Target REDcard Working As Expected
Note: As of October 13, 2015 the Target REDcard (REDbird) can only be loaded with cash in-store at Target. This means that neither debit cards nor gift cards can be used to load REDcard any longer. For more info about the changes and where to go from here, see: REDbird Postmortem: An MS Path Forward
This isn’t going to be a long post, but I wanted to let everyone know that Target REDcard loads are working as usual. Yesterday an email was sent out to cardholders describing what can and cannot be used to load REDcard. While the email only reinforced the current policy, some people were concerned.
Around the same time the email was sent, Target’s systems were having issues and REDcard loads were not working. Those events worried some people, but it all turned out to simply be a coincidence. As of last night Target’s systems were fixed and REDcard loads began working again.
Refusal to Load Gift Cards
This morning I did go out and test the system to make sure everything was working. While my loads were ultimately a success, I did run into the first cashier I have encountered who refused to load a gift card. This happened at a different Target than I normally visit, so I went to my normal store and everything was fine. I see this as further evidence that policies are tightening on the store level.
In the end there is not much to report here. You still can’t use credit cards, but can use pin-enabled gift cards to load REDcard. I am hearing more and more stories of gift card denials with regularity, so it may be prudent to find a store/cashier that works for you and stick with it. Enjoy your weekend and happy loading!
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Had the same problem 3 weeks ago or so. Went to a Target I never go to and tried to load a gift card. The guest services person told asked me if it was a gift card, I said yes, then she asked to see it and told me “it is a gift card” and I said “yes, but it says debit, seeeee?” She wouldn’t load it even when I asked her to try, “it’s the rules” she said. Then I turned around and went to a regular cashier at the same store and the guy loaded it no problem.
My local Target, the only one in town, will no longer load any debit gift cards per local management decision. This was according to the clerk at the main desk.
I use 2 Target stores regularly to load my debit/gift vanilla cards. At the 1st store yesterday I attempted my regular loads but the cashier, who I regularly use, asked to see my cards and deemed them a “3rd” party debit card or a gift card and then would not even attempt to load it. Said that was the policy.
I went home and read up on everything happening and what the real policy is. I went into the 2nd regular target store I use, today, and had absolutely no problem loading my cards or with the staff.
Clearly this seems to be a store manager misinterpretation of the policy memo where they are deeming the debit gift cards some type of 3rd party type credit card, or they are extrapolating that working to apply to this situation.
As long as their computers take the cards and load them, why should each store care anyhow. Not the store’s problem at all. But, as consumers, I don’t know what we are to do about it other than to find a store that accepts the debit/gift vanilla cards and hope it lasts.
I also went back to my 2 regular grocery stores where I would buy money orders using the debit/gift cards to see if they still allowed it. No problem there at all. So I did $1000 at each grocery store.
There are options…..and when and if Redbird ends, we will figure out the next thing.
Serve is still loading at WM, and the SMGC’s no problem…
couldnt login online. called said they were having problems.