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)
Mar 25, 2016, 9:44 am
#361
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ORD
Posts: 835
Anyone have trouble loading today? I have a new BB - open less than 3 months. Today at my trusty WM - 2 cashiers were not able to load. I was even trying to load cash(to throw off the hounds)!
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
Mar 25, 2016, 10:41 am
#362
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 283
Anyone have trouble loading today? I have a new BB - open less than 3 months. Today at my trusty WM - 2 cashiers were not able to load. I was even trying to load cash(to throw off the hounds)!
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
Mar 25, 2016, 10:41 am
#363
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 15
Anyone have trouble loading today? I have a new BB - open less than 3 months. Today at my trusty WM - 2 cashiers were not able to load. I was even trying to load cash(to throw off the hounds)!
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
They swiped my card - then they would enter code 70 and it would say transaction not allowed.
I didn't get one the dreaded 'your card is dead' emails.
Hopefully a glitch?
I think from a BB perspective they can't tell if you load cash or from debit at WM. Even debit will show up as CASH reload.
Mar 25, 2016, 1:58 pm
#364
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
@CherylD, if you don't find the email, do an online load with your bank DC to find out if your account isn't limited. If you can still load funds, it may be a glitch so try another day or a different WM.
Mar 25, 2016, 2:29 pm
#365
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ORD
Posts: 835
Thank you for the replies and advice! Previous load was last Friday. Today it didn't get far enough to even give them the cash or debit card. No spam email...can't try online DC load - this card is in my brother's name. ;-)
As long as no one else is having issues, I will hope it was my WM and try again on Monday at a different WM.
As long as no one else is having issues, I will hope it was my WM and try again on Monday at a different WM.
Last edited by CherylD; Mar 25, 2016 at 6:06 pm
Mar 26, 2016, 6:26 pm
#366
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 93
I couldn't load BB today at Kate. I haven't done anything lately and I did not get an email. Serve worked, though.
Mar 26, 2016, 11:12 pm
#367
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 35
With trepidation I tried loading $1000 to BB at a money center tonight and it worked just fine. So my BB account isn't nerfed--just some kind of weird Kate issue I guess.
I have no local Kates (can only use them when out of town) so it will be a while before I can try again.
Mar 27, 2016, 10:04 am
#368
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Santa Fe
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 108
Systemwide problems
I tried two Kates on Friday and both timed out. I called Bluebird and they told me, according to Walmart, they were having a systemwide problem. Called again last night and they said it was mostly resolved.
Mar 28, 2016, 12:01 am
#369
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ONT
Programs: AGR, UA, AA
Posts: 476
Interesting, then maybe I won't have to wait until I get my Serve in the mail to load again (although converting that RB to Serve will help for Q2 category bonuses and BBVA).
Mar 28, 2016, 7:11 pm
#370
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 20
My bluebird fund loading capabilities were suspended on March 4.
Today Received a mail as below
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
Message: 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:
and the places where reloads can be done.
Is It general reminder or is it like my bluebird is active again now?
Anyone any idea?
Today Received a mail as below
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
Message: 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:
and the places where reloads can be done.
Is It general reminder or is it like my bluebird is active again now?
Anyone any idea?
Mar 28, 2016, 10:22 pm
#371
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
My bluebird fund loading capabilities were suspended on March 4.
Today Received a mail as below
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
Message: 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:
and the places where reloads can be done.
Is It general reminder or is it like my bluebird is active again now?
Anyone any idea?
Today Received a mail as below
Subject: REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account
Message: 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:
and the places where reloads can be done.
Is It general reminder or is it like my bluebird is active again now?
Anyone any idea?
Mar 29, 2016, 12:14 am
#372
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 80
This was exactly my experience on Friday afternoon. It errored out at the point of swiping the BB card (long delay at that step followed by an error message I can't remember). Tried Serve and it went through just fine. Then tried BB again thinking it was a transient error--no go. Got the same error as before. Was able to finish loading all 3 GCs onto Serve.
With trepidation I tried loading $1000 to BB at a money center tonight and it worked just fine. So my BB account isn't nerfed--just some kind of weird Kate issue I guess.
I have no local Kates (can only use them when out of town) so it will be a while before I can try again.
With trepidation I tried loading $1000 to BB at a money center tonight and it worked just fine. So my BB account isn't nerfed--just some kind of weird Kate issue I guess.
I have no local Kates (can only use them when out of town) so it will be a while before I can try again.
Mar 29, 2016, 9:17 am
#373
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 78
my serve was shutdown on 3/4 so I signed up for a bluebird. received my card on 3/12 and today I got an email saying it has been shutdown so they are reviewing accounts more often it seems.
Mar 29, 2016, 12:12 pm
#374
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 299
Still getting the error after swipe today lunchtime, MD-PG county. Will try again after work.
Mar 30, 2016, 2:12 pm
#375
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 43
Went to WM today to load BB with a 500 VGC (US Bank) at the register. The screen said approved then reversed it and printed out a receipt that said "DEBIT NOT APPROVED CALL AUTHORIZER"
The transaction history on the VGC showed a 500 charge followed by a 500 reversal. As far as I know, I'm not shutdown and I've only loaded <$3000 this statement.
After trying twice with the same error, I went over to money services and used it to buy a MO without issue. Any ideas what this means? I didn't think this was the error you get for shutdown accounts but maybe it is.
The transaction history on the VGC showed a 500 charge followed by a 500 reversal. As far as I know, I'm not shutdown and I've only loaded <$3000 this statement.
After trying twice with the same error, I went over to money services and used it to buy a MO without issue. Any ideas what this means? I didn't think this was the error you get for shutdown accounts but maybe it is.