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
Mar 18, 2015, 2:43 pm
#4036
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
AMEX designed RB after years of experience with BB. They absolutely knew how we were using BB to MS. They could have set it up as cash only, but they didn't. In fact, there was a post on here quite some time ago, where the OP said he was told by a Target CSR, that in the pre-rollout training program they were specifically told that we would be using CCs to load. Some people here continue to think we have tricked AMEX into letting us do something they didn't intend. AMEX isn't that stupid. 
I stopped BBing when I could no longer purchase VRs with a CC at CVS so I didn't follow the 'decline' in the use of BB. But wasn't it WallyWorld that changed what could be loaded onto BBs?
You're free to disagree with a store manager's decision on this, but I completely understand why some individual stores have adopted more restrictive policies.
Any store manager that adopts this policy can probably justify it to corporate headquarters.
Mar 18, 2015, 2:51 pm
#4037
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,435
Yesterday I transferred funds from my Redcard account to my linked checking account. My RC online transactions displayed this transfer as "pending" or "processing" (I forgot the word). And my RC balance reflected the removal of the funds.
Today, the transfer does not appear at all in the list of transactions. The funds are still deducted from my RC balance, but not yet appearing in my checking. There's nothing to indicate that it's still pending.
I called to be sure, and the RC rep can see the pending transfer, and "nothing to worry about." But still, it was a little unnerving to not see the funds in either account. I guess that's what the 2/25 folks must be going through.
Today, the transfer does not appear at all in the list of transactions. The funds are still deducted from my RC balance, but not yet appearing in my checking. There's nothing to indicate that it's still pending.
I called to be sure, and the RC rep can see the pending transfer, and "nothing to worry about." But still, it was a little unnerving to not see the funds in either account. I guess that's what the 2/25 folks must be going through.
Mar 18, 2015, 2:55 pm
#4038
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, TY, UR, UA, US, WN, MR, SPG
Posts: 1,453
You should have posted here first or searched the thread. That's what this is for. This has been reported a few times. Do not call unless you absolutely have to.
Mar 18, 2015, 4:20 pm
#4040
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 333
CS Rep: "You trippin'!"
Humorous maybe informative data point.
3 month user in smallish city Wisconsin. Had to drive an hour to get my initial card, but use locally. Cashiers and CS reps' responses have ranged from completely blase to "that's new but interesting", but with no issues. I do the $5K/month spread over several odd transactions and cards.
Yesterday, the CS rep (a new one to me) said "Oh, everyone's asking for these. You want 1K 1K 500?". Me: "No, two transactions, one for 5xx.xx and one for 7xx.xx, two cards". She: "You trippin'!, why would you do that? That's crazy!". Loads went without issue.
I get the feeling this thing will not last much longer....
3 month user in smallish city Wisconsin. Had to drive an hour to get my initial card, but use locally. Cashiers and CS reps' responses have ranged from completely blase to "that's new but interesting", but with no issues. I do the $5K/month spread over several odd transactions and cards.
Yesterday, the CS rep (a new one to me) said "Oh, everyone's asking for these. You want 1K 1K 500?". Me: "No, two transactions, one for 5xx.xx and one for 7xx.xx, two cards". She: "You trippin'!, why would you do that? That's crazy!". Loads went without issue.
I get the feeling this thing will not last much longer....
Mar 18, 2015, 5:07 pm
#4041
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Fresno, CA
Posts: 93
Curious if anyone knows about this error. I went to activate one and the register took all of my information and gave an error of "can't reload" (I forgot the exact wording) and to "call the number on the back of the card". It happened and then we tried another card and that one processed fine. This happened twice today. I did a search of the thread and didn't find a match of this issue.
Mar 18, 2015, 5:54 pm
#4042
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 28
Curious if anyone knows about this error. I went to activate one and the register took all of my information and gave an error of "can't reload" (I forgot the exact wording) and to "call the number on the back of the card". It happened and then we tried another card and that one processed fine. This happened twice today. I did a search of the thread and didn't find a match of this issue.
Mar 18, 2015, 9:13 pm
#4044
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Please direct me to the proper thread if I am off-base, but why would you buy a VGC (with a credit card I presume), and then load the redbird with the VGC? You can just load the RB directly with the CC and skip the VGC in between. I assume it's the type of card you're using to get extra bumps?
Mar 18, 2015, 9:36 pm
#4046
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,173
thanks for confirmation
great, the official site still says not available in TX. I just asked my in-laws in WI to send me another. This is good news for other DFW folks that don't have out of state connections.
Mar 18, 2015, 10:02 pm
#4047
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 62
Called yesterday as it had been 10+ days since I had a N/A load issue on 3/7. Rep came back after putting me on hold and said "we'll credit you within 45 days". My jaw dropped. I verified that he did say 45 days and when I said my "friends" were told 10 days, he said we are aware of the issue and there is a back log trying to get through them. I call BS but if you already go your funds, then be happy and if not then at least you can judge were you stand based on a 45 time frame 
Mar 18, 2015, 10:27 pm
#4048
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 129
Thanks for the advice. I'll give it another day or two and then try sending another test in case I somehow typed it in wrong.
And I'm a little wary of an Amex closed loop myself, but figured it was worth the risk to meet minimum spend if I make sure the load and payment amounts don't match and I only pay it off partially from the RB.
And I'm a little wary of an Amex closed loop myself, but figured it was worth the risk to meet minimum spend if I make sure the load and payment amounts don't match and I only pay it off partially from the RB.
Mar 19, 2015, 1:04 am
#4049
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
Curious if anyone knows about this error. I went to activate one and the register took all of my information and gave an error of "can't reload" (I forgot the exact wording) and to "call the number on the back of the card". It happened and then we tried another card and that one processed fine. This happened twice today. I did a search of the thread and didn't find a match of this issue.
You've been flagged by Target's risk assessment team and have been reported by them to the authorities. Any day now you will hear a knock on the door by two FBI guys in plain clothes.
Or, the card you tried to activate was bad, because someone already tried to activate it before, or its bad (non-activatable if you will) for other reasons, but the auto-error message is not that intelligent/specific to tell you can't activate, it just says can't reload.
Being that computers are usually able to distinguish these things, the likely true scenario is the knock on your door.
Mar 19, 2015, 1:09 am
#4050
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 910
I don't know it for a fact, but I'm guessing that when it comes to electronic transactions most banks see acct nrs, not names of acct holders. That is, the credit card should the Redbird's holder acct nr, not name, and also, Redbir should see the credit card holders acct nr (credit card nr) not name. In my scenario, if Amex really wanted, after suspecting something, they could perhaps put it together, but not sure they would care to begin with.
This is merely educated guessing...someone with more Amex prepaid experience and/or actual knowledge of this, from Serve or Bluebird perhaps (since they are also prepaid Amex products) can chime in.
There was one person only (as far as I know) that said here that tje NC issue is a POS problem that Target can't seem to fix, for months now. Really? It makes little sense to me now, thinking about it. How difficult can a POS system/software be to change, especially for a huge corporate (with many know-how and resources) like Target? It sounds like a joke almost, now that I think about it lol
Last edited by NoonRadar; Mar 19, 2015 at 1:17 am