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)
#421
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
If you read the Wiki above, it's been the case for a very long time that they could identify if the card was normal debit or a prepaid/GC. It seems now they just take a dim view of any debit load. Like I said their definition of MS is very broad it seems.
If you're doing something that a low-income underbanked consumer would normally do, you'll likely get shut down.
If you're doing something that a low-income underbanked consumer would normally do, you'll likely get shut down.
#422
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
Are people still having problem loading BB at Kate but no problem loading with a cashier? Thanks.
#424
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
Trying again today. No shutdown email yet. I haven't used mine much in past months only withdrawing a little cash at ATMs but I am writing a big check this week. If they shut me down I just lose a bunch of checks that were free. Not using it doesn't benefit me, so I'll see if I stay under the radar or not.
#425
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
No shutdown email yet. I haven't used mine much in past months only withdrawing a little cash at ATMs but I am writing a big check this week. If they shut me down I just lose a bunch of checks that were free. Not using it doesn't benefit me, so I'll see if I stay under the radar or not.
Btw, if anyone could, please try loading BB at Kate using the Rapid Reload button (the one for Serve) not the Bluebird button. Thanks.
Last edited by johnnie198x; Apr 14, 2016 at 9:26 am
#426
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 283
Yes, I've tried Kate before cashier each of 7 trips in the past 4 weeks. I didn't find other accounts of trouble so I kept trying. On Tuesday I had trouble with two cashiers including one that definitely knew how to load a bluebird so I gave up that night. It would say invalid item on the register's price display and fail before inputting how much to load. I went back last night and it worked. So 6/7 trips worked with cashiers, none with Kate.
Trying again today. No shutdown email yet. I haven't used mine much in past months only withdrawing a little cash at ATMs but I am writing a big check this week. If they shut me down I just lose a bunch of checks that were free. Not using it doesn't benefit me, so I'll see if I stay under the radar or not.
Trying again today. No shutdown email yet. I haven't used mine much in past months only withdrawing a little cash at ATMs but I am writing a big check this week. If they shut me down I just lose a bunch of checks that were free. Not using it doesn't benefit me, so I'll see if I stay under the radar or not.
Not sure what's going on with BB.
#427
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: AA, UA, BA, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,074
#429
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 8
I have routinely used the Bluebird and Walmart Money Card buttons, often trying each of them before using customer service if the line was short or any cashier. Today KATE was completely powered down so I couldn't try.
Cashier experience was once again like missing_link described, this past week I always see invalid item at least once before the cashier manages to get it working, except for the one day when two cashiers couldn't get it to work and I didn't have time for any more tries.
Has rapid reload been confirmed to work with bluebird loading from debit cards in the past?
WM's page for rapid reload lists Amex serve but only lists two load methods: Swipe Reload with Cash & Swipe Reload with a Check
Last edited by Vvatts; Apr 14, 2016 at 7:21 pm
#430
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: All the programs!
Posts: 1,006
Should one try opening a Serve now after a shutdown?
#431
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
You could try, but don't get your hope up. I tried Serve and BB, both rejected
#433
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 519
I received an email saying I can't load any money to my BB card. I have a sub account tie to this, can I load into sub account?
#434
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
your account is now useless, just drain the balance and close it. close subs first prior to closing main account.
#435
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 147
Hm. My BB card was suspended a week ago, then today I got an email titled "REMINDER: Don't forget to reload your Bluebird® Account. "
Did anyone get the same email?
It doesn't matter. Tried loading with my debit card, and it failed.
Gosh, AMEX, get your act together. I got excited for no reason. LOL
Did anyone get the same email?
It doesn't matter. Tried loading with my debit card, and it failed.
Gosh, AMEX, get your act together. I got excited for no reason. LOL
Last edited by parioneti; Apr 19, 2016 at 7:44 am