Donating plasma at BioLife is a great way to earn some extra cash. Once you donate, the money gets loaded onto a prepaid debit card that BioLife provides. While it’s convenient to use this card for purchases, you may prefer to transfer the money to your regular bank account. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to transfer funds from your BioLife card to your bank account.
Set Up Access To Your BioLife Card
After your first donation at a BioLife center, you’ll receive a green BioLife debit card. This card is issued by Northlane, a third-party provider. To manage your card and transfer funds, you need to set up online access:
- Go to the Northlane website at login.northlane.com/biolife.
- Click “Activate Card” if you haven’t activated your card yet. Follow the prompts to create your username and password.
- If your card is already activated, click “Sign In” and enter your Northlane username and password.
Once you’ve logged in, you’ll see your card balance and can view transaction history.
Link Your Bank Account
To transfer money to your bank, you first need to link an external account:
- After logging in, click on “Access Funds” in the left menu.
- Select “Add New External Account.”
- Enter your bank account information, including routing and account numbers.
- Verify small test deposits that Northlane will make to your bank account.
The account linking process takes 2-3 business days. Once complete, you can transfer money to that bank account.
Initiate a Transfer
When you’re ready to move money from your BioLife card to your bank:
- Log in to your Northlane account and go to “Access Funds.”
- Select “Transfer Funds.”
- Choose the bank account you want to transfer to.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer. The minimum is $20.
- Select if you want a standard delivery (2-3 business days, $1.95 fee) or express delivery (next business day, $4.95 fee).
Note that transfers of $300 or more are free, regardless of delivery speed.
Once submitted, it takes a few days for the money to show up in your bank account depending on the transfer speed selected. You’ll be able to see pending transfers under “Transfer History.”
Other Ways To Access Funds
Aside from bank transfers, here are some other ways to access money on your BioLife card:
- ATM withdrawals: Use your BioLife debit card at an ATM to withdraw cash. Northlane has a list of no-fee ATMs on their website.
- Point-of-sale purchases: Use your BioLife debit card to make purchases directly at stores, restaurants, etc.
- Mobile apps: You can transfer funds to payment apps like Venmo or Cash App, then transfer from there to your bank account. Note that those apps may charge small fees.
- Checks: Northlane can mail you paper checks tied to your card balance for a $10 fee.
Tips For Managing Your BioLife Card
Here are some tips to make the most of your BioLife debit card:
- Check your balance before making transfers or withdrawals so you know how much is available.
- Set up alerts in your Northlane account to be notified of deposits, low balances, transfers, and more.
- Avoid fees by using Northlane’s no-fee ATMs for cash withdrawals and making bank transfers of $300+ at a time.
- Track purchases by checking your transaction history in your Northlane account to stay on budget.
- Set up direct deposit with your employer or benefits provider to have a portion automatically loaded onto your BioLife card each pay period.
Conclusion
The BioLife debit card makes it quick and convenient to access your donor compensation. With a few simple steps, you can easily transfer those funds to your primary bank account. Following this guide on linking your bank details, initiating transfers, and managing your card will help you seamlessly move BioLife money where you need it. Consistently donating plasma and taking advantage of card features like direct deposit can help maximize earnings over time.
