Bluebird® by American Express Prepaid Card

The Bluebird American Express Review

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. 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.

One of the standout features from the American Express Bluebird is that there are no fees for carrying out your transactions. 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.

No Minimum Balance Required

Unlike traditional checking accounts, the Bluebird prepaid card has no minimum balance or deposit requirement. Additionally. cardholders will never be penalized for using the entirety of their prepaid balance.

As 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. Funds can be added to Bluebird via direct deposit, mobile check screenshot technology, or even at Walmart checkout registers.

Free MoneyPass ATM Withdrawals  

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. 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.

When you need to use Bluebird® to make a purchase, you can do so virtually anywhere that accepts American Express cards. 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.

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.

Is a Secured Card a Better Bet?

The simplicity of the Amex Bluebird, however, is also it’s only negative. 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.

For 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. 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.

For those after a simple, convenient prepaid card, however, the Bluebird from Amex is a great choice. 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.

Should You Apply for the Bluebird American Express Prepaid Card?

When it comes to prepaid debit cards, there are few options better than the AMEX Bluebird. The card is essentially a reloadable Walmart gift card and prepaid debit card in one unique package.

Reloading funds is simple – and one of the reasons that makes the Bluebird card such a great prepaid option. All you need to do to add money is transfer funds from an existing debit account (or savings accounts), set up a direct deposit or mobile check deposits, or go into any Walmart location and add funds at the customer service counter or at the register. Adding a direct deposit lets you get your money up to two days earlier than with a traditional bank!

The Bluebird is such an exceptional value because it lacks many of the fees that come with a prepaid card. These include activation fees, reloading fees, or a monthly fee. Added with the purchasing power and protection that comes with an American Express credit card, the Bluebird is easily more preferable to a Walmart gift card – and makes it the perfect choice for those who want the purchasing capabilities of a debit or credit card and want to forgo a credit check.