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 3, 2015, 9:17 pm
#8101
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
The problem with one store in your area getting shut down is that the MSers that used that store are now going to go to another area Target to MS. Eventually the store manager decides to ban GCs at his store and the GC banning snowballs in a slowly increasing radius. Think of MSers as locusts who strip the fields bare.
It probably doesn't matter too much how 'stealthy' you are if there are half a dozen MSers who go to Target several times a month with 20+ RBs that they load with $2.5K on each card. Talk of transactions of that dollar amount are going to spread among the line employees and reach the store manager fairly quickly. And the switch from CC loads to GC loads has made this more obvious because rather than 2x$1K + 1x$500 swipes, there are a lot of MSers doing 12x$200 + 1x$100 swipes.
P.S. For people who think that MS killed credit cards for Redbird and that we should try not to let corporate Target/Amex find out we're MS-ing a bunch with Redbird, to think that a big financial company with a lot of prior experience in prepaid accounts and anything credit/plastic cards (like Amex) or a huge corporate with a lot of prior experience in anything retail (like Target) didn't know about MS and got surprised about it only after 7 months (when they killed credit cards), its naive to say the least.
Or the senior manager who came up with this idea is now aware of the problems with the product and is trying to figure out a way to quietly end the program without drawing attention to himself - Target's already had a round of employee layoffs since this product was launched. Getting your name prominently attached to a 'failed' product while the company's downsizing is like getting a big (Target symbol) bullseye painted on your back.
The lack of a national rollout this long after 'tests' is a flag to me that this product hasn't been embraced by headquarters.
I'm speculating like everyone else here and I'm hoping that this product stays around for a long time as it's an alternative to BB. Same basics, but Target allows easier Vanilla loading. On the other hand, if there's a Kate near you, you can usually load to your heart's content without worrying about store employees bothering you. And there will be another great MS opportunity that pops up in the future.
Jun 4, 2015, 12:41 am
#8102
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 46
I bill pay my mortgage every month; a bit over $2K.
I also 'billpay' my brokerage account when I have a few thousand in my RB account. Last month, I sent my brokerage a bit more than $5K on one transaction.
Those are my only billpays. My RB balance is usually a few thousand dollars, although when I send money to my brokerage, I take my account down to near zero.
At this point, I don't think that Target's looking at shutting down RB accounts. However, I don't recommend writing a letter/email to Target headquarters complaining about any store not accepting GCs - that's like begging for an account audit that has a high probability of ending with an 'account not being used as intended' letter/shutdown. While I buy a few small items at Target on my RB, if a human looked over my account, I'd expect to be shut down.
I also 'billpay' my brokerage account when I have a few thousand in my RB account. Last month, I sent my brokerage a bit more than $5K on one transaction.
Those are my only billpays. My RB balance is usually a few thousand dollars, although when I send money to my brokerage, I take my account down to near zero.
At this point, I don't think that Target's looking at shutting down RB accounts. However, I don't recommend writing a letter/email to Target headquarters complaining about any store not accepting GCs - that's like begging for an account audit that has a high probability of ending with an 'account not being used as intended' letter/shutdown. While I buy a few small items at Target on my RB, if a human looked over my account, I'd expect to be shut down.
Also, do you happen to have fidelity as your brokerage account? If so, I would like to ask you how to choose the business address/info because I am afraid the b/p check may get to the wrong department if I am not doing it right.
THX
Jun 4, 2015, 1:37 am
#8103
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 148
UPDATE
Went to load onto red card yesterday early morning ( I work Midnights) and after the first $500, the associate asked if I would like to load more. I said sure, why not. Loaded $2500 with no problem. Since he was so nice , I asked him if he ever heard of a "3rd Party" policy. He said : nope, we just can't do CC anymore. However, I do believe there is a memo, but it is up to the store manager to allow GC loads or not. I also believe that BB and RC are ways to get more people to come to WM and Target. I very rarely shopped at Target before, but know I pick up groceries while I MS.....Go figure???
Jun 4, 2015, 5:13 am
#8104
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
I have never tried to b/p brokerage account. When you say b/p to your brokerage account, do you mean use RB's b/p function to indirectly add money to your brokerage account or pay fees for your brokerage account (just make sure)?
Also, do you happen to have fidelity as your brokerage account? If so, I would like to ask you how to choose the business address/info because I am afraid the b/p check may get to the wrong department if I am not doing it right.
THX
Also, do you happen to have fidelity as your brokerage account? If so, I would like to ask you how to choose the business address/info because I am afraid the b/p check may get to the wrong department if I am not doing it right.
THX
Jun 4, 2015, 5:16 am
#8105
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
IB is good but you should switch over to Centerpoint. They're a notch above IB and cater more towards semi-pro traders. Love them and you can pretty much short anything you want (I love shorting)!!!
Jun 4, 2015, 5:16 am
#8106
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
Anymore than ONE load per transaction is going to raise a flag and invite further curiosity as to what you're using to load your card. Think about it from their perspective; if your're using a bank debit card then you'd just do one load and leave. OK, more if its over the $1000 load limit but what 'regular Joe' does that amount?. Always try and be "regular Joe".
The cashiers don't care.
Last night I did:
9 - $200 cards
8 - $500 cards
If someone stepped behind me in line, I would step out to the back of the line so as to not tie up the line forever. No concerns.
Jun 4, 2015, 5:34 am
#8107
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: Total Rewards Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 564
I used to work at Target. I can just imagine how long my line would be at my register if I came on here and said, "Everyone feel free to come to the Target in Palatine IL, register lane 12, and M$ all you want!"
I have been thinking about going back there to get inside information from old coworkers. Doesn't seem like it would be worthwhile though. All the information we need is right here in this thread.
I have been thinking about going back there to get inside information from old coworkers. Doesn't seem like it would be worthwhile though. All the information we need is right here in this thread.
Jun 4, 2015, 5:57 am
#8108
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy platinum
Posts: 89
account problems
anybody having problems signing on to their accounts? It says my security word doesn't match. I did reset through email link and I still can't sign on. Thought I would check on this before I call in and no my cap locks isn't on.
Jun 4, 2015, 6:02 am
#8109
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
This has happened before. Take a nap and check back in a few hours.
Jun 4, 2015, 6:20 am
#8110
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
Same problem; can't get past security question screen.
Jun 4, 2015, 8:05 am
#8113
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: BOS
Posts: 814
The security question answer does not match our records. Please verify the information and try again.
Jun 4, 2015, 8:14 am
#8114
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: AA is all for now.
Posts: 77
While I have zero experience in retail as such or anything where such matters are decided, I'd think this is not an important factor at all, mostly because after 8 months now of tens of thousands of people using Redbird over and over, I'm sure this is one of the most obvious things that would have come up on a Redbird data analysis already, likely since the first month of its life.
Besides profitability and business model which are obviously important (we don't know either), everything that I've seen and read about regarding other factors having an effect on this points to fraud, actual fraud incidents and risk of fraud, fraud models. It perfectly explains (in my mind anyhow) why stores in cities with high population density (and nr of customers per store) like NYC curtailed Redbird since Feb, while the vast majority of the stores elsewhere didn't bother at all, or why Target decided to lower the transaction limit (country wide) from $2.5K to $1K.
P.S. For people who think that MS killed credit cards for Redbird and that we should try not to let corporate Target/Amex find out we're MS-ing a bunch with Redbird, to think that a big financial company with a lot of prior experience in prepaid accounts and anything credit/plastic cards (like Amex) or a huge corporate with a lot of prior experience in anything retail (like Target) didn't know about MS and got surprised about it only after 7 months (when they killed credit cards), its naive to say the least.
Besides profitability and business model which are obviously important (we don't know either), everything that I've seen and read about regarding other factors having an effect on this points to fraud, actual fraud incidents and risk of fraud, fraud models. It perfectly explains (in my mind anyhow) why stores in cities with high population density (and nr of customers per store) like NYC curtailed Redbird since Feb, while the vast majority of the stores elsewhere didn't bother at all, or why Target decided to lower the transaction limit (country wide) from $2.5K to $1K.
P.S. For people who think that MS killed credit cards for Redbird and that we should try not to let corporate Target/Amex find out we're MS-ing a bunch with Redbird, to think that a big financial company with a lot of prior experience in prepaid accounts and anything credit/plastic cards (like Amex) or a huge corporate with a lot of prior experience in anything retail (like Target) didn't know about MS and got surprised about it only after 7 months (when they killed credit cards), its naive to say the least.
I don't think it's naive to wonder if they were surprised by it. You'd be amazed how narrow sighted big financial companies can be. I work in quality control for a big financial institution, and you'd be amazed by the things that management believes are a good idea. If I want them to change anything (even though the problem is obvious to me and believe it or not, to most of our entree level employees as well) I need to show them months of data compiled on top of data and worked into a presentation, and then I still need to get them to listen to it. Walking into my bosses office and saying "Do you honestly believe this is a good idea?" will get me nowhere, even if "management's good idea" is dousing everyone in gasoline and dropping a match for maximum employee efficiency.
I can't count how many times I've tried to explain something that would be completely obvious to most bums to a room full of extremely intelligent highly educated people who just blink at me like deer in the headlights and then disagree in unison. With the beaurocratic red tape, it takes 6 months to a year to get approval to go to the bathroom around here. First you need to convince them not only that you need to go, but that all people in general need to use the bathroom occasionally, and then that they would benefit as a company if they allowed their employees to use the bathroom. So yes, I can honestly say that nothing would surpise me. The bigger they are, the dumber they can be. An individual may be able to see it easily, but groupthink can lower IQs faster and more efficiently than a stroke.
The fact that AFT allowed credit card loading for almost a decade without anyone noticing or caring, and then was stopped the same day as RC, should serve as a decent indicator that the problem was that they somehow didn't know.
Jun 4, 2015, 8:15 am
#8115
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Michigan
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 503