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 11, 2023, 2:28 pm
#1861
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
You are truly the exception to the DPs on this thread. I have not been able to use a MB VGC at the MC for at least a year for amounts >$99.
However, I have plenty of Staples $200 VGCs, and I will give one a try when loading a BB card at the MC. However, i will not be surprised if I get a 56 code each time I try
However, I have plenty of Staples $200 VGCs, and I will give one a try when loading a BB card at the MC. However, i will not be surprised if I get a 56 code each time I try
NE
Jan 12, 2023, 5:10 pm
#1862
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
Of course it was rejected with a 56 service code "debit not available". This is the same card that I was successful in loading at the cashier for the full amount to my BB card.
I do not know what an Ingenico POS looks like. Perhaps you could supply a picture or a link to what it is that lets you use your $200 VGCs in a single swipe to load your BB.
Thanks in advance.
Jan 13, 2023, 7:27 am
#1863
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 10
Pretty sure all of the WM POS are ingenico?
Jan 13, 2023, 11:41 am
#1864
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
I went and tested a Staples $200 VGC at the service center of WM today.
Of course it was rejected with a 56 service code "debit not available". This is the same card that I was successful in loading at the cashier for the full amount to my BB card.
I do not know what an Ingenico POS looks like. Perhaps you could supply a picture or a link to what it is that lets you use your $200 VGCs in a single swipe to load your BB.
Thanks in advance.
Of course it was rejected with a 56 service code "debit not available". This is the same card that I was successful in loading at the cashier for the full amount to my BB card.
I do not know what an Ingenico POS looks like. Perhaps you could supply a picture or a link to what it is that lets you use your $200 VGCs in a single swipe to load your BB.
Thanks in advance.
Did you try to swipe the VGC card more than once? Here is another trick you can try. Let's say you swipe VGC1 a couple of times and it is throwing debit error codes. Then swipe VGC2 (make sure you have another VGC on hand). That usually goes through right away.
Jan 13, 2023, 4:13 pm
#1865
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
https://live.staticflickr.com/7528/1...80c8d37c_b.jpg
Did you try to swipe the VGC card more than once? Here is another trick you can try. Let's say you swipe VGC1 a couple of times and it is throwing debit error codes. Then swipe VGC2 (make sure you have another VGC on hand). That usually goes through right away.
Did you try to swipe the VGC card more than once? Here is another trick you can try. Let's say you swipe VGC1 a couple of times and it is throwing debit error codes. Then swipe VGC2 (make sure you have another VGC on hand). That usually goes through right away.
I will give your other method a shot as well. I am hoping that others can report their success or failures here so that we can get a better idea of what is happening.
BTW, I tried a BB load using one of the new Staples VGCs (Urine yellows) and it failed x 2 with a 56 "debit not available" code at a reliable cashier. I am going to wait 24 hours and try again with the same card.
I have held off buying any more Staples VGCs until I get this issue resolved.
Jan 14, 2023, 12:03 pm
#1866
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
Thanks for the picture. I see that my POS is Ingenico, so I don't think that this is the problem.
I will give your other method a shot as well. I am hoping that others can report their success or failures here so that we can get a better idea of what is happening.
BTW, I tried a BB load using one of the new Staples VGCs (Urine yellows) and it failed x 2 with a 56 "debit not available" code at a reliable cashier. I am going to wait 24 hours and try again with the same card.
I have held off buying any more Staples VGCs until I get this issue resolved.
I will give your other method a shot as well. I am hoping that others can report their success or failures here so that we can get a better idea of what is happening.
BTW, I tried a BB load using one of the new Staples VGCs (Urine yellows) and it failed x 2 with a 56 "debit not available" code at a reliable cashier. I am going to wait 24 hours and try again with the same card.
I have held off buying any more Staples VGCs until I get this issue resolved.
Jan 28, 2023, 7:21 pm
#1867
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, UA, SPG, BA, HH
Posts: 122
is there a pattern to use the staples 200 VGC at Walmart? Most time it just did not work(unless < $99) regardless how you try, but occasionally it worked at the same store and same POS machine.
Really frustrated.
Really frustrated.
Jan 29, 2023, 6:03 am
#1869
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
You should specify where you are doing your loading. It seems that for most cases (there is one DP above questioning this) that trying to load Meta Staples VGCs at a MC or Service center will only be successful for <=$99. Loading at a cashier, if possible allows the full $200.
I have noticed now (2 times) that if I try to use a Staples card and the amount is rejected (56 code or 01 code) then that card is not able to be used for at least 24 hours. Waiting a minimum of a day then allows me to load at a WM cashier. I bring this up to warn those who do try to use one of these cards at a MC or SC that its rejection may hinder its functionality for a short period of time.
This restriction may be due to the point I made above. However, if one waits long enough (and I don't have the actual amount of time) the card does recover its ability to load BB at the appropriate location.
Jan 29, 2023, 9:18 am
#1870
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, UA, SPG, BA, HH
Posts: 122
DFW area. I always do at customer service center. the store has very a few cashier since all become to self-checkout.
so using at cashier would be the best hope. Do you wait one day after purchasing from stop before using the cards?
Thanks
so using at cashier would be the best hope. Do you wait one day after purchasing from stop before using the cards?
Thanks
Jan 29, 2023, 2:07 pm
#1871
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
However, once that period was met, I was able to do $99 load at the MC so you should be good to go. Please let us know if 24 hours was too short.
Jan 29, 2023, 3:14 pm
#1872
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, UA, SPG, BA, HH
Posts: 122
I have no problem to load <=99, what i asked here was to find a way to load 200 at one swipe consistently.
Jan 29, 2023, 6:15 pm
#1873
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
If you have a Serve card, you can load it with Staples VGCs at Family Dollar store, but sadly, not BB cards unless you want to pay a $3.74 loading fee.
I have had no success loading Staples VGCs at the MC or CSC for more than $99/swipe. Sorry.
Jan 29, 2023, 6:31 pm
#1874
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, UA, SPG, BA, HH
Posts: 122
Thank you. CSC is always my go-to place but now need to find a nice cashier to do since FD is not convenient
If they are Meta cards from Staples, you can load them at a WM cashier in one swipe.
If you have a Serve card, you can load it with Staples VGCs at Family Dollar store, but sadly, not BB cards unless you want to pay a $3.74 loading fee.
I have had no success loading Staples VGCs at the MC or CSC for more than $99/swipe. Sorry.
If you have a Serve card, you can load it with Staples VGCs at Family Dollar store, but sadly, not BB cards unless you want to pay a $3.74 loading fee.
I have had no success loading Staples VGCs at the MC or CSC for more than $99/swipe. Sorry.
Jan 29, 2023, 7:43 pm
#1875
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
If they are Meta cards from Staples, you can load them at a WM cashier in one swipe.
If you have a Serve card, you can load it with Staples VGCs at Family Dollar store, but sadly, not BB cards unless you want to pay a $3.74 loading fee.
I have had no success loading Staples VGCs at the MC or CSC for more than $99/swipe. Sorry.
If you have a Serve card, you can load it with Staples VGCs at Family Dollar store, but sadly, not BB cards unless you want to pay a $3.74 loading fee.
I have had no success loading Staples VGCs at the MC or CSC for more than $99/swipe. Sorry.