What is the difference between serve and bluebird

Is the 1k loadable to serve via online with fidelity Amex part of the 5k monthly total or is that an extra 1k you could load after loading 5k at Walmart? Does anyone know the answer to this? Maybe the kiosk? If you attempt to do more than that, the machine locks up as a fraud-prevention method. Thanks for confirming, Radster. I went back to Bluebird after Redbird died and I did read the small print carefully on the Bluebird site. So glad I asked.

Thanks you! How has everyone been doing loading it at the register? Works a treat for me! In fact, a while back they had pulled them altogether. However, I know people in Southern California who have no problems finding working kiosks. That withdrawal to checking functionality remains with old accounts, and it is extremely slow — sometimes a day, sometimes a week to 10 days. Small business saturday is no more…. Will — I believe you are mistaken on Point 1.

However, you will still be able to add funds out of your Bluebird Account to a bank account. Thanks for the correction Radster….

Had read some interpreting the change as preventing linking of bank accounts… period. Of the two prepaid accounts, Bluebird by American Express is the only one that lets you write paper checks. In fact, most other prepaid accounts do not allow check-writing at all.

That is a major reason why prepaid accounts don't usually have overdraft fees - because it's difficult to overdraw a prepaid account without checks. Paper checks may be used less frequently but they can still come in handy. For example, your landlord may still require that you pay your rent with a check.

Bluebird by American Express takes an unconventional approach to check-writing. Customers get an order of Bluebird by American Express checks, each of which must be pre-authorized before they become valid. In order to do that, all you have to do is log into your account and tell American Express the check number and the check amount.

The funds to cover the check will be removed from your account immediately and you'll receive a pre-authorization code that must be printed on the Bluebird by American Express check. This extra step will prevent customers from overdrawing their accounts. Since the check funds are guaranteed, these Bluebird by American Express checks work very much like cashier's checks.

The ability to write checks is a major reason that Bluebird by American Express provides more ways for a customer to use their money. It makes the Bluebird by American Express account more like a traditional checking account from a bank. When it comes to using your prepaid card account in a foreign country, both Serve and Bluebird will not allow the cards to be used to access any international ATMs.

As for card purchases , Serve will add a conversion fee of 2. Since mobile banking has become very important when considering a new financial account, many people like to see mobile apps offered by their financial institutions.

With both accounts being offered by American Express, Bluebird by American Express and American Express Serve have well-designed and feature-packed mobile apps. In fact, they offer nearly identical capabilities.

Both apps allow you to check balances, view transaction history, add money, pay bills, and manage sub-accounts. The key feature offered by both apps is mobile check deposit, which is free with both prepaid accounts. Pretty much everything you might need to take care of is covered!

There's no monthly fee and you have the ability to write paper checks - much like a checking account. With Bluebird by American Express behaving so much like a regular checking account, American Express Serve has trouble competing with it. Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here.

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User Generated Content Disclosure: These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. If so, i would think that would not advance my payment maybe i should ask them…. The REDcard can only be used by bank issued debit cards in your name. In store they can be loaded with debit and credit cards. You can pay any bill through their online bill payment so it should work.

Just about to switch from Serve to Redbird.. Does loading a Target red card with a charge against your credit card count as a purchase towards spending? Is that the best way? Are you sure of that? In this post I am comparing the features of each product. You can still load Vanilla Reload to Bluebird. You are correct that it is difficult to purchase them with a credit card, but you can still buy them with cash and load them to Bluebird. This was a high level post comparing features between cards.

Although some smaller stores across the country reportedly still sell Vanilla Reloads with credit cards. Thank you for clarification. Another confusing point is, I heard from flyertalk and some othe places that gift cards like Vanilla Reloads can be loaded to REDcard account. BTW, would you mind telling me which product among these three you are using?

You can load the REDcard directly with a credit card at Target. No need to get gift cards like Vanilla. I am currently using a Serve with Softcard. I detailed my use and why I switched from Bluebird here if you are interested. While they are mostly the same, […]. Family Dollar supposedly allows it but I have heard the process is cumbersome.

Does Target or do you speculate they might — with this new Red card allow for loading of Serve in their stores? Including prepaid Visas, like Walmart? I personally have the RedCard credit card not this new Amex product. Reloads must be done at the register with cash or a debit card. Once you have the temporary card, register it online. Again, you can wait for their response, or call to expedite things. Once you have your permanent Serve card, you can access all the features of your account.

Remember, gift cards purchased with a credit card that earns miles and points can help you meet the minimum spending requirements for credit card sign-up bonuses. If you and your partner each have a Bluebird account, it might be a good idea to keep 1 Bluebird account open and convert the other to Serve. Although many folks think Bluebird is much less useful now, other ways to use it to earn miles and points might come around later.

It could be a pain to change all of your accounts back in the future. Since Bluebird loading has become much more restrictive, this could be a good option for many folks. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. Comments are closed. June 14, 4.