Jan 6, 2016, 10:21 am
Last edit by: cbn42
The previous megathread is here.
The following megathread is at Amex Serve master thread (2017)
On January 8, 2016, most Serve cards that were being used for MS were closed by Amex due to "unusual activity". Recurring waves of shutdowns have continued.
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.
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.[/SIZE]
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
Loads at Dollar General - Works with Vanilla visa. Tried to load 2 500 gift cards and it worked. Not sure about more than 1000 $
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
The following megathread is at Amex Serve master thread (2017)
On January 8, 2016, most Serve cards that were being used for MS were closed by Amex due to "unusual activity". Recurring waves of shutdowns have continued.
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.
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.[/SIZE]
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
Loads at Dollar General - Works with Vanilla visa. Tried to load 2 500 gift cards and it worked. Not sure about more than 1000 $
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
Amex Serve (2016) [Many shutdowns starting Jan 8, 2016]
Jan 12, 2016, 10:59 am
#526
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I also got the "RB is closing" email. I wonder if AMEX figured out that their prepaid cards aren't profitable and will end the program. If they're worried about MS, all they have to do is stop BP or charge for it. Or limit it some other way.
In any case, I finally had the guts to load $10 from my PPBDMC today to one of my surviving OneVIP cards, and it worked fine.
In any case, I finally had the guts to load $10 from my PPBDMC today to one of my surviving OneVIP cards, and it worked fine.
Jan 12, 2016, 11:12 am
#527
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
I also got the "RB is closing" email. I wonder if AMEX figured out that their prepaid cards aren't profitable and will end the program. If they're worried about MS, all they have to do is stop BP or charge for it. Or limit it some other way.
In any case, I finally had the guts to load $10 from my PPBDMC today to one of my surviving OneVIP cards, and it worked fine.
In any case, I finally had the guts to load $10 from my PPBDMC today to one of my surviving OneVIP cards, and it worked fine.
Jan 12, 2016, 4:00 pm
#529
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
I spoke to Amex yesterday to find out why they closed my Amex credit card. The rep was as useful as a spoon in 3 feet of snow. You could tell that they were reading from a script, and all they would tell me is that I will be receiving a letter in the mail regarding the closure. I doubt it's a coincidence that the Amex CC *and* the Serve account were both closed at the same time. The CC account had a perfect payment history. I always paid in full. My credit reports are clean as a whistle. In terms of credit history, there's no apparent reason for this AA. I can't wait for this letter to arrive.
It was an Amex business card. I was doing loads of $1000/month with said card. I was not using this particular CC/Serve combo for miles. I was using the accounts to gain extra cashback rewards. I thought I was being careful, too. I wasn't loading daily. I spread out my loads. Didn't withdraw right away.
man, peoples inability to decipher things is what led everything to be spelled out with circles and arrows and killed off avenues to begin with.
He was loading serve online for $1000 a month ($200 increments spread out most likely). He was using an AMEX card that was not issued directly by American Express and therefore it earned cash back (not miles) when used to load serve. He didn't withdraw the funds from Serve right away (indicates either withdrawing to bank account or billpaying - either way it doesn't matter how he was doing it).
He was loading serve online for $1000 a month ($200 increments spread out most likely). He was using an AMEX card that was not issued directly by American Express and therefore it earned cash back (not miles) when used to load serve. He didn't withdraw the funds from Serve right away (indicates either withdrawing to bank account or billpaying - either way it doesn't matter how he was doing it).
The reason(s) why people are getting confused is because the poster's description is confusing and downright impossible - Since no AMEX issued card earns anything via Serve Load, then the poster is using a NON-AMEX issued AMEX card just like you decipher. YET, the poster said he called AMEX to ask about why AMEX closed his AMEX Business Card... Dont you see there is a glaring discrepancy in the poster's posts? That is why people questioned the posts and asked for clarification.
Why would someone call AMEX about the closure of an "AMEX" business card that apparently is NOT issued by AMEX but by some other bank using AMEX network hence has the AMEX logo on the card, given the fact that any AMEX issued card does not earn anything via Serve load and this person specifically said he did the monthly load for cash back?!
The mention about calling AMEX about an AMEX business card closure when no such card would exist makes the posts very suspicious. That is why people would like to have more details to prove it is valid data point which most likely is not.
Jan 12, 2016, 5:04 pm
#530
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 9
Heard an ad on the radio today that if you got your taxes done by Jackson Hewitt they would give you a $100 Amex Serve card and I believe your refund would go on that Serve card. Wonder how that would work for those of us shut down. Oh and BTW my Serve was my one and only. Only paid bills and for most of the life of my account I loaded 1500 for the month at home with the occassional $500 at Kate or FD. I was so small potatoes that I can't believe I was even noticed. Should I be flattered?!
Jan 12, 2016, 6:20 pm
#531
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,112
Heard an ad on the radio today that if you got your taxes done by Jackson Hewitt they would give you a $100 Amex Serve card and I believe your refund would go on that Serve card. Wonder how that would work for those of us shut down. Oh and BTW my Serve was my one and only. Only paid bills and for most of the life of my account I loaded 1500 for the month at home with the occassional $500 at Kate or FD. I was so small potatoes that I can't believe I was even noticed. Should I be flattered?!
Jan 12, 2016, 7:39 pm
#532
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 153
There has been at least one instance of a person shutdown on 1/8 subsequently being shut down. From Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/co...t_down/cyvprrk
I'm skeptical that any amount of tip-toeing will lead to survival.
Well that was quick. My spouses Serve card did not get shut down on 1/8. I loaded $2400 yesterday at WM and I got to $2100 today before the Walmart register said unable to load. Low and behold she got an email saying due to unusual activity the account will no longer be accepting new monies.
I'm skeptical that any amount of tip-toeing will lead to survival.
Last edited by billybayswater; Jan 12, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Jan 12, 2016, 7:49 pm
#533
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 82
3 of my 4 cards were closed on the 8th. 1 survived. I had already loaded $300 earlier in January, so I loaded my last 2 $100s that afternoon. I loaded $2000 today expecting that I would get shutdown before I got done, but haven't gotten the email yet. I figure I'll try another $2000 tomorrow and race the shutdown email...
Jan 12, 2016, 7:51 pm
#534
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
3 of my 4 cards were closed on the 8th. 1 survived. I had already loaded $300 earlier in January, so I loaded my last 2 $100s that afternoon. I loaded $2000 today expecting that I would get shutdown before I got done, but haven't gotten the email yet. I figure I'll try another $2000 tomorrow and race the shutdown email...
Jan 13, 2016, 1:52 am
#536
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 41
I have 3 Serve OneVIP cards. 1 was opened in December 2015 and maxed out with VGC/Buxx loads and Amex CC load for the month. 2 opened in January 2016. I've loaded about $1400 in VGC/Buxx on the original so far in January. Today I loaded $2500 on the original, then $1800 and $1500 on the newer Serve cards, using $300 Staples VGC from the recent promotion. This was done across 3 WMs and 1 RA. No immediate shutdowns. Still have $3300 in Staples VGC to unload. Will be doing this over the next few days. I'm going to let the balance sit for about a week on the cards then bill pay to CC. Will update if anything changes.
Jan 13, 2016, 5:46 am
#537
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 109
Can we re-apply for a new serve card after the shut-down? Any data points on that?
Man, will really be missing the serve card badly if can't re-open a new one.
Man, will really be missing the serve card badly if can't re-open a new one.
Jan 13, 2016, 6:18 am
#538
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 283
People who have tried have been declined. There's hope that maybe after waiting 30 days or so the system might allow it, but I'm doubtful.
Jan 13, 2016, 6:59 am
#539
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 38
My Serve card and my wife's card both got shut down too. Glad to see we weren't the only ones! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!
Jan 13, 2016, 7:14 am
#540
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
He likely called the number on the back of his card. People take things very literally and for-truth on the interwebs it seems. Just because he said he talked to AMEX, doesn't mean he actually called up American express. He likely called the number on the back of his card and talked to the people who issued the American express card and just called them AMEX.