or stolen VGCs, why would they lock the funds in a registered amex reloadable or any reloadable that is easily traceable?
Oct 13, 2015, 6:53 am
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Way less risky to use GC to buy something at Neiman Marcus or Nordstrom than load it to RB -- Amex has the SS# and other info vs. a purchase with GC at NM or Nordstrom is practically untraceable, except the video cameras.
Oct 13, 2015, 6:54 am
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
Oct 13, 2015, 6:58 am
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
I did two loads and because there were people behind me, I decided to go back in line and do two more loads. That freaked the CSR out and she called the security. I told them why I went back and they said that next time I need to do every loads at one time and can't come back a second time in the same day.
. This is why Arab is on life support.I always let them make the decision if they wanted me to step aside to help a customer.
Oct 13, 2015, 7:03 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
Regarding 3, I am not sure how much or how it is that RB has higher rate of fraud than Serve or MOs.
Also, I am sure there are multiple ways people do fraudulent activities that most of us can't even imagine, but the only way I see fraud impacting TGT/WMT and MO issuers is that the VGCs are fake, meaning the hacker convinces TGT system that it is getting $500, that money gets loaded to RB and then he withdraws it and the fraudster is personally not traceable. All of this seems like a very low probability events if you ask me.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
Also, I am sure there are multiple ways people do fraudulent activities that most of us can't even imagine, but the only way I see fraud impacting TGT/WMT and MO issuers is that the VGCs are fake, meaning the hacker convinces TGT system that it is getting $500, that money gets loaded to RB and then he withdraws it and the fraudster is personally not traceable. All of this seems like a very low probability events if you ask me.
GCs are essentially treated like cash, just like MOs are.
Prepaid Amex cards are a partnership between Amex and retail stores, it only takes one partner's sour taste for the product (or a feature of it) for the product to be limited or killed. Amex reps stating this was a Target decision. So does the fact that Target is still recovering from its data breach image a couple of days ago and their willingness since then to have security a high priority. That is, just because Walmart wouldn't kill the prepaid accounts when it comes to gift/prepaid cards, doesn't mean Target wouldn't either.
The other aspect of MS is that it very much looks like money laundering/fraud to the eye of a Target employee/local manager. There's no way for them to tell whether we're just MS-ing or committing fraud when seeing us transact in thousand of dollars with gift/prepaid cards.
Generally speaking, major retail stores like Target and Walmart have been for a while prime fraud targets, this is not new.