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

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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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


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



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

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

Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon Payments.

Old Aug 26, 2014, 6:05 pm
  #6316  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 427
Kate has been working beautifully for me lately for feeding Serve. I guess there isn't much MS going on at my local Kate WM's, at least at the time of day I've been going.
bigugly is offline  
Old Aug 26, 2014, 6:07 pm
  #6317  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 427
Anyone heard any news about Serve supporting Reloadits? I read on another site recently that it was still supposedly in the works.
bigugly is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 9:57 am
  #6318  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Originally Posted by mrmandel
My understanding is you can do $500 if you're the first one to load that much on that day. Therefore it's safest to show up when they open if you plan to load $500. For some amount of time afterwards, perhaps the entire day, anyone who attempts a $500 load will have the load rejected. That person will have to immediately re-swipe to be refunded on their debit card, or else call the Treasury department of FD executive office and wait weeks for a refund.

Loads less than $500 (unclear how much less) do not seem cause a similar lockdown for later loads.
so instead if i do $499 it would work? so I could do three loads of $499? I dont understand.
myb821 is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 5:55 pm
  #6319  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Programs: All of em...
Posts: 1,265
Any recent data points on how long it takes to get the add money feature to work again after uploading docs/scans for new accounts? Call in right away?
x712xdamx is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 6:09 pm
  #6320  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
Loaded one US Bank visa gift card and one One Vanilla gift card without any problems today using Kate at local WM. Didn't try cashier.

Unable to load One Vanilla a few weeks ago with cashier at a different WM that doesn't have kiosk. Tried workaround, but kept defaulting to credit. Cashier asked to see card and said WM couldn't accept card without name.

Unfortunately, WM with Kate is 20 miles away, while other WM is only 5 miles away.
kharlamov is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 6:10 pm
  #6321  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: DL PLT, AS 75k, AA Exec Plat
Posts: 391
Originally Posted by x712xdamx
Any recent data points on how long it takes to get the add money feature to work again after uploading docs/scans for new accounts? Call in right away?
Just call the number in the email and have someone review it right away. Then you can be on your merry way loading again in a couple of minutes.
floressalicis is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 6:43 pm
  #6322  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by x712xdamx
Any recent data points on how long it takes to get the add money feature to work again after uploading docs/scans for new accounts? Call in right away?
IME, 5 to 10 minutes max. Once CPS approves your docs, you're good to go and can load in about 10 minutes.
Mamibear is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 6:59 pm
  #6323  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 193
Originally Posted by bigugly
Anyone heard any news about Serve supporting Reloadits? I read on another site recently that it was still supposedly in the works.
That would be awesome. I just looked at the reload section of the site, and it says you can load MoneyPacks too. That's new isn't it. I've never tried to purchase one, but I understand from the PayPal thread it works for some folks.
Peridot83 is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 8:38 pm
  #6324  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: USA
Programs: All of em...
Posts: 1,265
Originally Posted by floressalicis
Just call the number in the email and have someone review it right away. Then you can be on your merry way loading again in a couple of minutes.
Great thanks! Will call in the morning.
x712xdamx is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 8:52 pm
  #6325  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,959
Is it OK to link and load from AU Credit card with different number from primary card?
yugi is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 9:25 pm
  #6326  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,731
Originally Posted by x712xdamx
Any recent data points on how long it takes to get the add money feature to work again after uploading docs/scans for new accounts? Call in right away?
I got this done IMMEDIATELY upon receiving the email and uploaded the docs because I made the rep stayed on the phone with me while I uploaded the needed docs.

The most annoying part actually was trying to get thru them when the initial error message popped up. I was disconnected 3 times before finally got a rep. Then the call was disconnected when I was put on hold by the first 2 reps. Despite both reps promised to call back should the call disconnect, neither one called back. So once I got the 3rd rep on 5th call, I chewed him up on the very poor customer service so far. lol.

Go read my posts upthread on what happened. I got this resolved while we were still on the phone. Doc uploaded and verification done on the spot. Blockage lifted and I Added Money before letting the guy go.

BTW, they actually can call your card company to verify info without your needing to upload docs, if your card company is willing to give out info. In the case of Barclays, this method does not work because either side can only give a Yes / No on information that either side could not even give out.

Last edited by Happy; Aug 27, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Happy is offline  
Old Aug 27, 2014, 9:31 pm
  #6327  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 200
Originally Posted by x712xdamx
Great thanks! Will call in the morning.
I uploaded docs and didn't even bother calling in cause I was lazy at the time. The docs checked and everything worked the next morning.

Same thing happened on another one of my accounts some time later. Within a day everything worked.
emax48 is offline  
Old Aug 28, 2014, 12:43 am
  #6328  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
I'm in the process of opening a new Serve account for a family member. I received an email 2 days ago requesting pictures of SS card and an ID with photo. I submitted those online, using a link provided by Serve.

It's been 2 days and when I login, it still says "We're still processing your application. Please check your email for an update." How long does this last? P.S. I want to do this online, HUCA not
andres17 is offline  
Old Aug 28, 2014, 5:44 am
  #6329  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by andres17
I'm in the process of opening a new Serve account for a family member. I received an email 2 days ago requesting pictures of SS card and an ID with photo. I submitted those online, using a link provided by Serve.

It's been 2 days and when I login, it still says "We're still processing your application. Please check your email for an update." How long does this last? P.S. I want to do this online, HUCA not
it usually doesn't take that long, and if you still have no updates via email you may have to call to find out what's going on.
Mamibear is offline  
Old Aug 28, 2014, 6:58 am
  #6330  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
Originally Posted by andres17
I'm in the process of opening a new Serve account for a family member. I received an email 2 days ago requesting pictures of SS card and an ID with photo. I submitted those online, using a link provided by Serve.

It's been 2 days and when I login, it still says "We're still processing your application. Please check your email for an update." How long does this last? P.S. I want to do this online, HUCA not
Call Serve! Same happened to me, I up loaded both and called. They released my account immediately and told me perm card was being sent in the next few days and removed the lock (didn t buy a temp package)
carlitos is offline  

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