My friend Bill (Racerboy 80) managed to get a photo of The Memo. This is the one that asserts that REDbird loads are now cash only (for more, see: I’m calling it. REDbird is dead bird.)
I realize that the above can be hard to read, so here it is in text:
Tender Accepted Select Reloadable Prepaid Cards
Effective Oct 13 cash is the only tender guests can use to reload select prepaid cards (listed below) in store.
Key Details
- Prepaid cards falling under this restriction include: REDcard, American Express for Target, Green Dot MasterCard, Green Dot Visa, NetSpend Visa and MyVanilla Visa
- POS will prompt if a payment type cannot be used.
- If applicable, credit or debit cards can be used to pay the card fee.
Cashier Direction
- Follow POS prompts. If POS displays a message that the tender can only be used for a certain amount or not at all, ask the guest for another form of payment.
- If the guest inquires about the tender restriction, advise: “Target has made the decision to only allow cash reloads for this card. This decision aligns with other retailers who also only accept cash for reloadable prepaid cards.”
Guest Questions
- Target policy: refer guests to Target Guest Relations at 1-800-440-0680
- Reloadable prepaid card questions: Refer guest to the card issuer contact information on the back of the card.
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[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] since the Target RedCard met its demise back in October 2015 when it was announced only cash could be used to load the card I have been remiss in finding another method of […]
[…] The 5X bonus category for office supplies, cable, internet and phone is nice, but it’s not easy to manufacture spend at office supply stores since they stopped selling $500 Visa gift cards. Recently Staples starting selling $300 Visa gift cards online, but if you don’t have a Serve or Bluebird card with a Walmart or Family Dollar close by, it’s not easy to unload those since the downfall of the REDcard. […]
I’m going to target today to load with Cash. It’s not greatly useful but still has some use.
Is there any alternative for unloading VGC besides Walmart? I went to 5 walmarts in the bay area this weekend and none had KATE kiosk, the ones that had em they had out of order signs on em.
[…] by Trevor on October 18, 2015 There are a ton of moving pieces in the miles and points world on any given day, any given week. Earlier this week, news started popping up about a rather large flapping moving piece (aka RedBird) which may no longer being able to be loaded with debit cards (let alone pin enabled Visa Gift Cards). […]
[…] https://frequentmiler.com/2015/10/13/heres-the-redbird-memo-cash-is-the-only-tender-gues… […]
The $500 vanilla visa card loads at the Family Dollar near me. Try one near you and you may get lucky..
So, here is how I break it down. I have both a Target and Walmart within 5 minutes of my home. I do shop at both regularly. However, since I acquired the Redcard and using it for MS, I did notice I would pick up extra items while there. A pack of socks here, a bottle of shampoo there, and ALWAYS the obligatory Starbucks. I would use 5 minutes of an employees time twice per month to load my single card. I’m figuring it cost Target $1 for me to load my card (I’m not certain of swipe percentages, online transaction fees, etc. and how they apply to a co-branded card), so add on an extra dollar to make Target’s in store cost $2.
While I’m there, I buy two venti mocha frappuccinos, a black tea, and an Icee to hydrate the family. We then pick up a pack of socks for my daughter, a cat t-shirt shirt for my son, a novelty “hot sauce” T-shirt for me and some make up or other items for the wife. We’re now in the neighborhood of dropping $50 on that visit. I don’t know their profit margins, but on my T-shirt alone, I’m sure they covered the cost of my Redbird loads, even with the 5% savings. Add in the frapps and I’m sure they are making out like bandits.
Now, will I still shop at Target? Off course I will. Will I be in there as often presenting them an opportunity to take some extra money out of my pocket? No
So, although they will be missing out on my 5-10 dollar profit each trip, they most likely have someone (based anywhere in the US) coming in with a fraudulent debit card loading hundreds or thousands of dollars on a Redbird. So, they make $10- 20 off me (and others like me) in a month, but may be taking huge losses due to fraud. It would take a hundred people with my habits to make up for one thief. This probably makes the Redcard unsustainable as a product.
I think this is a byproduct of what I hear every time I buy VGS’s, unload VGC’s, etc… The cashiers inevitably mention scammers and fraud and that they have to check ID’s and be careful. I don’t think it’s manufactured spenders ruining these opportunities as much as thieves and those perpetrating fraud.
Except you do realize that there are many MSers out there who reload anywhere between 5-15 cards twice a month. Inevitably, abusers will ruin it for everyone.
I’m so glad the target is sending back all these “people of walmart” back where they belong, the gutter.
Curious, why the holier than thou attitude?
This guy is probably net netty.
WM must be following this with great interest. It shouldn’t take them long to follow the Target’s lead.
[…] Two days ago I was one of the first bloggers to cover the eventual demise of debit card loads to REDcard (REDbird). At the time it seemed unlikely that Amex & Target would block all debit cards, but that is exactly what happened. Yesterday I saw a memo that confirmed Target REDcard loads are cash only and Frequent Miler even posted a copy. […]
[…] morning, Frequent Miler posted a copy of the official “memo” that Target associates recently received. You can view the full memo on his site, but the gist of it […]
[…] that Target no longer allows in-store debit card loads for REDbird has now been confirmed. FrequentMiler got a picture of the Target memo indicating the change (bolding […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of October 13, 2015, the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] Note: As of 10/13/15 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. Gift cards and/or debit cards no longer work to load REDcard. For more info, see: Here is the REDbird memo, “Cash is the only tender guests can use” […]
[…] But that’s over, too. Readers reached out to me with the bad news. And Frequent Miler even secured a copy of the official memo to Target employees. […]
Hey guys, dont worry. Another deal will come along. Umm, at least i hope one does. I mean I hope someone posts another new deal. I mean we arent like locust or anything like that. We dont go from crop to crop leveling everything in our path or anything like that. Lets all get our brains together and post the next good deal and spell it all out so everyone can be in it and kill it too. Cant wait.
[…] FrequentMiler posted yesterday a corporate memo regarding tender accepted for Reloadable Prepaid Cards. Here’s the text of the memo. […]
[…] RIP Target Redcard (aka Redbird) – The bird has officially been killed as debit loads (including gift cards) are explicitly no longer allowed. Frequent Miler has a snapshot of The Memo. […]
Alrighty then.
hysterical! thanks!
We are regular Target shoppers. We also have a Wegmans nearby, so Walmart gets about 1% of our annual purchases, while Target gets about 20% with the remainder going to Wegmans. I will say RB did have an impact and we did shop more at Target, but with no Apple Pay and Wegmans taking Apple Pay it’ll be a few months before I return.
I do have a question- how many people were actually loading these things with actual cash. Seems a cumbersome process to save 5%. I’ll keep my balance at zero for awhile. Who knows, maybe a chip enabled redbird is forthcoming?
Well, it only took < 1 yr for what I said to happen…to happen. The greater the bitching, the bigger the abusers, imo. I'll make the same comment today as I did then to "those ppl" that say "I only shopped T b/c of RB"…what a crock of sht. Even so, that couple hundred in groceries you bought (so you could get 5% off your tab using RB to "unload" was TOTALLY b/c RB LOL. absolutely hilarious. that profit you so "generously" gave them was nowhere near the plunder of your monthly visits.
Gotta love the self fulfilling prophecy they must use when they wake up in the morning. "I GOTTA plunder and use 6, 9, 12 cards b/c it'll be gone soon". It's exactly "those people" that cause the MS paths to be summarily dismantled.
I haven't heard this much belly-aching since ppl got their EU flights cancelled for lying that they were Dutch.
I do give FM credit, as he doesn't belly ache in his blog post, just posts the facts in this case and moves on…
Amen! Could not of said it better!
Thanks for posting the memo. Puts an end to all the speculation .
I guess in the big picture it was worth it because I made a ton of cash profit with Amex gift cards when CC loads were allowed on the Redbird but I can’t help but I can’t help feeling regret that I canceled all my Softcard Serves now since I could still be loading $1500 a month with a CC and and earning points/miles.
Oh well, One VIP Serve, here I come. In all honesty this will be more convenient since I have unlimited access to Reloadits with CC so now I can load all my Serves from home on my own time. After the POS update that slowed the loading process dramatically I was spending hours at Target each month loading my Redbirds.
Quite frankly if target just shut down the abusers with many redcards, that would would have been a smarter move (The abusers often kill off many forms of MS so I suspect this prompted targets decision). I now shop frequently at target due to Redcard (previously I hadn’t) and I am financially well off. If this is truly dead I won’t shop at target anymore. I suspect that will be the case for many. There are still a couple of forms of easy MS that I’m aware of that aren’t on FT or other forums….and are alive and kicking. The problem is if you tell everyone the abusers get on the band wagon and kill it off for everyone. C’est la vie.
Any thoughts of Walmart doing the same (cash only)? After all, AMEX runs the program for them and the clientele at Walmart is more prone to use cash and Bluebird gives them a simple alternative to a bank checking account.
It’s Metabank who holds the cards at WM, not Amex.
Just a matter of time. Expect it.
Wow, Nuffler, you and I could not agree more!
Wow! I guess Target will now face bankruptcy due to all you disaffected Target shoppers — NOT!
Tough nuggies.
Target doesn’t care about you people so your online sentiments about how you’ll never darken their doors will go straight into the their executive high level complaint receptacle…also known as the garbage bin.
Head on back to WM where you belog and I’ll keep an eye out for you on my ‘People of WM’ RSS feed.
“Head on back to WM where you belog and I’ll keep an eye out for you on my ‘People of WM’ RSS feed.”
Classic! Totally agree – Just bunch of cry babies whining because they no longer can spend a hour plus at the customer service desk unloading 20K worth of VGC’s.
I am sure every Target cashier and CS rep is celebrating today!
Agreed. So many stupid “you’re losing my business” comments. News flash: MSers are almost assuredly a net loss for Target.
Will we still be able to load the $1k a month online?
Serve still allows it, so I don’t see why not.
do you use visa gift cards with pin number or what
Walmart actually pays their employees a better wage now (minimum $10.50) so…my beef with them is weakened. Sorry Target..you lose.
Agree with all the other comments. The only reason I shopped at Target was I was there to load my Redbird. Thank you Greg for posting the memo!! It was good while it lasted. Bad business move for Target IMO. Excuse me while I mentally prepare for multiple monthly Wal-Mar trips. I’d rather have a root canal, sans anesthesia, followed by waterboarding…
Bye bye Target. This redcard product brought my family and many others into their stores and we actually shopped using this card. But, we preferred to use our debit accounts to load Red and now that we can’t we will move onto other retail stores. It’s not out of spite, but a matter of convenience.
Same sentiment here, I started shopping a lot more at Target thanks to RB. It wasn’t as convenient to get to, but I like the stores better than Walmart. With cash only loads, I’ll likely go to nearby grocery stores more and Walmart which is a lot closer.
Agreed. I do not plan to visit my local Target store again – EVER. Convenience to reload my REDbird: “Priceless”. Decision by TARGET to end debit card loads: “Costly”. Thanks TARGET for giving me the ultimate motivation to shop at your unsightly competitor Walmart. Well done!
Holy overinflated sense of self importance, Batman! I don’t think Target cares that you aren’t coming back since you were probably costing them more money with MS than they were getting from you in profits from legit purchases.
Get over yourselves, people. We (MSers) all cost Target money (directly with transaction fees and indirectly in employee time) with MS activities and I’m guessing our legit purchases didn’t make up for that. They almost assuredly have business models and the data analysis capabilities to account for all this. I’d guess they figured out MSers were a net loss. In other words, they don’t really care if you’re moving on. Stop with the “I’M NOT COMING BACK TO YOUR STORE” comments. They’re dumb.