One of the great features of the Bluebird Card is the ability to write checks. This is one of the banking features that separates the American Express Bluebird card from other prepaid debit cards out there. In this post, we will explain how to write American Express Bluebird check and address the difference between a traditional bank account check writing and the Bluebird Check writing process.
This post will cover:
- Difference Between Bluebird Checks and Bank Checks
- How to Write American Express Bluebird Check
As mentioned earlier, one of the features we like about the Bluebird card is the ability to write checks. This brings a great traditional banking feature to this prepaid debit card and provides users with another important tool in managing their money.
If you don’t currently have a Bluebird card, click here to apply for a Bluebird Card. With a Bluebird card, you can write a Bluebird check to pay any bill where checks are accepted, including:
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- Rent
- Mortgage
- Car Note
- Utility Bill
- Cable Bill
- Doctor Visits
- School Fees
- Pay Money You Owe Someone
- Pay a Family Member
However, writing a Bluebird check is different from how you would write a check if you have a traditional bank account. Here is why:
Difference Between Bluebird Checks and Bank Checks
One of the benefits of having a Bluebird account is knowing that you cannot overdraw the account.
That’s because you can only spend the money you have deposited into the account, unlike a traditional bank account where you may have overdraft coverage for a fee.
As a result of this, before you write a check on your Bluebird account, you are required to get pre-authorization.
What this means is that Bluebird will make sure you have enough money in your account to cover the check you are about to write.
As part of the pre-authorization, the amount of the check will be deducted from your Bluebird account and you will be provided with an 8-digit preauthorization code.
You will need to write the code on the check before giving the check to the payee. See the check image below for details.
When the payee submits your check to American Express for payment, American Express will use the 8-digit preauthorization code written on the check to verify the check.
That is to make sure it was pre-authorized and the money has indeed been deducted from your Bluebird account.
This ensures that you can never bounce a check or incur an overdraft since the money for that check is already taken from your account, guaranteeing that the check will clear when the payee deposits the check you sent them.
How to Write American Express Bluebird Check
Now that you know the check writing process, we will now walk you through how to write American Express Bluebird check.
Step 1: Make Sure You Have The Funds
The first step to writing a Bluebird check is to make sure you have the funds in your Bluebird account to cover the transaction. To verify this, log-into your Bluebird account either online at Bluebird.com or via the mobile application on your phone. Once you confirm you have money in your account to cover the check, you are ready to proceed.
Step 2: Get Pre-authorization
Log-into your Bluebird Account online. Once you are logged in, click on “Pay & Transfer” and then click on “Write a Check”, as shown in the image below. From there, complete the following information requested:
- Enter the check number (the four-digit number found at the top right corner of the check you are about to write)
- Enter the amount for your check
- Enter any special instructions in the “Add a Message” Box, for example
Once you enter the information above, you will be taken to a page where you can review your transaction. If everything is correct, hit the “Submit” button.
If you are obtaining pre-authorization for a check under $2,000, it will be approved immediately online, as long as you have the funds in your account.
Once Bluebird approves your request, a Pre-Authorization Code will be provided, and funds will be debited from your Bluebird Account in the amount of your check. Write down the pre-authorization code. You will need it to complete the check writing process.
Step 3: Finish Writing Your Check
Now it’s time to write your check. Follow the steps below and enter all the information below on your the Bluebird check you are writing.
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- Pre-Authorization Code in the boxes in the middle of the check (as shown below)
- Pre-authorization date in the date field (as shown below)
- Check amount
- First and last name (or company name) of who you are writing your check to
- Your signature in the lower right
Congratulation, you have successfully written a Bluebird check. You can mail the check to the payee or hand it to the person or company you are paying.
Note that for your protection, only checks that are pre-authorized will be honored by Bluebird. Any check that is not pre-authorized will be declined by Bluebird, even if you have enough money in your account to cover the check.
Checks expire after 180 days from pre-authorization. An expired check will not be honored by Bluebird and will be declined.
The video below provides a great summary of the Bluebird check writing process. Note that in the video, the check request is done via the mobile app. Other than that, it is the same process.
Writing Checks Over $2,000
If you are obtaining pre-authorization for a check over $2,000, it will not be approved immediately online.
You will be asked for more information for processing, and it can take up to 2 business days for a decision.
DO NOT write the check until you have received an e-mail with the approval and a Pre-Authorization Code for your check.
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