So a month ago I told you all about the Bluebird card–a new debit card alternative from Walmart & American Express. They asked me not only to tell you all about the card, but to use it for a month and then talk about the experience.
Well, it’s a month 🙂 As you remember, I bought the Bluebird card in store. I just took the little box up to the register and paid $5 to activate the card and then loaded on the minimum of $20.
I took the card home and logged on to Bluebird.com to register the account. After filling in all the info (including my mailing address, name, social security number etc for my permanent card) and logging on, there was my account with the $20 loaded. I could have used the temporary card to make purchases, but I waited about a week/10 days for my regular card to show up in the mail.
It looks like a real, honest to goodness credit to debit card! You can see the temporary card here on the top and my permanent card there on the bottom (yes, I blocked out the middle numbers with a green rectangle). It’s got a regular raised imprint with the account numbers, my name etc. When you flip it over there is a place for your signature and even that three digit “security code”.
So stop and think about that for a minute. With Bluebird I have something that looks like and functions like a credit card–but I don’t need to have a bank account or any credit check to get it. I could simply continue to add cash on to the card at virtually any Walmart cash register. Think about all the things these days that you need a credit card for–like purchasing things online or paying for gas at the pump. And think about all the folks who couldn’t use those services if they had bad credit. Now they can!
Because Bluebird functions like a debit card-you have to have the money there in order to use it. You aren’t going into debt when you use it. It won’t LET you spend more than you have. And of course if you want you can add money on using direct deposit (either all or some of you paycheck) or by transferring in money from a bank account as well. You just log into your account (or use the mobile app) and take care of it!
There was only one thing I was worried about in using Bluebird–and that was the fact that it was American Express. I’ve always had either a Visa or Mastercard, and they are widely accepted. I remember “back in the day” (what, the 90’s?) it seemed like fewer merchants took American Express. I knew that I could shop at Walmart using the American Express card–but what about everywhere else? I was pleasantly surprised to find out as I went about my daily business and tried using the card that my local gas station took American Express, that I could shop for Christmas gifts on Amazon with it and that I could even run through the Mc Donalds Drive Thru and grab a couple of “Happy Meals” with it. It really worked everywhere I really wanted to use it.
Overall I was pleased with the card and can see quite a few interesting uses for it. Even if you already have a credit card and debit card that you use, it occurred to me that you could use Bluebird as a way to save up for special purchases or events. With the direct deposit function, what if you set it up to put $50 a month from your paycheck into the account–and then you left that card in a drawer at home and let the money build up as your vacation fund, an emergency fund or your Christmas Shopping account. It would be “out of sight, out of mind”–and yet still completely accessible if you really needed the cash for an unexpected expense (either by using the card as a debit card or by withdrawing the cash at an ATM).
Although I didn’t go through the process of setting up “sub accounts”–there are tons of cool ideas for those as well, especially since you can do things like setting daily spending limits and turn ATM access off and on. If you have a kid in college you could load spending money, book money etc remotely–and they can’t over charge it because when the money is gone, the money is gone. Or what about if you are caring for a parent? It’s a great way to still give them their freedom but keep tabs on their spending so that there aren’t any awkward monetary mistakes. Or you could even set it up so that the account is in the name of a caregiver (a nanny or eldercare giver) and load it with a limited amount of money to be used for expenses.
Pretty interesting.
Now before I close out, I had a few questions asked last month when I first introduced Bluebird:
From Michelle: I would like to know if the expense tracker is similar to what’s provided by Mint.com — or — if the card is compatible with Mint.com for tracking
Michelle-I signed in to Mint.com and couldn’t find a way to link a Bluebird account
From Judith: What are the fees to use the card? per transaction? fees to use ATMs: withdrawals, balance inquiries, etc.
Judith-If you open the account in store there is a $5 fee-if you open it purely online you avoid that free. There is no fee per purchase. There is a $2 fee for ATM withdrawals unless you use direct deposit and make the withdrawal at a MoneyPass™ Network ATM. The entire chart of fees (which is mostly “$0”) can be found in the Bluebird Account Fee Summary.
From Liz: Just wondering if its easy to close out the account when I’m done with it.
Well, I’m not sure as I haven’t tried to close it. But you can just let it go to zero for as long as you like and then when you feel like it load on more money without any fees.
I’ll leave you with a comment from reader Emmerae:
I love this card:-) It is simple to use and you can have direct deposit. I don’t have to worry about bank fees. A 25 cents error caused 5 checks to have fees. Although 3 of the checks were paid, the others were returned. Although this was completely my fault, a mocha that cost $2.25 ended up costing me $27.50. I don’t have to worry with the bluebird card because no matter what mistake that I make, there are no overdraft fees. I can’t spend what I don’t have. For me, it’s the best option for right now. There are no monthly fees like most prepaid cards and its with American Express. What more can I ask for?
kelli says
Used mine at the pump (did not use full balance) and
now my card Shows 0 balance. tha t was yesterday and it still shows 0. Whats up with
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Kelli-I’m not sure. . . Have you logged into your dashboard on the computer to see what it says for the balance or tried to contact customer service? I’ll definitely forward your comment back to my point of contact for this review.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Ok Kelli-there is actually a reason! This is the response I got back from my point of contact at Walmart:
If customers have questions they should call Amex customer service – 1 (877) 486-5990. But in this particular case:
If you pay at the pump, gas stations will routinely obtain an authorization for an estimated purchase amount to ensure that there will be sufficient funds to cover the final purchase.
If the dollar amount of the actual purchase is less than the amount of the approved pre-authorization amount, a “hold” is placed on the remaining available funds and you must wait up to eight days for the remaining funds on your Card to become available.
Shawn Oehlke says
Just had this happen to me yesterday. $40 in gas, and Bluebird put a hold on $100. This is unfortunate and I am in the process of leaving Bluebird in my rearview mirror.
James says
Bluebird did not put the $100 hold on your account. The gas station did that. If you look closely at most gas pumps that accept credit/debit cards, they have posted on or near the pump a list showing what amount they will pre-authorize against your card.
Jeana says
Is it okay to not use my real name upon registering with this card?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Jeana–No, sorry that won’t work. It does require your name and social security number to set up the card. If you want the card for someone else, like say a child in college, you create the main account with a valid name and SSN and then you can create a subaccount.
SharonH says
Got the card today and tried to do a POS at checkout. When I slid the card, it didn’t give the option for debit or credit so that I could get some cash. Instead it just approved it as a credit transaction. This was at Walmart. So I go to the “Money Pass” machine. It’s broken. It’s always broken. In the end, I had to do an atm withdrawal which cost me a grand total of $4.50. That was $2.50 for the atm and $2.00 for not being able to use Walmart’s broken machine. Why wasn’t credit or debit an option? Thank you.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Sharon-I will send your comment on to the team at Walmart and see what they say.
Eric Willy says
The FAQ’s on Bluebird’s web site says: “There are no cash back or cash over transactions with Bluebird.”
I’m just guessing, but this is probably one of the ways American Express makes money on this card. By running transactions through the Amex network and the higher fees they charge retailers to do so. Amex will probably never allow this card to be run as a debit card. To avoid ATM fees you just have to make a small ACH transfer into your Bluebird account once every 30 days. Bluebird sees it as being a direct deposit and that allows for no fees at Money Pass ATMs (of course the machine does need to be a working ATM).
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
and of course you can also always call the Amex Customer Service number: 1 (877) 486-5990
Rob Hammill says
This is my problem here in Baltimore. The two Walmarts I go to, the ATM’s are ALWAYS broken. If you go to the Money Center, they tell you they can’t make a withdrawal off the card even if you have a PIN. This card is pretty useless. Walmart’s involvement SUCKS.
Eric Willy says
Another way I use Bluebird is to make cash deposit into my online bank. Typically an online only bank doesn’t have a way of accepting cash deposits. You have to turn your cash into a check or money order then mail in the deposit. Then you have to wait for it arrive by mail then be credited to your account. Now I can stop by Walmart, deposit the cash on to my Bluebird card instantly, then transfer all or part of it to my linked checking account. It takes one to two days for it to get credited to my account.
SharonH says
I guess I’ll have to find ever Money Pass atm in my neighborhood to save money. All in all I love the card because it allows me the freedom of transferring money from my Paypal account as needed.
Eric Willy says
I like the Bluebird card a lot also. I think it’s a game changer. It has virtually no fees, with the exception of $2 ATM fee if you don’t have a direct deposit on it. Previously, prepaid debit cards had so many fees, even if you kept the card in your wallet and never used it, it would cost you money. So far I haven’t seen a lower fee competitor to Bluebird but I’m sure there will be one coming sooner or later.
Michele Cervantes says
Yeah, you are right there is no other card like Bluebird it seriously is , one of a kind. I love it I had gotten mine online, no fee to open , no monthly fee, and put money on it at Walmart free!I researched dozens of cards and Bluebird was the best choice for me!
Jen tana says
There is a card called simple and it’s even better then the bluebird card I love it and customer service is a real person and they are regular people with a since of humor too instead of automated you will love it just go to the App Store on google play and type in simple and get the app and apply on the app and it’s free too get and the best card ever it even has the rfid chip on their cards
SharonH says
I agree with Eric, this is definitely a game changer. I won’t ever have to worry about I use this mainly for business and make deposits every couple of days. Plus with a big name like American Express I don’t feel like I’m walking around with a security issue waiting to happen. It’s a great way to separate my business from personal expenses. Love that.
Ford says
I got excited at the prospect of using this card to help my kids manage their allowance and learn to use a bank card responsibly, but was shocked to learn that—unlike any checking account—cash you deposit or transfer to Bluebird goes into limbo for “three to five business days,” earning interest for AmEx and inaccessible to you. The $100 I transferred from my Suntrust checking account, where it was withdrawn a week ago today, still hasn’t appeared on my Bluebird card. Such staggering delays, I’m told, are routine. Meanwhile, deposits and transfers from and into my checking account now occur pretty much instantly, down to check deposits made via camera from my iPhone. This is outrageous, and in my opinion renders Bluebird a good bit worse than useless, no substitute at all for a bona fide checking account. Unfortunately. Unless and until they achieve parity with banks in reflecting deposits, you’ll probably want to avoid this card.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’ll pass your comments on to my point of contact.
Jay says
Same here,
baught $10 bucks worth of gas and they took out $150… wtf…. not cool.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Did you call their customer support number?
Lindsey says
Bought the starter card at walmart and used it to make a purchase on Amazon just fine, but when I went to register for an acount on bluebird.com, it told me that they could not confirm my information at that time. i tried again with two other email accounts, and even made another one especially for registering with bluebird. still i got the same error for the fourth time. what is going on?? So frustrating.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
How frustrating. I’ll pass your comments on to my point of contact. Have you tried calling Amex customer service – 1 (877) 486-5990
Cynthia says
That exactly what has been happening to me!…I have tried to register like three time already and still nothing they keep telling me that something went wrong or they could not verify my email or info etc so I have to register again with another email but this is getting to a point where you can’t keep doing that or what is the main reason you can register without having any trouble
Ken says
Jenn, I note that you keep recommending that people contact the customer support number. I have. Three times now for two different issues. Twice to regular customer service regarding unavailable funds, and once to account protections services regarding my account being locked. All three times were unsatisfactory encounters.
In my call to account protection services I was given a fax number and instructed to fax a copy of a choice of personal identity documents, one of which was my social security card. I asked to speak to a supervisor because it is extremely irresponsible to transmit one’s social security information electronically, especially an actual copy of the card itself. I was told that a supervisor was unavailable and that one would contact me within 24 to 48 hours. That call was made five days ago and I still have not received a return call.
The call to customer service was to inquire as to why funds I had deposited from my bank account were unavailable five days later when the funds were withdrawn from my bank the next day. I was told that “up to five days” which is the information given on the Bluebird website, really means “at least five BUSINESS days.” I think there is a substantial difference between “up to” and “at least” especially when the funds have already left my bank account.
I agree with Ford above, that in these days of almost instantaneous electronic access to funds, it is irresponsible of AmEx to hold on to funds for such a long period of time.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Ken,
I keep advising people to contact customer service because I have absolutely no ability to help them, and that is what the company advised me to do. I am not an employee or Representative for the company, just a private citizen and blogger who was given the opportunity (sponsored) to try out the service and tell folks about what my experiences were–which I did. I did not experience any issues at all when I used the card–if I had I would have written about them. Technically my responsibility was complete when I published the post, however since I value my audience (even if they have only come by to read this specific post via a google search on the card)–I do provide the customer service number and forward every single comment back to my point of contact–ie the person who contracted for me to write the post and provided me with the information etc. I honestly don’t know what else to do.
I will of course forward your comments on as well. I hope that someone contacts you soon and is able to resolve your issues (as well as all the issues folks have commented on). Thanks for taking the time to read and for taking the time to give me your input.
Ken says
Jenn,
I did not intend to be critical of you in any way at all. You are offering a great service through your blog. I simply wanted to “flesh out” the Bluebird experience by writing about my experience with customer service since that element had not yet been posted here.
Thanks for giving us all a voice and an opportunity to share information and experiences.
nikole says
I put my tax refund on my temp card when I bought the bluebird account. Right now I’m waiting for my perm card can I add more money to my temp card?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
You should probably check with their customer service number to be 100% sure–but I believe that you can just bring the card in and add money to it (even the temp one) at a cash register.
Lisa says
I purchased this card in December 2012 and immediately started direct deposit of my paychecks. Today is payday and I still do not have my funds. Customer service states I need to wait until 2 p.m. when “all direct deposits are processed”. 2 P.M.?!!? As a single parent, thank goodness I didn’t need funds first thing this morning. After reading MANY horrible reviews of this card (I have also experienced card declines when more than sufficient funds were available as well as your account balance being printed on all receipts) I’m now worried I won’t get my direct deposit today. Every other deposit was posted between 6 and 6:30 a.m. and I am at Bluebird/AMEX’s mercy. The $11 I have in my wallet isn’t enough to feed 3 kids and myself on. EXTREMELY upset soon to be former customer here.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’ll pass your comment along Lisa. So sorry you’ve had trouble.
Tee says
Has anyone ever tried to link the Bluebird card to PayPal? I have an Etsy account and I would like to link the Bluebird account to it so that I can take payments and make payments.
kristin says
I have had the same problem as ken. They want me to fax a w-2, social security card or pay stub with my full SSN. This is bogus! I was treated absolutely terribly. Laura Shelton refused to get me supervisor, flat out saying “no.” Now they have a lot of my money unless I fax them very person, sensitive info over their “secure fax.” NEVER EVER USE THIS CARD!!! It is worth paying fees for some other card. They are probably just holding my money collecting interest.
Michelle says
Can I use my bluebird online to shop like credit or debit card?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Yes, it is used online just like a credit or debit card.
ro says
I want to use the card to limit my personal spending. For example, one card for groceries, one for dining out, one for gas and so on. Can i get two cards for each sub-account? One for me and my wife. I want to budget with the envelope system where my wife and i have access to the funds all the time.
Victoria says
I work at Walmart and I’ve been having so much trouble with banks lately that I seen that my Walmart offers this card now. So I decided to pay the $6 (I put $1 on the card) and get it, because I need a way to get my payroll checks directly deposited. Well, I got home and signed up for an account online, but I can’t set up direct deposit at all, the button is gray. Is it because I just opened my account and will have a temporary card for about a week?
I was going to go with the Walmart Moneycard instead (because a lot of people at work use that for their payroll checks), but I have always trusted American Express a lot more than Visa or Mastercard. I just wish I could get everything taken care of now, because I have until tomorrow to set up direct deposit at work, since it’s still reflecting my old bank on there and I don’t go back to work till next Saturday (I get paid next Thursday).
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’m so sorry you are having problems–but all I can do is recommend you call Amex customer service – 1 (877) 486-5990
velma says
i can not find a store that will let me use the card
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
So sorry to hear that. Have you tried calling customer service and seeing if they can find a store that accepts American Express near you? I do know that Walmart will accept it, and many places online as well.
Cynthia says
Hi, I bought a bluebird card because I heard it doesn’t charge you monthly fees or anything like that and etc., but I been having some. Problems at registering and I don’t know why? The first time I tried to register I didn’t hear anything back from bluebird again (not an email or the permanent card I was supposedly get) then I did some research and I saw that I had to receive an email from bluebird verifying my email address and they they were going to send me my card by mail but none of that happens so I called customer service to see what was going on and they told me that my account or info whatever was dismiss or something like that like rejected because they received my info like 5 times so they though it was some kinda of spam idk to be honest that’s what I think it happened so they told me that I had to register again with another email so I did that but this time I did receive everything I was supposed to get but then when I try to activate my permanent card on the bluebird website I couldn’t so I call once again to customer service to see if they could do it but I don’t know what happened that they could not activate my card because they dismissed or rejected my info i don’t know why so they told me to try to register AGAIN WITh OTHeR EMAil but to be honest with I m worried about all the info I am providing to them My question is now what are they going to do with the emails that I tried to register with before and the info that’s in it…? Are they going to erase that data or what? Like I can’t keep doing this I do not know what to do anymore what should I do
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Cynthia–I forwarded your comment on to my contacts.
Angelica says
Does this card work with Pay pal and Etsy’s direct check out? I own a shop on Etsy and want to use this for my direct deposit’s
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’m really not sure–your best bet is to call the 1800 number and check directly with them.
Jack says
Hi! I have read your review on the Bluebird card and it sounds like a good card. However, I have read comments on here and all the other negative reviews and the customer service is bad. Should I still get Bluebird despite all the negative reviews and bad customer service? I really want one because of the no monthly or maintaince fees that other cards have. I have a bank card but they were going to cancel my card because of inactivity for three months. I hope I don’t have any problems when I get this card.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Jack-I don’t know what to tell you. It’s always hard when I try something and it works and then others try it and have problems. I can only go on my own experience and what I’ve been told. You may want to try just putting a smaller amount of money on the card to start with and use it for a bit to ensure it works the way you prefer before putting on a larger amount. Just a suggestion.
Katy says
I have had Bluebird for some time now and it works great!! I love that there is no monthly fee! I use direct deposit and it works wonderful. I have used bill pay, works great. I also have the checks you can request and they are preauthorized, that works great also! You cannot make mistakes and no expensive overdrafts! The one thing I discovered is that you cannot do cash back when using your debit card in the store. I have used customer service for a complicated situation when I was charged 8 times by another company and they were very helpful, even did a temporary reverse to cover the incorrect fee from another company. They also took care of all the contact info with the other company for the dispute. Some functions with Paypal work and some do not. But this is the best card I have seen in a long time! I hope this helps some of you considering it. You can load cash at Walmart free also!
Joe says
Jen,
Here’s a question you’ll be able to answer. When you used the card to make purchases on amazon, were they to the same billing/shipping address? If not how much was the order for? I ask as I’ve been attempting to use my bluebird with amazon.com, however every time I try they lock the account citing the billing info didn’t match that on file with the issuing bank. Mind you that I took great care in making sure everything was right.
Diana says
I bought a bluebird kit at local walmart. I just want to load my saving catcher dollars on it to get double. I filled out the form and got a response that I was declined. What???? I really don’t want a permanent card I just want to load saving catcher dollars on temp card. But I can’t find that option. Ive tried calling customer service and I always get a recording.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’m sorry Diana, all I can offer is to call the customer service number. I will pass your comments on to my point of contact for Walmart.
Chelcea Surgenor says
I also got a temporary card and tried to register for the permanent card but never got an email saying anything. I called customer service and asked if they could help getting me registered and they said I’d have to go online and try again. I did that and it said I was being evaluated. Ive tried a few more times but still the same thing. Or it says someone has already used that account name. I dont know what to do now either. Its very aggravating. All I wanted to do was order some things online. Maybe ill still get an email. I sure hope they do. I can still use the money on my temporary card though right?
Chris says
I set up a facility to transfer funds from my main bank account (via my debit card) to my Bluebird Card, so this in turn could be forwarded to my child (for spending money/books/ competition enrollment costs etc.) on a family account card.
I have made three transfers successfully over a couple of months period without any problem but now I have received a “security alert” when trying to transfer funds from this previously used debit card and Bluebird is demanding I send very personal documents electronically to them “to confirm who I am”.
No Way, Mary May.
Their Fraud service rep, Axel, didn’t answer my questions about why this was necessary. I asked him what the Top 3 reasons they make this request on a previously used account are and he couldn’t tell me.
The email Bluebird sent said:
Hello XXX
During a recent review, we noticed irregular activity on your Bluebird account. For your security and protection, some of the features on your Bluebird account have been suspended while we conduct further investigation.
In order to restore these features, please help us verify your identity by sending a readable copy of the following documents within 10 days of the date on this email:
VALID PICTURE ID:
-A valid driver’s license card (front AND back) OR
-A valid state issued ID (Front AND back) OR
-a valid Government ID card (front AND back) (e.g. Green Card) OR
-A valid United States Passport
AND
A copy of the front of your debit card or payroll card ending in XXXX
Is it just me or would it be irresponsible to send such documents electronically to goodness knows who or for whatever purpose?
If it was my bank asking me to confirm I had transferred money to Bluebird, I could understand but Bluebird suddenly deciding there is some major problem with me transferring funds from a previously successfully used debit card/bank account? I pointed out to “Axel” in “fraud protection” that Bluebird is a card you purchase at Walmart and they had had my SSN, DOB etc at the time I enrolled for the account. This all tallies with the debit card/bank account I was using as the main way to transfer money to my child.
The current total balance over main card and family account card is circa $250 so hardly the sort of sum that would normally flag up major fraud or money laundering concerns!
Has anyone else had this happen to them?
bob says
why do you keep saying your point of contact it sounds stupid. just say call customer serviceat 1 800
bah bah bah i bet this does not get printed
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Well Bob, the reason I say my point of contact is because the folks I am forwarding peoples issues on to are NOT the folks at customer service. I pass information directly back to the marketing team for Bluebird at Walmart headquarters. I feel that is much more effective–after all, marketing folks are much more concerned with the customer’s feelings about the brand and more likely to make a change–customer service is some hourly employee at a call center.
Frederick Evans says
I made a purchase and canceled it within 5 mins, but there is now a hold on the funds in which I need on the 9th of this month. How long do most merchant hold funds before they are released back unto the account?
C says
I liked the card until recently. The card has worked well for direct deposit, writing checks and electronic transactions. Recently I have needed to deposit checks to my Bluebird account. I se the mobile app from my iPhone. Almost immediately following the transaction, it is denied (indicated on both my BBird history and my email). Regardless of amount or person/business drafting the check some phantom “Certegy” has determined that the transaction has failed certain “risk factors.” How do I know this? – Certegy representative will read from a prepared script indicating “risk factors.” So i have asked, is there a problem with me, the check, the company – what? Each time Certegy has indicated that that the risk factors “are confidential.” In fact so confidential that the representative AND American Express are not told what those risk factors are. So one day while waiting for someone at the hospital – I had the time necessary – I wrapped duct tape around my head and called Certegy and then spoke to American Express and then actually had both on a conference call together. American Express was a little embarrassed because they had no answer for me and they acted surprised that this confidential information was virtually unknown to mankind, except the computer at Certegy as to the risk factors. Certegy was able to verify that there were not any known problems with the check or with me (what else is there-so why the problem). American Express even gave me a courtesy refund to my account for my troubles. American Express was great to work with and their representatives were very responsive and well trained. However, American Express’ reputation will rise and sink with that of Certegy on this mobile app check deposit issue; right now it is sinking miserably. How am I to correct a problem if I am not allowed to know what these risk factor failures are? Does some honcho at AX even know this problem is occurring? From reviewing the complaints on the internet, I am not alone. Please share this with AX. Signed fed up and looking for another alternative.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I will forward your comment on to the folks at Walmart that I work with–hopefully they will pass it on!
C says
sorry about the typos
Stephanee says
I was thinking of using a Bluebird card to withdraw a gofundme account, is this possible?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’m not sure about that–you’ll have to call customer service and ask them!
Melissa says
I have the bluebird card, and have been unsuccessful at using it for online purchases, due to the fact that it only has a 15 digit number, and all other credit cards have 16 digit numbers. I even called bluebirds’ customer service reguarding this concern, because I got the card specifically to use for online purchases, and they had no solution for me. Is there something I’m missing?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I’m sorry–I don’t know what to tell you.
Melissa says
Well, you say you have used yours for online shopping, and I’m assuming yours has 15 digits as well? And you have been successful?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
I used it online in 2012–so it’s been a long, long time ago. I didn’t have a problem at that time, but since things do change over time (and I have not continued to use the card) I really can’t comment on how it is working currently.
Janelle Weathers says
Can you use the Bluebird Temporary Card at the atm as your waiting for your permanent card to come in ?
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
You’ll have to call customer service to ask.
Apryl says
I have had this card for awhile now with no issues. I just moved south and all are paperless employees so I set up for direct deposit. My employer mesed up and said I would have my deposit Monday. At 11pm Sunday I had an alert from blue bird to tell me my paycheck had been deposited. The only thing I have yet to try is the atm which I need to do to get gas. I’m not going thru the $100+hold that most gas stations do. Sounds lijke this card has improved over the last few years
Rena says
Shaking my head at people asking her questions about the card. She is not an employee of them. She did a review on her blog, she is not the CEO of either company. Call their customer service, wow! This poor lady probably wishes she never did this review, after all the time she spent telling people to call customer service. Rehashing it over and over because people are too lazy to call the actual company or too ignorant to understand this is only a review from a blogger and NOT an employee. Please allow this through, you have to be nice on your blog, but I’m here to hopefully knock some sense into people.
Linda says
CLEARLY you missed the part where she states that she has a POINT OF CONTACT that she can forward these complaints to. Calling customer service does absolutely no good as you are ONLY getting a call center overseas where they do not understand the simplest of inquires. I do not understand your post. Do YOU have an experience with this card?
Linda says
I am commenting so this can be forwarded to someone at Bluebird who might care. I have not even been able to use this card yet and am already ready to cancel. I mailed out a paper check to them 12 days ago and it still is not showing up as received. The post office stated that it should definitely be there by now. I have called “customer service” three times already with excessive hold times each time (30 minutes) only to talk to an overseas call center where it is obvious they are reading from a script and have NO IDEA how to answer legitimate questions. I tried tweeting them as they suggest and it was just as bad – their representatives completely lack any product knowledge so I am guessing that is also outsourced. In searching online to see if these excessive wait times are normal for check deposits sadly I am finding over and over again that this is the case. I now have had to borrow money to cover me until God knows when this check will clear. Probably 80% f the reviews i am reading on several sites show this is an ongoing problem – they sit on your money collecting interest while making you wait a highly excessive amount of time to access your funds. As soon as I can get my money off this card I am cancelling and reporting them to the BBB, and any other oversight agencies I can find. Stay FAR AWAY form Bluebird.
Brooke says
I’ve had my bluebird for several years without any problems. My paycheck is direct deposited, and I actually get it a day before other employees. Cash deposited at walmart is available instantly. They pay bills for me that aren’t online (like my water bill or doctors bills) by writing a check and mailing it them for free. I can pay bills with their online bill payment system. I have a family account for my son where I can send him money instantly, which is my favorite part of the bluebird card. If he’s stuck somewhere and needs money, I can send it right then. I have never had any kind of fee associated with my card, unless I use an ATM out of network. Just pay gas at the register and not at the pump, that’s the only hiccup. I can’t say enough how much I love my bluebird card.
Brooke says
Forgot to mention, checks are also available. You must enter them online and register with an approval code, so the check is deducted from your available balance instantly. Its impossible to have an overdraft.
Christopher says
“Even if you already have a credit card and debit card that you use, it occurred to me that you could use Bluebird as a way to save up for special purchases or events. With the direct deposit function, what if you set it up to put $50 a month from your paycheck into the account–and then you left that card in a drawer at home and let the money build up as your vacation fund, an emergency fund or your Christmas Shopping account.”
This is exactly why I got the Bluebird card for myself! I’m horrible at saving and I think this is a great way to do it to save up for a big vacation I want to take a couple years from now.
Which leads to my question…It may sound dumb, but if you just use this card solely to throw funds on it towards a long term goal and never do any shopping or purchasing with it, will the card stay open?
My plan is to save for the next 2.5 years with this card, by throwing $50/month on it and have about $1,500 (hopefully $2,000) by the time the big vacation comes. Having no monthly fees and no reload fees make this a very attractive alternative to a bank savings.
I received my card in the mail this week and already loaded my first $50. Place it in a cookie jar and forget about it till financial goal is reached! 🙂