The card is essentially a reloadable Walmart gift card and prepaid debit card in one unique package. When it comes to prepaid debit cards, there are few options better than the AMEX Bluebird. Should You Apply for the Bluebird American Express Prepaid Card? Add to that a Bluebird mobile app, mobile check capture, and the ability to quickly receive your tax refund and you have a winner in the Bluebird from Amex. Since secured cards are much easier to get than other types of credit cards, they make a great shopping companion for those with bad credit – or new to credit.įor those after a simple, convenient prepaid card, however, the Bluebird from Amex is a great choice. Because it is a prepaid card, the Bluebird won’t help those looking to either boost their credit score or even establish credit for the first time.įor those individuals, a secured credit card provides greater value, as the deposit acts as a line of credit, and not just a pre-loadable balance. The simplicity of the Amex Bluebird, however, is also it’s only negative. This prepaid card is a great alternative for those with bad credit who want the protection of a credit card but cannot afford a credit inquiry and has a strong host of benefits that make it more convenient than a traditional debit card. That ability also comes with a suite of benefits commonly extended to American Express cardholders: fraud and purchase protection, roadside assistance, and exclusive access to sports and entertainment events.
When you need to use Bluebird® to make a purchase, you can do so virtually anywhere that accepts American Express cards.
In addition to adding and withdrawing cash, you can send funds through the Bluebird2Walmart Money Transfer service, as well as for free between Bluebird accounts. If you need to make a withdrawal at an ATM, you can do so for free at specific MoneyPass® locations (there are over 24,000 of them), otherwise, a small fee is incurred at any other automated teller machine. Funds can be added to Bluebird via direct deposit, mobile check screenshot technology, or even at Walmart checkout registers.
cardholders will never be penalized for using the entirety of their prepaid balance.Īs a prepaid card, Bluebird does not offer cash advances or balance transfers and funds must be added prior to use – fortunately, the Bluebird card offers multiple ways to do so. Unlike traditional checking accounts, the Bluebird prepaid card has no minimum balance or deposit requirement. There is no annual, monthly, or activation fee, all mobile features can be used at no cost, withdrawals at approved ATMs are free, and cards can be used abroad or replaced for no additional charge. One of the standout features from the American Express Bluebird is that there are no fees for carrying out your transactions. Prepaid cards function as a debit card but offer several traditional credit card perks such as purchase protection, fraud protection, and Amex Offers through the portal. If you’re in the midst of rebuilding bad credit, the Bluebird® by American Express is a credit card alternative that combines the convenience of a credit card with the cash withdrawal convenience of debit cards – no credit check required. Don’t have a bank account but want a repository for direct deposits.Want credit card features (purchase protection, fraud protection, roadside assistance, etc.) without the risk of overspending.Aren’t sure whether to choose a gift card vs.Don’t want a hard pull on your credit history.Want a card with virtually no monthly fee, annual fee, minimum balance, or minimum deposit.The card gives users the flexibility of shopping at any merchant that accepts American Express while also allowing for the withdrawal of cash at ATMs, similar to a debit card. The card is similar to a Walmart and Amex prepaid gift card, but it offers far more than any reloadable gift card ever could. Bluebird® American Express is a prepaid card Amex offers in conjunction with Walmart.