As I type this, you all have read that starting 5/6, you can no longer load Redbirds with a credit card. First off, take a deep breath. We’re back at where we were before Redbird, when you had to load Bluebird/Serve at Walmart with gift cards. We’ve been spoiled and maybe this weeds out the casual MS’ers. Here are your options if this did go into effect:
- Keep the Redbird – Assuming Target will only accept cash or debit for these going forward, now you’ll have to go take an extra step and buy $500 gift cards at grocery or drug stores to load it up. This will now cost you between $50-$60 extra depending on which prepaid card you buy. You can also use $200 Staples cards with your Ink too.
- Switch to Serve – You’ll still have to pay the $50-$60 to load your Serve card at Walmart. The benefit here is now you can have subaccounts and take advantage of the juicy AMEX offers lately.
What do I plan on doing? I’m going to keep my Redbird just because a) my local Walmarts have basically banned prepaid gift cards and b) Target is so much nicer than Walmart. I don’t know your situation. If you have a working Kate near your house and Target is 15 minutes away, then I’d switch to Serve. The monetary difference is what you believe AMEX offers are worth. With a Serve and 4 subs, you could get $100 this month at Sams Club. Last month, you could have made $375 at Smart & Final. With AMEX losing Costco, they may try to offer more offers to retain customers (see how much easier it is to get the AMEX Plat Business vs a Chase Business card these days.)
Just a quick reminder…I still do provide temporary activated Redbird cards info via email for a small fee. I’ve done it for hundreds, see this fore details & reviews: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NoonRadar/posts/DTLVuZFe3Bp
In the next couple of days I will also update the guide to loading Redbird with gift cards, it will include step by step instructions on loading Redbird at registers with the new software after the POS upgrade: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NoonRadar/posts/QZ1eCSFrdCG
I am maintaining an up-to-date list of working gift cards for Redbird, as reported on various blogs: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NoonRadar/posts/QZ1eCSFrdCG
Please let me know via a comment on that post if you have tested a different type of gift card from what’s mentioned there. Thank you.
Cool. Useful link there NoonRadar.
Assuming the $50-60 fees you are referring to is to load $5k.
Seems easily overcome with Amex gc sale rates.
Do you know any vgc issuers that have $500’s that work at Kate?
Chris, the $50-$60 fees are the $4.95 or $5.95 you’ll pay to buy a prepaid card at a grocery or drugstore. Multiply by 10 and you get $50-$60. If you assume 2% AGC cashback portal and a 2% card like FIA AMEX, you’d still net about $148.50 a month per Redbird.
The variable $500 US Bank cards work at Kate. They are usually sold at Kroger’s and I believe Safeway too, but Safeways may not let you buy with a cc). There are also the AAA, Simon, and Albertson’s that work too.