Jan 10, 2015, 8:55 pm
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
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.
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:
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:
Treated as purchase, but doesn't earn points/miles:
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
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:
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 #7
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
- 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.
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
Serve - Another Paypal/Amazon payments (2015)
Apr 4, 2015, 8:04 pm
#916
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 26
Has anyone successfully LINKED a non-amex this month? I just tried to link an Arrival Plus and was told they're allowing loads from non-amex cards until the 16th but only for cards that are already linked to the account. They wouldn't link my Arrival plus for me, saying the system was already hardcoded against linking non-amex cards.
Apr 5, 2015, 2:36 am
#917
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 166
I'm still torn as to whether to close my Softcard Serve account. I recently got approved for US Bank Amex Flexperks. It will be my only Amex branded card so I can now link it to my Amex Serve and preserve the Softcard $1500 online CC load rather than close Serve and switch to RedCard in my name. I already have one Redcard account thru a family member and this was going to make it two.
So $10K per month fee free with two redbirds or $6.5K per month fee free with one redbird and one amex serve?
Apr 5, 2015, 2:45 am
#918
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Apr 5, 2015, 2:49 am
#919
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
Thanks. Good to know.
I'm still torn as to whether to close my Softcard Serve account. I recently got approved for US Bank Amex Flexperks. It will be my only Amex branded card so I can now link it to my Amex Serve and preserve the Softcard $1500 online CC load rather than close Serve and switch to RedCard in my name. I already have one Redcard account thru a family member and this was going to make it two.
So $10K per month fee free with two redbirds or $6.5K per month fee free with one redbird and one amex serve?
I'm still torn as to whether to close my Softcard Serve account. I recently got approved for US Bank Amex Flexperks. It will be my only Amex branded card so I can now link it to my Amex Serve and preserve the Softcard $1500 online CC load rather than close Serve and switch to RedCard in my name. I already have one Redcard account thru a family member and this was going to make it two.
So $10K per month fee free with two redbirds or $6.5K per month fee free with one redbird and one amex serve?
Apr 5, 2015, 7:06 am
#920
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 69
Amez doesnt give you points loading serve, but counts towards minm spend
Apr 5, 2015, 7:29 am
#921
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 69
who's considering to drop Serve over REdbird, now that you cannot load serve with cc ?
Apr 5, 2015, 7:53 am
#922
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
With a lot of people switching to RB now, I'm more inclined to keep my Serve and wait for more opportunities that'll come. I expect more issues if more people flock to Target for free CC loads.
When others abandoned AP in the past, I stucked to it and it's still useful for my MS activities. Serve has been maintenance-free for me so it'll remain my bff.
When others abandoned AP in the past, I stucked to it and it's still useful for my MS activities. Serve has been maintenance-free for me so it'll remain my bff.
Apr 5, 2015, 8:33 am
#923
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
My understanding is that Amex cards issued by Amex count toward minimum spending when used on Serve but will not give you points/miles. However, I believe it is confirmed that the Amex Fidelity card (not issued by Amex) will give you points.
Are there any other confirmed Amex cards not issued by Amex that will generate points when used on Serve?
Are there any other confirmed Amex cards not issued by Amex that will generate points when used on Serve?
Apr 5, 2015, 9:32 am
#924
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
So, if I do replace by Serve and get RB, I would use less Amex Target or PP.....hate withdrawing cash and depositing in bank. Too cumbersome and stressful.
Apr 5, 2015, 11:13 am
#925
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: SAN
Programs: AA, SPG, UR, MR
Posts: 181
Debit cards?
I am still learning serve, I got the walmart $5k / mo VGC's down, as well as loading $1.5k CC / mo through Softcard- but I am still confused on how to use the $1.5k debit card quota.
How does the debit card loading work? From my understanding there aren't any debit cards that offer points, and trying to load a VGC as a debit card online will get your account shut down.
Many thanks
How does the debit card loading work? From my understanding there aren't any debit cards that offer points, and trying to load a VGC as a debit card online will get your account shut down.
Many thanks
Apr 5, 2015, 12:10 pm
#926
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
I am seriously debating. But the only reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is because as it is I am having a hard time maxing out my spend on Amex Target, 1 RedBird and two PP. Most months, I don't even get close to 75% of the max potential.
So, if I do replace by Serve and get RB, I would use less Amex Target or PP.....hate withdrawing cash and depositing in bank. Too cumbersome and stressful.
So, if I do replace by Serve and get RB, I would use less Amex Target or PP.....hate withdrawing cash and depositing in bank. Too cumbersome and stressful.
I have NEVER withdrawn cash from BB, Serve or RB. Bill Pays would have taken care 99% of the balance. Occasionally I do ACH request to transfer money to linked bank account. All are done online. Why this not work for you?
This is to the thread in general -
Before anyone claims the "closed loop" theory, let me tell you I have done Bill Pays ever since BB is introduced, to AMEX among other payees no less. NEVER hear anything.
Those who mistake "closed loop" would create an impression of money laundering have not the slightest idea on what the essence of money laundering is about - one of the essences of money laundering is to cover up the track of where the money is coming from, (from illegal sources to legal sources) and in the process employs mechanisms to make it untraceable.
Bill Pays and ACH all have full electronic records that are readily traceable.
Withdrawal of cash and then the trail stops right there. Some banks now dont even take cash deposits without ID and only to one's own account. Chase implements such policy since Feb 2014 - because Cash has no trace.
Last edited by Happy; Apr 5, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Apr 5, 2015, 12:25 pm
#928
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, Hilton Diamond, Wyndham Diamond, DL PM, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,305
I am not sure I understand your comment on this.
I have NEVER withdrawn cash from BB, Serve or RB. Bill Pays would have taken care 99% of the balance. Occasionally I do ACH request to transfer money to linked bank account. All are done online. Why this not work for you?
This is to the thread in general -
Before anyone claims the "closed loop" theory, let me tell you I have done Bill Pays ever since BB is introduced, to AMEX among other payees no less. NEVER hear anything.
Those who mistake "closed loop" would create an impression of money laundering have not the slightest idea on what the essence of money laundering is about - one of the essences of money laundering is to cover up the track of where the money is coming from, (from illegal sources to legal sources) and in the process employs mechanisms to make it untraceable.
Bill Pays and ACH all have full electronic records that are readily traceable.
Withdrawal of cash and then the trail stops right there. Some banks now dont even take cash deposits without ID and only to one's own account. Chase implements such policy since Feb 2014 - because Cash has no trace.
I have NEVER withdrawn cash from BB, Serve or RB. Bill Pays would have taken care 99% of the balance. Occasionally I do ACH request to transfer money to linked bank account. All are done online. Why this not work for you?
This is to the thread in general -
Before anyone claims the "closed loop" theory, let me tell you I have done Bill Pays ever since BB is introduced, to AMEX among other payees no less. NEVER hear anything.
Those who mistake "closed loop" would create an impression of money laundering have not the slightest idea on what the essence of money laundering is about - one of the essences of money laundering is to cover up the track of where the money is coming from, (from illegal sources to legal sources) and in the process employs mechanisms to make it untraceable.
Bill Pays and ACH all have full electronic records that are readily traceable.
Withdrawal of cash and then the trail stops right there. Some banks now dont even take cash deposits without ID and only to one's own account. Chase implements such policy since Feb 2014 - because Cash has no trace.
Apr 5, 2015, 2:35 pm
#929
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,767
Saying it more clearly, Amex Target and PP is cash -- RB is bill Pay. What I was saying is that I have a hard time maxing out loads on my Amex Target, Serve, RB and two PP. So, if I do switch from Serve to RB, I would reduce my Amex Target and PP loads because I have to deal with cash, as you rightly pointed out. The debate is only because I am not sure how long Amex would continue offering the RB freebie.
I did not want to change to RB last Dec thinking about the same thing - how long the freebie continues. Well, 4 months have since passed and 4 months of opp lost. I need 3 more days to clear out Serve then I will switch. Had I taken action in Dec, I would have enjoyed 4 months of freebie by now. Among the BB/SERVE/RB the switch is so easy there is no reason not to switch to the best product until it no longer so.
Apr 5, 2015, 4:12 pm
#930
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
Just a reminder to read the f$%#ing wiki.
Really. It makes you look so much less foolish.
Really. It makes you look so much less foolish.