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.
Nov 25, 2014, 1:18 pm
#8116
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Chase just declined a Serve load transaction from my British Airways Visa due to insufficient cash advance limit, as well.
Nov 25, 2014, 1:57 pm
#8117
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,872
I am unable to link my Chase IP business card on Serve account. It is in my name and the card has 2k CA limit.
When I try to add the card to my serve account, it says" CARD ISSUER DECLINE TRANSACTION CODE",
I called Serve , they tried it for me but told me seems to be problem with name or address. They too couldn't link/add the card.
Called Chase and they told me address is correct and they see no issues.
I recently added my wife as authorized sub user on my Serve account.
Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
When I try to add the card to my serve account, it says" CARD ISSUER DECLINE TRANSACTION CODE",
I called Serve , they tried it for me but told me seems to be problem with name or address. They too couldn't link/add the card.
Called Chase and they told me address is correct and they see no issues.
I recently added my wife as authorized sub user on my Serve account.
Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
Last edited by Blueskyheaven; Nov 25, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Nov 26, 2014, 6:38 am
#8118
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
Can anyone confirm if softcard works with a t-mobile prepaid plan? Assuming you use a compatible phone and sim of course. Be nice to know if the $30 tmoble plan can work with the softcard. Thanks.
Nov 26, 2014, 9:02 am
#8119
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 14
I am unable to link my Chase IP business card on Serve account. It is in my name and the card has 2k CA limit.
When I try to add the card to my serve account, it says" CARD ISSUER DECLINE TRANSACTION CODE",
I called Serve , they tried it for me but told me seems to be problem with name or address. They too couldn't link/add the card.
Called Chase and they told me address is correct and they see no issues.
I recently added my wife as authorized sub user on my Serve account.
Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
When I try to add the card to my serve account, it says" CARD ISSUER DECLINE TRANSACTION CODE",
I called Serve , they tried it for me but told me seems to be problem with name or address. They too couldn't link/add the card.
Called Chase and they told me address is correct and they see no issues.
I recently added my wife as authorized sub user on my Serve account.
Anyone have any idea how to fix this?
I had the same issue with a different chase credit card. I had a call w/ Serve and a representative of Chase Bank. This took forever.
Security said it has to do with the way the card is coded. Security said they could see the attempt to link my Chase card but the transaction type wasn't allwoed by that specific credit card.
Serve customer service is horrible. They are clueless about this issue. It's not because of the address / name being wrong.
Nov 26, 2014, 2:30 pm
#8120
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
Any datapoints on atm withdrawals internationally? Bali and Singapore?
Nov 26, 2014, 3:58 pm
#8121
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: MD
Programs: UA,AA,SPG
Posts: 61
Yes, I have used a T-MO prepaid plan. To be on the safer side, I created my a/c using mobile data and not wi-fi.
Nov 26, 2014, 8:53 pm
#8122
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
If it sounds like hoops, it because I'm on Sprint and they currently don't support the softcard, but I don't mind signing up for the $30 TMO plan for a month.
Nov 26, 2014, 9:15 pm
#8123
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 30
If its a Bold, it can't be added (for reasons noted in the wiki above); if not a Bold, call Chase as there may be a problem with your CA limit or fraud alert on your account. Good luck
Nov 26, 2014, 9:43 pm
#8124
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 917
The issue will likely be on the Serve side. It should normally take around 3 business days (2 for BB), but if it doesn't after 5 business days, there' a definite problem. If I were you, I would open a dispute just in case; and if its close to your due date, arrange for alternate payment. Since BB pays late fees (up to $50) if the error is on their end, I imagine serve might as well. Also, take a screenshot of your payment from Serve, just in case it vanishes and you have to show that you made the payment on time.
Pretty painless, in the end. This time.
Not sure if this was a question for me, or not, but yes, to Bank of America. Payment was sent on the 13th and I waited a week before starting to make calls. My experience with BofA is 2-3 days, maximum, before the payment posts. I'm always prepared for longer, though.
Nov 27, 2014, 2:04 am
#8125
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,872
All the reps at Serve couldn't help. Chase tells me they see no issues with the card.
All the info are correct on both cards.
I think Chase has done something to their credit cards to block their cards from being added to Serve.
Nov 27, 2014, 10:25 am
#8126
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 282
Thanks for this info. My other question, once the software is activated, do you ever 'need' to use the phone app for anything? Basically, could I pay for a TMO pre-paid for a month, get the card, the just use the card online for M.S if I cancel the tmobile plan?
If it sounds like hoops, it because I'm on Sprint and they currently don't support the softcard, but I don't mind signing up for the $30 TMO plan for a month.
If it sounds like hoops, it because I'm on Sprint and they currently don't support the softcard, but I don't mind signing up for the $30 TMO plan for a month.
You need to use the phone app to make contactless payments, add cards, and redeem rewards.
I don't know what happens when your T-Mobile account gets deactivated or canceled.
Nov 27, 2014, 10:39 am
#8127
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
afaik, once Serve-SC account is registered, you don't need the phone anymore, if you don't wish to do tap payments. You will still enjoy the higher limits even if the phone account is cancelled. To be on the safe side, contact Serve.
Nov 27, 2014, 2:35 pm
#8128
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 6
I made my 1st serve load for $5 as a test run and it posted fine. Then tried to load $200 and got this error message.
"You have the following errors.
We're sorry, your card issuer declined this transaction. Please call the number on the back of your Visa card for additional information."
Anyone had something like this happen before?
"You have the following errors.
We're sorry, your card issuer declined this transaction. Please call the number on the back of your Visa card for additional information."
Anyone had something like this happen before?
Nov 27, 2014, 2:53 pm
#8129
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 188
I had problem unloading my Metabank gift/debit card into server at WM. It said to contact authorizer. Any ideas as to why it is not working? Never had problem in the past but seems to run into this issue with this specific gift card that I have. Thanks!
Nov 27, 2014, 3:54 pm
#8130
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 58
Closing Serve card?
If I'm done MS'ing for the moment and don't want to pay the monthly fee for the Serve card that I won't be using for a long time, is it okay to close the account? And will I be later to re-open the account at a much later date?