Amex Bluebird?

[SoulMaster]

So I was in Walmart the other day and saw a huge display for a new Amex prepaid card called "BlueBird".  I find it very strange that lately Amex seems to be set on diluting their branding: first Zync, then "Make Your Move" prepaid, and now a card specifically designed for consumers @ wallyworld? (Not judging walmart shoppers, I am one).

I thought it might just be some other brand's card that processed on the Amex network, but it seems that you get the same Amex protections as everyone else, (MyM Prepaid included).

In fact, it seems nearly identical to the MyM prepaid, except that (for those with out bank accounts) you can load it with Bluebird cards which seem to be cheaper than the GreenDot cards used to load the MyM one.

Tried searching, didn't see anything about Bluebird in here, so I figured I'd post it and try to help a little with my confusion.  

-SM

[pizzadude]

Hmmm, I haven't heard of this ~ I'll have to stop by wal*mart to check it out....

[learnin113]

I dont look at it as diluting at all.

[Anonymous]

Here's the link: https://bluebirdmoney.com/

Looks like the difference between this and the prepaid is that there's no mention of preapproval for a charge card if you use it regularly.

[Anonymous]

On a side note, they are probably betting these products will be "cash cows" for them and generate a lot of revenue through transaction fees. And as far as the prepaid card goes, I think its a great idea to reward loyal customers with a real charge card sometime down the road.

[SoulMaster]

Re: diluting...

I read an article last week about them harming their "luxury" brand image...  That sort of played into my diluting question:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/01/10/amex-walks-branding-tightrope-with-prepaid-ca...

-SM

[learnin113]

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@SoulMaster wrote:

Re: diluting...

I read an article last week about them harming their "luxury" brand image...  That sort of played into my diluting question:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/01/10/amex-walks-branding-tightrope-with-prepaid-ca...

-SM

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Yeah, I see what you mean...

I kinda think though, that even though they may market it that way, these cards in no way lead to any foot in the door kinda deal.  You may be invited to apply for a Zync maybe...but I don't see them extending any revolver cards based solely on thier debit card use. 

[p-]

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@SoulMaster wrote:

@Anonymous I was in Walmart the other day and saw a huge display for a new Amex prepaid card called "BlueBird".  I find it very strange that lately Amex seems to be set on diluting their branding: first Zync, then "Make Your Move" prepaid, and now a card specifically designed for consumers @ wallyworld? (Not judging walmart shoppers, I am one).

I thought it might just be some other brand's card that processed on the Amex network, but it seems that you get the same Amex protections as everyone else, (MyM Prepaid included).

In fact, it seems nearly identical to the MyM prepaid, except that (for those with out bank accounts) you can load it with Bluebird cards which seem to be cheaper than the GreenDot cards used to load the MyM one.

Tried searching, didn't see anything about Bluebird in here, so I figured I'd post it and try to help a little with my confusion.  

-SM

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Something else to consider - if more people have Amex cards, there will be greater pressure on retailers to accept Amex, possibly resulting in increased transactions on their prime cards...  I live in an area with a high concentration of "peopleofwalmart" and can't use my Amex at several local restaurants.  If all my POWM neighbors had fake amex, maybe that would change.

[SoulMaster]

Wow, these things are flying out of the woodwork... looks like Amex is trying to own prepaid!:

Amex for Target

Also, here's a quick interview question about it:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57362405/on-the-call-american-express-cfo-on-prepaid-cards/

[Anonymous]

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p- wrote:

Something else to consider - if more people have Amex cards, there will be greater pressure on retailers to accept Amex, possibly resulting in increased transactions on their prime cards...  I live in an area with a high concentration of "peopleofwalmart" and can't use my Amex at several local restaurants.  If all my POWM neighbors had fake amex, maybe that would change.

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This is true, a lot of places don't take AMEX, but not because of it not being popular, I own a business and we take Credit Cards, to get "permission" to accept AMEX is like buying a Handgun, talk about a pain in the --- process... Plus there fees they charge the merchants are 2-3 time higher then Visa, Discover and MC