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)
Aug 11, 2022, 9:56 am
#1786
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Just catching up on this thread (and new to the forum).
I have been liquiding VGC's at DG's with aroud 50% success rate. I have a BB and Serve so thought WM would be an easy option as there is one nearby. Went last week, loaded $200 and CSC no problem. Went back last night, first swipe at CSC onto BB for $200 was successful, subsequent swipes tender denied on both serve and BB. Went back this morning, same deal.
I didn't realize CSC was limited at $99 and if so, why did it allow it to go through once last week and once this week (Serve and BB). I'll try again and go through a checkout line.
I have been liquiding VGC's at DG's with aroud 50% success rate. I have a BB and Serve so thought WM would be an easy option as there is one nearby. Went last week, loaded $200 and CSC no problem. Went back last night, first swipe at CSC onto BB for $200 was successful, subsequent swipes tender denied on both serve and BB. Went back this morning, same deal.
I didn't realize CSC was limited at $99 and if so, why did it allow it to go through once last week and once this week (Serve and BB). I'll try again and go through a checkout line.
Since you are the second DP where a Meta $200 VGC went through at the CSC last week, my guess is that the blocking software for Metas was inactive and several people on this thread were able to load cards for more than $99 However, it now appears that the block is back, at least according to your DP. The other poster said that they would try later this week or next and get back to us.
Speculating, I suspect that he will also be unsuccessful as well. Thank you for your DPs.
Aug 13, 2022, 12:47 pm
#1787
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
8-10 days ago, I tried a few of the new batch of non-everywhere Visas from ODOM (yellow card, pink packaging). None worked over 99 for me, no idea why some people get randomly lucky with those. The X-everywhere worked as expected for 200.
Aug 19, 2022, 4:05 am
#1788
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Quick question for anyone who knows.
I am trying to add Amex credit cards to my Visa BB card bill pay but I cannot get any zip code to work to register the card. Can anyone help or is this card unable to pay Amex credit cards?
TIA
I am trying to add Amex credit cards to my Visa BB card bill pay but I cannot get any zip code to work to register the card. Can anyone help or is this card unable to pay Amex credit cards?
TIA
Aug 20, 2022, 5:51 am
#1789
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM) | Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 158
What zip code are you using? I haven't added AMEX specifically, but I know with other cards that I've added, you can't use the presort, only the 5-digit zip code. In the case of AMEX, try only 75265—not 75265-0448.
-b.
-b.
Aug 20, 2022, 8:36 am
#1790
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
The issue seems to be Amex specific, interestingly. My Chase and Discover cards went in easily, but every Amex zip in all iterations that I have tried have failed. Thanks anyway.
Aug 20, 2022, 7:39 pm
#1791
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM) | Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 158
I agree, after playing around with it. I tried to add AMEX both through the 'business' (pre-populated) option as well as the "add manually" option. It appears they have intentionally blocked it from being added.
That said, I also tried to "add a person" manually, and that also failed. So I also question if adding anything manually actually works.
-b.
That said, I also tried to "add a person" manually, and that also failed. So I also question if adding anything manually actually works.
-b.
Aug 21, 2022, 7:25 am
#1792
Join Date: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
Just catching up on this thread (and new to the forum).
I have been liquiding VGC's at DG's with aroud 50% success rate. I have a BB and Serve so thought WM would be an easy option as there is one nearby. Went last week, loaded $200 and CSC no problem. Went back last night, first swipe at CSC onto BB for $200 was successful, subsequent swipes tender denied on both serve and BB. Went back this morning, same deal.
I didn't realize CSC was limited at $99 and if so, why did it allow it to go through once last week and once this week (Serve and BB). I'll try again and go through a checkout line.
I have been liquiding VGC's at DG's with aroud 50% success rate. I have a BB and Serve so thought WM would be an easy option as there is one nearby. Went last week, loaded $200 and CSC no problem. Went back last night, first swipe at CSC onto BB for $200 was successful, subsequent swipes tender denied on both serve and BB. Went back this morning, same deal.
I didn't realize CSC was limited at $99 and if so, why did it allow it to go through once last week and once this week (Serve and BB). I'll try again and go through a checkout line.
FD was a bit of a hassle. Only one FD in my area allowed loads and they had a limit of $500 per day for everyone. So if someone went earlier and loaded $200, I could only load $300.
Aug 21, 2022, 8:15 am
#1793
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
I agree, after playing around with it. I tried to add AMEX both through the 'business' (pre-populated) option as well as the "add manually" option. It appears they have intentionally blocked it from being added.
That said, I also tried to "add a person" manually, and that also failed. So I also question if adding anything manually actually works.
-b.
That said, I also tried to "add a person" manually, and that also failed. So I also question if adding anything manually actually works.
-b.
I have been successful in adding people and businesses to the BB Visa bill pay so I am uncertain as to what you meant by the last sentence. If it is specific to Amex then I agree that there is not a work around that I have found for getting Amex cards into their BP system.
Aug 21, 2022, 5:26 pm
#1794
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM) | Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 158
Yeah, it's not working for me.. As a test, I tried adding my landscaper (who is just a sole-proprietor, operating under his own name), and it would not allow it to be added. Just gives the "Whoops! We encountered an error. Please try again, later."—or something of the sort. I tried with and without the ZIP+4 and various other tweaks, with no success.
-b.
-b.
My bolding
I have been successful in adding people and businesses to the BB Visa bill pay so I am uncertain as to what you meant by the last sentence. If it is specific to Amex then I agree that there is not a work around that I have found for getting Amex cards into their BP system.
I have been successful in adding people and businesses to the BB Visa bill pay so I am uncertain as to what you meant by the last sentence. If it is specific to Amex then I agree that there is not a work around that I have found for getting Amex cards into their BP system.
Aug 28, 2022, 1:15 pm
#1795
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 144
Yeah, it's not working for me.. As a test, I tried adding my landscaper (who is just a sole-proprietor, operating under his own name), and it would not allow it to be added. Just gives the "Whoops! We encountered an error. Please try again, later."—or something of the sort. I tried with and without the ZIP+4 and various other tweaks, with no success.
-b.
-b.
Aug 29, 2022, 8:44 am
#1796
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
I do not know why there is a problem. I just doublechecked my Visa BB payor list and I have both private companies as well as individuals on it that have been successfully paid from this account.
The only accounts I cannot get to work are my Amex ones.
The only accounts I cannot get to work are my Amex ones.
Aug 29, 2022, 7:33 pm
#1797
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 47
I picked up a $200 Mastercard from Staples when they ran a sale earlier this month. It's issued by Metabank. Went to a Walmart and cashier wanted to know how much I wanted to load I said $99. I swiped my BB, then confirmed the amount $99 on the terminal and then swiped the giftcard, the terminal spit out Tender not allowed error. Tried a 2nd time, this time it said card read error. Then I gave up and went to another walmart, there the cashier directed me to the CSC. At CSC, rep asked how much I wanted to reload, I said $90. I swiped the Amex BB, then confirmed the amount on the terminal and swiped the giftcard, no deal. Firs time I didn't see any error, I swiped again and then it showed Card Read Error. Agent wanted to see the card, I tried to use the trick saying I was using a debit card (I had a spare debit card in hand to show them incase they wanted to see it). So no cigar.
Do only Metabank VGCs work and not MCGCs? I thought they both worked ? Anyone have any datapoint for Staples $200 MasterCard issued by Metabank ?
Do only Metabank VGCs work and not MCGCs? I thought they both worked ? Anyone have any datapoint for Staples $200 MasterCard issued by Metabank ?
Aug 30, 2022, 2:51 am
#1798
Join Date: Dec 2020
Programs: Delta Diamond (MM) | Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 158
Have you tried adding a private individual, recently?
-b.
-b.
Aug 30, 2022, 6:28 am
#1799
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Sep 5, 2022, 3:28 pm
#1800
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440