Last edit by: RedSun
This is the 2016 and onwards Bluebird thread.
The original discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread. The previous 2015 megathread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read the wiki before posting a question.
The most recent huge wave of shutdowns occurred in May 2019.
Most accounts used for MS were shut down on Jan 8, 2016. Another wave of shutdowns occurred on March 4, 2016. Using Bluebird for MS is very likely to lead to account closure. There is no clear pattern as to how to avoid the account shut-downs. Some of the dormant accounts were not shut down.
Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.
Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).
The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.
For online bill pay
Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.
Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.
Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.
If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.
Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.
Training a WM cashier:
Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.
The original discussion. The previous 2013- 2014 megathread. The previous 2015 megathread.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read the wiki before posting a question.
The most recent huge wave of shutdowns occurred in May 2019.
Most accounts used for MS were shut down on Jan 8, 2016. Another wave of shutdowns occurred on March 4, 2016. Using Bluebird for MS is very likely to lead to account closure. There is no clear pattern as to how to avoid the account shut-downs. Some of the dormant accounts were not shut down.
Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.
Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.
For information on switching from BB to Serve, see the Serve thread wiki.
Bluebird Load Limits:
- Cash loading: $2,500 ($1,999.99 at Walmart) per card per day; $9,000 per day all BB cards combined; $5,000 total per calendar month each card; $10,000 calendar month and $100,000 per year all BB cards combined for each SSN.
- Direct Deposit: $100,000 per year
- Online Debit Card Load* - $200/day and $1,000/month
- Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
- Mobile Check Capture by Ingo® Money - $5,000/day and $10,000/month
- ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month
The cash load limit for a temp card is $1,500 total.
*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. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).
The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.
For online bill pay
- You can pay the credit card that you used to buy reloads
- Error 1302 means that you have 1 pending payment the same amount as the one you just submitted. For example, 1000 bill pay to sapphire preferred from Friday and then on Saturday you submit another bill pay for 1000 to sapphire preferred, you will get this error.
- Tip: if using online bill pay to the same place multiple times, vary your amounts by $0.01 to make it easier to track since your confirmation number does not match the tracking number on your credit card statement
Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.
Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.
Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.
If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.
Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.
Training a WM cashier:
- If the WM cashier doesn't know how to load the card, advise them to enter "70" then press "action code".
- If you are using a temp card that doesn't have your name on it, you can swipe the card from your side of the terminal. The WM rep never has to touch any of your cards. The screen will say "enter account." That is your prompt to slide the card.
- The terminal will ask the WM employee if you are loading in multiples of $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
- Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.
Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.
Bluebird master thread (2016 onwards)
#1756
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 8
You found my r/churning comment, haha. I'll be trying to swipe to BB amex at another WM tomorrow or over the weekend and will report back.
#1757
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JRF
Programs: AA Gold, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 1,784
#1759
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
Any new DP regarding failure of MBVGC $200 from Staples to load to BBAm at regular terminal? I will try it out myself later this week when I am back home. Thanks.
#1760
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
I last loaded about one week ago, no issues, but as we all know, things can change in a heartbeat.
#1761
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
Thanks for the interesting DP. Yes, at the cashier and not MC. This is with MBVGC with BIN 435880 loading to BBAmex, correct? A couple of posters here and one on Reddit said it wasn't working for them. I will try it out on Wednesday and report back. Thanks.
#1762
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
It was Amex BB and the latest iteration of MBVGC since I liquidate within a week of purchasing the cards. I did not take down the BIN #.
#1763
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 8
Update: was able to add MBVGC to BB Amex today at the register at WM. This WM was not one of my regulars, but I encountered no problems. I'm going to try at my regular two WMs later this week to see if I run into issues there. Note that the POS terminal at this WM I used today was nearly broken and hanging off the hinges. I had to physically pick it up in my hands to use it.
#1764
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
Update: was able to add MBVGC to BB Amex today at the register at WM. This WM was not one of my regulars, but I encountered no problems. I'm going to try at my regular two WMs later this week to see if I run into issues there. Note that the POS terminal at this WM I used today was nearly broken and hanging off the hinges. I had to physically pick it up in my hands to use it.
#1765
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
BAU for MBVGC to BBAmex full value in one swipe at regular terminal. A big relief.
#1766
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 226
BB Visa
- Cashier!s at WM in this area basically send you to the MC and always blocked at $99.
- On occasion you may find a seasoned pro who will do it, however appears BB coded to stop after two swipes
- Dollar General will work, but again only allows for 2 swipes - making this method a slow grind (& $$) going place to place
——————
Looking for other ways to load BB, ideally armchair methods
looking for other ways to liquidate Staples vgc that are not micro lending or buyers clubs.
- Cashier!s at WM in this area basically send you to the MC and always blocked at $99.
- On occasion you may find a seasoned pro who will do it, however appears BB coded to stop after two swipes
- Dollar General will work, but again only allows for 2 swipes - making this method a slow grind (& $$) going place to place
——————
Looking for other ways to load BB, ideally armchair methods
looking for other ways to liquidate Staples vgc that are not micro lending or buyers clubs.
#1767
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Virginia
Programs: AA platinum , Hyatt Explorist, Marriott platinum , SPG Gold , Hilton Diamond
Posts: 92
I tried last week and it did not work at money center. Usually I do 3 visa gift card 200 each and ask for 297 load and then swipe 3 cards with 99 each . I do it twice and get uploaded most of card with each card left with 2 usd.
Last week when I tried and after first 99 swipe it did not work
I will try again this week . Can some suggest if I am doing anything wrong ? should I look for other WM ?
Last week when I tried and after first 99 swipe it did not work
I will try again this week . Can some suggest if I am doing anything wrong ? should I look for other WM ?
#1768
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
I tried last week and it did not work at money center. Usually I do 3 visa gift card 200 each and ask for 297 load and then swipe 3 cards with 99 each . I do it twice and get uploaded most of card with each card left with 2 usd.
Last week when I tried and after first 99 swipe it did not work
I will try again this week . Can some suggest if I am doing anything wrong ? should I look for other WM ?
Last week when I tried and after first 99 swipe it did not work
I will try again this week . Can some suggest if I am doing anything wrong ? should I look for other WM ?