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.
Sep 2, 2014, 3:59 am
#6406
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest
Programs: UR(ink bold; Freedom), Skymiles Silver, HH Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold)
Posts: 39
Datapoint:
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Sep 2, 2014, 7:08 am
#6407
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,983
Just switched from BB to Serve (via Isis). My question is this - to get the $1500/month load with my credit card, do I have to add the credit card on my phone or on the actual Serve website? I am trying to add my Chase United card and it's not a card you can add on the phone - so if I add it online, will I still be able to load $1500 or am I limited to $1000?
Sorry this was asked in such complicated way so hope it made sense to someone :/
Sorry this was asked in such complicated way so hope it made sense to someone :/
Sep 2, 2014, 6:24 pm
#6410
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 8
Datapoint:
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Sep 2, 2014, 6:32 pm
#6411
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Datapoint:
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Signed up for Amex Platinum, first cycle closed 8/28. Had $1000 in MS via online Serve loads, none of which posted with MR points (all other spend did). Considering I spent well over the $3000 min spend to get the sign up bonus, I assume that Serve does not count for min spend on this card either.
Sep 3, 2014, 12:41 am
#6412
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
Have a question:
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
Sep 3, 2014, 6:48 am
#6414
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Have a question:
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
I have not read of a lot of Serve shutdowns (yet). I don't consider my purchases using isis wallet as "waste" since I get back the $1 credited in 2 days. It also varies the activities in my account. This is how I've been doing it for months and hopefully, I won't have problems.
Sep 3, 2014, 6:55 am
#6415
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points?
While I have some bills that accept CCs w/o no extra fee, I still prefer to pay them via Serve B/P because of the 5% CB I get from amex buying Reloadits and VGCs. If I paid them directly with my CC, I can only get max of 1.5% CB but I get more if I use Serve. I hope that makes sense.
Sep 3, 2014, 8:31 am
#6416
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Got this email a few minutes ago:
Isis Wallet™ is becoming Softcard™
Softcard
A message from our CEO, Michael Abbott:
In July, we announced that we would rebrand the Isis Wallet to avoid confusion and association with a violent Islamic militant group in the Middle East whose name, when translated into English, is known by the acronym, ISIS. However coincidental, we have no desire to share a name with this group and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence.
Our search for a new name has been rooted in our founding vision: to use the power of the mobile phone to help consumers find a safer and better way to shop, pay and save. But we also wanted a name and visual identity that had the power, flexibility, and simplicity to define our category.
Today, I'm pleased to announce that we will rebrand the Isis Wallet to Softcard.
Together with a simple and flexible visual system, the inherent simplicity of Softcard gives it the potential to become a category defining name. That's a bold aspiration, but one that matches the breadth of our vision.
What does this mean for our customers?
First and most importantly, your current Isis Wallet will continue to work as it always has. In the next few weeks, we will launch the updated Softcard app. At that point, you can update your app as you normally would and see that your Isis Wallet has become Softcard.
We appreciate your patience as we work through this effort. Because we've chosen to move swiftly, small traces of Isis will stay with us for a short time.
We thank you for your patience and ongoing support as we transition to Softcard.
- Michael Abbott, CEO
Isis Wallet™ is becoming Softcard™
Softcard
A message from our CEO, Michael Abbott:
In July, we announced that we would rebrand the Isis Wallet to avoid confusion and association with a violent Islamic militant group in the Middle East whose name, when translated into English, is known by the acronym, ISIS. However coincidental, we have no desire to share a name with this group and our hearts go out to those affected by this violence.
Our search for a new name has been rooted in our founding vision: to use the power of the mobile phone to help consumers find a safer and better way to shop, pay and save. But we also wanted a name and visual identity that had the power, flexibility, and simplicity to define our category.
Today, I'm pleased to announce that we will rebrand the Isis Wallet to Softcard.
Together with a simple and flexible visual system, the inherent simplicity of Softcard gives it the potential to become a category defining name. That's a bold aspiration, but one that matches the breadth of our vision.
What does this mean for our customers?
First and most importantly, your current Isis Wallet will continue to work as it always has. In the next few weeks, we will launch the updated Softcard app. At that point, you can update your app as you normally would and see that your Isis Wallet has become Softcard.
We appreciate your patience as we work through this effort. Because we've chosen to move swiftly, small traces of Isis will stay with us for a short time.
We thank you for your patience and ongoing support as we transition to Softcard.
- Michael Abbott, CEO
Sep 3, 2014, 11:32 am
#6417
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Have a question:
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
I have $1k in the Serve after my first month (5 online loads). Now, the easiest way to get it out would be to billpay some other card (like my citi, etc) for $1k, but I don't want to get shut down right away for taking the easy way out.
Is there a better way to go about this? How much can I get away with billpaying and how much do I have to "waste" on my normal every day purchases, etc? What has kept Serve open and what gets it shut down? What spending pattern would you take that would maximize your points? I'd appreciate any help, any answers to any of these questions. Thanks everyone.
Sep 3, 2014, 12:51 pm
#6419
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
It seems every avenue, at some point, gets shut down, especially if you abuse it with transactions that are obvious - for example, Amazon Payments, $1k A to B, then back again. This should be fine in theory, but people get shut down.
If its perfectly OK and no one gets shut down, I'll just transfer the $1k right to my citi card with billpay. No one gets shut down? I thought I had read about people who used billpay back to the card they originally charged from and got shut down. Is that the only way?
If its perfectly OK and no one gets shut down, I'll just transfer the $1k right to my citi card with billpay. No one gets shut down? I thought I had read about people who used billpay back to the card they originally charged from and got shut down. Is that the only way?
Sep 3, 2014, 1:04 pm
#6420
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
It seems every avenue, at some point, gets shut down, especially if you abuse it with transactions that are obvious - for example, Amazon Payments, $1k A to B, then back again. This should be fine in theory, but people get shut down.
If its perfectly OK and no one gets shut down, I'll just transfer the $1k right to my citi card with billpay. No one gets shut down? I thought I had read about people who used billpay back to the card they originally charged from and got shut down. Is that the only way?
If its perfectly OK and no one gets shut down, I'll just transfer the $1k right to my citi card with billpay. No one gets shut down? I thought I had read about people who used billpay back to the card they originally charged from and got shut down. Is that the only way?
Then I pay her cc from my Serve and my cc from her Serve.
Hope there is enough variety
