Old Jan 5, 2017, 4:03 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: deker0
This thread is a continuation of the 2016 Serve master thread located at Amex Serve (2016) [Many shutdowns starting Jan 8, 2016]


5/21/2019 another round of Serve and Bluebird shutdowns.

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.

There are three version of Serve cards, Blue, Green and Grey. The fees and specifics are listed here:
https://www.serve.com/help/?intlink=us-serve-marketing-home-customer2-incomm2018-freezecardlearnmore&anchor=lost-or-stolen-1

The best Serve version for MS purpose is the "Green" version. It can be loaded at CVS, Rite Aid, DG (cash only) and Walmart, FD stores (cash and debit). There is no loading fee, but there is a $6.95 monthly fee that can't be waived. You could avoid the monthly fee by keeping $0 balance prior to month end statement closing. But this may cause account shut-down. As of end of 2020, there have been changes at the loading side (FD, WM). Not all GCs are accepted. Trial and report back to forum.


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).

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

Loads at Dollar General - Appears to no longer be working with any brand of VCG.

Regular Serve
  • Serve loading via VR/MP (Vanilla Reload/Moneypak) or WM/FD load: $2,500 per card per day; $5,000 total per calendar month each card; $10,000 total each calendar month all Serve cards combined
  • Online Debit Card Load - $200/day and $1,000/month
    • 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 (Vanilla Reload/Moneypak) 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.
Amex stopped taking applications for OneVip at the end of 2017. Cards acquired before then still work.

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 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 Propel (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..)
    • 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



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Amex Serve master thread (2017-2023)

Old Jan 6, 2017, 10:59 pm
  #16  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
I think the lesson here is that no one is safe at this point. If you still have a card, spend it into the ground. That's what I intend to do.

Three to four months of easy MS is still pretty nice, especially these days.
KDCAflyer is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 9:35 am
  #17  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Is the point in wiki about only 1 load FD/store per day total still valid?
Stivelio is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 1:57 pm
  #18  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by dothemath
Too bad. Where did you load? Can you load One VIP at Dollar General? It's not mentioned on their page like it is for the other versions of Serve.
OneVIP is loadable at FD up to $600/store/day, up to $500 per individual transaction. Dollar Generals loads in my area are cash only.

Presumably the "Free Reloads" Serve card version works the same way with same limits at FD- will be testing later this week
fauxblogger is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 2:05 pm
  #19  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 37
Originally Posted by Stivelio
Is the point in wiki about only 1 load FD/store per day total still valid?
I've loaded Serve at FD hundreds of times at nearly two dozen stores, several times 8 stores per day tightly clustered around Staples and OD GC promos and have never run into a load-related problem for $500 or less transactions. The 1x/day/store FD load rule across all Serve cardholders likely never in place in my area but might (?) be/have been applicable in other markets.
fauxblogger is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 2:55 pm
  #20  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Originally Posted by fauxblogger
OneVIP is loadable at FD up to $600/store/day, up to $500 per individual transaction. Dollar Generals loads in my area are cash only.

Presumably the "Free Reloads" Serve card version works the same way with same limits at FD- will be testing later this week
Thanks. Do you also know if transferring money from spouse serve account to my bank account will work?
Stivelio is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 3:07 pm
  #21  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by Stivelio
Thanks. Do you also know if transferring money from spouse serve account to my bank account will work?
afaik, amex flags accounts that attempt to transfer to accounts whose name is different from the account holder. In case you don't see the transfer succeed, you know why.
Mamibear is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 3:14 pm
  #22  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Originally Posted by Mamibear
afaik, amex flags accounts that attempt to transfer to accounts whose name is different from the account holder. In case you don't see the transfer succeed, you know why.
so the only way I would be able to get funds out this account would be via ATM then?
Stivelio is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 3:21 pm
  #23  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by Stivelio
so the only way I would be able to get funds out this account would be via ATM then?
if she's on joint account with you so both your names are on the account it won't likely be flagged BUT if she attempts to transfer funds in her name to your bank that is in your name only, expect it to get flagged for manual review.

you can still take out your funds up to $750/day, max $2K per month.

IMO, there is no such a thing as being careful about amex prepaids, they'll catch on to MS schemes and the only way to dodge it is to close account before they shut you down and ban your SSN. It's a guessing game when the ax is about to fall
Mamibear is offline  
Old Jan 7, 2017, 10:05 pm
  #24  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 127
If you want to close a Serve account before the ax falls, can you do it by secure message or do you have to call in and talk to a CSR?
kciflyer is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 5:33 am
  #25  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 274
And today is the 1 year anniversary of the massive Serve shutdowns that hit many hard last January 8. Never forget!
DrForce is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 7:55 am
  #26  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by kciflyer
If you want to close a Serve account before the ax falls, can you do it by secure message or do you have to call in and talk to a CSR?
I just empty the account and close without SM or calling in. Done.
Mamibear is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 8:24 am
  #27  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
PSA to newbies who sign up using OTHER people's name/SSN/address, be aware that you CANNOT transfer funds from THEIR accounts to a bank account that's in YOUR name (people do this because they're the ones adding funds to account but can't get their own prepaid for whatever reasons). Such account will surely be flagged and potentially frozen for fraud. Think of other ways to take out YOUR funds, you should've made plans before signing up accounts in other people's SSN/addy.

IF (big IF) you trust the person to give you your funds later if deposited to THEIR own bank account, do so BUT if you're not sure you can trust the person and you're NOT ready to part with such amount and destroy relationship with them, DON'T!
Mamibear is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 8:45 am
  #28  
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 644
Originally Posted by Mamibear
PSA to newbies who sign up using OTHER people's name/SSN/address, be aware that you CANNOT transfer funds from THEIR accounts to a bank account that's in YOUR name (people do this because they're the ones adding funds to account but can't get their own prepaid for whatever reasons). Such account will surely be flagged and potentially frozen for fraud. Think of other ways to take out YOUR funds, you should've made plans before signing up accounts in other people's SSN/addy.

IF (big IF) you trust the person to give you your funds later if deposited to THEIR own bank account, do so BUT if you're not sure you can trust the person and you're NOT ready to part with such amount and destroy relationship with them, DON'T!
thanks mamibear. In my case the other person isn't living here anymore and so doesn't have a bank account. Anybody know if bill pay to my CC also be flagged as fraud?
Stivelio is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 9:47 am
  #29  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 127
Originally Posted by Mamibear
I just empty the account and close without SM or calling in. Done.
But how do you communicate to AmEx that you're closing the account as opposed to letting it stay open with a zero balance? Is that a way to do it by logging into your account? I haven't explored how to do it, so I'm clueless.
kciflyer is offline  
Old Jan 8, 2017, 2:47 pm
  #30  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Originally Posted by kciflyer
But how do you communicate to AmEx that you're closing the account as opposed to letting it stay open with a zero balance? Is that a way to do it by logging into your account? I haven't explored how to do it, so I'm clueless.
Go to the website, it's under account closure. Follow step by step instructions. Done.

you're welcome
Mamibear is offline  

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