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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
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Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon Payments.

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Old Oct 24, 2012, 1:43 am
  #541  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by kingzesty
does anyone know if you are allowed to fund your account with a credit card (100+100+50) then requesting bank withdrawal immediately after will cause any problems such as closing down account?
I think somebody reported doing that and got an email from amex about violating tos. But the account was not shutdown immediately. Maybe just warning.
stormy16 is offline  
Old Oct 24, 2012, 6:34 am
  #542  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL Platinum, SPG Gold
Posts: 244
Originally Posted by stormy16
I think somebody reported doing that and got an email from amex about violating tos. But the account was not shutdown immediately. Maybe just warning.
That was me. Just a warning not to do it again. I was able to keep using my mile-earning debit card to send to another person.

Now, I shutdown my serve account to get bluebird anyway.
brettalb is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 9:59 am
  #543  
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 107
Is there anyway to load AmEX GC to Serve? Or is the only way to purchase reload cards using GC at OD.
naps8906 is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 10:10 am
  #544  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by naps8906
Is there anyway to load AmEX GC to Serve? Or is the only way to purchase reload cards using GC at OD.
Amex doesn't work. Visa silver does (not vanilla). OD is not the only place where you can get them. See thread comments below for other places.
travelguy1 is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 10:10 am
  #545  
Suspended
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Originally Posted by naps8906
Is there anyway to load AmEX GC to Serve? Or is the only way to purchase reload cards using GC at OD.
Reload cards are not compatable with Serve
Stoughton is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 2:13 pm
  #546  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Originally Posted by travelguy1
Amex doesn't work. Visa silver does (not vanilla). OD is not the only place where you can get them. See thread comments below for other places.
AMEX GC's do in fact work.

Originally Posted by Stoughton
Reload cards are not compatable with Serve
Apparently GreenDot Moneypaks are, but, since I've yet to find a place that allows you to pay for them with CC (with the exception of the jokers on fleaBay), I've never tested it.
thehawk75 is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 2:41 pm
  #547  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SMF
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 77
Review...

A couple of days ago I got this e-mail:

"Hello Serve Accountholder,



Your account is currently under review. For your security and protection we have suspended this account.



In order to resolve the issue on your account, we need verification of the following information:

· Credit Card/Debit Card


The table at the end of this letter outlines what *** actual document(s) *** you can provide to Serve Virtual Enterprises, Inc. for verification based on the reason(s) listed above.



If we are unable to resolve this matter with you within 10 days, your account will be closed..."

I have used a friends gift card with a different mailing address (I know stupid of me)... Should I go ahead and send the scan of it to them trying to explain the situation or just wait 10 days until they shut down my account and then open a BB?

Thanks,
Ngls
ngls is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 2:52 pm
  #548  
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 670
Originally Posted by ngls
A couple of days ago I got this e-mail:

"Hello Serve Accountholder,



Your account is currently under review. For your security and protection we have suspended this account.



In order to resolve the issue on your account, we need verification of the following information:

· Credit Card/Debit Card


The table at the end of this letter outlines what *** actual document(s) *** you can provide to Serve Virtual Enterprises, Inc. for verification based on the reason(s) listed above.



If we are unable to resolve this matter with you within 10 days, your account will be closed..."

I have used a friends gift card with a different mailing address (I know stupid of me)... Should I go ahead and send the scan of it to them trying to explain the situation or just wait 10 days until they shut down my account and then open a BB?

Thanks,
Ngls
Call them up and explain that the card you used does not have an address associated with it (e.g. there is no statement so you can't verify the address). Tell them you can scan a copy of the card and send it to them if they'd like.

After hearing that about the gift card, they will likely request a copy of something else that verifies your address, such as a utility bill or CC statement.

I got this same letter, got everything verified and squared away, and have been a happy Serve customer ever since.
sk8uno is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 2:57 pm
  #549  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by thehawk75
AMEX GC's do in fact work.



Apparently GreenDot Moneypaks are, but, since I've yet to find a place that allows you to pay for them with CC (with the exception of the jokers on fleaBay), I've never tested it.
If Amex GCs work I've missed it on this thread. Moneypacks work, but since they can only be bought with cash then what's the point?
travelguy1 is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 3:55 pm
  #550  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: AA PLT 2MM
Posts: 2,026
Originally Posted by travelguy1
If Amex GCs work I've missed it on this thread.
I would hardly call a thread about a product to be the authoritative source.

Sometimes you've just got to try it out and see instead of guessing what might happen and then stating that as authoritative information in a thread discussing the topic...and now I go into a loop and say that 'I would hardly call a thread about a product to be the authoritative source...'

Originally Posted by travelguy1
Moneypacks work, but since they can only be bought with cash then what's the point?
Yes, what is the point? I thought I had answered that question implicitly, no?

Originally Posted by thehawk75
...
Apparently GreenDot Moneypaks are, but, since I've yet to find a place that allows you to pay for them with CC (with the exception of the jokers on fleaBay), I've never tested it.
thehawk75 is offline  
Old Oct 25, 2012, 7:00 pm
  #551  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 14
Originally Posted by thehawk75
I would hardly call a thread about a product to be the authoritative source.

Sometimes you've just got to try it out and see instead of guessing what might happen and then stating that as authoritative information in a thread discussing the topic...and now I go into a loop and say that 'I would hardly call a thread about a product to be the authoritative source...'



Yes, what is the point? I thought I had answered that question implicitly, no?
Certainly. Thank you.
travelguy1 is offline  
Old Oct 26, 2012, 8:45 pm
  #552  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
Originally Posted by stormy16
I buy lots of GCs from safeway everytime they have the $10 off visa promo. I do about 3 normal spend before triggering ach to my bank account. I only have it for 3 months so we'll see.

the $10 visa promo is pretty sweet! I never shop safeway so was not aware, but last time i visited one I saw this and bought 4 GC, it was the last day of the offer. Is there anyway of knowing when they have this $10?
ORD-TGU is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2012, 5:45 am
  #553  
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 193
Anyone have experience buying larger amounts from gc mall. com with US Air card? Trying to maybe use this to meet the 15k miles for 750 each month for three months promo. Would diversify but perhaps buy a large card from the mall. Thoughts?
Jpr0930 is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2012, 1:02 pm
  #554  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 891
Originally Posted by thehawk75
mygiftcardsite -- bad
gowallet -- good

...
...

Calling -- inexcusable
guys, i am little confused and need help. i have 100$ gift card from metabank, silver colored, when i tried to load on serve it gave me address mismatch error. then i came upon this post to register the card to gowallet.com which i did. now i dont know what to do? do i buy a different gc from gowallet or there is something else that i need to do before i load to serve? pleae help.
troyhouse is offline  
Old Oct 27, 2012, 2:25 pm
  #555  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by troyhouse
guys, i am little confused and need help. i have 100$ gift card from metabank, silver colored, when i tried to load on serve it gave me address mismatch error. then i came upon this post to register the card to gowallet.com which i did. now i dont know what to do? do i buy a different gc from gowallet or there is something else that i need to do before i load to serve? pleae help.
It is a visa, right? The address that you used when you register it in Serve should match the address that you used when registering the card online. I normally use giftcardmall.com to register it with no issues.
stormy16 is offline  


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