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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 Dec 1, 2015, 4:19 pm
  #3136  
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 375
Loading Serve Issue

Tried to load my Serve One VIP card today at KATE (still the old version) with a $200 MasterCard gift card bought from OfficeMax. Entered PIN, hit enter and the PIN number disappears! I kept entering PIN and hitting enter button and the PIN kept disappearing. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
Chasepoints is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 4:32 pm
  #3137  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Data point: Family Dollar using Target VGC

Target seems to have new cards this season, issued by Target Bank. The prior ones were Metabank. I'd grabbed a $100 VGC last week at Kroger (since I found a fee-free offer in my account and they were doing 4x fuel points) so I wanted something to top that off. I didn't think these would receive the 5% REDcard discount but figured it was worth a try since I was there anyway. At $6 for a $400 VGC, they are otherwise quite expensive. And yes, no 5% discount.

Anyway, I had no issues loading this at FD. You set the PIN upon first use. I wasn't sure about multiple swipes with FD (I'd only been once before) so I did a separate transaction for the $100, and that went smoothly as well.

Since there don't seem to be credit cards that offer a category bonus at TGT otherwise, I don't imagine anyone will want to go this route. Just wanted to add my two cents in case this seems a better option for some. At least I didn't have to show ID, which KR requires even for $100 VGCs.
Carl is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 4:55 pm
  #3138  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,112
Originally Posted by Carl
Target seems to have new cards this season, issued by Target Bank. The prior ones were Metabank. I'd grabbed a $100 VGC last week at Kroger (since I found a fee-free offer in my account and they were doing 4x fuel points) so I wanted something to top that off. I didn't think these would receive the 5% REDcard discount but figured it was worth a try since I was there anyway. At $6 for a $400 VGC, they are otherwise quite expensive. And yes, no 5% discount.

Anyway, I had no issues loading this at FD. You set the PIN upon first use. I wasn't sure about multiple swipes with FD (I'd only been once before) so I did a separate transaction for the $100, and that went smoothly as well.

Since there don't seem to be credit cards that offer a category bonus at TGT otherwise, I don't imagine anyone will want to go this route. Just wanted to add my two cents in case this seems a better option for some. At least I didn't have to show ID, which KR requires even for $100 VGCs.
This is getting a little off-topic, but some Targets are coded as grocery stores. Check the Visa merchant locator for your specific location.
Phantom707 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 5:56 pm
  #3139  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: DL, Marriott
Posts: 728
Any thoughts on the below? What does Serve define as a 'calendar month' as far as resetting the $5k load @ Walmart limit? In addition to the below...my Serve currently says I've loaded $2000 so far, but I did $1000 today, but the last time I did another $1000 was November 23.

Just trying to figure out if the $5K limit is from 1st to 31st of months, or if the limit resets mid-month or something.

Originally Posted by pritomd
Question about the calendar limit ($5000 per month).

I loaded $500 x 2 to Serve from two different FD on November 8th.

On November 19 my monthly fee was waived.

On November 23 I loaded $1000 from a Citigold debit card at a Walmart (same method as VGC loading...not online DC load).

So I'd expect that for November, I'm $2000 against my limit.

However, when I go to Settings>View your monthly fee status, it says that I've only loaded $1000 this month.

How does my load limit really work? Is it really by calendar month? How come this view only says I've loaded $1000 then instead of $2000? Is a 'Calendar Month' off by a few days?
pritomd is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 6:28 pm
  #3140  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by pritomd
Any thoughts on the below? What does Serve define as a 'calendar month' as far as resetting the $5k load @ Walmart limit? In addition to the below...my Serve currently says I've loaded $2000 so far, but I did $1000 today, but the last time I did another $1000 was November 23.

Just trying to figure out if the $5K limit is from 1st to 31st of months, or if the limit resets mid-month or something.
Calendar month is different from your statement month. Limits are driven by the former.
Carl is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 8:01 pm
  #3141  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Just off the Main Line
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT 2MM, DL Lifetime GM 2MM, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium Elite, HH Diamond, IHG Amb Diamond
Posts: 881
Originally Posted by Stripy
Apparently Serve is now reloadable at Rite Aid and Dollar General. Is this news or have I just not heard about this?

http://www.travelingformiles.com/ser...dollar-general
I've been meaning to post, I have been successfully loading Serve with Gift Cards for a few weeks now. I started with the Cashback Silver Serve card (my mistake). They allow GC loads but charge $3.95. So I closed that one, got a OneVIP (only took a week) and now can load Visa Gift Cards FOR FREE! I have two Rite Aids within a mile of me, both are very friendly and don't have any issue with the GC loads. But as with every other opportunity in the MS biz, I'll take this with a dose of reality that it might not last.

I'm in the western Philly suburbs.
Governator is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 8:08 pm
  #3142  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
Rite Aid and The Dollar General Store, will be SERVING SERVE also...

Another Avenue for a Revenue
satman40 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 8:09 pm
  #3143  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by Governator
I've been meaning to post, I have been successfully loading Serve with Gift Cards for a few weeks now. I started with the Cashback Silver Serve card (my mistake). They allow GC loads but charge $3.95. So I closed that one, got a OneVIP (only took a week) and now can load Visa Gift Cards FOR FREE! I have two Rite Aids within a mile of me, both are very friendly and don't have any issue with the GC loads. But as with every other opportunity in the MS biz, I'll take this with a dose of reality that it might not last.

I'm in the western Philly suburbs.
Thanks much for the info. RAD would be a much easier choice for me than any of the other retailers that accept debit. Heck, I have one within walking distance. Look forward to trying it soon.
Carl is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 8:42 pm
  #3144  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 589
If I have regular serve and I want to get serve VIP, do I have to cancel the Regular serve first then apply for serve VIP or can I upgrade to VIP somewhere online?.

Thanks-
ual902 is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 9:30 pm
  #3145  
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 237
Trying to add AA Aviator - old Barclay US Airways card - in my serve account but my only option is Barclaycard as payee.

My Arrival is set with Barclays Bank Delaware but not showing up as an option anymore.

Can I my AA aviator to "Barclaycard" or is this a totally different payee?
nowstime is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2015, 9:58 pm
  #3146  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by Stripy
Apparently Serve is now reloadable at Rite Aid and Dollar General. Is this news or have I just not heard about this?

http://www.travelingformiles.com/ser...dollar-general
There have been mentions of DG for a long time on FT and of RA on reddit and FT for at least a couple weeks: https://www.reddit.com/r/thehobby/co...serve_riteaid/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/25749179-post3079.html

Now that a blogger has found it, let the spoon feeding begin!

It was kind of fun teaching RA the cashiers how to do it. One insisted there was no such thing, that it was impossible, all the while standing steps from two five-foot-tall posters encouraging customers to re-load Serve.

RA still takes debit in my town and I'm trying to keep it that way by each trip loading one card each to a maximum of two Serves, mine and/or family's.

The green Serve may be worth a monthly fee if you don't like WM. So far no charge yet for old blue Serve either, just don't question the cashier about it! And buying and unloading in the same trip just seems to be asking for trouble down the road.
noassumptions is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2015, 12:26 am
  #3147  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 88
Does serve allow me to pay my student loan lender by providing an address/contact info?
BananaPeppers is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2015, 12:33 am
  #3148  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: AA PLT, AS 75K, DL DM, HY Globalist, HH Diamond, MC/RZ/SW Platinum, AB/UA Silver, WN CP
Posts: 1,122
Originally Posted by nowstime
Trying to add AA Aviator - old Barclay US Airways card - in my serve account but my only option is Barclaycard as payee.

My Arrival is set with Barclays Bank Delaware but not showing up as an option anymore.

Can I my AA aviator to "Barclaycard" or is this a totally different payee?
My Arrival+ is set as BB DE and the Aviator shows as Barclaycard.
Carl is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2015, 12:39 am
  #3149  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
Adding DG is huge for me. Hardly any family dollar stores in my area.
TMM1982 is offline  
Old Dec 2, 2015, 7:38 am
  #3150  
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Originally Posted by calmasahinducow
Has anyone had any success loading (via Kate) the $500 MCGC that are sold at Office Max?
Yes
briang191 is offline  


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