![my bluebird app my bluebird app](http://www.frugalupstate.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Bluebird-Card.jpg)
![my bluebird app my bluebird app](https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/my-bluebird-smartphone-popular-transportation-app-indonesia-my-bluebird-smartphone-popular-transportation-app-200112812.jpg)
Load via true debit card in-store: I fully expected a debit load to work, but since I was at the register anyway, I tried it just to be sure. I tried 0000, but the machine ultimately told me (in a distressingly loud voice) “card not accepted.” Result: FAIL The register told me to select “credit” and then rejected the whole idea. I tried one at a register in the first store and the other at a reload ATM in the second store. I brought along two Visa gift cards, both with the word “debit” in the bottom corner. Load via bank gift card: I thought this one had a chance of working since online documentation said that debit cards could be used for swipe reloads. At a register in one store, and at a reload ATM in another store, I tried to reload Bluebird with a Walmart gift card. Load via gift card in-store: I didn’t think this had much chance of working, but I had a Walmart gift card sitting around, so it was worth a try. I tried at a register in one store, and at a reload ATM in another store. Load via credit card in-store: The online documentation makes it clear that in-store reloads (“swipe reloads”) require cash or debit card, but an American Express rep I talked with said that “some stores” allow credit cards. So, the first thing I did after activating my card was to load $500 from a Vanilla Reload card to my Bluebird. However, online documentation was clear that Vanilla Reload cards could be used. In fact, some American Express reps even told customers that they could not be used that way. Load via Vanilla: Some people questioned whether Bluebird could really be loaded with Vanilla Reload cards. Some of the experiments were doable from home, but for the others I rushed out to a couple of Walmart stores in the area…. With my Bluebird in-hand I was able to run experiments. I ordered my Bluebird card last week (Tuesday) and it arrived yesterday (Monday). Once loaded, Bluebird can be used like a credit card, or as an ATM card for cash withdrawals, or to pay bills, or to send money to friends. In other words, it is possible to get points and miles from loading Bluebird.
![my bluebird app my bluebird app](https://bluebirdlanguages.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/bluebird-512.jpg)
This is important because some stores allow Vanilla Reload cards to be bought with credit cards. Just like the older American Express Prepaid cards that I wrote about in “ One card to rule them all,” the Bluebird card can be reloaded with Vanilla Reload cards. Last week, in the post “ Bluebird takes flight and changes the game,” I described a new product from American Express that has some terrific features both for people looking for a no-cost checking alternative, and for points & mile collectors.