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.
#5627
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 1,153
I'm gonna go away now since I've been making ... of myself lately.
Last edited by vagrants; Jul 30, 2014 at 10:44 am
#5628
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 404
I say I want to load $1000. When we get to the step where the POS asks you to confirm the amount I hit yes and tell them I need to split it into $500 swipes. If they look incredulous I mention that my debit card is limited to $500 per swipe, otherwise I don't say anything beyond the need to split.
#5629
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: South Florida
Posts: 13
You might consider that by waiting you can load $5k for August on the Serve, unload via billpay, close Serve. Open Isis, load $5k for August there.
By waiting, you get an extra $5k load for the month of August.
Did a quick Google search and the site below says the $50 is through 7/30 but I didn't see a t-mobile link that confirms
http://slickdeals.net/f/7044328-50-i...obile-only?v=1
By waiting, you get an extra $5k load for the month of August.
Did a quick Google search and the site below says the $50 is through 7/30 but I didn't see a t-mobile link that confirms
http://slickdeals.net/f/7044328-50-i...obile-only?v=1
I guess I will just do what you say, at least will do an extra load. Don't want to close Serve account when the money is not being delivered to the credit card yet. Not taking chances.
Thx for your help.
#5630
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
I say I want to load $1000. When we get to the step where the POS asks you to confirm the amount I hit yes and tell them I need to split it into $500 swipes. If they look incredulous I mention that my debit card is limited to $500 per swipe, otherwise I don't say anything beyond the need to split.
#5632
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
#5633
#5634
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 73
Anyone ever had a billpay check never get cashed?
I sent $375 back in late march to pay off a citi business card and citi never cashed the check (or at least never credited it to my account). I read on the Serve User Agreement that checked which are not cashed are refunded to the serve account after 90 days. So around the 90 day mark I called and asked about getting the funds back in my account. The Serve rep said they usually show up within 5-7 business days.
I forgot to follow up after the 7 days has elapsed but called in today for an explanation. First serve rep I talked with said that she had no record on the account of me calling in June about the transaction. She was not able to see whether the check was ever cashed, but just kept telling me "the funds left your account so the merchant was sent the check" (YES, I know the funds left the account, they leave the account when you submit the billpay). The rep didn't seem to even know about the 90 day rule....
I just called back and ask a different representative about the issue (but did not bring up the specific transaction this time, just asked in general). They had to inquire with their supervisor because they didn't know but came back and told me if the check is not cashed in 6 months it would be refunded to my account.
Anyone have experience with this issue?
I sent $375 back in late march to pay off a citi business card and citi never cashed the check (or at least never credited it to my account). I read on the Serve User Agreement that checked which are not cashed are refunded to the serve account after 90 days. So around the 90 day mark I called and asked about getting the funds back in my account. The Serve rep said they usually show up within 5-7 business days.
I forgot to follow up after the 7 days has elapsed but called in today for an explanation. First serve rep I talked with said that she had no record on the account of me calling in June about the transaction. She was not able to see whether the check was ever cashed, but just kept telling me "the funds left your account so the merchant was sent the check" (YES, I know the funds left the account, they leave the account when you submit the billpay). The rep didn't seem to even know about the 90 day rule....
I just called back and ask a different representative about the issue (but did not bring up the specific transaction this time, just asked in general). They had to inquire with their supervisor because they didn't know but came back and told me if the check is not cashed in 6 months it would be refunded to my account.
Anyone have experience with this issue?
Last edited by Kylash; Jul 30, 2014 at 2:16 pm
#5635
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Arizona
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Southwest CP, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 93
Im trying to add my second $200 CC load to my fiance's account but it requests that I call customer service to give additional info. The problem is she works during the customer services ridiculously short hours and cant call in. I manage the account for her so she doesnt really know what to ask for anyway. Does anyone know if I could call in and do it for her? What info do they request?
#5636
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: US Airways Gold, Marriott Platinum, SW A List
Posts: 1,575
Im trying to add my second $200 CC load to my fiance's account but it requests that I call customer service to give additional info. The problem is she works during the customer services ridiculously short hours and cant call in. I manage the account for her so she doesnt really know what to ask for anyway. Does anyone know if I could call in and do it for her? What info do they request?
#5637
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 73
Im trying to add my second $200 CC load to my fiance's account but it requests that I call customer service to give additional info. The problem is she works during the customer services ridiculously short hours and cant call in. I manage the account for her so she doesnt really know what to ask for anyway. Does anyone know if I could call in and do it for her? What info do they request?
#5638
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HNL
Posts: 55
Im trying to add my second $200 CC load to my fiance's account but it requests that I call customer service to give additional info. The problem is she works during the customer services ridiculously short hours and cant call in. I manage the account for her so she doesnt really know what to ask for anyway. Does anyone know if I could call in and do it for her? What info do they request?
However, I believe they run their customer service 24/7. I have called on the weekends and spoken to people. I live in Hawaii, and have called in the afternoon here and still gotten through.
PRO-tip: save that link and if you ever change CC again, pre-emptively upload the documents the day before your CC change.
#5639
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 313
You can probably just do the secure upload of her ID and CC, wait a day, and then try the transaction again. Usually within 24 hours of the failed load attempt you will get an email with instructions and the link to upload secure documents.
However, I believe they run their customer service 24/7. I have called on the weekends and spoken to people. I live in Hawaii, and have called in the afternoon here and still gotten through.
PRO-tip: save that link and if you ever change CC again, pre-emptively upload the documents the day before your CC change.
However, I believe they run their customer service 24/7. I have called on the weekends and spoken to people. I live in Hawaii, and have called in the afternoon here and still gotten through.
PRO-tip: save that link and if you ever change CC again, pre-emptively upload the documents the day before your CC change.
#5640
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: CT
Programs: AA, SW, UR
Posts: 7
FD Missing $500 - Refund Approach
So I talked to the manager at FD after trying to do two $500 Loads to Serve in one day, and the second one getting "lost". This was days later so she suggested I send an email to FD Headquarters. I used the email form on their website and sent in my personal info and description of the problem. Next day (yesterday) I get an email asking for the last four digits of my debit card. Today I got an email which included the following "A refund has been issued back to card ending with 9582 in the amount of $500.00. Please note that if you bank with a regular bank please allow 7-10 business days before credit post. But if your debit/credit card is with a prepaid company please allow up to 30 business days before credit post."
So refund to my debit card should be on it's way - just need to be patient.
So refund to my debit card should be on it's way - just need to be patient.