Old Oct 25, 2013, 11:21 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: JAXBA
Read the wiki before posting a question.
It's a literacy test that's easy to pass.

This is the Serve thread. Post questions or information concerning other topics in the appropriate threads elsewhere in this forum.

For additional information on using prepaid debit cards, see PIN available now for Visa/MC prepaid debit cards.

Mentions of Softcard (formerly ISIS) are purely incidental to setting up and using Serve/Softcard. Softcard does not hold money, and you cannot load to it.


You cannot make an ACH pull from Serve. The direct deposit account and routing numbers are for deposits only.

https://www.serve.com/#/add-cash

If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.


Loads at 7-11 and CVS are cash only. Debit cards are NOT allowed.

Loads at Walmart have been confirmed with debit cards. Self checkout does not work for loading Serve. Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of prepaid debit cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked, then discreetly use your prepaid card when asked to swipe. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC (Walmart Money Center) again to load.

Debit loading at Family Dollar appears to be limited to $500 per day per store total (not per person or per account). Whoever gets there first gets the load for the day. Troubleshooting loading problems at FD


Normal Serve
  • Serve loading via VR/MP or WM/FD load: $2,500/day and $5,000 total per calendar month
  • Online Debit Card Load - $200/day and $1,000/month (NOT a gift card with a PIN that some people call a "Debit card")
  • Online Credit Card Load - $200/day and $1,000/month
  • Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
  • Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
  • ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month

You can combine the three methods above and load a total of $7k/month to a single Serve account for miles/points earning purposes, but beware that you're also subject to a $10,000/month add money limit which also includes check deposits, ACH transfers, and Serve transfers.

Serve/Softcard Check if your phone/network is compatible
  • Serve loading via VR/MP or WM/FD load: $2,500/day and $5,000 total per calendar month
  • Online Debit Card Load - $500/day and $1,500/month (NOT a gift card with a PIN that some people call a "Debit card")
  • Online Credit Card Load - $500/day and $1,500/month
  • Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
  • Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
  • ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month

You can combine the three methods above and load a total of $8k/month to a single Serve account for miles/points earning purposes, but beware that you're also subject to a $10,000/month add money limit which also includes check deposits, ACH transfers, and Serve transfers.

The SD card in the iPhone case used for Softcard is account specific. Once an account has been registered to a card, it cannot be used for another.

Temp Serve
You can only load a maximum of $500/day, $1000/month on a temporary card. Once you get your permanent card, then you can load more. The initial $500 when you purchase the temp card doesn't count against the $5,000/month load limit.


Online Credit Card Loads
Only one card can be linked at a time.

As of 10/09/14, coding of credit card loads changed. In general, Mastercard and American Express cards post as before; see below for information on point earning. Visa cards transact as a cash advance and, therefore, require available CA limit; although most cards post as a purchase.

The Chase Ink Bold is a charge card and has no cash advance ability.

Treated as purchase, earns cashback/points/miles:
  • Bank of America (FIA) (MasterCard, American Express)
  • Barclaycard (Mastercard, Visa)
  • Capital One (Mastercard, Visa)
  • Chase (MasterCard, Visa)
  • Citi (MasterCard, American Express)
  • Discover

Treated as purchase, but doesn't earn points/miles:
  • American Express (May count toward minimum spend)

Posts as a cash advance:
For online CC/DC loads, the name on the Serve account is supposed to match the name of the primary or joint cardholder. So using someone else's CC/DB card to load a Serve account is not allowed.

Several people have reported no problems with loading with an AU card in the Serve account holder's name. Increase your chances by making sure the AUs social security number is on file with the Credit Card. YMMV.

When adding a new card you will usually need to call Serve Account security (1-800-555-4318) for verification of the new card on the second load try. This verification usually requires uploading of a photo of your ID and the credit card. You may pre-emptively avoid the error by going to the above website, logging in, and uploading a scan of a photo ID and the card you are trying to add. You may call back to expedite approval.


Online Debit Card Loads
For online debit load, only use of bank-issued cards is allowed. The use of pre-paid debit cards (Netspend, Paypower, Univision, Paypal*, etc.) and VGC/MGC/AGCs is not allowed. While initial transactions may work, your account will eventually be flagged.


Switching to Serve or Serve/Softcard
Helpful instruction post, latest. Thanks raeneye.

Also see this thread: Switching from Serve to BlueBird - 31 day wait???

Switching to Serve/Softcard
  1. Call up Bluebird or Serve and close account. Make sure your account is at $0.00 before calling. Just close it, don't ask for a temp Serve or anything. CSR will say account is now closed and you have 30 days to change your mind should you decide to re-open it.
  2. Download the Softcard mobile app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. If you're an iPhone user you have to buy the NFC CashWrap case from your carrier store.
  3. Launch Softcard Mobile App and create Softcard account. You'll be asked if you want to open a Serve account; Yes you do. Start the registration through Softcard mobile app for a Serve account, once you are finished you will be told you will receive an Email from Amex with your account approval. I waited a few hours and called Serve customer service like the wiki says and completed the registration.
  4. Once I got off the phone with Serve I received an email from Serve where I verified my account and email; at this point Amex Serve is open.
  5. Launch Softcard Mobile app again click add new
  6. Activate card with Softcard and select Amex Serve. Follow the instructions & you're good to add. Once this is complete a Serve Card will populate in Softcard. Must activate physical card to get full load limits. Check account status and it automatically credits to your serve account based on who you signed up with. (Verizon - $25, T-Mobile - $50, AT&T - $30 (For AT&T: Get $15 w/activation. Earn additional $15 w/account replenishment))

Switching from BB to Serve
  1. Login to BB account, bring account balance to Zero, (By Bill Pay, Send money, etc..)
  2. Call BB, tell them that you want to open a serve account and close your current BB account. after they check everything they will say something like: "Your account will be permanently closed after 31 days, you can reopen it within 31 day if you change your mind, and you can apply for your new Serve account now, just make sure use the exact same register info from BB."
  3. at this point BB is closed. next morning, goto CVS and get a temporary Serve card (only with cash), load $500, ($2.95 waived, Yeah!!)
  4. get back home, register temporary Serve online, First error: "phone number already registered, please try a different number" could be the my BB's ghost account still showing up on their system, could be my info is not match my BB's registration? i'm not really sure at this point. What I did is keep the same number but change from Cell phone to home phone. and registration went through
  5. after the register and login, second error: "We're still processing your application. Please check your email for an update"
  6. I have see people on the thread reported waiting for weeks for the same message, So, I pickup the phone and called them, ask them to speed up the process.
  7. CSR, told me that my account went to "account security protection department" transfer me to them.
  8. at account security protection department, they told me need to call back on my phone number which I registered to verify.
  9. after the call back of verification, CSR told me that my new Serve account is active now, email address verification will be send with in 5 minutes, permanent card will be received within 7-10 days.
  10. CSR also told me the I can load and spend on the temporary card, but not bill pay.

The number to call to approve your registration after closing Bluebird: Serve Account security 1-800-555-4318



Loading with debit card at Walmart register
Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.

Training a WM cashier:
  • If the WM cashier doesn't know how to load the card, advise them to enter "70" then press "action code".
  • If you are using a temp card that doesn't have your name on it, you can swipe the card from your side of the terminal. The WM rep never has to touch any of your cards. The screen will say "enter account." That is your prompt to slide the card.
  • The terminal will ask the WM employee if you are loading in multiples of $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
  • Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.

Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.

DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.

TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered.

HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.


Using Serve
For online bill pay
  • You can pay the credit card that you used to buy VRs/GCs
  • Error 1302 means that you have 1 pending payment the same amount as the one you just submitted. For example, 1000 bill pay to sapphire preferred from Friday and then on Saturday you submit another bill pay for 1000 to sapphire preferred, you will get this error.
  • Tip: if using online bill pay to the same place multiple times, vary your amounts by $0.01 to make it easier to track since your confirmation number does not match the tracking number on your credit card statement



For bank transfers
Under Settings --> Funding & Transfers --> Bank & Cards --> U.S. Bank Account, you can add your bank info and transfer funds from your Serve card directly to your bank. The bank account must be verified, either by the standard "deposit 2 small sums into your account, such as $0.23 & $0.42" method, or doing an "instant verification" by actually logging into your bank account while still logged into Serve.
===

People with an apartment address can find helpful information quoted in post #8530
Print Wikipost

Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon Payments.

Old Apr 18, 2014, 9:10 pm
  #3181  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by ericdabbs

You should be able to convert normal Serve to ISIS Serve but I heard if you do that then you lose your carrier ISIS bonuses. Its really up to you. If you are planning to get a phone very soon then you should just wait. Not sure what you mean by a phone that supports it. It uses NFC so any smartphone within the last 2 years besides the iPhone can support it out of the box
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
babehwa is offline  
Old Apr 18, 2014, 9:37 pm
  #3182  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 274
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
When you converted the normal serve to Isis serve did you also get the incresed CC load limits of $500/day and $1500/month?
DrForce is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 7:36 am
  #3183  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NC
Programs: CITI, Barclay, Fidelity Amex, CC
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
This is news to me. So as a datapoint, you switched to Isis without first closing your existing Serve account, and you still received the case rebate and the $500/$1500 limits? Did you just buy the case and sign up for Isis and then link it to your existing Serve, without any CSR assistance?
birdhands is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 8:08 am
  #3184  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
I am interested what procedures you did to switch from normal server to isis serve? Thanks.
fei3030 is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 8:47 am
  #3185  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 756
I live in NYC and also no access to WM ,I currently only have a CC link to my Serve acct but no debit card link yet. Trying to figure out which debit cards are best to link to Serve but can't think of any at this time.
Anyone care to list or PM me with suggestions on best debit cards to link to Serve.
Note: I currently only have regular bank ATM/debit cards in my wallet.

Also a side question: Has anyone had any good or bad experiences using Serve to purchase MO ?
sharka is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 9:07 am
  #3186  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 5,021
Originally Posted by sharka
I live in NYC and also no access to WM ,I currently only have a CC link to my Serve acct but no debit card link yet. Trying to figure out which debit cards are best to link to Serve but can't think of any at this time.
Anyone care to list or PM me with suggestions on best debit cards to link to Serve.
Note: I currently only have regular bank ATM/debit cards in my wallet.

Also a side question: Has anyone had any good or bad experiences using Serve to purchase MO ?
Only Reward Debit cards will give you a benefit. Serve has bill pay so no need for MO.
Domat is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 11:06 am
  #3187  
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Originally Posted by sharka
Also a side question: Has anyone had any good or bad experiences using Serve to purchase MO ?
Serve is not a pin enabled debit card, so you cannot buy MO
geclub1 is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 12:14 pm
  #3188  
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SFO/ORD
Posts: 212
Originally Posted by fei3030
I am interested what procedures you did to switch from normal server to isis serve? Thanks.
(Steps ahead of time: download ISIS app, get NFC SIM or cashwrap case)

1. Make account balance zero. Print your transaction activity and / or statements, as you will no longer have access to these!
2. Call Serve customer service to close account (takes 5 mins). They may ask why're closing. If they ask, explain you want to switch to ISIS Serve.
3. Open ISIS app and complete registration process.
4. Add Serve through the ISIS app.
envoy245 is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 12:25 pm
  #3189  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by envoy245
(Steps ahead of time: download ISIS app, get NFC SIM or cashwrap case)

1. Make account balance zero. Print your transaction activity and / or statements, as you will no longer have access to these!
2. Call Serve customer service to close account (takes 5 mins). They may ask why're closing. If they ask, explain you want to switch to ISIS Serve.
3. Open ISIS app and complete registration process.
4. Add Serve through the ISIS app.
Thanks. In step 3, do I register a new serve account via ISIS app? using same email address is ok or not?
fei3030 is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 12:26 pm
  #3190  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NC
Programs: CITI, Barclay, Fidelity Amex, CC
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by envoy245
(Steps ahead of time: download ISIS app, get NFC SIM or cashwrap case)

1. Make account balance zero. Print your transaction activity and / or statements, as you will no longer have access to these!
2. Call Serve customer service to close account (takes 5 mins). They may ask why're closing. If they ask, explain you want to switch to ISIS Serve.
3. Open ISIS app and complete registration process.
4. Add Serve through the ISIS app.
Sweet! Sounds like I can deposit 1k, BillPay, close acct, reopen w/Isis, then deposit another 1.5k, all in one month!
birdhands is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 1:07 pm
  #3191  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by DrForce
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
When you converted the normal serve to Isis serve did you also get the incresed CC load limits of $500/day and $1500/month?
Yes. The higher limit kicked in once I received & activated the new permanent card.
babehwa is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 1:11 pm
  #3192  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by birdhands
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
This is news to me. So as a datapoint, you switched to Isis without first closing your existing Serve account, and you still received the case rebate and the $500/$1500 limits? Did you just buy the case and sign up for Isis and then link it to your existing Serve, without any CSR assistance?
Yes. Closed the old normal Serve online first, and then signed up through Isis app again. Later, call Serve customer service to get the verification email. Done in 20 mins. I didn't have to buy any case since I'm using Android with NFC. Also, no, this is very easy, and I don't see a reason needing a CSR assistance.
babehwa is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 1:17 pm
  #3193  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by fei3030
Originally Posted by babehwa
Not true. I've switched a normal Serve to Isis Serve. Even though the normal Serve took advantage of a lot promos, I was still able to get the carrier promo credits upon the switching to Isis Serve. Many people have reported successful, too. I hate going to Wally world, so I'm a happy camper with Isis Serve.
I am interested what procedures you did to switch from normal server to isis serve? Thanks.
First, drained the old account to 0, of course. Then just login to Serve with a computer/laptop, and close the account online.

Then, the old Serve will be removed from Isis app automatically. Sign up with the app. Use a different phone number first that's not the same one with the old account. (Can go through this step by using a Google voice number.) The email can be the same.

Lastly, call Serve customer service to request for the verification email to be sent. Otherwise, that email will never come to you. You'll be able to see the carrier promo credits once you verify the email. Wait for the permanent card to arrive & activate. Done!
babehwa is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 1:44 pm
  #3194  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
The Isis app says not supported in rooted devices. Is there any way to get around it? I'm in T-Mobile gs3 rooted.
fei3030 is offline  
Old Apr 19, 2014, 2:24 pm
  #3195  
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 129
Originally Posted by roki
For the sake of argument, if I wanted to MS $5K/mo through Serve, I could do this:

1. 4x trips to our favorite drugstore (I'm so spoiled, there are 3 on my 6-mile commute home), 2x $500 swipes (US Bank CC / Citi AA)
2. 5x $200 online loads (Citi AA or CSP)
3. $2K BP to landloard
4. $2K BP to fiance (different last name + address, still) + deposit to bank
5. $1K withdraw to account

I'm only nervous about withdrawing to the account, but $1K/mo doesn't seem too high.
wait, i am new to all of this and the wiki hasnt indicated
but i can swipe load my serve @ for example a 7-11 from my new barclay card or watever CC ???
jsmithj88 is offline  

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