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 $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
- Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.
Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.
DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.
TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .
HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.
Bluebird master thread (2016 onwards)
Sep 7, 2018, 5:22 pm
#586
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,439
I was banned back in 2016 in the first wave of closures, and did try again to sign up several months ago via on-line application and they gave me the raspberry.
That being said, I would still try. You might get lucky.
Sep 7, 2018, 9:56 pm
#587
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 129
My money order situation is stable but I often find myself with supplies of smaller denomination gift cards. A lot of people find cards like Bluebird and Serve useful for dealing with odds and ends. I'm normally around Walmarts doing MOs or Billpay so it's convenient to use serve to get rid of 100$ or 200$ giftcards from something like an office supply store or the recent safeway promos.
Sep 8, 2018, 12:16 am
#588
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indiana
Programs: United GS 1.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 533
What is the limit now for Debit reloads at Walmart?
I have a bunch of $200 visa debit gift cards from staples
Looking at the limits online, it says $200 per day but that is for online debit reloads.
I have a bunch of $200 visa debit gift cards from staples
Looking at the limits online, it says $200 per day but that is for online debit reloads.
Sep 14, 2018, 10:36 am
#590
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Ashburn, VA (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 2,748
At a couple of WMTs near by are now asking for ID and debit card for loading. It appears that the register is programmed to ask the customer now. Is this local practice?
Sep 14, 2018, 2:10 pm
#592
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
If it was a register prompt, ALL WMs will have this like the eMSAR BUT so far I'm sure there's no such prompt. It is possibly a directive from the store managers in your area if several stores are affected. You can lay low for a while to see if such policy sticks OR you may have to travel to the next town or state to check if they don't have such policy.
Sep 16, 2018, 3:37 pm
#593
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 10
If I buy a bluebird, will it count as a new account within the credit bureau or is this just like another debit card and doesn't go anywhere near the credit bureau? I am looking to get some Chase cards but am only limited to 5 within 24 months but dont want to waste one because I bought a bluebird from Walmart.
Sep 16, 2018, 9:25 pm
#594
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 506
If I buy a bluebird, will it count as a new account within the credit bureau or is this just like another debit card and doesn't go anywhere near the credit bureau? I am looking to get some Chase cards but am only limited to 5 within 24 months but dont want to waste one because I bought a bluebird from Walmart.
Sep 17, 2018, 2:40 pm
#595
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 89
Can you load someone else's BB card? If I go to WM money center and I have my SO's card, can I load his card if it's not in my name?
Oct 22, 2018, 2:51 pm
#598
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
Walmart cash registers do not recognize (read) my AmEx Bluebird Card.
I tried to load my Bluebird card yesterday but the cash register does not read/recognize it on swipe, then tried other register also the same.
(1) Something temp wrong at the register or
(2) My Bluebird card is blocked/account cancelled?
(1) Something temp wrong at the register or
(2) My Bluebird card is blocked/account cancelled?
Oct 22, 2018, 5:34 pm
#599
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 463
Yesterday, my Amex Serve OneVIP didn't work at Dollar General. The cashier said the system wouldn't accept it. I assumed she was scanning the wrong barcode, but I didn't want to make a scene. Maybe there's a problem with the Serve network.
Oct 22, 2018, 7:15 pm
#600
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
You guys will have to wait and see. One time error does not mean anything yet.