Oct 25, 2013, 11:21 am
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
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
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:
Treated as purchase, but doesn't earn points/miles:
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
Switching from BB to Serve
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:
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
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Launch Softcard Mobile app again click add new
- 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
- Login to BB account, bring account balance to Zero, (By Bill Pay, Send money, etc..)
- 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."
- 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!!)
- 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
- after the register and login, second error: "We're still processing your application. Please check your email for an update"
- 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.
- CSR, told me that my account went to "account security protection department" transfer me to them.
- at account security protection department, they told me need to call back on my phone number which I registered to verify.
- 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.
- 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
Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon Payments.
Mar 12, 2014, 10:24 am
#1892
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
I tried loading a GC and linking a CC to my serve account back to back. The GC debit was pending and then I initiated a test transfer of $20 with my CC, submitted and then had an error message of, "Please call a representative, etc..." Called them to clarify the situation and they told me that they do "not accept" debit GC's. I'm thinking to myself, "I've loaded PP GC's online THROUGH Serve before (very annoying considering they're $1-200 amounts), canceled the expired GC and submitted another GC, which worked fine. Hopefully this is NOT the end of this gravy train. Here's the email from the Serve Team:
Hello xxxxxx,
During a recent review of your American Express Serve® Account we noticed you have linked a prepaid card that is not a permitted funding source. The acceptable card funding sources are a bank debit or credit card.
Please contact a Customer Care Professional immediately at 1-800-555-4318 so we can discuss further details on this matter.
Thanks,
The American Express Serve Team
Anything to worry about or just wait for the CC to process 3-4 days from now and then try another "debit" (Well, technically it is a bank debit card coming from Metabank which is registered with MY information on their website, which is ALSO annoying..
) card? Also, anybody have recent issues liquidating GC's at CVS? I guess it just varies from store to store...
Hello xxxxxx,
During a recent review of your American Express Serve® Account we noticed you have linked a prepaid card that is not a permitted funding source. The acceptable card funding sources are a bank debit or credit card.
Please contact a Customer Care Professional immediately at 1-800-555-4318 so we can discuss further details on this matter.
Thanks,
The American Express Serve Team
Anything to worry about or just wait for the CC to process 3-4 days from now and then try another "debit" (Well, technically it is a bank debit card coming from Metabank which is registered with MY information on their website, which is ALSO annoying..
) card? Also, anybody have recent issues liquidating GC's at CVS? I guess it just varies from store to store...
Mar 12, 2014, 10:41 am
#1893
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Mar 12, 2014, 11:09 am
#1894
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 322
What have been your experiences with CC loading Serve at CVS, and then attempting to load your SO's Serve the same way?
Used to do that fine with BB at WM, but this is of course a new game.
(Obviously, my wife being a patient but passive player, if this is a problem, should probably keep BB!)
Used to do that fine with BB at WM, but this is of course a new game.
(Obviously, my wife being a patient but passive player, if this is a problem, should probably keep BB!)
Mar 12, 2014, 11:45 am
#1895
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Pretty much most new popular android phones merely require a SIM card switch, for free.
You will have to weight out for yourself if the extra $1k a month will be worth investing some money.
Secondly, as long as Isis pays through verizon the $50 or whatever to sign up for serve, it would be, in my opinion, stupid not to shell out the money.
Mar 12, 2014, 11:46 am
#1896
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
For everyone that has been getting the phone carrier sign up bonus after switching from BB, are you signing up through Isis or signing up online/temp card and then registering with Isis? I would do the latter but I feel like then you miss out on the extra $500/month online load.
Mar 12, 2014, 11:50 am
#1898
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Are you using the exact same phone as in the account?
I ask since you likely have more than one bb account.
The phone with Isis, Must be exactly the same one you had bb on.
Ie... I had phone 1 for bb1. Phone 2 for bb2.
Closed bb2, but tried to register it on the Isis phone 1.
The phone number on the phone with the Isis app, cannot be tied to any other bb account.
Got it?
So I had to go in to my bb account, and change the phone number listed in the profile, to the phone number that would be on the Isis phone.
Mar 12, 2014, 12:17 pm
#1899
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I tried that with my bf's Serve acct. I removed the phone number from my BB and added to his Serve to get the $200 bonus. However, that didn't work. Now I have removed my phone number from his Serve and closed out my BB. Still isn't working. Should I have kept my phone number on my BB account? According to people at BB, the phone number is still attached to my BB acct even though I changed it on my profile. I tried to get tech support to unlink it. They told me 5 biz days 2 weeks ago. Called again today and was basically told that I have to wait another 2-5 biz days.
Mar 12, 2014, 12:23 pm
#1900
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
I tried that with my bf's Serve acct. I removed the phone number from my BB and added to his Serve to get the $200 bonus. However, that didn't work. Now I have removed my phone number from his Serve and closed out my BB. Still isn't working. Should I have kept my phone number on my BB account? According to people at BB, the phone number is still attached to my BB acct even though I changed it on my profile. I tried to get tech support to unlink it. They told me 5 biz days 2 weeks ago. Called again today and was basically told that I have to wait another 2-5 biz days.
Mar 12, 2014, 12:24 pm
#1901
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Let me rephrase. Your Isis phones phone number either has to match the closed bb, or.... No existing bb account.
Mar 12, 2014, 12:40 pm
#1902
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: JFK
Programs: *$ Gold :)
Posts: 1,061
Looks like my paper check via BP reached my rent company fine - they confirmed it over the phone. Will be 100% sure when I receive the next bill closer to month end...
I expected nothing else. Did that many times with BB, then switched to fancier prepaid cards. Now shutdowns (mine and others) stimulate me go back to more stable vehicles.
I expected nothing else. Did that many times with BB, then switched to fancier prepaid cards. Now shutdowns (mine and others) stimulate me go back to more stable vehicles.
Mar 12, 2014, 12:47 pm
#1903
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
So yea it seems like my account is all screwed up. Probably from when I tried to switch to my bf's. The error that I am getting says that it's attached to a BB account and it's only been on 1 BB acct, mine. Thanks.
Mar 12, 2014, 1:17 pm
#1904
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
Your mistake was getting an iPhone.
Pretty much most new popular android phones merely require a SIM card switch, for free.
You will have to weight out for yourself if the extra $1k a month will be worth investing some money.
Secondly, as long as Isis pays through verizon the $50 or whatever to sign up for serve, it would be, in my opinion, stupid not to shell out the money.
Pretty much most new popular android phones merely require a SIM card switch, for free.
You will have to weight out for yourself if the extra $1k a month will be worth investing some money.
Secondly, as long as Isis pays through verizon the $50 or whatever to sign up for serve, it would be, in my opinion, stupid not to shell out the money.
I'm just trying to piece together all the fact about switching from BB to Serve and I think I have all my answers just waiting on one more thing.
Mar 12, 2014, 2:38 pm
#1905
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 546
I over-reached with Serve today and got burned. Kicking myself right now.
I've had both a Serve and BB account under my name for two months. I don't know how I got both - just got lucky I guess. Both accounts were fully functional. I refrained from linking a CC to Serve because I know they often require CC verification over the phone and I didn't want a CSR looking over the account. Well, I maxed out both the Serve and BB for the month and I couldn't resist adding a CC to Serve. Sure enough, I had to call in to verify the CC. I nervously waited on hold while the CSR looked over my account and called the bank. She seemed oblivious to my BB account and verified the CC. . . I should have just left it alone at that point, but I got greedy and thought I could get away with more. I called back to add a debit card to Serve. The CSR told me I couldn't add the Paypal debit card. He said he would remove the debit card I tried to add to my account and everything else looked fine. I asked if the CC was still okay and he said "yes". Two minutes later I get a call from the CSR and he says "while I was looking over your account, I noticed you have a duplicate account. You have to choose one." Five minutes later my BB account was closed
I'm just kicking myself that I lost $6,000 worth of reliable and easy liquidation to squeeze a few more peanuts out of Serve.
I've had both a Serve and BB account under my name for two months. I don't know how I got both - just got lucky I guess. Both accounts were fully functional. I refrained from linking a CC to Serve because I know they often require CC verification over the phone and I didn't want a CSR looking over the account. Well, I maxed out both the Serve and BB for the month and I couldn't resist adding a CC to Serve. Sure enough, I had to call in to verify the CC. I nervously waited on hold while the CSR looked over my account and called the bank. She seemed oblivious to my BB account and verified the CC. . . I should have just left it alone at that point, but I got greedy and thought I could get away with more. I called back to add a debit card to Serve. The CSR told me I couldn't add the Paypal debit card. He said he would remove the debit card I tried to add to my account and everything else looked fine. I asked if the CC was still okay and he said "yes". Two minutes later I get a call from the CSR and he says "while I was looking over your account, I noticed you have a duplicate account. You have to choose one." Five minutes later my BB account was closed
I'm just kicking myself that I lost $6,000 worth of reliable and easy liquidation to squeeze a few more peanuts out of Serve.
Last edited by silver4300; Mar 12, 2014 at 2:48 pm