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 30, 2023, 6:59 am
#1876
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
However, if one is behaving in such a way, then varying your deposits may help. Just remember that banning by BB is, for almost all, a permanent event.
Jan 30, 2023, 7:36 am
#1877
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 108
I don't do more than $400 a week on a BB card, and many weeks I do nothing, so I don't follow the above routine. My activity level, with both input and outgo mimics what a normal customer in the blue collar category would approach. I have not deposited $2000 in two days and subsequently withdrawn it two days later.
However, if one is behaving in such a way, then varying your deposits may help. Just remember that banning by BB is, for almost all, a permanent event.
However, if one is behaving in such a way, then varying your deposits may help. Just remember that banning by BB is, for almost all, a permanent event.
Feb 4, 2023, 4:01 pm
#1878
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
It seems the most recent posts are about staples vgc/mcgc, does the same apply to the other vgcs like vanilla vgc from Jewel or vgc from Kroger? Thanks.
Feb 4, 2023, 11:00 pm
#1879
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 29
I've been out the game for some time, but I used to do SM VGCs with BB at WM, and I'm wondering the same thing if Vanilla VGCs from Kroger work too.
Feb 5, 2023, 6:23 am
#1880
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
When i see a request like the one above, I always wonder why the requester simply doesn't try and then, more importantly, let the community know the results of their attempt.
We try and collate DPs, but GCs change all the time and I have never attempted to load a SMVGC to BB at WM, although in truth, given past DPs, I suspect that one should be able to load $500 (the limit) at a cashier in one swipe, while being limited to $99 at the CSC. However, my surmise is extrapolated from DPs in other threads about buying MOs at WM with these cards. I have no direct experience and cannot remember anyone else reporting about the above specific request.
So, I ask you to do the work and let us all know what you discover. Please be specific as to the type of SMVGC you used, since there now seems to be two types, one serviced by Sutton bank and the usual serviced by Pathway (new name). Thanks
Last edited by radonc1; Feb 5, 2023 at 6:37 am Reason: Corrected new name for SMVGC servicer
Feb 5, 2023, 12:34 pm
#1881
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 29
Are you currently in the game or just asking out of curiosity? What I say next is not trying to be snarky, but to help this community in our quest to MS.
When i see a request like the one above, I always wonder why the requester simply doesn't try and then, more importantly, let the community know the results of their attempt.
We try and collate DPs, but GCs change all the time and I have never attempted to load a SMVGC to BB at WM, although in truth, given past DPs, I suspect that one should be able to load $500 (the limit) at a cashier in one swipe, while being limited to $99 at the CSC. However, my surmise is extrapolated from DPs in other threads about buying MOs at WM with these cards. I have no direct experience and cannot remember anyone else reporting about the above specific request.
So, I ask you to do the work and let us all know what you discover. Please be specific as to the type of SMVGC you used, since there now seems to be two types, one serviced by Sutton bank and the usual serviced by Pathway (new name). Thanks
When i see a request like the one above, I always wonder why the requester simply doesn't try and then, more importantly, let the community know the results of their attempt.
We try and collate DPs, but GCs change all the time and I have never attempted to load a SMVGC to BB at WM, although in truth, given past DPs, I suspect that one should be able to load $500 (the limit) at a cashier in one swipe, while being limited to $99 at the CSC. However, my surmise is extrapolated from DPs in other threads about buying MOs at WM with these cards. I have no direct experience and cannot remember anyone else reporting about the above specific request.
So, I ask you to do the work and let us all know what you discover. Please be specific as to the type of SMVGC you used, since there now seems to be two types, one serviced by Sutton bank and the usual serviced by Pathway (new name). Thanks
Feb 16, 2023, 7:02 pm
#1882
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 220
Intresting observation today. Tried to load BB with 2 $300 vgc ordered from staples website. First one went fine, however second one kept declining with code 93 and 01. Now I have seen 01 code before but not 93.
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
Feb 16, 2023, 7:50 pm
#1883
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
Intresting observation today. Tried to load BB with 2 $300 vgc ordered from staples website. First one went fine, however second one kept declining with code 93 and 01. Now I have seen 01 code before but not 93.
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
This has happened twice to me when I made a mistake entering my Pin. It made the card unusable for a day when trying to load my BB.
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Feb 16, 2023, 8:51 pm
#1884
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Intresting observation today. Tried to load BB with 2 $300 vgc ordered from staples website. First one went fine, however second one kept declining with code 93 and 01. Now I have seen 01 code before but not 93.
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
It wasn't that it was limited to $500 load because I was able to use my regular bank debit card for remaining $300.
Same thing with Serve. So then, I just tried to load just $500 with staples vgc ($300 on first swipe and $200 on second swipe) All went smooth!
Feb 17, 2023, 11:22 am
#1886
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 220
I have found that when my Staples VGC gets declined for whatever reason,, I cannot load using the declined card for 24 hours or so. So I would just give it a day and then try the card again at the appropriate location (cashier).
This has happened twice to me when I made a mistake entering my Pin. It made the card unusable for a day when trying to load my BB.
Hope this helps. Let us know.
This has happened twice to me when I made a mistake entering my Pin. It made the card unusable for a day when trying to load my BB.
Hope this helps. Let us know.
My interest was how I couldn't load over $500 with two VGCs.
Maybe something changed as you know we are seeing reports of Simon vgcs also having issuees. maybe related or not.
Feb 19, 2023, 3:23 pm
#1888
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 829
Can you use BB American express to load money at Walmart? how about Walgreen?
Same for serve. I was shut down years ago, not sure if it is better to buy the card in store and the activate it or sign up online?
Same for serve. I was shut down years ago, not sure if it is better to buy the card in store and the activate it or sign up online?
Feb 19, 2023, 3:29 pm
#1889
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,445
Go on-line and apply for free but don't be surprised that after you have spent ten minutes answering all their questions, you will be faced with a screen that literally says
"Sorry, we are unable to offer you this card at this time."
Amex has the memory of an elephant and even those shut down in 2016 are still banned to this day. They appear to use the SS# for their ban list
At least you will have saved yourself the cost of buying a worthless card at WM
Feb 19, 2023, 3:41 pm
#1890
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 829
Don't waste your money.
Go on-line and apply for free but don't be surprised that after you have spent ten minutes answering all their questions, you will be faced with a screen that literally says
"Sorry, we are unable to offer you this card at this time."
Amex has the memory of an elephant and even those shut down in 2016 are still banned to this day. They appear to use the SS# for their ban list
At least you will have saved yourself the cost of buying a worthless card at WM
Go on-line and apply for free but don't be surprised that after you have spent ten minutes answering all their questions, you will be faced with a screen that literally says
"Sorry, we are unable to offer you this card at this time."
Amex has the memory of an elephant and even those shut down in 2016 are still banned to this day. They appear to use the SS# for their ban list
At least you will have saved yourself the cost of buying a worthless card at WM