Bluebird Shutdowns
#601
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
Not Shut Down
I've been using BB for MS for about the past 2 years or so, with Visa gift cards at $500 to meet the minimum spend initially for the 100,000 mile exec card and most recently for the personal and business cards. Last used them about 2-3 months ago but I used the BB via Kate this past Friday for 1 $500 VGC and for another 3 $500 VGC this past Sunday.
Thus far all is "normal" for my BB account.
Thus far all is "normal" for my BB account.
#603
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 10
As an update...
- BB opened pre-shutdown wave. Was never used.
- Loaded with 4K in SMGCs towards end of January 2016.
- Have not transferred any money out of the BB yet, nor paid any bills.
- Just loaded 2500 in SMGCs yesterday, 2/3. Still no closure notice.
- Going to load another 1.5K this weekend and then x-fer to linked savings account rather than use bill pay.
I'll report back after the $ is x-ferred out of the BB to see if it triggers acct closure.
- BB opened pre-shutdown wave. Was never used.
- Loaded with 4K in SMGCs towards end of January 2016.
- Have not transferred any money out of the BB yet, nor paid any bills.
- Just loaded 2500 in SMGCs yesterday, 2/3. Still no closure notice.
- Going to load another 1.5K this weekend and then x-fer to linked savings account rather than use bill pay.
I'll report back after the $ is x-ferred out of the BB to see if it triggers acct closure.
Was able to load another 1.5K in SMGCs to BB. Had a total of 8K in the account and then decided to just go ahead and use Bill Pay rather than transferring the funds to my linked account. Was able to pay off the CCs without any problem. Will see if account gets closed at end of month and report back, but so far so good.
If my account doesn't get closed, I'm guessing it was just a single wave of closures and that, as long as you don't abuse MS (i.e. maybe you just use it to meet a minimum spend bonus here and there), you may still be able to use BB for limited MS.
In summary:
- BB opened pre-shutdown wave, but never used.
- Purchased and loaded 4K in SMGCs towards the end of January 2016 to meet minimum spend.
- Used another CC to purchase and load 4K in SMGCs in February 2016 for minimum spend.
- Used BB Bill Pay to pay off the 2 CCs.
- Still no account closure notice, but the month isn't over...
Stay tuned.
#605
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 84
Has anybody gotten shut down for loading $1-2k in GC per month and using the funds to bill pay?
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
#606
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,464
Has anybody gotten shut down for loading $1-2k in GC per month and using the funds to bill pay?
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
#608
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Has anybody gotten shut down for loading $1-2k in GC per month and using the funds to bill pay?
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
I'm planning on doing that amount each month and pay rent/car/CC.
Do the shut downs have any impact on other amex cards such as SPG, Hilton, Platinum? I have those 3 and wouldn't want them closed or affected, reviewed if my BB gets shut down.
#609
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
So far, I have not seen any reports of Amex someone's credit cards after shutting down their BB or Serve card. But that doesn't guarantee that they won't in the future or that future applications will not be denied. Personally, my Serve was closed and I'm not too worried about it.
#610
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
How did you get approved? Any special tricks? Did you wait 31 days from closing?
#613
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
#614
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
there was someone who got shutdown for not MSing but using BB for billpays.
I think if you're not profitable (not using BB for purchases), Amex may shut you down.