American Express Bluebird

Claimed

in Prepaid Debit Cards from American Express National Bank

SuperMoney Net Recommendation Score -68

Strongly not recommended

21 users recommend

4 users are unsure

119 users don't recommend

Highlights
Community Rating	Strongly not recommended
Signature Purchase Transaction Fee	$0
PIN Purchase Transaction Fee	$0
Monthly Fee	$0
Card Reload Fee	$0 - $3.95
Number of Reviews	144

American Express Bluebird Review

The American Express Bluebird is designed for consumers who want the convenience of paying with plastic but don’t want (or don’t qualify) for a regular credit card. Prepaid cards only allow you to spend money already in your account. So you can avoid interest payments, bounced checks, or overdraft fees.

American Express Bluebird does not require a credit check, so approval is guaranteed. However, it will not help you build credit and some online merchants don't accept prepaid cards.

American Express Bluebird Pros & Cons

The Good	The Bad
Free in-network ATM withdrawal A monthly fee of up to $0, which is lower than average for prepaid cards No monthly or purchase transaction fees. Roadside Assistance Hotline included Global Assist Hotline included	You may have to pay a fee of up to $3.95 every time you load the card Cash withdrawal fees can add up quickly. American Express is not accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard.

American Express Bluebird FAQ

Who issues American Express Bluebird?

American Express Bluebird is issued by American Express National Bank, which is based in New York, NY and was founded in 1850.

What fees does American Express Bluebird charge?

American Express Bluebird does not charge a monthly service fee.

American Express Bluebird Prepaid Card Fees
Description
ATM Balance Inquiry	$2.50
Activation Fee	$0
Card Replacement Fee	$0
Close Account Fee	$0
Free In-Network ATM Withdrawal?
No PIN Purchase Transaction Fee?
No Signature Purchase Transaction Fee?
Card Reload Fee	$0 - $3.95
Signature Purchase Transaction Fee	$0
PIN Purchase Transaction Fee	$0

How Much Does American Express Bluebird Cost?

There is no activation fee.

A great thing about this card is it doesn't charge a monthly maintenance fee, which can save you a lot of money over time.

There is a reload fee of up to $3.95 fee every time you reload the card.

Does American Express Bluebird charge an activation fee?

American Express Bluebird does not charge an activation fee.

What is the daily ATM withdrawal for American Express Bluebird?

American Express Bluebird has a daily ATM withdrawal limit of $750.

What is daily direct deposit limit for American Express Bluebird?

American Express Bluebird sets a daily direct deposit limit of $2,500.

What is the Card Replacement Fee for American Express Bluebird?

American Express Bluebird does not charge a card replacement fee.

What is the Maximum Balance for American Express Bluebird?

The maximum balance you can have on American Express Bluebird is $100,000. If you are often close to the maximum balance, it may be time to put your money to work and deposit it in an account that yields interest, such as a savings account, a CD, or a money market account.

How to apply for American Express Bluebird

Visit the American Express National Bank website.
Fill in the application form. Some prepaid cards require you to provide some personal information, such as your full name, address, date of birth, email, and SSN.
Check the information is accurate and submit your application.

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Message From American Express Bluebird

Message From Our Editor

What we love about American Express Bluebird

Through Bluebird, American Express offers a prepaid debit card that skips a lot of the fees that other prepaid cards usually charge. If you have trouble qualifying for a checking account, Bluebird can serve as a substitute.

What could American Express Bluebird do better?

American Express Bluebird isn’t perfect. It still charges a fee for some services that you could get for free at a bank. For example, you have to pay a fee to set up your account if you want to get the card in-person. You also have to pay to make cash deposits to your account though direct deposit and online transfers are free.

American Express also doesn’t offer any fee rebates for using an out-of-network ATM and will charge you a fee if you use another bank’s ATM. Essentially, any cash-based interactions with the card will come at a cost.

American Express also isn’t accepted as widely as Visa and Mastercard, so you may find yourself unable to use the card at certain stores.

American Express Bluebird‘s backstory

American Express, founded in 1850, is one of the four largest card issuers in the United States. The company is likely best-known for its charge cards before branching out to offer credit cards and the Bluebird prepaid debit card. The company launched Bluebird, in partnership with Walmart, in 2012.

American Express has a reputation for strong customer service and offering perks to the people who use its cards. This is true even for the Bluebird card as customers can access 24/7 customer support and take advantage of cardmember services like roadside assistance.

The Verdict

If you’re struggling to open a checking account, American Express Bluebird can be a reasonable substitute. If you set up direct deposit and don’t use cash much, the account will be mostly fee-free. However, cash transactions such as adding funds or making ATM withdrawals can get expensive.