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.
Jun 29, 2012, 12:53 pm
#241
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 731
Sounds good to me. This is what I will be doing.
I have not used Serve before, but I am activiating my old account and also establishing one for my wife.
Do I understand that it works something like this:
a) You can add money to your account from a bank account, credit, or debit card, and there is a fee to add money from a CC, which is being waived through March 15, 2013.
b) You can then withdraw money at an ATM, or you can send money to other Serve users. Those Serve users could use their card at an ATM, or they could if they wished transfer the money to their own bank account.
So let's say that I need to send my wife some money to pay some expenses. If I don't presently have the money, and I would like to get a month or so to pay it, I could fund my account from a CC, send it to her, and then I don't have to actually pay it until my CC bill is due?
I have seen suggestions that if I were to merely load my account and then take it as an ATM withdrawal, this would be deeply frowened upon, but the procedure I suggested would not be?
Do I understand that it works something like this:
a) You can add money to your account from a bank account, credit, or debit card, and there is a fee to add money from a CC, which is being waived through March 15, 2013.
b) You can then withdraw money at an ATM, or you can send money to other Serve users. Those Serve users could use their card at an ATM, or they could if they wished transfer the money to their own bank account.
So let's say that I need to send my wife some money to pay some expenses. If I don't presently have the money, and I would like to get a month or so to pay it, I could fund my account from a CC, send it to her, and then I don't have to actually pay it until my CC bill is due?
I have seen suggestions that if I were to merely load my account and then take it as an ATM withdrawal, this would be deeply frowened upon, but the procedure I suggested would not be?
Jun 29, 2012, 12:58 pm
#242
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 29
Q2: my serve shows: 2500/per month limit, 1000/day limit for credit card load or withdraw, so it seems the limit goes up ftom 500 to 2500 in this month, anybody else have this?
Jun 29, 2012, 1:40 pm
#243
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 367
Why don't you test it and tell us ?
Jun 29, 2012, 2:11 pm
#244
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: many
Posts: 1,437
Offiicially from serve:
"How much money can I add, send, or request each month?You can add up to $1,000 per day via an ACH transfer from your bank and up to $200 per day via debit card, and up to $100 per day via credit card or debit card (there is a monthly debit card load limit of $1,000 and a monthly credit card load limit of $250). You may add up to $2,500 to your Serve account per month, depending on your account limits. You can add money from your linked U.S. bank account, U.S. credit card, or U.S. debit card up to thirty times in a calendar month. You can add up to $500 a day with a MoneyPak® (MoneyPak purchase fees may apply)."
So assuming each person has different limits?
Jun 29, 2012, 2:48 pm
#245
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 29
Hi, below is what in my account, under Account and Card when we add new card in:
You can see 2500/month limit, I am not sure why I have this high limit,
some background: I openned my acc in Aug 2011, never use after that,
just load $9 to my account from my Chase Sapphire, no load fee from Serve, no cash advance from Chase, so it seems Serve will be a better option to cash out CC spending than AP for me.
Currently you can...
Send & Receive up to$2500 / Mo
Receive up to $1000 per day, up to $2500 / Mo
Send up to $1000 per day, up to $2500 Max
Make purchases with your Serve card
Withdraw funds via transfer to your bank account, participating ATMs or request a check
Create subaccounts
You can see 2500/month limit, I am not sure why I have this high limit,
some background: I openned my acc in Aug 2011, never use after that,
just load $9 to my account from my Chase Sapphire, no load fee from Serve, no cash advance from Chase, so it seems Serve will be a better option to cash out CC spending than AP for me.
Currently you can...
Send & Receive up to$2500 / Mo
Receive up to $1000 per day, up to $2500 / Mo
Send up to $1000 per day, up to $2500 Max
Make purchases with your Serve card
Withdraw funds via transfer to your bank account, participating ATMs or request a check
Create subaccounts
Jun 29, 2012, 2:50 pm
#246
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 29
here is what I find from Serve Q&A, seems they updates policy lately:
Are there limits to the amount of money I can receive?
Yes. As a Serve accountholder you can only request or receive a maximum of $1,000 per day (up to $2,500 per calendar month) and a sender is limited to sending up to $1,000 a day (up to $2,500 per calendar month).
https://www.serve.com/help/#/receivingmoney
How much money can I add, send, or request each month?
You can add up to $1,000 per day via an ACH transfer from your bank and up to $200 per day via debit card, and up to $100 per day via credit card or debit card (there is a monthly debit card load limit of $1,000 and a monthly credit card load limit of $250). You may add up to $2,500 to your Serve account per month, depending on your account limits. You can add money from your linked U.S. bank account, U.S. credit card, or U.S. debit card up to thirty times in a calendar month. You can add up to $500 a day with a MoneyPak® (MoneyPak purchase fees may apply).
https://www.serve.com/help/#/addings...equestingmoney
Are there limits to the amount of money I can receive?
Yes. As a Serve accountholder you can only request or receive a maximum of $1,000 per day (up to $2,500 per calendar month) and a sender is limited to sending up to $1,000 a day (up to $2,500 per calendar month).
https://www.serve.com/help/#/receivingmoney
How much money can I add, send, or request each month?
You can add up to $1,000 per day via an ACH transfer from your bank and up to $200 per day via debit card, and up to $100 per day via credit card or debit card (there is a monthly debit card load limit of $1,000 and a monthly credit card load limit of $250). You may add up to $2,500 to your Serve account per month, depending on your account limits. You can add money from your linked U.S. bank account, U.S. credit card, or U.S. debit card up to thirty times in a calendar month. You can add up to $500 a day with a MoneyPak® (MoneyPak purchase fees may apply).
https://www.serve.com/help/#/addings...equestingmoney
Jun 29, 2012, 2:58 pm
#247
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 29
I think I get confused before, now I am more clear, I can only fund my account by credit card for 100/per day, 250/per month.
Sorry, I confused you guys.
Sorry, I confused you guys.
Jun 29, 2012, 3:46 pm
#248
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
I know I'm not even close to flying under the radar with this one, but as far as I can tell (I find the interface to be very confusing) I just charged my card $50 and then deposited it in my bank account.
So, sure, I'll likely be shut down pretty soon, but is this really the way Serve is supposed to work?
So, sure, I'll likely be shut down pretty soon, but is this really the way Serve is supposed to work?
Jun 29, 2012, 4:37 pm
#249
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
I know I'm not even close to flying under the radar with this one, but as far as I can tell (I find the interface to be very confusing) I just charged my card $50 and then deposited it in my bank account.
So, sure, I'll likely be shut down pretty soon, but is this really the way Serve is supposed to work?
So, sure, I'll likely be shut down pretty soon, but is this really the way Serve is supposed to work?
I suppose I can just let this build up until March 2013 and if they don't extend, again, the fee waiver on CC's I'll withdraw at that time. It'd only be like $2500 by then. I can forgo whatever pidly interest I'd be earning on that. Who knows, maybe in the mean time I'll convince the landlady to take a rent payment through it or something. It'll take the better part of a year to even build up enough CC funding to make even one months payment.
Jun 29, 2012, 4:55 pm
#250
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
I linked my Dividend Miles mastercard and attempted to load funds. I got a message saying "Your card issuer may impose a cash advance charge for loading your wallet from a credit card."
Have others seen this message before? Been charged a cash advance fee? I'm guessing most have seen the message and not been charged, because otherwise this thread would be lighting up about the issue. Still, thought I would ask/check.
Have others seen this message before? Been charged a cash advance fee? I'm guessing most have seen the message and not been charged, because otherwise this thread would be lighting up about the issue. Still, thought I would ask/check.
Last edited by redtop43; Jun 29, 2012 at 4:55 pm Reason: typo
Jun 29, 2012, 5:53 pm
#251
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,047
Yes, I saw the message. I wasn't too worried, so I did it anyway.
I'm using an Amex. Not sure if I could even do a cash advance with an Amex if I wanted to, but in any case, I'll certainly post back if there's a fee.
I'm using an Amex. Not sure if I could even do a cash advance with an Amex if I wanted to, but in any case, I'll certainly post back if there's a fee.
Jul 3, 2012, 6:22 am
#252
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
Serve seems (unsurprisingly) more liberal about debit card loads. And I don't think there are reports of accounts being closed due to debit card activity.
Could one make Serve deposits via the Suntrust card and get points for those transactions, later withdrawing the money back to Suntrust? Any experience with this?
Could one make Serve deposits via the Suntrust card and get points for those transactions, later withdrawing the money back to Suntrust? Any experience with this?
Jul 3, 2012, 6:59 am
#253
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
Serve seems (unsurprisingly) more liberal about debit card loads. And I don't think there are reports of accounts being closed due to debit card activity.
Could one make Serve deposits via the Suntrust card and get points for those transactions, later withdrawing the money back to Suntrust? Any experience with this?
Could one make Serve deposits via the Suntrust card and get points for those transactions, later withdrawing the money back to Suntrust? Any experience with this?
Jul 5, 2012, 2:56 am
#254
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 367
Curious to know which cards (if any) incurred a cash advance fee or credit review -- so far my Chase cards and various MC/Visa Debit cards have been fee-free. Another question is whether Amex credit cards earned points, which is not the case when loading Amex Pass cards.
Jul 20, 2012, 7:30 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 154
Curious to know which cards (if any) incurred a cash advance fee or credit review -- so far my Chase cards and various MC/Visa Debit cards have been fee-free. Another question is whether Amex credit cards earned points, which is not the case when loading Amex Pass cards.
Anybody have luck buying any gift card that can be linked as a DEBIT card?
Thanks.