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.
#6166
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
HSN has a galaxy light for $99. That's what I got. It shows up on some portals as well if you want to maximize the AA and United shopping promos.
When I receive it, I will sign up for the $2/day or $3/day plan, and get the higher T mobile bonus (I think $50)
Eventually I will get phone unlocked for intl travel. Currently I only have unlocked flip phones.
I got the verizon case for iphoen 5s and I will need to make a tirp to the at&t store to see if tehy will give me a different micro sd card. I will use that for my wife's account.
When I receive it, I will sign up for the $2/day or $3/day plan, and get the higher T mobile bonus (I think $50)
Eventually I will get phone unlocked for intl travel. Currently I only have unlocked flip phones.
I got the verizon case for iphoen 5s and I will need to make a tirp to the at&t store to see if tehy will give me a different micro sd card. I will use that for my wife's account.
#6167
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Served Kate with 4 Sunrise and she gobbled it up w/o a fuss, one swipe each. I've had success with metas but I decided to try something else this lunch break and it was a success
#6168
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
OK folks. Here is my thread from the technical forum describing how to do it /for T-Mobile since I am with them, someone I believe managed to do it for AT&T, see post #51 in the thread I posted/.
http://androidforums.com/metropcs-op...is-wallet.html
If you are brave enough to do it and can folllow the directions, it WILL work.
http://androidforums.com/metropcs-op...is-wallet.html
If you are brave enough to do it and can folllow the directions, it WILL work.
#6169
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Once again, ISis will NOT work on the unlocked MetroPCS phone, no matter rooted or not.
With the rooted phone one can fix it. With unrooted phone one can not.
#6170
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Closed Amex Serve Account
I opened my Serve account yesterday after getting ISIS to work on my rooted phone, was asked to provide photo id and social security card, which I did, then today I got this email:
Section 15E doesn't tell me much:
I called the number, they wouldn't tell me what was wrong, only said I could reapply if I wanted. I don't think I did anything wrong, having only opened the account and supplied the proof of ID they requested. My ISIS account appears fine still on the Android.
Anyone else face this? Ideas how to get them to tell me what is wrong?
During a recent review of your American Express ServeŽ Account we noticed activity that was in violation of the Serve Member Agreement, section:
Section 15E
Due to the violation, your Account has been closed.
If you have any questions, please call Account Protection Services at 1-800-555-4318.
Section 15E
Due to the violation, your Account has been closed.
If you have any questions, please call Account Protection Services at 1-800-555-4318.
Suspension of Use; Cancellation; Closure.
We, in our sole discretion, may limit your use of, suspend or terminate your privileges with respect to your Account (including your Reserve), Sub-Account, Card and/or Sub-Account Card with or without cause or notice, other than any notice required by Applicable Law. We will only close your Account if there are no funds remaining in your Account (including your Reserve) or Sub-Account, unless you specifically instruct us to close your Account or Sub-Account with funds remaining, in which case, any remaining funds will be escheated to the applicable state in accordance with Applicable Law. Closure of your Account will prohibit your access to the Service.
If we decide to close or suspend use of your Account or Sub-Account (which closure will result in termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card), we will send an email to the primary email address we have in our records for you. Upon closure of your Account and/or Sub-Account (and termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card), you must immediately discontinue use of your Account and/or Sub-Account and associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card, as applicable. Our closure of your Account and/or Sub-Account (and termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card) will not affect your obligations under this Agreement.
We, in our sole discretion, may limit your use of, suspend or terminate your privileges with respect to your Account (including your Reserve), Sub-Account, Card and/or Sub-Account Card with or without cause or notice, other than any notice required by Applicable Law. We will only close your Account if there are no funds remaining in your Account (including your Reserve) or Sub-Account, unless you specifically instruct us to close your Account or Sub-Account with funds remaining, in which case, any remaining funds will be escheated to the applicable state in accordance with Applicable Law. Closure of your Account will prohibit your access to the Service.
If we decide to close or suspend use of your Account or Sub-Account (which closure will result in termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card), we will send an email to the primary email address we have in our records for you. Upon closure of your Account and/or Sub-Account (and termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card), you must immediately discontinue use of your Account and/or Sub-Account and associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card, as applicable. Our closure of your Account and/or Sub-Account (and termination of your privileges with respect to the associated Card and/or Sub-Account Card) will not affect your obligations under this Agreement.
Anyone else face this? Ideas how to get them to tell me what is wrong?
#6171
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
#6172
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I opened my Serve account yesterday after getting ISIS to work on my rooted phone, was asked to provide photo id and social security card, which I did, then today I got this email:
Section 15E doesn't tell me much:
I called the number, they wouldn't tell me what was wrong, only said I could reapply if I wanted. I don't think I did anything wrong, having only opened the account and supplied the proof of ID they requested. My ISIS account appears fine still on the Android.
Anyone else face this? Ideas how to get them to tell me what is wrong?
Section 15E doesn't tell me much:
I called the number, they wouldn't tell me what was wrong, only said I could reapply if I wanted. I don't think I did anything wrong, having only opened the account and supplied the proof of ID they requested. My ISIS account appears fine still on the Android.
Anyone else face this? Ideas how to get them to tell me what is wrong?
have you checked your record with Chexsystem? https://www.consumerdebit.com/consum...port/index.htm
You can order a report to learn what information, if any, is listed in your consumer file at ChexSystems. If you have been denied an account from a bank or credit union, and ChexSystems was used in the decision process, this information will help you understand what may have contributed to that decision.
keep us posted and good luck!
#6173
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Interesting.
have you checked your record with Chexsystem? https://www.consumerdebit.com/consum...port/index.htm
have you checked your record with Chexsystem? https://www.consumerdebit.com/consum...port/index.htm
#6174
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
#6175
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SAF (hopefully) or ABQ
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 52
Is the 31 day rule back in effect? I canceled my BB over a week ago, have tried multiple times to open a Serve account through the ISIS app, each time get error message that I have a BB account. Have called customer service multiple times, they are generally unhelpful. They suggested changing my phone and/or email on the account, so I changed both, and it still says "We're sorry but because you have an existing Bluebird Account, we cannot approve you for another American Express ServeŽ Account." Kind of at a loss what to do next. Do I have to go get a temporary card first?
#6176
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Is the 31 day rule back in effect? I canceled my BB over a week ago, have tried multiple times to open a Serve account through the ISIS app, each time get error message that I have a BB account. Have called customer service multiple times, they are generally unhelpful. They suggested changing my phone and/or email on the account, so I changed both, and it still says "We're sorry but because you have an existing Bluebird Account, we cannot approve you for another American Express ServeŽ Account." Kind of at a loss what to do next. Do I have to go get a temporary card first?
First I totally emptied them, then called 800 number, got confirmation that account is closed and I may apply for Serve, applied for Serve from Isis(btw you do need to turn wifi off and use your phone data connection). got approved in no time and had my $50 bonus in both accounts.
#6177
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SAF (hopefully) or ABQ
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 52
Update - I had been trying the 800 number that you get with the error message - call American Express Serve Customer Service at 1-800-954-0559 - and today I tried the 800 number for Serve account security listed in the wiki - much more pleasant to deal with. First of all, appeared to be based in the USA rather than offshore, but more than that, appeared to be actually empowered to do something. However, in the end, gave me the same message, it can sometimes take up to 30 days for the system to recognize that the account has been closed. Basically I was encouraged to just keep trying to register and hope it takes less than 30 days.
#6178
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Socal
Posts: 133
Is the 31 day rule back in effect? I canceled my BB over a week ago, have tried multiple times to open a Serve account through the ISIS app, each time get error message that I have a BB account. Have called customer service multiple times, they are generally unhelpful. They suggested changing my phone and/or email on the account, so I changed both, and it still says "We're sorry but because you have an existing Bluebird Account, we cannot approve you for another American Express ServeŽ Account." Kind of at a loss what to do next. Do I have to go get a temporary card first?
I closed a BB yesterday, and was able to open a Serve/ISIS today without issue (same name, email address, but different phone number). I used the same physical phone (AT&T) that was used in a previous Serve/ISIS account with a different SIM, and was able to have the verification SMS sent to a new number (a Tracfone number, interestingly).
#6179
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SAF (hopefully) or ABQ
Programs: SPG Gold, HH Silver
Posts: 52
I have logged on to Bluebird and did get the locked or closed message, and can't access my account beyond statements. The nice rep I talked to today also confirmed my Bluebird was closed. So I guess I'll just keep waiting and trying every day...
#6180
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
should you re-register, try using a different email addy but you may have to unfreeze your account or else, you might get approved and later shutdown.
Do Banks Open Accounts & Close Them Later?
"It seems more common amoung some banks than others. Some banks have online applications that will approve immediately. Then the bank will wait until the signature card is sent in to actually look at the Chexsystems report. At that point, they will send back the initial deposit and close the account.
"Then there are other banks that do "sweeps" on accounts. This is where a bank, generally the loss prevention department will do a random check on accounts with chexsystems. If they find that the customer has a chexsystems record, they then will determine that they person may be a risk and they will freeze account, and later close it.
"It seems more common amoung some banks than others. Some banks have online applications that will approve immediately. Then the bank will wait until the signature card is sent in to actually look at the Chexsystems report. At that point, they will send back the initial deposit and close the account.
"Then there are other banks that do "sweeps" on accounts. This is where a bank, generally the loss prevention department will do a random check on accounts with chexsystems. If they find that the customer has a chexsystems record, they then will determine that they person may be a risk and they will freeze account, and later close it.