Where and How to Load Bluebird Card
If you have an American Express Bluebird card and would like to add money to your card, we can help. In this post, we will walk you through where and how to load Bluebird card, including how to add cash, link it to a debit card, money through direct deposit and how to add funds through mobile check capture.
This Post Will Cover:
- How to Add Money to Temporary Bluebird Card
- Where and How to Load Bluebird Card (Permanent Card)
How to Add Money to Temporary Bluebird Card
If you purchased a temporary Bluebird card at a Walmart store, you can add money to the card and begin using that card right away.
The only option to add money to a temporary Bluebird card is at a Walmart register. Just give your temporary Bluebird card to a Walmart cashier and they will be able to add cash to your card.
You can add up to $500 to a temporary Bluebird card. You need to purchase the temporary card before you can add cash to it. The cost is $5.
The temporary card can only be used to make purchases. You need a permanent Bluebird card to be able to access all the other features of Bluebird, including online bill pay, direct deposit, and mobile check deposits. To sign up for a permanent card, click here.
Once the money you add to the temporary card is spent, you cannot use that card anymore. You will need to sign up for a permanent Bluebird card.
Where and How to Load Bluebird Card
If you have a permanent, personalized Bluebird card (one with your name on it), there are several ways to add money to your card. You can add up to $100,000 a year to your Bluebird account and there are no fees to do so.
Here are five ways you can add money to your Bluebird Card – they are:
- Cash Deposit
- Direct Deposit
- Debit Card Transfers
- Check Deposit
- Wire Transfers
Cash Deposit
You can also add money to your Bluebird card at any Walmart register using cash. The minimum deposit is $1, and the maximum is $1,999.
Adding cash at Walmart is free and the money you tender at the register will be available in your Bluebird Account immediately.
In addition, If you cash a check at your local Walmart, you can ask for the proceeds to be immediately added into your Bluebird Account.
The most you can add in cash to your Bluebird card per day is $2,500, the most cash you can load to your card per month is $5,000.
You can also add money to your Bluebird card account at other retailers that offer the service, including CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Duane Reade, Dollar General, and participating 7-Eleven locations.
However, there is a fee to do so, up to $3.95. Also, each retailer may have their own requirements for how much cash you can add to your account. Be sure to contact the retailer first to make sure you understand their rules and confirm the fees.
Direct Deposit
Another option to add money to your Bluebird card is through direct deposit.
You can set up direct deposit for all or part of your paycheck or any federal payments you receive as long as you’ve activated your permanent card.
Here are Federal payments that can be added via direct deposit:
- Social Security benefits
- Civil service retirement benefits
- VA benefits
- Worker’s compensation
- Tax refunds
Here is how to set up Bluebird Direct Deposit:
Step 1 – Login to your Bluebird Account
The first step is to log in to your Bluebird account and click on “Pay & Transfer” at the top of the page. Then click on “Direct Deposit” as shown below:
You will be taken to a page that looks like the one below:
Step 2 – Complete Direct Deposit Information
As you can see, your Direct Deposit form is pre-populated with all the information your employer will need to process your Direct Deposit request.
All you need to do on this page is to complete the section on the right indicating if you want all or part of your paycheck to be direct deposited into your Bluebird account.
You can choose to have your entire paycheck direct deposited, or a percentage, or a specified dollar amount.
Once you have made a choice, click on the “Get Your Form” link.
You will then be taken to a page with the Direct Deposit form. Print the form, sign it in the space provided and submit it to the Human Resources Department at your job, payroll processor, or government agency that is responsible for sending your benefits.
Depending on how your employer’s payroll system works, you can get paid up to two days faster when you sign up for Bluebird direct deposit. We have explained how that works in this post.
It can take up to two pay cycles for your Bluebird direct deposit to start.
Debit Card Transfers
You can link your bank Debit Card or Payroll Card to your Bluebird Account and add funds to your Bluebird account online or through your Bluebird Mobile App.
Here’s how to link your Debit Card to your Bluebird Account:
Log in to your Bluebird account and click on the “Setting” link at the top right side of the page as shown below.
Once you are on that page, scroll down until you see Link Bank & Debit Card. Click on the “Edit Accounts” link as shown below.
You will then be taken to a page like the one below. Once there, click on the “Link Debit Card” link as shown below.
You will then be taken to a page like the one below to enter your debit card information. You can only add a Mastercard or Visa debit card to your Bluebird Account.
A few things to be aware of:
1. The Debit Card must be in your name.
2. The mailing address of your debit card must match the address that you provided for your Bluebird Account. You can update your Account address in Settings if your Bluebird address does not match your debit card address.
Once you are done entering all the requested information, click “Submit”.
Bluebird will verify your Debit Card immediately. Once verified, your Debit Card is linked to your Bluebird Account, and you can add funds immediately.
The video below provides a great summary of how to add a debit card to your Bluebird account. The process shown here is via phone.
You can also go to a Walmart store and use your debit card to add funds to your Blubird card at a cashier’s register.
Check Deposit
There are two ways to add money to your Bluebird account by check: cash your check at Walmart or use mobile check deposit
Cash Check at Walmart
If you cash your check at your local Walmart, you can ask for the proceeds to be directly deposited into your Bluebird account.
Mobile Check Capture
You can add checks directly to your Bluebird Account using the Mobile Check Capture feature in the Bluebird Mobile app on your iPhone or Android device.
If you don’t have the Bluebird Mobile app, download it for free from the App Store or Google Play.
When depositing a check by mobile check deposit, there is no fee if you choose to receive your “Money in Days” — however if you choose “Money in Minutes”, then you will be charged a fee of either 1% or 5% of the check amount (minimum fee $5), depending on the check type.
Wire Transfer
If you have a checking or savings account, you can add money to your Bluebird account via wire transfer. Your bank may charge a fee for that service.
If this post about where and how to load Bluebird card was helpful to you, please share it. If you have any questions about Bluebird, you can ask us in the comments section below.