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Amex Bluebird Lowers Checking Deposit Limit...And Life Goes On

May 29, 2013
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4 min read
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Amex Bluebird Lowers Checking Deposit Limit...And Life Goes On
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Update: You can no longer purchase Vanilla Reload cards using a credit card and Vanilla Reloads are no longer available in Office Depot.

Like many of you, I was one of the Amex Bluebird customers that received an email yesterday, which stated:

"We are writing to inform you that we are making a change to your Bluebird Account for added security.

The Bluebird Member Agreement has been modified to reflect an update to the amount of funds that can be added to your Bluebird Account from a linked checking or savings account. Effective immediately, the limit for this type of transaction has been reduced from $10,000.00 to $2,000.00 total per month.

You can review this update in the Bluebird Member Agreement by clicking here.

Thank you for your membership,

Bluebird Team"

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I got a lot of frantic emails, but to me, this is not an issue at all. Per the FAQ and terms of Bluebird, you can still load up to $1,000 a day and $5,000 a month using cash or Vanilla Reloads. The restriction in the email is only related to funding Bluebird from a linked external checking or savings account, which I suppose could be useful for topping up your account to pay a mortgage (if you can't buy or load enough Vanillas), but really shouldn't be too big of a deal. Direct deposit is not affected by this change, so if you want to avoid fees or top up your account directly from your pay check, you can still continue doing so up to $100,000 in direct deposit funds per year.

If anything, this notice should serve as a reminder that programs can and will change the rules as they see fit. Could Bluebird decide to stop allowing Vanilla Reloads tomorrow? Yes. In fact, my local CVS manager told me that their main issue was that people who steal credit cards would buy a ton of Vanilla Reloads before the card was shut off and then turn them into cash via other ways. While we may think that "people are onto us", in reality companies like Amex and CVS are more worried about being complicit in money laundering and thus potentially being linked to illegal activity than they are being milked by savvy points junkies. Well, the latter may still be a concern, so that's why you should get in while the getting is good, but be prepared to alter your strategy as needed. For example buying loads and loads of Vanilla reloads to load onto Bluebird in the future might not be a great plan if Bluebird ever decides to stop taking them. Just giving some food for thought!

FYI the Bluebird FAQ's, here are the limits on Bluebird accounts:

Total Account Balance$100,000
Total Account Balance

(exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
$10,000
Total Add Funds Transactions
$100,000 per year
*Total Add Funds Transactions

(exclusive of Direct Deposit and Check by Mail)
Up to $10,000 per month
Direct Deposit
$100,000 per year
Check by Mail
$100,000 per year
Checking or Savings Account
Up to $2,000 per month*
*Debit Card(s) (in aggregate)
Up to $100 per transaction

$100 per day; and

$1,000 per month*
Cash (includes Swipe Reload and InComm Vanilla Reload Packs)
$1,000 per day

$5,000 per month
*Bluebird-to-Bluebird Receive Money Transactions
Up to $10,000 per month*
Add Checks with Mobile App
$2,000 per day

$10,000 per month
Total Spend Money Transactions
$100,000 per year
Total Spend Money Transactions (other than via Bluebird Checks)
$10,000 per month
Merchant Transactions
$10,000 per month
Pay Bills
$10,000 per month

($5,000 per month in the case of non-registered payees)
Send Money Transactions
$2,500 per transaction

$2,500 per month
ATM Withdrawals
3 ATM Withdrawals per day

$500 per day

$2,000 per month
Bluebird Checks
Subject to Total Account Balance and Add Money Limits

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TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card

Apply for American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership RewardsÂŽ Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership RewardsÂŽ Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership RewardsÂŽ points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership RewardsÂŽ point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership RewardsÂŽ points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American ExpressÂŽ Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.