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 26, 2013, 10:46 am
  #1186  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by anagoree
I did; and I am confused because some says $1000 per month and other says $5000.
Can you clarify what is the limit for Serve?
$5000 at CVS, plus $1000 online.
FatTalker is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2013, 1:00 pm
  #1187  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 71
Originally Posted by tomcanada22
I live in NYC and it's a no brained for me as no Walmarts exist in one of the biggest cities in US?
But since you are closer to a Cvs and easier to load than BB, I would go for the Serve as it's free. My opinion only of course.
I actually live in NYC too, but i live in queens so walmart is not too far away but CVS is a block away - Do you currently use serve already? if so - i hope that you don' have any problems loading in CVS, jus like how they are strict on buying gc/vr with cc majority of the places...
stimulus is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2013, 4:29 pm
  #1188  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 163
Don't have any CVS where I live. Has anyone had similar success loading from a 7/11 store?
msnut1 is offline  
Old Dec 27, 2013, 4:36 pm
  #1189  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 137
Originally Posted by msnut1
Don't have any CVS where I live. Has anyone had similar success loading from a 7/11 store?
ha I guess you are from North West arent you? I am from Seattle and I have not found a 7-11 where they will load serve with debit or credit cards. All they say is "cash please". Its coded in their registers too so even if you find someone willing you cannot do it. Sucks to be up in the North west for Bluebird/Serve. No where yo get VR's that accept cc too! Cheers!
rampartmovie is offline  
Old Dec 27, 2013, 7:09 pm
  #1190  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 163
Originally Posted by rampartmovie
ha I guess you are from North West arent you? I am from Seattle and I have not found a 7-11 where they will load serve with debit or credit cards. All they say is "cash please". Its coded in their registers too so even if you find someone willing you cannot do it. Sucks to be up in the North west for Bluebird/Serve. No where yo get VR's that accept cc too! Cheers!
Lol, so true.

One good thing is that we have Safeway and Albertsons, so we get to benefit from their GC offers. (Usually $10 off grocery coupon if you buy $100+ GC). I usually buy up a whole bunch of GC ($500 GC) and load them onto Bluebird or my Buxx cards.
msnut1 is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2013, 3:02 pm
  #1191  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ORD
Posts: 57
Just tested loading Serve at the CVS register with a Best Buy vgc, purchased with the $25 AmEx credit on $250 spend. Worked like a charm. Also, Club Carlson did not incur a ca fee when I tested that load to Serve at CVS. Until/unless they change their procedures, this may work for MS'ers that do not have a WM nearby. Has anyone tried an AmEx gc at CVS to load? I'm a little leary to jump in to AmEx gc unless I know it will work.
HRHPrincessPam is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2013, 4:42 pm
  #1192  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 137
Originally Posted by HRHPrincessPam
Just tested loading Serve at the CVS register with a Best Buy vgc, purchased with the $25 AmEx credit on $250 spend. Worked like a charm. Also, Club Carlson did not incur a ca fee when I tested that load to Serve at CVS. Until/unless they change their procedures, this may work for MS'ers that do not have a WM nearby. Has anyone tried an AmEx gc at CVS to load? I'm a little leary to jump in to AmEx gc unless I know it will work.
I am so jealous of you guys who have CVS around Dammit out here in Seattle, its barren lands for reloading Serve with VGC. Stupid 7-11's always need cash..Sigh...
rampartmovie is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2013, 6:57 pm
  #1193  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 260
Originally Posted by stimulus
I actually live in NYC too, but i live in queens so walmart is not too far away but CVS is a block away - Do you currently use serve already? if so - i hope that you don' have any problems loading in CVS, jus like how they are strict on buying gc/vr with cc majority of the places...


Not yet. But plan to sign up real soon as I have several CVS within few miles of where I live.
Just for the record, I'm not into MS. I'm only using Serve as another way to meet minimum spend for sign up bonus.

Anyone know if getting the Serve card results in a soft pull or hard pull?

Last edited by tomcanada22; Dec 28, 2013 at 7:05 pm
tomcanada22 is offline  
Old Dec 28, 2013, 7:00 pm
  #1194  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 260
Originally Posted by rampartmovie
I am so jealous of you guys who have CVS around Dammit out here in Seattle, its barren lands for reloading Serve with VGC. Stupid 7-11's always need cash..Sigh...


Don't be just yet as my brother has Serve and he had trouble loading via CVS. Seems not all CVS allow it.
tomcanada22 is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 12:31 am
  #1195  
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 190
Originally Posted by tomcanada22
Don't be just yet as my brother has Serve and he had trouble loading via CVS. Seems not all CVS allow it.
The same CVS that used to work a couple of days back stopped working today as of 5pm PST. I sure hope this is just a temporary thing!
jackiesyu is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 10:17 am
  #1196  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
I tried to load Serve using a NW Buxx card and got an error message to call AMEX. They told me that I can't use a prepaid card and de-linked it from my account
fr33b13 is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 11:45 am
  #1197  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW,OVB (Russia)
Programs: AA HH Gold SPG Gold BA
Posts: 1,823
apologies if this has been answered before but

Can serve be used as another means to offload VGCs? If so, is it safe to or can that trigger a shutdown? If its too risky I can just wait till January
Thanks
rgAAFT is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 4:58 pm
  #1198  
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
I have used Serve with no problem, even use the balance to pay Amex and not shut down yet. I would not wait until Jan, the new month resets the load clock.

Judyjfla

Originally Posted by rgAAFT
apologies if this has been answered before but

Can serve be used as another means to offload VGCs? If so, is it safe to or can that trigger a shutdown? If its too risky I can just wait till January
Thanks

Last edited by JudyJFLA; Dec 29, 2013 at 5:23 pm
JudyJFLA is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 8:57 pm
  #1199  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 340
Go to cvs to load. Do not do it online.
ericliujian is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2013, 8:58 pm
  #1200  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 340
Yes.Yes.
ericliujian 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.