Bluebird prepaid debit card review

How do I open a Bluebird account?

You can sign up with Bluebird in two ways.
To sign up online:

1. Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
2. From the Bluebird website, click Open an Account.
3. Enter your personal information.
4. Create a username, password and ATM PIN.
5. Click to accept the terms of use and click Agree and Submit.

If you purchase a Bluebird card from Walmart:

1. Once you have the card, go to the Bluebird website and click Register Your Card.
2. Enter the card number and security code.
3. Enter your personal information.
4. Create a username, password and ATM PIN.
5. Click to accept the terms of use and click Agree and Submit.

Pros

In addition to a mobile app that comes with personal financial management tools, Bluebird offers the following benefits:

• Family account. You can have up to four family accounts, and the main account holder can set controls, such as spending limits.
• Savings feature. Bluebird allows you to set money aside in an interest-free savings for your short-term savings goals.
• No monthly fee. While most prepaid debit cards charge some kind of monthly or annual fee, Bluebird doesn’t.
• Roadside assistance. The card comes with a 24-hour free dispatch service for assistance including towing, winching and battery jump-starts.
• Emergency assistance hotline. If you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home and need assistance, call the hotline for coordination services, such as emergency legal and medical referrals, missing luggage and translation services.
• Early access to tax return and paycheck. If you sign up for direct deposit with your Bluebird account, you can access your paycheck and tax return funds two days early.

Cons

While Bluebird has its benefits, it also has disadvantages:

• Not accepted by all merchants. You can only use Bluebird at stores that take American Express, which isn’t as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard.
• High fees on simple services. You’ll pay up to 5% if you want your mobile-deposited check to clear the same day you deposit it. And if you can’t find a MoneyPass ATM, you’ll pay $2.50 to withdraw cash, in addition to any ATM owner charges.
• No linked bank accounts. You can’t transfer money directly from your bank account to your Bluebird card.

If you want a prepaid card that lets you transfer money directly from your bank account, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when considering a prepaid card.

Compare with other prepaid debit cards

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Name	Product	Fee	ATM withdrawal	Features
Netspend Prepaid Mastercard, WWE partner		$9.95 per month (or $5 with a $500+ direct deposit, or $0 with pay-as-you-go)	$2.50	Customize your card Cash back Get paid up to two days faster Comprehensive mobile app Several reload options	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Netspend® All-Access® Account		$5 per month	$3	Earn cash back on everyday purchases Earn up to 6% APY with an optional Savings Account Receive your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with Direct Deposit	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®		$4.95 per month	$2.50	Faster access to deposits PayPal Prepaid mobile app Open a savings account PayPal Payback Rewards	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Funding options

Use the following methods to fund your prepaid card:

• Mobile check deposit
• Direct deposit
• Cash or debit deposit at a Walmart checkout
• Debit card transfer

How long will it take to get my card?

You can pick up a Bluebird card from Walmart for $5 and start using it that same day. If you apply online for the card, you should receive it within seven to 10 days.

I got the card. Now what?

Once you’ve loaded your funds, take note of the following advantages:

• Set up direct deposit. Enroll in direct deposit to access your money two days earlier.
• Fraud protection. Report your card lost or stolen and you’re protected against fraudulent purchases.
• Special discounts. Because this card is offered in conjunction with American Express, you’re eligible for special Amex offers savings on shopping and dining.
• Special ticket sales. American Express Experiences offers special sales periods where you get exclusive access to tickets and preferred seating for sports and entertainment events.
• Get help when you need it. For 24/7 customer support, call 877-486-5990.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I have more than one Bluebird account?

  You can have up to five separate accounts.

• Can I add money to my Bluebird card from a linked bank account?

  Only if you opened your Bluebird account before October 2015. Any accounts opened after that can’t link to a bank account. But you can use your debit card to fund your Bluebird card.

• How much can I add to my account per day?

  Your Bluebird account comes with the following limits:

  • Direct deposit. You can add up to $100,000 per year across all of your Bluebird accounts.
  • Cash. You can load up to $1,099 a day at a Walmart or $2,500 using other retailers, but you’re limited to $5,000 a month.
  • Debit card. Transfer up to $200 a day using your debit card, but you can only add $1,000 a month across all of your accounts.
  • Mobile check deposit. Deposit up to $5,000 in a single day, and you’re limited to $10,000 in check deposits a month.

Bluebird is not currently available on Finder

Have you considered GoHenry?

Get interactive money and investing tools for your kids, including expert-developed games and quizzes. Offers strong parental controls that allow you to set where and how much your child can spend.

• Finder-exclusive 2-month free trial plus $10 in allowance, then $4.99
• Optional parent-paid interest
• 45+ customizable card designs

Learn more

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