Bluebird Shutdowns
Jan 8, 2016, 2:31 pm
#274
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Yep. There's a teenager working at my local Simon Guest Services who probably won't mind having more time to play whatever game he always seems to be so absorbed in on his iPhone...
Seriously, though, Simon and other gift card retailers are probably the link in the chain that will be hurt the most. I think the consensus from the "economics of MS" threads I've come across has been that the retailers are most likely making a margin on gift card sales that exceeds their credit card processing fees. The losers in MS (and thus today's victors) are the gift card issuers (MetaBank) who don't get the full 1.8%-ish processing fee when their cards are run as debit with PIN.
Seriously, though, Simon and other gift card retailers are probably the link in the chain that will be hurt the most. I think the consensus from the "economics of MS" threads I've come across has been that the retailers are most likely making a margin on gift card sales that exceeds their credit card processing fees. The losers in MS (and thus today's victors) are the gift card issuers (MetaBank) who don't get the full 1.8%-ish processing fee when their cards are run as debit with PIN.
I wonder if the Feds were snooping around asking questions about tens of millions in untraceable debit loads. That could easily have caused AMEX to close accounts with those loading patterns out of compliance fears.
Jan 8, 2016, 2:44 pm
#275
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: GAI
Programs: TK *G, all statuses that come with Ritz, Amex Plat, Citi Prestige cards
Posts: 364
Definitely. I doubt that the banks are as aware of the impact of gift card purchases on their bottom line though as a high volume merchant like Simon, or a national retailer with a dedicated analyst for prepaid card products.
Jan 8, 2016, 2:44 pm
#276
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Minnesota
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,101
Termination Of Funds Loading Capabilities on Your Bluebird® Account
I called Amex to inquire. After a 10 minute wait in the queue I got thru, the CSR had no idea why my account was flagged and then put me on hold to get the supervisor. The call got dropped.
I called again, waited 10 minutes and talked to a new CSR. They got the supervisor and said they had no idea but did confirm that my account would not be able to add funds stating that, Amex is trying to protect against money laundering.....
When I asked what can I do to keep my account open for adding new funds she said to write in to Amex as indicated in the email. I said I'm talking to Amex now what is the difference. Reply "I'm really sorry sir, that is the process I'm being told to pass along to you". So I just write a letter and then they reinstate my adding of funds capability?
I doubt its that simple. In 2015 I added maybe 5K worth of Simon Visa GC, that's it and nothing in the past 4 months. They must really be cracking down. I think I'm not going to bother writing them, the game may be over.
I called again, waited 10 minutes and talked to a new CSR. They got the supervisor and said they had no idea but did confirm that my account would not be able to add funds stating that, Amex is trying to protect against money laundering.....
When I asked what can I do to keep my account open for adding new funds she said to write in to Amex as indicated in the email. I said I'm talking to Amex now what is the difference. Reply "I'm really sorry sir, that is the process I'm being told to pass along to you". So I just write a letter and then they reinstate my adding of funds capability?
I doubt its that simple. In 2015 I added maybe 5K worth of Simon Visa GC, that's it and nothing in the past 4 months. They must really be cracking down. I think I'm not going to bother writing them, the game may be over.
Jan 8, 2016, 2:53 pm
#279
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 1,524
Im wondering if this has to do with card address on file. 2 of 3 of mine were shut down. Same activity on all 3, Kate, vgc, Bill pay to Amex, but two of the cards have the same mailing address, the 3rd card that did not get shut down has a different mailing address..
Jan 8, 2016, 2:55 pm
#280
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,127
Jan 8, 2016, 2:59 pm
#281
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Delta Diamond; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 655
Jan 8, 2016, 3:02 pm
#282
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 22
negative; i dont have anything to load it with in any way at the moment and i dont feel like making technically unnecessary trips for nothing more than a datapoint. i dont believe the csr i spoke with knew ... he was talking about, like i said he was not a native speaker, so surely he would not be able to read & understand the complexities of the situation.. he was just some guy churning calls for amex and collecting a check. i would imagine i am blocked as the email says and as the other poster who called in mentioned above
Jan 8, 2016, 3:10 pm
#284
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, DL GM, AA Plat
Posts: 729
I still have one account opened. I'm going to MS as much as I can. No use in playing it conservatively because we all get shut down eventually. If Amex didn't shut us down, it would have been kiosks being removed or $500 GCs being impossible to find/buy with a CC.