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Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon payments (2015)

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Old Jan 10, 2015, 8:55 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: ericdabbs
The previous megathread is here.

Read the wiki before posting a question.
It's a literacy test that's easy to pass.


As of April 16, 2015 regular Serve cards will only accept American Express network cards for online credit card loads.
Softcard Serve accounts are apparently grandfathered in the old system and continue to work as before, being able to load Mastercard, Visa, and Discover (see below).


Serve loads count towards minimum spend on AmEx-issued cards, including SPG.

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.


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

Regular 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 [B]
  • Online Credit Card Load (AmEx only) - $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.

Softcard Serve
Softcard has shutdown and there is no longer any way to apply for this version.
  • 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
  • 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.

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.

OneVip Card: (Mucho gracias, AndrewTheMan)
This card is essentially just like the regular, fee-free, "old" serve. You may reload this card up to $2,500/day; $1,000/transaction at Walmart (not impacted by Blue Bird daily limit change). Have not tested FD or anywhere else. KATE takes this no problems..
You can use this to load the FIDO AMEX up to 1k a month.

Limits for online debit card and credit card loads reset at 9 PM PST/12 AM EST

Online Credit Card Loads
Only one card can be linked at a time.

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.

A few report no problems 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.

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. One person with a Serve/Softcard account reported being sent to the main Serve number for this process.

https://www.serve.com/help/#add-money-5

Regular Serve Credit Card Loading

Regular Serve can only load from American Express network cards. In addition to those issued directly by American Express, this includes the following:
  • AAA Rewards AmEx
  • Alitalia AmEx
  • Bank of America Accelerated Rewards AmEx
  • Bank of America Asiana Airlines AmEx
  • Bank of Hawaii AmEx Card with MyBankoh Rewards
  • Bloomingdale's AmEx
  • Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select AmEx
  • Citi Dividend AmEx (not obtainable unless specifically requested)
  • Citi Thank You Preferred AmEx (not obtainable unless specifically requested)
  • Dillard's AmEx
  • FNBO AmEx
  • FNBO Graphite AmEx
  • FNBO Platinum AmEx
  • Macy's AmEx
  • Penfed Premium Travel Rewards AmEx
  • SavingStar AmEx
  • Travelocity AmEx
  • US Bank Flexperks AmEx
  • USAA Cash Rewards/Rewards Plus AmEx
  • Wells Fargo Propel World/365 AmEx

Softcard Serve Credit Card Loading

If you are fortunate enough to be grandfathered into a Softcard Serve Account, you can also load other credit cards beside American Express cards. Softcard Serve is not available to new applicants anymore so you'll need to get one of the other Serve options if you don't already have one. In general, Mastercard and American Express cards post as purchases. Visa cards transact as a cash advance and, therefore, require available CA limit; although most cards post as a purchase.

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
  • Wells Fargo (American Express)

Treated as purchase, but doesn't earn points/miles:
  • American Express issued (Counts toward minimum spend -- see post #434) but does not earn points. Example: For the Delta Amex card, Serve counts towards min spend DL miles sign-up bonus, but that spend and subsequent trials of spend on Serve will not earn points. Don't do it, man!

Posts as a cash advance:
The Chase Ink Bold is a charge card and has no cash advance ability.

A few report being unable to add the Chase IHG MC.

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
Helpful instruction post, latest. Thanks raeneye.

Also see this thread: Switching from Serve to BlueBird - 31 day wait???

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.

Switching from Redbird is presumably similar. See the RedCard thread for more information.

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 #7
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Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon payments (2015)

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Old Oct 1, 2015, 3:29 pm
  #2281  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Originally Posted by droidcore
So, wife has the new BLUE Serve card that I will finish loading tomorrow (even with the crap $3.95 fee). After the bills are payed, anyone know the best way to switch this account to a One VIP card? Contact AMEX and have them switch the account to a One VIP, or just close the account (online) and apply for a One VIP a day later? Thanks for any intel.
Read the Wiki and follow the instructions for switching from BB. Only difference is that you can do online vs calling in.
cdancer20 is offline  
Old Oct 1, 2015, 8:43 pm
  #2282  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 348
I loaded today through both Kate and cashiers. The 1st day of each month is usually the best time for me to load Serve. There are generally more cashiers than normal and some of them have no lines and are just waiting for customers.

While I was using Kate I saw at least 2 cashiers with no customers. So I finished my Kate loads and went over to one of the cashiers to do the rest. Cashier loads are always much faster than Kate anyway.
Flyby01 is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015, 7:31 am
  #2283  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Champaign, IL
Programs: Total Rewards Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 564
I have a pair of head phones that are worth about $0.10. I'm going to cut the headphone jack off of them and try plugging that into KATE today to shut the damn thing up. That should make things a bit more pleasant.
pwd847 is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015, 9:33 am
  #2284  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: Citi TY, Barclay Travel
Posts: 1
hi all, new to FT.

although I did read some of the earlier posts, but could someone confirm if swapping the cards in Serve (softcard) did not cause any issue.
Currently I have the Barclay MC linked to it and want to swap it with Citi MC.
Read the "limits" on Serve page, it mentions Amex CC even for Softcard serves.
Even called the CSR they also mentioned only Amex CC's.
So, if someone did recently, please share your experience.
pathfndr15 is offline  
Old Oct 2, 2015, 10:07 am
  #2285  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NY
Programs: MR, UR, UA
Posts: 180
Originally Posted by pathfndr15
hi all, new to FT.

although I did read some of the earlier posts, but could someone confirm if swapping the cards in Serve (softcard) did not cause any issue.
Currently I have the Barclay MC linked to it and want to swap it with Citi MC.
Read the "limits" on Serve page, it mentions Amex CC even for Softcard serves.
Even called the CSR they also mentioned only Amex CC's.
So, if someone did recently, please share your experience.
Just unlinked my Chase United Explorer visa for a CSP visa today. No issues.
sponge_gto is offline  
Old Oct 3, 2015, 10:19 pm
  #2286  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 38
$6k in one FD trip across three cards today. Hallelujah!
valedecem is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2015, 1:15 pm
  #2287  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Reisterstown, MD, USA
Posts: 117
Originally Posted by valedecem
$6k in one FD trip across three cards today. Hallelujah!
Nice.

Today, I loaded my Blue Serve card using one VGC at each of 3 local Family Dollar stores. They scanned a reload card at the register. I had two $500 VGC's from Simon (Arundel Mills Mall in MD) and one $375 card from Giant Food. I'll be vising the Wawa and Royal Farms ATMs ($400 and $200 max respectively) this week.

Between that and natural spending I reached the $3K minimum spend on my Prestige card in two days.
hdatontodo is offline  
Old Oct 4, 2015, 7:40 pm
  #2288  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 20
US BANK Loads

3 months in a row loading Club Carlson 3x500. A purchase each time. Might want to update the wiki.
ucfGemini01 is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2015, 7:57 am
  #2289  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Originally Posted by hdatontodo
Nice.

Today, I loaded my Blue Serve card using one VGC at each of 3 local Family Dollar stores. They scanned a reload card at the register. I had two $500 VGC's from Simon (Arundel Mills Mall in MD) and one $375 card from Giant Food. I'll be vising the Wawa and Royal Farms ATMs ($400 and $200 max respectively) this week.

Between that and natural spending I reached the $3K minimum spend on my Prestige card in two days.
Reminder, there is no reason to go out of your way to withdraw money from the ATM. Just billpay your credit cards.
cdancer20 is offline  
Old Oct 5, 2015, 8:54 am
  #2290  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: SoCal
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Lifetime Platinum, MR Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 249
Originally Posted by pwd847
I have a pair of head phones that are worth about $0.10. I'm going to cut the headphone jack off of them and try plugging that into KATE today to shut the damn thing up. That should make things a bit more pleasant.

(scream as loud as possible) $500
kenme1 is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2015, 8:31 am
  #2291  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 57
I've read that its important to ensure the credit card used to load Serve is under the same name as the Serve account holder's name... but are there any other activities that i should be cautious about when managing a serve card under my mom's name that are not listed in the wiki?

e.g. can i transfer money from my mom's serve to my bank account without facing account shutdown?
can i pay my credit cards with her serve without facing shutdown?

Thanks!
rihc55 is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2015, 8:50 am
  #2292  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AS MVP GOLD, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 47
First attempt to load VGC - Fail... (newbie)

Hello everyone,
Today I tried my first transaction, a test, at a local WM. I'm depressed lol

I bought from Simon Mall a VGC (Debit Card) for $50.
I then activated it over the phone and assigned a pin.
I then went to WM to a cashier and asked them to load my Serve account.
They took my Serve Card then asked me to swipe the form of payment and asked me how much i wanted to load. I said $50.
She said there was going to be a fee ($2.97 i think it was)?.
I swiped the GC and inserted the PIN.
I punched the "no cashback" button when it showed.
The transaction did not go through.
So we tried again. This time i said $40 (thinking the $2.97 was pushing the transaction over the $50 available on the GC).
It still did not go through.
I'm doing something wrong for sure...
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Kudu19 is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2015, 10:18 am
  #2293  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by rihc55
e.g. can i transfer money from my mom's serve to my bank account without facing account shutdown?
can i pay my credit cards with her serve without facing shutdown?
no and yes

please refer to post #2295 for details.

Last edited by Mamibear; Oct 6, 2015 at 1:15 pm
Mamibear is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2015, 11:35 am
  #2294  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by Mamibear
yes and yes


Lovely thanks for the quick reply!
rihc55 is offline  
Old Oct 6, 2015, 1:14 pm
  #2295  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by rihc55
Lovely thanks for the quick reply!
I stand corrected and I don't want to give you misinfo. I just re-read your ? and you're asking if it's ok to send money from your mom's serve to YOUR bank account? NO you can't do that because the receiving bank SHOULD have the same name as the person sending money to it. I don't think she can do that on her end because they verify the bank acct is in the acct holder's name before it is approved.

HOWEVER, what you can do is to send money from your mom's Serve to your own account and transfer will be instant. On your mom's acct, click Send Money and type in YOUR Serve email address for instant transfer of funds. Once $ is in your acct, you can transfer that to your bank acct although if it was me, I'd just do a B/P to prevent any problems later. Weigh this carefully so as not to get flagged.

as to paying YOUR CC with her Serve account balance, that is not a problem.

I apologize for giving wrong advice to your first question.
Mamibear is offline  


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