Jan 25, 2015, 12:41 am
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
American Express® is discontinuing the American Express for Target Prepaid Card program on March 21, 2016.
***Attention*** If you are new to the forum and thinking about AFT loads to accomodate your bonus or rewards spend, please be advised this method has taken a major hit effective first week of May, 2015, as mentioned in latter posts on this thread.****
This thread is a continuation of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ities-208.html
please be aware the Target breach cards are currently on the black market, as always be aware of activity on all accounts
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets 12am PST)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee
Note that unlike Amex RB/BB, AFT is NOT in AllPoint network, thus NO surcharge-free ATM generally.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link (Surcharge Free ATMs):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...-fee-atms.html
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Visa and MC Gift cards with a PIN can be used. Amex gift cards no longer work.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: No. This died February 4, 2015 or shortly before.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Q: Where is my permanent card? I did not receive my permanent card. How do I receive my permanent card?
A: You do not need to register the temporary card online after purchase or create the online account to receive your permanent card. You should have received your permanent card within 7 days. Your temporary card will stop working after 30 days.
If you have not received your card, your application may have been declined. The personal information you registered may be incorrect, or Amex could not verify your identity.
---
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
***Attention*** If you are new to the forum and thinking about AFT loads to accomodate your bonus or rewards spend, please be advised this method has taken a major hit effective first week of May, 2015, as mentioned in latter posts on this thread.****
This thread is a continuation of http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ities-208.htmlplease be aware the Target breach cards are currently on the black market, as always be aware of activity on all accounts
Purchase in store. Each store seems to have just one lane that has them on display (unlike the AMEX GC which are at most lanes). Package is larger than other gift cards, silver and red.
Not available in all states. Search here for possible locations
Note: Unlike AMEX's restriction on BB/Serve/Redbird where one person can only hold one of those, you can have an AFT (2, actually) while holding a BB, Serve, or Redbird
Need DL to purchase.
Max 1 purchase per ss# per day--this means one person can actually have 2 AFT cards, which is why there is a $5000 total limit for 2 cards (see below).
Max initial load $500 + $3 load fee.
May reload temp card as soon as verification of identity is complete, may take 48 hours. You can use an ATM with a temp card as soon as you're able to view your temp card PIN online. If you're unable to view your PIN online, you won't be able to use an ATM until you have the permanent card, which takes about two weeks.
Many stores now limit reloading to the service desk, and no longer at cashiers. The card must be swiped at a cash terminal to reload, not scanned! Ask cashiers to try if they don't seem to recognize the card. Ask if loading at service desk is a policy, it might just be a knee-jerk response from cashiers that don't know about the card. I have been told that a few times, "You need to go to the Service Desk," it has never been true. Say please and thank you.
Limits & Fees
Loading
Codes as purchase on all cards.
Load fee $3
Max $1000 per card in 24 hour period.
Max $5000 total for both cards per 28 day rolling period.
May load any card *until* balance is $2500 for 28 day period (not *up to*)
System will allow a $1000 load on a card with a $2000 balance so long as you are under $5000 for all cards over 28 day period. See below for optimal load sequence, $15/$5k a month after 1st month and $15k in 65 days for new cards.
Unload via ATM
Max $400/card/day (resets 12am PST)
First ATM w/d per month per card is free, based on 1st of the month (not rolling)+ any ATM owner fee.
Additional ATM w/d fee $3 + ATM fee
Note that unlike Amex RB/BB, AFT is NOT in AllPoint network, thus NO surcharge-free ATM generally.
When asked 'from account' choose 'checking.'
Possibly helpful link (Surcharge Free ATMs):
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...-fee-atms.html
Unload by purchases
No fee. No cash back.
Additional information
Optimal load pattern for least number of $3 fees after first $500 load is $3k/$2k.
New accounts can load $15k in 65 days. 4 trips in a week for new cards, 3 in a week once a month after that.
Load always means load $1000. 28 day load total in parenthesis. 'Dropped' means that load is past the 28 day mark.
Day 1: Purchase card #1, load $500
Day 3: Purchase card #2, load $500; Load card #1 ($1500)
Day 5: load card #1 ($2500); load card #2 ($1500)
Day 7: load card #2 ($2500)
*********************************wait************
Day 29: ($2000)($2500) day 1 dropped
Day 31: ($1000)($2000) day 3 dropped
Day 32: load card #1 ($2000) ; load card #2 ($3000)
Day 33: ($1000)($2000) day 5 dropped
Day 34: load card #1 ($2000); load card #2 ($3000)
Day 35: ($2000) ($2000) day 7 dropped
Day 36: load card #1 ($3000), ($2000)
*********************************wait************
Day 61: load both cards, day 32 dropped
Day 63: load both cards
Day 65: load one card.
Repeat Loads waiting 29 days between loads, if you loaded both cards 29 days ago load both now, if you loaded one card, load one now. So next load date is 61+29= Day 90
FAQ
Q: Can I load with Visa/MC/Amex Gift Cards?
A: Visa and MC Gift cards with a PIN can be used. Amex gift cards no longer work.
Q: How about Target gift cards?
A: The register prompts not to allow Target gift cards. They may not be hard coded, though.
Q: Will I get 5% off if I load with a Target Red card?
A: No. Sorry, I wish.
Q: Can I load multiple cards in one transaction?
A: No. This died February 4, 2015 or shortly before.
Q:Is there a max number of payment swipes?
A: Yes. Maximum swipes for split payments is 7, though other users have reported being able to swipe at least 10 gift cards for payment without problems.
Q: What are the lowest possible fees with a fee-free ATM available?
A: For 2 cards, each loaded with $2.5K each over 2 months ($10K in total), you would pay $30 in loading fees (10 load fees of $3 each) and $63 in ATM fees (25 total withdrawals, with 1 free withdrawal per card each month, resulting in 21 ATM fees of $3 each).
Q: Where is my permanent card? I did not receive my permanent card. How do I receive my permanent card?
A: You do not need to register the temporary card online after purchase or create the online account to receive your permanent card. You should have received your permanent card within 7 days. Your temporary card will stop working after 30 days.
If you have not received your card, your application may have been declined. The personal information you registered may be incorrect, or Amex could not verify your identity.
---
Official fund loading from T&C
You may load funds to your Cards using your Funding Source until the Available Funds on any Card purchased by you equals $2,500 and on all card purchased by you equals $5,000... Not more than $1,000 may be loaded to any Card purchased by you in a 24 hour period using your Funding Source, not more than $5,000 may be loaded to all Cards purchased by you in any 28-day period using your Funding Source.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE IF YOU LOADED YOUR PREPAID CARD AT TARGET DURING THE CHRISTMAS SECURITY BREACH: It is important to have AMEX reissue your cards (just phone the number on the card and ask for a new card). Thieves have the numbers and pins and can drain your account at any time. AMEX does not appear to be using software to block suspicious activity, so they can drain it all. If you loaded your prepaid card at Target between November 27 and December 15, 2013, you are at significant risk of having your money stolen (several reported cases in April and May).
AmEx for Target (2015)
May 6, 2015, 7:55 am
#511
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
May 6, 2015, 8:53 am
#514
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: AA is all for now.
Posts: 77
More data points needed. Has anyone who knows for sure they have a load available to them attempt to load with credit card on or after 5/6? What state?
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
May 6, 2015, 8:58 am
#515
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Socal
Posts: 133
I successfully topped up all my AFTs last night, as indications were that CC/AGC loads would indeed be shut down.
I'm actually interested in another scenario... with the language of "no third party" CCs allowed to load redbird, I'm wondering if perhaps one could load redbird with AFT? That would at least be a free & easy way to drain current AFT balances. After that, I just don't see a use for AFT anymore. There are easier ways to drain VGC.
I'm actually interested in another scenario... with the language of "no third party" CCs allowed to load redbird, I'm wondering if perhaps one could load redbird with AFT? That would at least be a free & easy way to drain current AFT balances. After that, I just don't see a use for AFT anymore. There are easier ways to drain VGC.
May 6, 2015, 9:09 am
#516
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 415
More data points needed. Has anyone who knows for sure they have a load available to them attempt to load with credit card on or after 5/6? What state?
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
May 6, 2015, 9:14 am
#517
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: AA EXP, DL-Plat, WN-CP | Hotels: Choice-Gld, IHG-Plt, Rad-Gld, HH-Dia, Hyatt-Glob, Marriott-LtPlt
Posts: 2,889
If not....
May 6, 2015, 9:16 am
#518
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
More data points needed. Has anyone who knows for sure they have a load available to them attempt to load with credit card on or after 5/6? What state?
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
Yesterday, I did try to load my AFT fearing collateral damage and could not do so. Not with any tender, the register simply prompted me to call customer service. I figured it was because I had just withdrawn at an ATM and didn't worry about it.
Has anyone tried to load today? Were you prompted for tender and cc did not work, or were you not even prompted for tender?
Unlike with redbird, people MSing with AFT is incredibly profitable for target with the ludicrous fees charged. Disallowing cc loads would be a stupid move, but allowing redbird to go on as long as it did was also a really stupid move, so stranger things have happened.
May 6, 2015, 9:16 am
#520
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Programs: AA is all for now.
Posts: 77
Assuming you can buy VGCs with AGCs in your area. It was always much easier to simply pay target the extra few dollars than running around the city hoping I find a mark to sell visas to me, and then another panic to find someone to unload them. (no Kates here) AGCs are now an 18 step process. (I say 18 as it might take 15 tries to find someone to sell you VGCs.) AFT was SO easy, I have no issue paying for convenience especially since I still have portal cashback leftover.
May 6, 2015, 9:57 am
#521
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Someone posted a DP here and there are many on the RB thread. I'll personally try with the $8k of AGC I have left for AFT (RB already done), but its 99.99% a no go.
If the AGC doesn't go through, I'm cancelling my AFT cards. You can still be profitable with AGCs > VGC > RB, but not so anymore with AFT.
RIP AFT.
If the AGC doesn't go through, I'm cancelling my AFT cards. You can still be profitable with AGCs > VGC > RB, but not so anymore with AFT.
RIP AFT.
May 6, 2015, 9:58 am
#522
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 343
Why cancel them? Just keep em around just in case they allow CC loading to them again. May not happen, but really no point in closing right?
May 6, 2015, 10:22 am
#525
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
My AFT's have been in the sock drawer along with the other cards I no longer use like the Paypal debit card, TD Bank card, etc..