Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 20, 2013, 12:24 am
  #1156  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Originally Posted by babehwa
VRs are also good to load Serve, right?
Yes, and online 5 x $200 / month free CC loads too.

Welcome to FT!
mooper is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 10:26 am
  #1157  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by mooper
Yes, and online 5 x $200 / month free CC loads too.

Welcome to FT!
Thanks...am still using BB right now. Thinking about switching to Serve next cycle when I use up all the remaining balance. Hopefully it won't be a 31-day-wait like others who switch from Serve to BB.
babehwa is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 10:43 am
  #1158  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 108
Originally Posted by mooper
My wife finally tried a CVS CC load to the Serve today. Didn't even get to the part where the CC was needed, so the amount nor CC was the problem. The manager showed the screen, which read "pre authorization failed" when the Serve card was swiped. He also said, "Someone else tried to do this today and it doesn't work... I'm not sure why they sent you that email saying it would."

My question: Is the manager pushing the wrong button before swiping, or is it that some locations aren't set up to accept it while others (clearly from the reports here) are? If the former, what instructions/suggestion should be given? Would love for this to work.

Also, do both the $200 online CC loads *and* any CVC CC loads count towards the $5K monthly load limit in the same manner that online VR loads do, or can you go over $5K/month when adding these methods? I'm pretty sure this was discussed upthread but didn't find it in a quick search. Thanks!
To be able to answer your questions, I tried to take a look at the cashier's screen today. It was very straight forward: press reload debit card button - swipe the Serve card - enter the amount you want to load - *A SMALL WINDOW POP-UP, ASKING SOMETHING ABOUT PRE-AUTHORIZATION, PRESS "YES"* - pay with credit card - enter security code - signature - done!

For your second question, I think the CC load limit isn't counted towards cash reload limit, but VR loading is counted as cash reload. So you should be able to load $1000/month with your credit card and $5000/month with VR + CVS reloading.
liaozhongchao is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 10:49 am
  #1159  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 139
Originally Posted by babehwa
Thanks...am still using BB right now. Thinking about switching to Serve next cycle when I use up all the remaining balance. Hopefully it won't be a 31-day-wait like others who switch from Serve to BB.
I just want to give my data point with using Serve and switching from Bluebird to Serve:

When I made the switch I had to call in to cancel my BB account. I was dumb and hadn't fully read the switching forum and asked the CSR if I needed to wait to sign up for Serve. The CSR told me that there was no need to wait so I imediately went to sign up for Serve. I got a notice saying that my account was being reviewed and I would receive an email when a decision was made. About 3 weeks later I received an email from Serve giving me my months statement; however still when I would attempt to log in I would be met with a notice giving the same message that my account was still under review. I had called in multiple times asking to have the review done and allow me to open my account and each time the CSR would tell me that I should be receiving an email any day. Finally after 45 days I was pissed and just wanted to return to my BB account. I called asked for a supervisor and had to go through phone verification and give them detail like DOB and last four of SSN and address to confirm identity. Also they had to call me on the number that I had listed and I had to answer that phone and give all the same info again.

My experience with Serve has been documented in a previous post, but just to shorten it, and not that I don't have a CVS in my region so I couldn't do cash load for free with a CC and that is the main draw, but I tried to load with CC and use BP to pay a different CC and had my ability to load with a CC locked after my first BP. I would be very hesitant to load a Serve account with a CC and then use the BP feature to pay a CC.
whitey4545 is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 2:33 pm
  #1160  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 137
Originally Posted by whitey4545
I just want to give my data point with using Serve and switching from Bluebird to Serve:

When I made the switch I had to call in to cancel my BB account. I was dumb and hadn't fully read the switching forum and asked the CSR if I needed to wait to sign up for Serve. The CSR told me that there was no need to wait so I imediately went to sign up for Serve. I got a notice saying that my account was being reviewed and I would receive an email when a decision was made. About 3 weeks later I received an email from Serve giving me my months statement; however still when I would attempt to log in I would be met with a notice giving the same message that my account was still under review. I had called in multiple times asking to have the review done and allow me to open my account and each time the CSR would tell me that I should be receiving an email any day. Finally after 45 days I was pissed and just wanted to return to my BB account. I called asked for a supervisor and had to go through phone verification and give them detail like DOB and last four of SSN and address to confirm identity. Also they had to call me on the number that I had listed and I had to answer that phone and give all the same info again.

My experience with Serve has been documented in a previous post, but just to shorten it, and not that I don't have a CVS in my region so I couldn't do cash load for free with a CC and that is the main draw, but I tried to load with CC and use BP to pay a different CC and had my ability to load with a CC locked after my first BP. I would be very hesitant to load a Serve account with a CC and then use the BP feature to pay a CC.
I have been loading my Serve with CSP and paying my Discover bill without any problem at all. I had a fraud check initially by serve and they called Chase to confirm my identity. After that everything has a been a smooth ride. And I have been repeatedly asking Serve if it is ok to pay my Discover bills and they have repeatedly said they encourage you to pay the Credit card bills and they are totally fine with it. Also I called discover - they dont care as long as i pay the bill. I can reiterate it is totally safe to pay a different CC bill with Serve.
rampartmovie is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 3:20 pm
  #1161  
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: OAK, SEA, SFO, LAX
Programs: AS, SPG
Posts: 67
Originally Posted by rampartmovie
I have been loading my Serve with CSP and paying my Discover bill without any problem at all. I had a fraud check initially by serve and they called Chase to confirm my identity. After that everything has a been a smooth ride. And I have been repeatedly asking Serve if it is ok to pay my Discover bills and they have repeatedly said they encourage you to pay the Credit card bills and they are totally fine with it. Also I called discover - they dont care as long as i pay the bill. I can reiterate it is totally safe to pay a different CC bill with Serve.
What about paying the same CC bill as the one you loaded with?
NewGirl is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 4:34 pm
  #1162  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 137
Originally Posted by NewGirl
What about paying the same CC bill as the one you loaded with?
I have not tried that. But I think that might be a red flag. Not sure. If that is the case it would be easy 12000 dollars a year without a dollar in fees. Not sure if anyone here has any experience with that.
rampartmovie is offline  
Old Dec 20, 2013, 5:24 pm
  #1163  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 636
Anyone switched from Serve to Bluebird and then switched back to Serve? Is it possible to do so?
godsquare is offline  
Old Dec 21, 2013, 6:34 pm
  #1164  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 120
Originally Posted by whitey4545
I just want to give my data point with using Serve and switching from Bluebird to Serve:

When I made the switch I had to call in to cancel my BB account. I was dumb and hadn't fully read the switching forum and asked the CSR if I needed to wait to sign up for Serve. The CSR told me that there was no need to wait so I imediately went to sign up for Serve. I got a notice saying that my account was being reviewed and I would receive an email when a decision was made. About 3 weeks later I received an email from Serve giving me my months statement; however still when I would attempt to log in I would be met with a notice giving the same message that my account was still under review. I had called in multiple times asking to have the review done and allow me to open my account and each time the CSR would tell me that I should be receiving an email any day. Finally after 45 days I was pissed and just wanted to return to my BB account. I called asked for a supervisor and had to go through phone verification and give them detail like DOB and last four of SSN and address to confirm identity. Also they had to call me on the number that I had listed and I had to answer that phone and give all the same info again.

My experience with Serve has been documented in a previous post, but just to shorten it, and not that I don't have a CVS in my region so I couldn't do cash load for free with a CC and that is the main draw, but I tried to load with CC and use BP to pay a different CC and had my ability to load with a CC locked after my first BP. I would be very hesitant to load a Serve account with a CC and then use the BP feature to pay a CC.
Wow. Thanks for sharing the experience that you have. I did go back and searched for your posts. It looks like your Serve account didn't get the chance to serve you well. I might try not to switch soon till more good news is posted then...
babehwa is offline  
Old Dec 22, 2013, 10:44 am
  #1165  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Originally Posted by liaozhongchao
To be able to answer your questions, I tried to take a look at the cashier's screen today. It was very straight forward: press reload debit card button - swipe the Serve card - enter the amount you want to load - *A SMALL WINDOW POP-UP, ASKING SOMETHING ABOUT PRE-AUTHORIZATION, PRESS "YES"* - pay with credit card - enter security code - signature - done!

For your second question, I think the CC load limit isn't counted towards cash reload limit, but VR loading is counted as cash reload. So you should be able to load $1000/month with your credit card and $5000/month with VR + CVS reloading.
Thanks on both points!

Will have the wife try again, guiding to be sure the procedure you detailed is the one followed.
mooper is offline  
Old Dec 23, 2013, 2:37 pm
  #1166  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 71
So just to review..

1) It's okay to load Serve with a CC at CVS up to $1000/month? Per transaction up to $500 and up to 12,000 per year?
2) Can we use visa giftcards or any other sorts of PIN-enabled giftcards to load Serve using the debit option at CVS? and what is the limit on that?

Please advise
stimulus is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2013, 12:56 pm
  #1167  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW,OVB (Russia)
Programs: AA HH Gold SPG Gold BA
Posts: 1,823
At what point during the serve registration process does it know if you have BB?
rgAAFT is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2013, 3:44 pm
  #1168  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 340
1)5000/month 60,000/year
2)why not use it as credit card option? Same as 1
ericliujian is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2013, 3:44 pm
  #1169  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 340
You can not use the same email or phone number
ericliujian is offline  
Old Dec 24, 2013, 5:30 pm
  #1170  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: BZN
Programs: AA:LT Platinum DL:LT Gold UA:1P MAR:LT Titanium
Posts: 8,291
Ugh. My wife tried the exact procedure liaozhongchao kindly detailed, but it didn't work. The manager was called and tried as well, but the same thing happened: After pressing the correct load button, the Serve card was swiped and read "declined". It's not a problem with the Serve card itself, as it was used for different transactions both before and after (and not to the degree it would exceed any limit). So I guess these loads work only at some CVSs, not at all. Or is there still something the cashier/manager is doing wrong?
mooper is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.