Learn About Earning Easy Points via Target Prepaid REDcard
I'll readily admit I'm a Target Girl and not a Walmart Girl. Not that being a "Target Girl" is high-end or anything, but Target just feels more like home than Walmart. No offense Walmart, but Target does have a Starbucks, and you have, well, a McDonalds.
Given my Target leaning tendencies, it is no shocker that the new prepaid Target REDcard is immediately interesting for our family both for the points earning opportunities and its Target availability and discounts. I've been following The Frequent Miler's Target experiments as closely as I follow the weekly Target sales, and today it was time to try and get my own Target REDcard. Which didn't work, read on to see why, and when that might change...
What does this have to do with points you might wonder? Well, for some it has nothing to do with points. For others who are more in the gift card world, it has everything to do with points, at least for a little while. Once upon a time the Amex Bluebird card was very easy to load with various types of gift cards, but that opportunity got harder and harder for some of us both because the ease of buying gift cards and Vanilla reloads with points earning credit cards tightened up, but also because the type of cards you can feed to the Bluebird in Walmart narrowed.
I'm not big in the gift card world, so once it got harder, I pretty much quit Bluebird. As a busy mom I just don't have the time to deal with a complex and ever-changing system. For some, Bluebird has continued to work quite well, but I'm not in that group.
However, the new "Redbird" (not it's real name, but indeed a fitting name given it is so similar to Bluebird) seems very interesting as you can get it at Target and feed it more money at Target. There is a Target right down the road from me, and it's a store we find ourselves in naturally far more frequently than Walmart. Best of all, the Redbird can currently be loaded with money via many methods, some very convenient and that result in earning points easily and for free.
Getting a Redbird is currently tough unless you live near one of the select Targets that have them available. You can view the stores that should have them here, but I'll save you the effort and let you know that the only states currently listed are: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
No Texas, California, Florida, or New York, so there goes 1/3 of the country right there. Even though Texas is not on the list yet, I still asked about the new product at my local Target today and they had no clue what I was talking about. This means I can't get my hands on a Redbird of my own quite yet, but I'm getting enough questions on this product that I wanted to at least share the basics and then point you to The Frequent Miler for more first-hand information.
Loading money on the Redbird is currently very easy. Too easy. Easier than the terms even indicate. If I could get my hands on one now to take advantage of how easy it is I totally would, but like everything in this hobby, things that are too easy don't last. I do not expect it to work in its current form indefinitely, but party on while the party is good.
You also cannot have this card and Bluebird or Serve, so you have to pick the prepaid Amex product that is right for you. I am not using my Bluebird much at all anymore, so switching away from it isn't a big deal, but you will need to cancel your Bluebird or Serve before registering your Redbird to get the permanent version of the card. This means if you have a good system in place with your Serve or Bluebird then evaluate whether it is worth switching or not.
The Redbird is free to get, free to load at Target, free for ATM use at Target, has free online bill pay, and generally looks very promising. At least for now, and if you happen to live near a Target that has them. Oh, it also gives you 5% off many items at Target and provides for free shipping at Target.com. You can view some of the loading limits for the card here.
Redbird will be rolling out in other locations soon. I called the "Contact Us" phone number and was told by an Amex rep that the Target Prepaid REDcard is scheduled to be available in Houston area in about a month. He said it is rolling out to new locations on an ongoing basis, so if if it isn't available where you are yet, hopefully it will be soon.
A few other important things to note are:
- You can load the cards with money at Targets that do not sell them
- It is a different product than the debit or credit REDcards, so don't get confused
- It is also a different product than the prepaid Target Amex gift cards that cost $3, so again, don't get confused....yes, it is confusing.
- You can buy a temporary prepaid Target REDcard before cancelling your Bluebird or Serve account, so no need to prematurely cancel those cards.
If this product ends up to be as useful and easy of a points earning tool as it seems to be right now, I'll be a huge fan. I don't expect it to stay this easy forever, but that won't stop me from enjoying it for a while...as soon as they become available in my area.
If you have used "Redbird" or are considering it, I'd love to hear what you think!
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® 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 Rewards® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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 Express® 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.