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, 7:06 am
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,546
That's exactly my thought too. If I'm a crook, why would I load a stolen VGC to a Redbird when they have my name, address and SSN. That's not leaving a paper trail, that's walking around with a GPS tracker constantly sending your coordinates to the Feds.
Oct 13, 2015, 7:09 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
Unless that prepaid Amex account wasn't actually on your name...or unless you just used the unregistered temporary version of it...or unless who-knows-what-else.
Oct 13, 2015, 7:23 am
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 82
Hadn't seen any data points from this morning so I tried loading on my way to work. Same error as yesterday. Customer service said they called Amex yesterday and were told cash only. But they haven't gotten anything official or real. So, no news today.
Oct 13, 2015, 7:28 am
Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis, MO
Programs: AA L.T. PLT
Posts: 3,327
Well I don't know about this morning but I tried cash last night and that wouldn't work either.
Oct 13, 2015, 7:37 am
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: Total Rewards Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 564
I just got a call from the President of the United States of America. He said that he is dropping the war on drugs, and using those funds to fight manufactured spenders/fraudsters (AKA terrorists). He laid out his plan to me. Step one was removing debit card loads from RB.......
YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEP 2 IS!!!!!
Get out while you still can! Don't say I didn't warn you all!!!!
YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEP 2 IS!!!!!
Get out while you still can! Don't say I didn't warn you all!!!!
Oct 13, 2015, 7:42 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
I just got a call from the President of the United States of America. He said that he is dropping the war on drugs, and using those funds to fight manufactured spenders/fraudsters (AKA terrorists). He laid out his plan to me. Step one was removing debit card loads from RB.......
YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEP 2 IS!!!!!
Get out while you still can! Don't say I didn't warn you all!!!!
YOU DON"T WANT TO KNOW WHAT STEP 2 IS!!!!!
Get out while you still can! Don't say I didn't warn you all!!!!
Oct 13, 2015, 8:01 am
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Oct 13, 2015, 8:10 am
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 82
I think the CSRs don't have any idea what's happening. They said they just called the red card phone number the same way you or I would do. They were annoyed that no one had given them a heads up or memo. They had to learn the same way we did.
Oct 13, 2015, 8:15 am
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
2. Temporary version: that is why Amex/Target limited the loads on the Temp card to $500 on first attempt before forcing you to give your SSN or someone else SSN in order to have it in their system. And they do have your Drivers License on file for that Temp Card.
3. Who-knows-what-else: if someone will use counterfeit GC s, they sure will be using them with signature and "Not PIN" in a store like GAP, in order to buy stuff that can be easily sold or turn into cash without leaving a trace (it is not like they always know your PIN). I know sometimes those places ask for ID to match, but that is the problem with GC s in the USA (they can be PIN or Signed for transactions), that it goes against the practice of asking for ID, but on the other hand, they might not have the PIN for the GC number they stole, which is why there is still a debate of why the USA did not introduce the real "Chip & PIN" system into credit and debit cards.
I personally do not think GC will go EMV. It will be to expensive for them. I think GC issuers will reduce the maximum amount to somewhere in the $200 range instead of having to go EMV and increase costs for a plastic that sometimes lasts no more than one or two swipes (we are the only ones using them on $500 denominations
, I think)On the other hand, RB is playing hard to get now that Target is having a tough time adjusting its EMV ready Point of Sale / Chip Machines. So as many have said, there might be small hope, but I am not feeling optimistic on this one.
Last edited by carlitos; Oct 13, 2015 at 8:21 am
Oct 13, 2015, 8:59 am
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 284
We are actually in agreement on this point. In the post(s) you are referring to, I was in the process of arguing this point with an OP (who, obviously, took the other side).
Oct 13, 2015, 9:12 am
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Oct 13, 2015, 9:34 am
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Oct 13, 2015, 9:39 am
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
^ I'm not buying cash only either until we get more info. TGT has had 5% prepaid cards long before redcard came out. I seriously doubt they and AMEX want to cut out the "legitimate users" who load with real debit cards that only cost them pennies in transaction fees (unlike interchange fees with CCs). If this was an AMEX change to cash only, why would they not do the same with BB/Serve???