Blue Bird American Express Blue Bird by American Express BlueBird- Not your typical "wait for check to clear" money holding scheme! nationwide Nationwide

BlueBird AMEX's "hold your money" scheme is very simple to explain.  

Here's how our agravating experience with BlueBird unfolded: 
 

Rather than using our traditional bank debit cards we would load $500 or $1000 CASH onto our  AMEX "Bluebird" reloadable card for use in traveling, internet purchases etc.  We liked the fact that unlike other reloadable cards, BlueBird has no fee to load money, or monthly fees for its use.   

 

We have had multiple events related to "holding/freezing of our funds" (remember we load cash) ....here is but ONE example.

1. My office manager  tried to make an online $409.62 purchase.  Our available balance was $760.82

2. When making her purchase online she began entering the card information.  Next as commonly done it was requested that she enter her zip code that is  associated with the card.  The zip code she entered was misskeyed and thus incorrect.   The $409.62 transaction was understandably declined due to zip code verification error. 

3. With OTHER debit cards(Visa/Mastecard) at this point you would expect to simply re-enter your correct zip and your purchase is approved. Not with AMEX Bluebird.

4. On the second attempt she entered the correct zip code. Transaction was again declined. This time, not because of zip code but because the original $409.62 was now on an 8 day hold by AMEX ...leaving only $351.20 balance available on our Bluebird card.  Not enough funds available to make the original purchase of $409.62.    

5. My office manager called and complained to AMEX about the issue.  It was explanined that AMEX's policy was to place a holds on ATTEMPTED transactions for 8 days.  AMEX acknowledged that on the phone.     

6.  So anytime we've had a transaction declined  by AMEX due to a zip code, keying error, ATM error we lose access to that money(transaction amount) for a period 8 days. 

 

I can understand holding funds for check deposits to clear but this appears to be a scheme of using cardholders money  interest free on a nationwide scale.  

We've dealt with some major hassles because of this  card during our travels.    This AMEX practice can be really catastrophic and has the potential to leave you stranded while AMEX holds your money for 8 day periods.   After a recent Pensacola trip with the card WE refuses to TRUST AMEX anymore.