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Bluebird Prepaid Card Review
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Ruth Sarreal Content Management Specialist | Bank accounts, bank account bonuses
Ruth Sarreal is a content management specialist covering consumer banking topics at NerdWallet. She has over a decade of experience writing and editing for consumer websites. She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. Her work has been featured by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo Finance.
Yuliya Goldshteyn is a former banking editor at NerdWallet. She previously worked as an editor, a writer and a research analyst in industries ranging from health care to market research. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
American Express confirmed that Bluebird no longer offers new Goal balances or new family sub-accounts.
The Bluebird card, offered by American Express, is an FDIC-insured prepaid debit card with virtually no fees. It functions almost like a checking account, making it a useful substitute for consumers who don’t have a bank account. And even if you have a bank account, Bluebird’s family-friendly money management tools may be appealing.
Best for:
Families that want kids to learn saving or budgeting in an account linked to parents'.
People who want a payment card that doesn’t let you go negative or charge overdraft fees.
Those who have had difficulty getting a bank account and want a low-fee alternative.
4.20%SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.20% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/31/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
5.00%Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 10/01/2024. APY may change at any time before or after the account is opened. Available only online.
4.50%4.50% APY for $0 to <$250k; 4.80% APY for $250k+ balance
Min. balance for APY
$0
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
5.00%*Current promotional rate; annual percentage yield (variable) is 4.50% as of 9/20/24, plus a .50% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply; if the base APY increases or decreases, you’ll get the .50% boost on the updated rate. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank; cash transfers to program banks conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities.
Min. balance for APY
$0
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
0.10%Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of 07/01/2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.
Several free ways to add money to the card, including direct deposit, transfers from a linked debit card or external bank account, mobile check deposits and cash reloads at Walmart registers.
Extensive, free ATM network of over 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs.
Comes with perks and services uncommon to prepaid cards, such as low balance alerts.
There are no monthly or purchase transaction fees for the Bluebird debit card. There’s also no fee if you sign up for the card online; otherwise, you’ll pay $5 for the card if you get it at a store.
Here’s the Bluebird card pricing on some common prepaid debit card fees.
Adding funds
Cash reloads at Walmart: $0.
Cash reloads at other participating retailers: $0.
Direct deposit: $0.
Mobile check deposit (funds available within 10 days): $0.
Mobile check deposit (funds available immediately):1% or 5% of check (minimum $5 fee).
From a bank account: $0.
Spending funds
Purchases: $0.
Online bill pay: $0.
Bluebird2Walmart Money Transfer powered by Ria: $4 for transfers up to $50; $8 for transfers $50.01 - $1,000; $16 for transfers $1,000.01 - $2,500.
Getting cash
In-network ATM withdrawals: $0.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals: $2.50.
Cash Pickup powered by Ria at Walmart: $3 per withdrawal for amounts up to $500; $6 per withdrawal for amounts of $500.01-$1,000; $9 per withdrawal for amounts of $1,000.01-$2,900.
Other fees
Sending and receiving money: $0.
Inactivity fee: $0.
How much money can you put on a Bluebird card?
You can have up to $100,000 across your Bluebird accounts.
How do I add money to my Bluebird card?
You can add money to your Bluebird card in a few different ways:
Cash reloads at Walmart and other participating retailers
Direct deposit
Mobile check deposit
From a bank account
How do I check my Bluebird card balance?
There are several ways you can check your Bluebird card balance:
Online at the Bluebird site or mobile app
By text
By calling customer service
By swiping your card at participating retailers’ registers
By checking your transaction receipts from participating retailers
Can I transfer money from my Bluebird card to my bank account?
Yes, you can transfer money from your Bluebird debit account to a linked checking or savings account by logging into your account online.
What are the fees for a Bluebird card?
There are no monthly or purchase transaction fees for the Bluebird debit card. There’s also no fee if you sign up for the card online; otherwise, you’ll pay $5 for the card if you get it at a store.
Here’s the Bluebird card pricing on some common prepaid debit card fees.
Adding funds
Cash reloads at Walmart: $0.
Cash reloads at other participating retailers: $0.
Direct deposit: $0.
Mobile check deposit (funds available within 10 days): $0.
Mobile check deposit (funds available immediately):1% or 5% of check (minimum $5 fee).
From a bank account: $0.
Spending funds
Purchases: $0.
Online bill pay: $0.
Bluebird2Walmart Money Transfer powered by Ria: $4 for transfers up to $50; $8 for transfers $50.01 - $1,000; $16 for transfers $1,000.01 - $2,500.
Getting cash
In-network ATM withdrawals: $0.
Out-of-network ATM withdrawals: $2.50.
Cash Pickup powered by Ria at Walmart: $3 per withdrawal for amounts up to $500; $6 per withdrawal for amounts of $500.01-$1,000; $9 per withdrawal for amounts of $1,000.01-$2,900.
Other fees
Sending and receiving money: $0.
Inactivity fee: $0.
How much money can you put on a Bluebird card?
You can have up to $100,000 across your Bluebird accounts.
How do I add money to my Bluebird card?
You can add money to your Bluebird card in a few different ways:
Cash reloads at Walmart and other participating retailers
Direct deposit
Mobile check deposit
From a bank account
How do I check my Bluebird card balance?
There are several ways you can check your Bluebird card balance:
Online at the Bluebird site or mobile app
By text
By calling customer service
By swiping your card at participating retailers’ registers
By checking your transaction receipts from participating retailers
Can I transfer money from my Bluebird card to my bank account?
Yes, you can transfer money from your Bluebird debit account to a linked checking or savings account by logging into your account online.
Overview of prepaid debit cards
What is a prepaid debit card?
A prepaid debit card is a type of payment card that only lets you spend the money you load onto the card. It doesn’t help you build credit. Like a debit card, a prepaid card works at any merchant that accepts its payment network, such as Visa, Mastercard or American Express. It’s safer and more convenient than using cash. Usually the prepaid card has a mobile app to deposit checks and transfer money. Learn more on our guide to prepaid debit cards.
Unlike checking accounts, prepaid debit cards may lack some services such as free ATM or branch networks or checks. If that doesn’t work for you, see our list of best checking accounts. Or, if you’ve struggled with banks before, check out second chance checking options.
Prepaid debit card vs. debit card vs. credit card
Prepaid debit cards — pay before: You load money onto the card via cash, checks, direct deposit or a bank account before paying for transactions.
Debit cards — pay now: You use money directly from a checking account when paying for purchases or withdrawing money from an ATM.
Credit cards — pay later: You borrow money from a bank when you use the card and pay the money back later.
How does FDIC insurance on prepaid cards work?
Prepaid debit cards nearly always have FDIC insurance, which keeps your funds protected in case the issuer goes bankrupt. Only financial institutions can have FDIC insurance, so a prepaid card is either managed by a bank or by a prepaid card company that partners with a bank to offer that insurance. You must register your prepaid debit card with your name and other identification information in order to be eligible for FDIC insurance and other protections.
