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”
As of May 6, 2015, Target no longer accepts credit cards for in-store REDbird reloads. For more information, please see “REDbird Post Memo Answers“, and “REDbird grounded. Now what?“
Here’s a quick update about where to find REDbird and where to avoid it.
Minnesota
In my post “How to find REDbird” I show a map of the official list of stores carrying the new Target Prepaid REDcard (AKA REDbird). In response to that post, readers reported finding REDbird in Minneapolis area Target stores (which makes sense since Target is headquartered there) despite the fact that Minneapolis is not on the map.
California
More recently, one FlyerTalk contributer reported finding REDbird in California, specifically in the San Bernardino county area. If you’re hoping to find REDbird, it may be worth calling local Target stores to ask if they have them. Make sure to ask for the “new Prepaid REDcard” and double check that they’re not thinking of the debit REDcard or credit REDcard. The one you want looks like this:
North Carolina
As I reported in the post “REDbird technical issues,” North Carolina stores seem to be unable to activate REDbird cards. Recently people have reported that stores there are also failing at reloading REDbird cards. Recommendation: If you live in North Carolina, wait a while before switching to REDbird. For now, at least, something’s very wrong there.
Read more about REDbird:Also: |
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ATTENTION – NO STORES IN NC CARRY THE CARD ANYMORE!!!! THE WEBSITE IS CURRENTLY WRONG!!! DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME IN NORTH CAROLINA!!!!
Sorry for the yelling, but I wasted 4 hours today trying to get a card.
Does anyone know where the Minnesota location is?
Has anyone had any luck with getting an already activated card to reload in North Carolina?
Tried to reload Redcard at two targets in Raleigh with no luck. When they swipe the card, nothing comes up except refund option. Called CS on card and got someone in India who said the problem must be with Target
I guess North Carolina is still not working. Unbelievable.
I don’t know how AE will make money off of this when you aren’t being charged for CC loads. They’ll have to eat the 2-3% loss other issuers will be charging. Seems like a big loser for AE if they continue allowing it. Possible that they are allowing everything to start, to entice and suck you in, then they drop the hammer and go, wait a minute, we never said you could use credit cards for loads. That was a system error!
Makes me nervous to switch from Serve even though I’m grotesquely sick of Walmart. In fact the website doesn’t explicitly state you can use CCs to load.
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How do I add money to my Prepaid REDcard Account?
You can add money to your Prepaid REDcard Account in many convenient ways:
Direct Deposit — an easy and free way to add all or part of your paycheck or government benefits check to your Account.
Cash — a convenient way to immediately add cash to your Account.
Free Cash Reloads at the Target register: Add cash for FREE at any Target location in the U.S. You can add as much as $1,000 or as little as $0.01 for FREE to your personalized card. Just give your Prepaid REDcard and cash to the cashier and your money is immediately added to your Card. It’s that easy!
Bank Transfers — add money from any U.S. issued checking or savings account.
Debit Cards — add money from your debit card at the register or by linking it to your Prepaid REDcard account online. Please note: Gift cards cannot be used to add money.
Oh, I also just noticed that last sentence, “Please note: Gift cards cannot be used to add money.” Is that a new part of the terms?
If they aren’t allowing gift cards for loads (or not supposed to) then credit cards would be next in line, you would figure, right?
All that being said, if I didn’t have Serve or BB, I would jump on this and drain it until it runs dry.
I had a manager at a North Carolina store tell me that the actual cards that they received and are on their displays in the store are having issues, as though there is some kind of defect, and they were trying to get them replaced.
Trying to purchase one of these cards results in an error indicating that the front register must be used.
This wouldn’t explain away reloads of previously activated cards not working, if that is in fact something that was confirmed.
I wish they would get this working. We didn’t get AFT in NC, so RB was going to be a welcome addition to the portfolio.
@Jake, when you say Minneapolis, do you mean the city proper? Thank you!
Positive for Mpls target. I already got my permanent redcard. Registered without probs..
Picked up 3 at Minneapolis no problem. One with second swipe of driver license and “temp ssn”
Which Target in Minneapolis? I’d love to be able to hit one up. Thanks!
New Brighton
So u bought three cards on one day and all of them have the same “temp ssn”?
You just typed in a random ssn or..?
Can my friend use his driver license and use my SSN to buy the card? Since he does not have SSN…
Thanks!
I know the max daily load is $2.5k. Is the max amount per swipe also $2.5k?
1k
$1K per swipe
as stated san bernadino county is the largest county in the usa, so if anyone knows which actual targets in the county please post, just checked the two city of chino stores today and not at either of one of them.
Sorry but posting the location is the worst idea. You have to figure it out yourself or find it via another method.
def disagree but to each their own and now posted in flyertalk by someone else where to find in california and can reconfirm victorville has it long drive if you don’t live nearby which most don’t but its up to you if its worth it.
Why do you think its a bad idea to post the location of a store that sells a product?
Plan to make use of the minnesota location tonight!
Hi Carol, where is the Minnesota location?
Was @ Udel football game last Saturday in Delaware and drove 25 miles South into Maryland and picked up RedBird in Aberdeen. Tried loading $500 w/ U.S. Bank card but denied. Loaded w/ a Chase card okay. Loaded another $1,000 next day @ home in NJ w/o problems using US Bank card after clearing up fraud alert. Received the RedBird in mail today and will hit Target tonight and try $2500 load.
Had success loading $1K, $1K and $500 on RedBird tonight. Also loaded $1K on Amex 4 Target. Going to get another RedBird ASAP for the Wife on next trip to Maryland.
I signed up for one in gaithersburg Maryland today. They didn’t have an actual temporary card. Instead, the permanent one is being mailed.
Without the temporary card step, what personal info, if any, did you have to provide Target?
I’m not sure this is possible. I hate to say it, but my guess is that you signed up for either the Target debit REDcard or Target credit REDcard. The card we’re talking about here is the Target Prepaid REDcard.
anyone have a list of stores in san bernadino target stores where to buy i have been trying to find someone to buy me one out of state but if there is one here in state please confirm which particular store has it or email me personally
San Bernardino COUNTY is the largest county n USA!!