The Bluebird American Express Walmart Card is a reloadable prepaid debit card that can be used anywhere American Express is accepted. It's a great option for those who want to avoid overdraft fees or don't have a traditional bank account.
To apply for the card, you can visit the Walmart website or a Walmart store. You'll need to provide some basic personal and financial information, which will be verified before your application is approved.
The card has no activation fee, no monthly maintenance fee, and no overdraft fees. You can also earn rewards and cash back on your purchases, which is a nice perk.
You can load funds onto the card using a variety of methods, including direct deposit, online transfers, and in-store reloads. The card also offers a mobile app that allows you to manage your account and track your spending on the go.
Pros
The Bluebird American Express Walmart card offers some great features. One of the most convenient is mobile check deposit, which allows you to load funds to your card by taking a picture of a check through the Amex mobile app.
Another advantage is that there's no foreign exchange fee, making it a great option for international travel. However, keep in mind that MoneyPass doesn't have international ATM locations, so you might not be able to withdraw cash abroad.
If you buy something that breaks or gets stolen, American Express will reimburse you up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year with their purchase protection. This can give you peace of mind when making purchases.
The Global Assist service is also a valuable feature, providing access to emergency translation services, referrals to doctors and lawyers, prescription replacements, and aid sending urgent messages home when traveling abroad.
You can also establish up to four subaccounts on your Bluebird card, which is a unique feature compared to other cards. This allows you to set custom spending limits for each subaccount and enable or disable account features like ATM access.
Cons
The Bluebird American Express Prepaid Card has some downsides to consider. One of the main cons is the $2 ATM fee, which can add up if you're a heavy user.
If you don't plan to enroll in direct deposit, this fee can make the card an expensive choice. You'll need to weigh the costs against the benefits of having a prepaid card.
Another con is that federal benefit recipients, such as those receiving Social Security or VA benefits, won't be able to have their payments automatically deposited into their Bluebird card accounts. This can be a hassle for those who rely on these benefits.
Features
The Bluebird prepaid card has no minimum balance and no monthly, annual or overdraft fees.
It's also free to pay your bills with your Bluebird account, and you can load your Bluebird account with Vanilla prepaid reload cards for free.
You can use your Bluebird account to pay your mortgage and earn cash back credit card rewards, which is a great way to maximize your rewards.
The Bluebird prepaid card has a feature that allows you to make deposits and pay bills using your smartphone, and you can even withdraw cash from ATMs.
Maximizing Credit Card Rewards
You can earn cash back credit card rewards for paying your mortgage by using Bluebird to pay your bills and buying Vanilla prepaid reload cards with your cash back credit card.
To get started, you'll need to load your Bluebird account with Vanilla prepaid reload cards, which can be done for free at certain retailers. This allows you to pay your mortgage without incurring any fees.
Using Bluebird to pay bills is free, and you can also use it to buy Vanilla prepaid reload cards, which can then be used to earn cash back rewards.
Cash
You can add cash to your Bluebird account in several ways.
At Walmart, you can go to a register and tell them you want to add money to your account. You can add any amount between $1-$1,999, and the funds will be ready to use in your Bluebird account immediately.
Some Walmart stores have a separate stand for Bluebird, making it easy to find and access.
Usage
Bluebird is a versatile account that offers several options to load money onto it. You can use the account to shop at Walmart, among other places.
One of the game-changing features of Bluebird is that it doesn't come with a bunch of fees.
There's no annual or monthly fee associated with Bluebird.
Troubleshooting
If you're having trouble with your Bluebird card, the first thing to check is that your email address is verified during online registration. This is a crucial step to ensure smooth activation.
If your email address is verified and you're still having issues, don't hesitate to contact Bluebird at (877) 486-5990 for assistance.
Caution
Bluebird users have reported a lag time when loading money to the account by direct deposit and mobile check capture.
Some users have experienced a disappointing experience due to this lag time, which is a crucial consideration before switching to Bluebird.
This lag time is a notable difference from other banking alternatives, which may have shorter wait times.
Be sure to understand the terms and conditions of Bluebird before making the switch to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Troubleshooting Deactivated Card
If you're having trouble with a deactivated card, check if you've verified your email address during online registration. This is a crucial step that often resolves the issue.
You can contact the customer service team at (877) 486-5990 for assistance if your email address is verified and you're still unable to activate your card.
Application and Management
Applying for a Bluebird account online requires completing two screens of data, including fields for name, address, email, and phone number.
You'll also need to create a new user name, password, PIN, and security question, and provide your SSN and date of birth on the second screen.
There is no hard credit inquiry, and once you're approved, your Bluebird card will be sent by mail.
You can register a Bluebird card in a minor's name by creating a subaccount associated with your own account, allowing the subaccount holder to have their own card and log in credentials.
The subaccount holder can be as young as 13, but the subaccount will be funded and controlled by you, as the main accountholder.
Registering a Card in a Minor's Name
You can register a Bluebird card in a minor's name by creating a subaccount associated with your own account. This allows the subaccount holder to have their own card and log in credentials.
The subaccount user can be as young as 13. The subaccount holder's name will appear on their own card.
The main accountholder controls the subaccount, including funding and management. This means you'll have control over the subaccount even if you're not the one using the card.
Application and Management
You can sign up for a Bluebird account online, and they'll send you a card in the mail. Just add money to it after receiving the card.
To register a Bluebird card in a minor's name, you can create a subaccount associated with your own account. This will allow you to have a Bluebird card with the subaccount user's name, who can be as young as 13.
The link between the Bluebird account and a regular checking account is both ways and free, making it easy to add money from your bank to Bluebird or transfer from Bluebird to your bank account.
You can have sub-accounts and transfer between them and the main account, which is great for managing accounts set up for kids and other family members.
The Bluebird account is marketed as a replacement for checking accounts, and it has pretty much all the features you want for managing your money.
Account Application
Applying for a Bluebird account is a straightforward process. You'll need to complete two screens of data, starting with fields for your name, address, email, and phone number.
The second screen requires more personal details, including creating a username, password, PIN, and security question. You'll also need to provide your Social Security number and date of birth.
There's no hard credit inquiry during the application process, so you don't have to worry about it affecting your credit score. Once you're approved, your Bluebird card will be sent to you by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Bluebird card accepted?
The Bluebird card is accepted at merchants worldwide that accept Visa debit cards. Use your card anywhere Visa debit is accepted, both online and in-person.
Where can I load my Bluebird card for free near me?
You can load your Bluebird card for free at a Family Dollar register, simply tell the cashier you want to add money to your Bluebird account.
Where can I withdraw money from my Bluebird card for free?
Free ATM withdrawals are available at over 38,000 MoneyPass ATMs in the US. Look for the MoneyPass logo to find a fee-free withdrawal location
Sources
- https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/bluebird-prepaid-card-review/25699
- https://ptmoney.com/american-express-bluebird/
- https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/wal-mart-american-express-team-up-to-launch-bluebird-prepaid-card/
- https://thefinancebuff.com/bluebird-prepaid-card-by-american-express-a-full-featured-checking-account-that-never-overdrafts.html
- https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/Amex-for-Walmart-Bluebird-and-Target-Redbird/td-p/1662920
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