Jan 7, 2016, 8:18 am
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)
Jan 19, 2016, 1:03 pm
#166
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG Platinum, HHonors Diamond, DL Diamond Medallion
Posts: 244
Jan 19, 2016, 8:06 pm
#169
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
one one of my CLOSED accounts, I received an email:
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
xxx, your Bluebird® Account is fully reloadable, so you can enjoy using it again and again. Simply add funds with any of these convenient options and you are ready to go:
Add funds at Walmart
Add cash for FREE at virtually any Walmart checkout register. With more than 4,000 Walmart locations nationwide, there′s likely to be one near you.
Add funds conveniently
Enroll in FREE Direct Deposit to have all or part of your paycheck added to your Account and get access to your money up to 2 days faster.1 It's also an easy and FREE way to receive federal and state government benefits like Social Security, unemployment (varies by state) and more.
Add funds anytime, anywhere
Log in to your Account to add funds by linking your U.S. debit card. Access the FREE Mobile app2 for Android or iOS to add money to your Account at your convenience.
Anyone shutdown receive a similar email?
Does this mean I can reload again?
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
xxx, your Bluebird® Account is fully reloadable, so you can enjoy using it again and again. Simply add funds with any of these convenient options and you are ready to go:
Add funds at Walmart
Add cash for FREE at virtually any Walmart checkout register. With more than 4,000 Walmart locations nationwide, there′s likely to be one near you.
Add funds conveniently
Enroll in FREE Direct Deposit to have all or part of your paycheck added to your Account and get access to your money up to 2 days faster.1 It's also an easy and FREE way to receive federal and state government benefits like Social Security, unemployment (varies by state) and more.
Add funds anytime, anywhere
Log in to your Account to add funds by linking your U.S. debit card. Access the FREE Mobile app2 for Android or iOS to add money to your Account at your convenience.
Does this mean I can reload again?
Last edited by lumangoy; Jan 19, 2016 at 8:32 pm
Jan 19, 2016, 10:28 pm
#170
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 148
Has anyone tried disputing the shutdown? Anyone tried begging for them them to re-open their account promising to be a good boy? I've been thinking about trying, but have not got around to it yet.
Jan 20, 2016, 5:51 am
#171
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
one thing though, how do you promise to be a 'good boy' unless you're not going to use it for ANYTHING related to MS? if that's the case, why even bother?
keep us posted whatever you decide.
Jan 20, 2016, 5:53 am
#172
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
the only way for you to find out is try to do in-store load and see. If you can still load online, that's the quickest way to know. If you don't get the message that loading funds have been disabled in your account, you hit the jackpot!
Jan 20, 2016, 7:41 am
#173
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: KSTP KSPG
Programs: AOPA
Posts: 974
Amex closing pre paid office
Aricle just came across my bb terminal. It looks like the pre paid department is getting reduced. That might be behind the firings.
Jan 21, 2016, 6:11 am
#177
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 3
I am not able to load my BB card at walmart using metabank variable visa gift card.
I did not get any shutdown email and BB rep said that everything looks good on my card.
Does it mean that Visa Loads are banned now at walmart for BB cards.
Thanks
I did not get any shutdown email and BB rep said that everything looks good on my card.
Does it mean that Visa Loads are banned now at walmart for BB cards.
Thanks
Jan 21, 2016, 6:36 am
#178
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
maybe
maybe not
maybe not
Jan 21, 2016, 8:35 am
#179
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
The other question is are you sure you haven't met your quota for the month?
Jan 21, 2016, 3:21 pm
#180
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Plat Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carl Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,002
This has been a problem for the past day or 2. I am unaware of anyone successfully loading a VGC to BB yesterday or today. It's still too soon to tell if it is a glitch or if it is a permanent disabling of BB VGC loads. We'll have to wait and see.