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.
#6226
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Chicago Burbs
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 223
Also sorry for another question, I just wanna make sure I have it 100% clear.
Once I set up isis, I do not EVER need data again right ? If I wanna do the $1 transactions at McDonalds, etc you can do that without service right ?
you just tap the phone and the transactions go through their machine ?
Once I set up isis, I do not EVER need data again right ? If I wanna do the $1 transactions at McDonalds, etc you can do that without service right ?
you just tap the phone and the transactions go through their machine ?
#6227
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
I tried putting my US Airways / Barclays card in Serve again tonight, it was rejected, again. It works everywhere I take it in person and most places online - unless I'm trying to buy VGC or Serve, etc. (I've used it 7x this week, 2 online, 5 in person, balance ~$250, many thousands available credit still.)
Serve tells me its not them and I believe them.
What is the issue here?
Serve tells me its not them and I believe them.
What is the issue here?
#6228
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 632
Success loading with an AU Ink Plus card for those interested. Took a security call though.
#6229
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
I tried putting my US Airways / Barclays card in Serve again tonight, it was rejected, again. It works everywhere I take it in person and most places online - unless I'm trying to buy VGC or Serve, etc. (I've used it 7x this week, 2 online, 5 in person, balance ~$250, many thousands available credit still.)
Serve tells me its not them and I believe them.
What is the issue here?
Serve tells me its not them and I believe them.
What is the issue here?
#6230
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
OK I FIGURED IT OUT - for those of us who live in APARTMENTS!
That was the problem!
So, this is what Barclays does: You give them your home address, like 1234 Main St, Apt 999.
Barclay's system immediately ignores USPS convention and every other source of logic, and they put the apartment on the FIRST LINE instead of the second line like they are supposed to, and put your street address on the second line instead of the first line. Basically, their system looks for anyone with an address at an apartment, and swaps them, contrary to USPS convention.
So, in their AVS (Address Verification System) your address is saved as this:
Apt 999
1234 Main St
So, when Amex goes to authorize it, the AVS comes back as "no match."
So, first I went into my Barclay's profile, and fixed my address: I put the street address first, the apartment second, and saved it.
By the next day Barclay's had swapped them back!
So I went in and tried to fix it again. Then I went to Serve and tried to authorize it immediately. Still wouldn't work - because although its fixed in your online account, it is STILL not fixed in their AVS system - which is probably updated once a day, AFTER they "fix" your address!
Now, I run a business and have a merchant account, so I started running my card for $1 to see what was going on. First I tried with my address "1234 Main St" and was DECLINED. Then I tried with my address as "Apt 999" and was APPROVED.
So I realized their AVS is not updated. So I go to Serve, and try "Apt 999".
FAIL. I have no idea why.
So THEN I try, and this is insane, just "Apt".
Yes, when it asked for address, I put:
APT
And bingo, Serve approves me.
What a crap company Barclay's is.
TL;DR: if you live in apartment and try to load your Barclay's card to Serve, go to your Profile in Barclay's, look at ONLY THE VERY FIRST NUMBER OR WORD THEY HAVE for your address, and ONLY put that in - nothing more, nothing less. Do not try to fix it, do not try to change it, do not put anything else in. For street address you put the first "word" or "number" on your street address in the profile as barclay's tells you they are. Barclay's word is god. Do not attempt to correct them.
That was the problem!
So, this is what Barclays does: You give them your home address, like 1234 Main St, Apt 999.
Barclay's system immediately ignores USPS convention and every other source of logic, and they put the apartment on the FIRST LINE instead of the second line like they are supposed to, and put your street address on the second line instead of the first line. Basically, their system looks for anyone with an address at an apartment, and swaps them, contrary to USPS convention.
So, in their AVS (Address Verification System) your address is saved as this:
Apt 999
1234 Main St
So, when Amex goes to authorize it, the AVS comes back as "no match."
So, first I went into my Barclay's profile, and fixed my address: I put the street address first, the apartment second, and saved it.
By the next day Barclay's had swapped them back!
So I went in and tried to fix it again. Then I went to Serve and tried to authorize it immediately. Still wouldn't work - because although its fixed in your online account, it is STILL not fixed in their AVS system - which is probably updated once a day, AFTER they "fix" your address!
Now, I run a business and have a merchant account, so I started running my card for $1 to see what was going on. First I tried with my address "1234 Main St" and was DECLINED. Then I tried with my address as "Apt 999" and was APPROVED.
So I realized their AVS is not updated. So I go to Serve, and try "Apt 999".
FAIL. I have no idea why.
So THEN I try, and this is insane, just "Apt".
Yes, when it asked for address, I put:
APT
And bingo, Serve approves me.
What a crap company Barclay's is.
TL;DR: if you live in apartment and try to load your Barclay's card to Serve, go to your Profile in Barclay's, look at ONLY THE VERY FIRST NUMBER OR WORD THEY HAVE for your address, and ONLY put that in - nothing more, nothing less. Do not try to fix it, do not try to change it, do not put anything else in. For street address you put the first "word" or "number" on your street address in the profile as barclay's tells you they are. Barclay's word is god. Do not attempt to correct them.
#6231
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 394
Also, I swapped my address on Simon and it worked.
Finally, I can't figure out how to edit the Wiki. Someone want to do this?
Finally, I can't figure out how to edit the Wiki. Someone want to do this?
#6232
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS .. but soon SFO
Programs: UA PLAT, TK GLD, Hilton Diamond, IC PLAT, SPG GLD, Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,528
I went to cvs today and saw they are doing free loads to serve much like WM @ cash register, at least that's what the advertised in Rhode Island
Has anyone tried a pin load @ cvs?
Has anyone tried a pin load @ cvs?
#6236
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
Huh, never had to call in Serve to use my CC. Does that happen often? Loaded $800 from it with no intervention.
#6237
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 466
When I switched CC on my account, I loaded the card, loaded $200, then waited a week or so to load again. Haven't had to call yet.
#6238
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 149
Seems hit or miss. My conjecture is that it happens to people who load a CC, and then try to load $200 immediately and then again on consecutive days.
When I switched CC on my account, I loaded the card, loaded $200, then waited a week or so to load again. Haven't had to call yet.
When I switched CC on my account, I loaded the card, loaded $200, then waited a week or so to load again. Haven't had to call yet.
#6239
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Tried to open again, denied due to
Called up Account Protection Services again at 800-555-4318 and spoke to nice lady and explained my hypothesis that their original issue was due to my ChexSystems report being under security freeze. She put me on a long hold while she tracked down a supervisor for help. I got the non-helpful response that legal says the account is under lockdown due to some kind of fraud and they don't think I'll ever be allowed to have an account. The CSR also stated the issue was with how the account was maintained. Being that I just opened it, never had any transactions and only had responded to their request for SS Card and Passport copies, I don't feel I did anything untoward in my account maintenance.
I'll try again for my wife, but this time unfreeze her ChexSystems report before opening hers.
Kind of bummed that they are treating me like I've done something wrong.
I wonder if something else is going on here since my Amex GC purchases have been declined now for about two months now, despite working previously. Could I be red flagged in their system as a non-profitable customer?
Called up Account Protection Services again at 800-555-4318 and spoke to nice lady and explained my hypothesis that their original issue was due to my ChexSystems report being under security freeze. She put me on a long hold while she tracked down a supervisor for help. I got the non-helpful response that legal says the account is under lockdown due to some kind of fraud and they don't think I'll ever be allowed to have an account. The CSR also stated the issue was with how the account was maintained. Being that I just opened it, never had any transactions and only had responded to their request for SS Card and Passport copies, I don't feel I did anything untoward in my account maintenance.
I'll try again for my wife, but this time unfreeze her ChexSystems report before opening hers.
Kind of bummed that they are treating me like I've done something wrong.
I wonder if something else is going on here since my Amex GC purchases have been declined now for about two months now, despite working previously. Could I be red flagged in their system as a non-profitable customer?
Too many inquiries on your report can cause Chexsystems to "flag" your account for suspicious activity. It is very important to know where you can and can not get an approval at prior to applying at a bank. Too many denials can cause a bank that you might have been able to open an account at originally to deny you for these inquiries. Unfortunately this is a mistake that many people make when they first find out that they are reported to Chexsystems. Once they have been denied by a bank they tend to start applying just anywhere and everywhere only to be denied more.
#6240
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
Payments from Serve
I apologize if these questions have already been asked and answered. I have read the majority of this thread and the wiki several times. My questions are as follows:
1) If one designates a person who does not have a Serve account as a payee and requests that a payment be sent to that person, what means is used to send the payment? I was originally under the impression that it would be an ACH transfer, but don't believe that's the case.
One Serve CSR told me that it would be an ACH transfer and said that I should enter the payee's bank routing number and account number in the Account number field (and the second field which is used to confirm the "Account number"). That didn't seem right to me, so I called back and spoke to another CSR who told me that a physical check would be mailed to the payee.
Can anyone confirm the means by which payment would be made to a payee who is a person and does not have a Serve account? Also, does anyone know the cost associated with such a payment? If a check has to be physically sent by mail, I can't imagine that Amex would absorb the cost.
2) The Serve website indicates that the Serve iOS mobile app can be used to "add checks" and shows a representation of a check on a mobile phone. I am not able to locate that functionality in the iOS app. Can someone tell me how to access that functionality in the iOS app? Can this functionality be used to initiate an outgoing ACH transfer?
1) If one designates a person who does not have a Serve account as a payee and requests that a payment be sent to that person, what means is used to send the payment? I was originally under the impression that it would be an ACH transfer, but don't believe that's the case.
One Serve CSR told me that it would be an ACH transfer and said that I should enter the payee's bank routing number and account number in the Account number field (and the second field which is used to confirm the "Account number"). That didn't seem right to me, so I called back and spoke to another CSR who told me that a physical check would be mailed to the payee.
Can anyone confirm the means by which payment would be made to a payee who is a person and does not have a Serve account? Also, does anyone know the cost associated with such a payment? If a check has to be physically sent by mail, I can't imagine that Amex would absorb the cost.
2) The Serve website indicates that the Serve iOS mobile app can be used to "add checks" and shows a representation of a check on a mobile phone. I am not able to locate that functionality in the iOS app. Can someone tell me how to access that functionality in the iOS app? Can this functionality be used to initiate an outgoing ACH transfer?