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$0 if you direct deposit $500 monthly, otherwise it's $1/month ($12/year) for the American Express Serve® Basic Card
N/A; this is a debit card
A prepaid debit card with 3 versions: basic (pictured), FREE Reloads, and Cash Back. Instead of earning points, these cards can be used to deposit money into banks or pay for purchases and bills!
(at Amex's secure site)
The information regarding the American Express Serve® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
You’re out running errands when you realize you’re out of cash and the bank is about to close. Not again!
You are a bit uneasy at the idea of spending any money on a credit card; that’s for emergencies only, and you don’t want to get in the habit of “saving yourself.”
If you’re looking for a good alternative to banking but are tired of being hit with fees, then the American Express Serve® Card could be a great option for you.
Cash-back rewards are found in your American Express account.
1-800-954-0559
While the Serve Card is not a traditional credit card, it is still a valuable tool for your personal finances.
This convenient reloadable card offers free online bill pay and other convenient banking features without all the excessive charges.
It acts just like a debit card from a traditional bank, and you can only use the cash that is stored on the card.
You have access to more than 24,000 MoneyPass ATM locations across the United States.
You also have free access to American Express customer service reps, which is a feature that other prepaid cards don’t offer.
There are 3 different versions of this card:
The Amex Serve Card
The American Express Serve® FREE Reloads Card
The American Express Serve® Cash Back Card
The basic card is free to use online but costs up to $3.95 at retail locations when reloading the card with cash.
There is no monthly fee for the basic version if you direct deposit $500 or more per month on the card. Otherwise, the monthly fee is $1.00 (or $12 per year).
It is free to use the FREE Reloads Card online ($0), but this card costs $4.95 per month. The benefit of this card is a waived $3.95 reload fee at over 45,000 locations.
Finally, the American Express Serve® Cash Back Card works like the basic card, except that it earns 1% cash-back for all purchases and costs $5.95 per month.
One of the great features of these different versions of the card is the ability to create sub-accounts. You can get a separate prepaid card for each sub-account you open.
In addition, you can send and receive money for free between any members, which is helpful in times when you need to split bills.
A service called Cash Pickup Powered by Ria is available at Walmart, and lets you take out up to $2,500 in cash at one time.
Two other great features of the card are Amex Offers and Membership Experiences.
Amex Offers is a program that allows you to add “deals” for shopping, dining, and entertainment purchases periodically.
These offers get updated every few weeks. If you like one, simply add it to your card and use it by the expiration date.
Membership Experiences is an entertainment portal that offers access to tickets and events that you might not otherwise have access to. It is always worth a check to see if there is something that catches your eye!
Just like AMEX credit cards and charge cards, the pre-paid debit card also offers access to other benefits like:
Bottom Line: The Amex Serve card can be a nice alternative to traditional banking without all the fees that go along with it.
Remember that because this is a prepaid card, it can’t help you build up your credit.
Because of the card’s prepaid nature, though, it can be a good tool for those who are trying to keep a limit on their spending and/or stick within a budget.
Bottom Line: The Amex Serve card can be a great way to keep within spending limits.
The Serve cash back Card collects cash-back that can only be used in the form of credit to your account. Once accumulated, you simply apply it to your account for a direct deposit!
There are no travel partners, but they do partner with MoneyPass ATM for free withdrawal at over 24,000 locations.
There are many ways that you can benefit from using the Amex Serve card. Here are some ways to help make sure you get the most out of it right from the start:
Tip #1: If you will be adding sub-accounts to your card, it is important to be sure that a parent or guardian is the primary account owner. No one under the age of 18 can be an account owner.
Tip #2: For those who are hoping to build up their credit, this card can’t help there, though it is convenient to use. With that in mind, you may also want to consider opening a credit card in addition to your Serve account. That way, you will be able to start (or continue) building up your credit and your credit score, while at the same time taking advantage of all the many benefits that the card has to offer.
The information regarding the American Express Serve® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
While many prepaid cards can really hit their holders with fees, the card is a pleasant surprise in that it offers a lot of free attributes along with some nice additional benefits.
For those who are looking to build (or rebuild) their credit score, this card isn’t going to get you there since it isn’t a credit or a charge card. In fact, the card won’t even show up on a credit report.
However, it can provide a long list of positive features when you’re comparing it to other cards in the prepaid niche. For example, it offers an extremely competitive fee structure overall.
In addition, the benefits include other things such as Purchase protection, Roadside assistance, Fraud protection, and Free customer service access.
It is better to get your card online than from an in-store retailer. This is because doing so online is free, while getting the card from a physical retailer can cost up to $3.95.
Plus, if you get the card from a store, you will still need to register it online and then wait for a permanent Amex Serve card to arrive in the mail.
The funds that are held in a prepaid card account are not always as safe as those in a regular checking or savings account, because prepaid cards are not required to insure against bank failure.
However, account funds are FDIC insured up to the very same $250,000 per-depositor limit that applies to a traditional bank account. This can provide cardholders with a great deal of peace of mind!
There is an annual direct deposit limit of $100,000.
You can use any other travel rewards credit card with the Amex Serve Card. If you spend enough, your best bet would be to get the Cash Back card in addition to a rewards card that has bonus points for one of your biggest spending categories.
Most people do well with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card since it earns 2x points in travel and dining, which covers a broad area of spending!
Yes. The Bluebird from American Express is very similar. It does not require a minimum deposit to avoid fees and can be used to pay bills online.
Founder and CEO of Upgraded Points, Alex is a leader in the industry and has earned and redeemed millions of points and miles. He frequently discusses the award travel industry with CNBC, Fox Business, The New York Times, and more.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
17 comments
Javier
February 16, 2018
Incredibly poor customer service, and I have not really gotten started with them. I wanted a card like this for online purchases so I don’t have to use my bank card, so I purchased the temporary Serve card, as its packaging stated I could create a permanent account online and receive a permanent card.
Great; so I purchased the card (with the minimum $10 deposit, since the reviews do show some issues; better to try first before committing to real money), and went to the website. There is a FAQ regarding the temporary card that even gives you the link to register – clearly stating that you could enter the temporary card info there. I went to the link – hmmm nothing on that page about the temporary card, just the general account form; so I went ahead and registered for an account. After logging in to their website, I looked around – there is no way to link the temporary card while logged in. OK so their instructions are broken; customer service will resolve this, right?
Wrong. I spoke to several reps, two of them supervisors, and they all read from the same script – I did it wrong, there is a button somewhere else on the page that takes you to the correct link. Well, that is wrong as well – that button is to create a new account – and indeed, it lets you link a temporary card, but now you have more than one account. I asked them to either link the card to the original account, or register me and delete the old account (so I can make sure it is done right, as their website is defective on something so fundamental), and they all said they could not, as it was my fault I did it wrong – one of them even kept saying “there is nothing wrong with the card”, whatever that means. They all got pretty rude as the call progressed as well.
Hilarious, but I could see where someone who put a few hundred on the temporary card might be upset, given the terms of the temporary card are NOT the advertised terms; you need your money on the permanent card to get the acceptable terms and fees; buyer beware about the temporary card terms! I am glad I only looked at it as an experiment.
Mike Miller
February 18, 2019
This is the second year I have used the American Express Serve card issued to me by Jackson Hewitt and each year I cringe! Thinking oh well this year may be different they may have changed some things not! They have really crappy customer service they get rude laugh at you hang up tell you it’s all your fault and refuse to give you money that’s even yours that has been held for longer then what they are supposed to. I would not recommend this card to anyone in fact I have turned them into just about any resource that I have been able to as well as had numerous talks with Jackson Hewitt which is why I will not be dealing with them next year either. When it comes to refunds or businesses issuing refunds they will hold your money as long as they feel like until they are ready even if it is longer that’s allowed. Fact of the matter is they suck – I have never written a review about a card nor have I ever want it to however I feel that someone may read this and decide against this card and not have to go through the hassles that I have. Each time I have to call customer service which might I add is a lot about everyday I remind them how am I supposed to trust you with my tax refund that is coming soon if I can’t even trust you with $100. Point Blank don’t do it and if you do I’m sorry but I told you so.
Sabrina Livingston
March 16, 2019
I’ve had the American Express Serve card for five or six years now. I’ve never had a problem with them except they will put a block on your card if they see it’s being used somewhere than where your address is. That was taken care of when I called customer service and they updated my address. There are businesses that still doesn’t accept the American Express card. That’s the only downfall that I have experienced. I prefer this card to my own bank. I can use this card to save money. They have different accounts that you can open on the same card. You can even place money on your card for your kids use. They have access only to the money that you place on their card. But I like this card. I’ve had no problems whatsoever other than what I have already stated.
Christine Krzyszton
March 16, 2019
Thank you, Sabrina, for sharing your experience. I’m sure our readers will appreciate the feedback. It’s appears you’ve put forth some extra effort to learn how to use the card effectively and it’s working well for you.
Carlos
March 28, 2019
If you get a large tax refund – or have a large sum of money on this card, the weaknesses of having this card really show. First, you are limited in how much cash you can take out daily from the card. Your cash pick-up option powered by Ria is actually 2500.00 and not 900.00 as the article states – but that’s it for the day. You also are limited to 15000.00 withdrawals total per month – that is cash and purchases. Once you hit that, you are blocked from any withdrawals of YOUR money until the next month, which is crazy!!! Before you hit that total, you’ll find scores of places that take other American Express cards, declining the Serve card for no apparent reason. If you have over 15000.00, just use a traditional bank and NOT this card!!!
Erin Miller
April 01, 2019
Hey Carlos, thanks for your feedback and the heads up here. We checked in and noted it does look like the cash pick-up option has recently increased again to $2500 or $2900 (as you mentioned) since our last update of this piece.
The terms are as follows (and we plan to update our post accordingly):
“A daily withdrawal limit of $2,500 applies for each Serve Account held, and a cumulative $2,900 daily limit applies across all of your Serve Accounts. If you Direct Deposit a tax refund or refund advance to your Serve Account, the daily Cash Pickup withdrawal limit will be equal to your remaining amount of tax funds, but no greater than $2,900, until the remaining tax funds amount is $2,500 or less. At that point, the $2,500 daily Cash Pickup withdrawal limit applies. The increased tax funds limit expires at the end of the calendar year in which the tax funds were Direct Deposited into your Serve Account.”
Thanks again for weighing in!
Steven hampton
March 30, 2019
I’m very dissatisfied disappointed in American Express serve right now…..
Sarah
April 25, 2019
I have my paychecks directly deposited into my Serve card. At first I had no issues, now it’s never on time. I don’t care if I get paid early but I do care to be paid on payday! Plus there’s no way to talk to anyone, it’s so frustrating we trust you with our money and can’t even talk to someone to resolve the problem. I think I’m done with American Express and it’s Serve card.
David Blakney
June 17, 2019
Do NOT get this card! I was told this card would work internationally and even on the package says you can… but here I am in the Bahamas WITHOUT access to my money!!!
Christine Krzyszton
June 20, 2019
Hello David. Sorry you are having trouble using your card. First, we are not affiliated with American Express or Serve. We are Upgraded Points, a blog specializing in providing credit card and travel-related resources. I did do some research, however, and found this statement on the Serve web site which may explain the difficulty you’re having.
“You can use your American Express Serve Card for purchases anywhere American Express is accepted internationally. At this time you cannot use the international ATMs. Additionally, international use is not available to Account holders who are Vermont residents or to Sub-Account holders. Exchange rates apply, please see fee chart for further details.”
Mark
April 17, 2020
I did my taxes at Jackson Hewitt and had used their card for the refund. I knew they weren’t that good because they had poor customer service and always had problems but I figured it was ok to deal with since it was once a year. I know now I will never use them again and still thinking Jackson Hewitt! The 2020 stimulus payment was supposed to be deposited onto the American express Serve account and these idiots backed out on the 15th saying they didn’t want to deal with it and pretty much screwed every person that used these idiots from Jackson Hewitt. These people could never be trusted and I would recommend no one to use these cards ever again! It shows you they don’t care about any of us especially when we’re in the need of this money. Choose your banking cards and prepaid cards wisely and never use American express. Pulling something like this during the times when millions need it the most shows how they really are. A bunch of morons. Really bad for business for sure and I don’t recommend!
Art
May 25, 2020
You guys are a total joke. I’d like to be put in contact with an officer of the company to report my interaction with your support people in India and the Philippines. You have taken a great company to 1 that, as more time goes on, is no longer respected let alone used. You’re failing big time and you don’t even know it. I will share some insight into what is making all these complaints come to be. It’s your own fault for trying to save money while taking American jobs overseas. I have been an American Express Member for over 18 yrs. I have never seen this as bad as it is now. Please provide a person at the corporate level to contact me.
Thanks
Christine Krzyszton
May 26, 2020
Hello Art. Please understand that we are not American Express. We are Upgraded Points, a blog specializing in points, miles, and travel resources. According to Wikipedia, the address for American Express is 200 Vesey Street, New York, New York and the key people are Stephen J. Squeri (Chairman & CEO) and Jeffrey C. Campbell (Executive VP & CFO). Perhaps you could write a letter with your concerns and ask to be contacted. They do not accept email comments or complaints.
Charles L. Armstrong
December 29, 2021
I can’t even get confirmation that my replacement card has been sent. Customer service is nonexistent.
I’ve got almost $800.00 tied up in my prepaid account that I can’t use because I don’t have a card.
Philip
February 18, 2022
Do not get this card. I swear this is the worst card on the planet! Save yourself the aggravation and don’t use this card.
CTant
August 15, 2022
Do not use it for hotel stays. If using this card at a hotel, the “preauthorization hold” is not released immediately. I have been waiting for a month now and still no release of my funds. I am beginning to feel like Amex has no intention of releasing my money!
Khryssy28
July 30, 2023
The customer service is atrocious and its offshore and there is a complete breakdown in communication. As a banker for 17 years in the industry I have seen termination for the service delivery rendered by the phone support given, its very sad that this company does not value customer service.
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