The End of Serve Credit Card Loads

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Serve Credit Card Loads to End

I was just tipped off by one of my readers Anthony that April 15, 2015 will be the last day (or as he calls it RIP Serve Day) to load the American Express Serve card with a Visa, Mastercard or Discover card.

You will still be able to use an American Express card to load the Serve online, however American Express issued cards do not earn points for those types of loads.

As you can see in the comments, one of our readers has reported the Fidelity Amex which is issued by a third party and not American Express, does earn rewards on Serve credit card loads. Based on that information it is possible that third party American Express cards may still work to earn rewards after this change.

The Announcement

On the Amex Serve Help website you can find the following text:

Note: Starting April 16, 2015 you will only be able to use an American Express^® Card if you want to load your account with a credit card. Discover, MasterCard and Visa credit cards will no longer be supported after April 16.

Analysis

This removes one of the benefits of the American Express Serve card. Without the online credit card loads it really is not different than a Bluebird. In my opinion this just reinforces my decision to switch to REDbird.

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40 COMMENTS

NoonRadar Aug 6, 2015 At 10:46 pm

Hi all, I wrote a step by step guide on how to load Redbird with the newly upgraded registers (K8): https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NoonRadar/posts/82eSPgNCGi5

If you’ve already loaded with the new POS, please take a look at my post and if you see something that I missed, or if you had a different experience, let me know via a comment there. Thank you.

Best options for Serve online loads - The Frequent Miler May 12, 2015 At 3:25 am

[…] in that it can be reloaded online with a credit card, up to $1,000 per month. Unfortunately, as of April 15 2015, Serve added a new restriction: only Amex credit cards can now be used to reload Serve online. […]

Madison Apr 7, 2015 At 4:37 pm

With Target Redcard how would one earn 5x with Chase Ink card or maximize getting 5x UR PTs any suggestions

- Shawn Coomer Apr 7, 2015 At 6:25 pm
  
  You could purchase gift cards at an office supply store and then load them to REDbird.
  
Irina Mar 27, 2015 At 4:39 pm

Shawn,

Okay, so I’m finally beginning to have a slight understanding of how this whole hobby works..
The next step for me is, how do I combine all my flyer miles into one place? Is it to join a frequent flyer program? If so, which one is best?

Thanks!

Irina Mar 18, 2015 At 5:44 pm

Shawn,
I am currently using the Barclay Arrival+ card to load my Serve card, but I also recently opened an American Express Gold card because of it’s 50,000 mile promotion. Would I be able to use my AE card to load to my Serve card? I live in MN and we don’t have the Redbird, so I don’t want to keep opening all these multiple cards :/

Steve Mar 16, 2015 At 7:51 pm

I’m a redbird user (got it on ebay before they shut the guy down), but boy this redbird party is gonna end like an Armageddon eventually.

AMEX Serve Will No Longer Accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover for Credit Card Loads | Million Mile Secrets Mar 16, 2015 At 12:00 am

[…] Miles to Memories writes, starting April 16, 2015, you’ll no longer be allowed to add funds to AMEX Serve with credit cards from Discover, MasterCard, Visa, or any credit card not issued by American Express. […]

MileHighBug Mar 15, 2015 At 2:55 pm

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My Week in Points: AA Platinum and Feeling Red - Rapid Travel Chai Mar 14, 2015 At 8:17 pm

[…] had the thought, Miles to Memories reports that returning to Serve is no longer a worthwhile option as non-Amex credit card loads will soon end and Amex loads do not earn […]

Ryan Mar 14, 2015 At 5:47 pm

I live in NV, which has no participating stores. Does that only mean they don’t sell them? If I can get an online Redbird card, would I be able to load it at a store in NV?

Ryan Mar 14, 2015 At 5:44 pm

I live in Nevada, which Target says there are no Redbird participating stores in. Does that just mean they don’t sell them? If I went online and got one, would I be able to load it at a Target in Nevada?

- Shawn Coomer Mar 14, 2015 At 5:49 pm
  
  I live in Southern Nevada and am able to reload REDbird here regularly. None of the stores sell them, but they are able to reload them.
  
Credit Card Shutdowns and $1.30 China Flights! - View from the Wing - View from the Wing Mar 14, 2015 At 1:36 pm

[…] Reloading service cards with Visa, MasterCard, and Discover will end April 16. You’ll still be… […]

Nik Mar 14, 2015 At 1:03 pm

It’s funny that the one and only benefit of RedCard is the credit card loading that has never been officially recognized in its TC (as opposed to Serve). Technically speaking, Amex can’t even discontinue that feature the way it just did with Serve, because it was never offered by Amex in the first place. I guess it’s now up to Target to screw us the way Amex just did.

- Outbeyond Mar 14, 2015 At 5:00 pm
  
  Precisely. Which is why I’ll stick with my Serve and just keep loading gift cards at Walmart….sigh.
  
AMEX Serve will only Accept American Express Credit Cards for Online Reloads Starting April 16 | Travel with Grant Mar 14, 2015 At 8:52 am

[…] (Hat Tip to Miles to Memories) […]

Will Mar 14, 2015 At 6:24 am

Any idea what options will work going forward? I live in NC so Redbird isn’t an option. Looks like it might be possible to use the following and still get points: Fidelity Amex, SPG Amex, Penfed Travel Rewards Amex. Any thoughts?

- Shawn Coomer Mar 14, 2015 At 6:54 am
  
  While we don’t know 100% yet, it appears based on the language any 3rd party issues American Express card should work. The SPG Amex is issued by American Express so it won’t work.
  
  - Will Mar 14, 2015 At 5:36 pm
    
    Sounds like I’ll either be applying for the Fidelity Amex or driving to SC to load a Redbird card. Thanks for the help.
    
ryan p Mar 13, 2015 At 10:34 pm

I have target prepaid Redcard. I had a Serve as well as a Bluebird but I switched to Redcard last month. I have been able to load 10k in the two months free of any charge except the 4 trips to the target that is less than a mile away. Much easier and currently seems to be the only free way to MS 5k per month with no fees. If you shop at Target with the Redcard you get 5% off any purchase and the 30 day return policy is extended to 60 days. Great card if you want to try out beatswireless headphones for 60 days. Target is great about accepting returns and the 60 day policy includes all electronics including your favorite gaming systems. Just sayin.

jason Mar 13, 2015 At 8:38 pm

Why the sensationalist headline? This only impacts Serve online loads, but not Bluebird or Redcard.

- Shawn Coomer Mar 13, 2015 At 8:55 pm
  
  The headline only specifically mentions Serve.
  
- Michelle Mar 13, 2015 At 9:12 pm
  
  Bluebird never allied CC loads, only debit loads. That was why I originally switched. If the B of A amex card is in play going forward, I will keep my softcard serve.
  
  - Ken K Mar 14, 2015 At 4:15 pm
    
    One can buy a debit card with a CC at Walmart — at least where I live. One can then use the debit card to load Bluebird.
    
    Secondly, Redbird is not available in all states.
    
r hirsch Mar 13, 2015 At 6:29 pm

sorry…a bit of a newbie here!

i know you cannot online load redbird with a cc, right?

so how do you actually (i.e. nuts and bolts) load it via a cc?

thanks for lightning replies!

- NoonRadar Mar 13, 2015 At 7:00 pm
  
  You walk into a Target store and load REDcard there with a credit card, $1K/swipe $2.5K/day $5K/month load limits.
  
  To get one you have to register online with the card nr + 4 digit security code of an activated temporary REDcard (Redbird). Most local Target stores don’t have them yet but anyone (over 18) can buy one online for a small fee (I’m one of the people selling them, click on my handle for contact info) and register.
  
  You can only register one per person; I currently have 3 (the other two from fam members), some bloggers have 5+.
  
  P.S. Currently you can load Redbird with a credit card in the vast majority of stores, except in North Carolina (state-wide no go) and the Atlantic Ave store in Brookly, NYC.
  
  - r hirsch Mar 13, 2015 At 7:28 pm
    
    awesome. thanks!
    
    and once you load. you can “un”load via an allpoints atm?
    
    this sounds ideal’er than serve! ha
    
    - NoonRadar Mar 14, 2015 At 1:15 pm
      
      You can unload at ATM or by withdrawing to a checking acct, however many of us believe that is a sure way to get your acct looked at for possible fee-free cash advances to yourself and even money laundering. I personally do the bulk of unloading via online bill pay; utilities, credit cards, etc. You can even pay a person, Amex will mail them a check.
      
      P.S. For people who live in an area where REDcard (Redbird) is not available yet, I sell activated temporary cards for them to register, if interested email me at NoonRadar@gmail.com.
      
      I’m not affiliated with this blog or any other major MS/points blog. I have though provided the Redbird to hundreds and have many references on other MS (public) blogs.
      
      - Hunter Zupnick Mar 21, 2015 At 4:18 pm
        
        Very happy to buy the card from you – thanks for all of the help, just got it registered and eagerly awaiting its arrival!
      - Irina Mar 23, 2015 At 8:33 am
        
        Just registered for the Redcard through NoonRaider. Seems very legit, and there are also a lot of references on Reddit as well, vouching for him. If it’s a fluke, I will most definitely be writing about it on here, so unless you see a complaint from me, just know that it’s safe 🙂
        He was extremely patient and answered all my (many) questions. Deff recommend!
      - Shawn Coomer Mar 23, 2015 At 8:35 am
        
        Thanks Irina. I have heard positive things from a couple of different people. I’m glad you had a good experience.
      - Charles Apr 5, 2015 At 7:41 am
        
        Thank you for the temp REDcard and detailed instructions, Noon Radar!
        Just registered today for the permanent REDcard and it was successful!
MrDioji Mar 13, 2015 At 5:49 pm

Wow, really? I’ve been going back and forth all week as to whether I should get a Redbird since I was going to be in a city that carries them. I bit the bullet an hour ago before seeing this news (rumor?). Looks like it was the right move! I didn’t want to risk having to go back to Serve and losing my additional $500 since softcard is going away.

- Shawn Coomer Mar 13, 2015 At 5:56 pm
  
  Sounds like you made the right move! FYI this is not a rumor. The text was posted directly on the American Express Serve website.
  
Amex Serve Credit Card Loads to End in April - The Frequent Miler Mar 13, 2015 At 5:49 pm

[…] HT: Miles to Memories […]

Alvin DTW Mar 13, 2015 At 5:43 pm

@r hirsh

Check out the target red card (redbird) articles. That will answer your question.

Claire Mar 13, 2015 At 5:27 pm

I have been loading Serve with Fidelity Amex for a long time and it does get the standard 2% cashback.

r hirsch Mar 13, 2015 At 5:12 pm

wow. not good.

what is your recommendation for meeting minimum spend on a credit card (e.g. $3000 within 3 months of opening acct) if one, like myself, does not spend that much? the serve was IDEAL for this!!

- Shawn Coomer Mar 13, 2015 At 5:57 pm
  
  REDbird is definitely a great option. You also still have the ability to load $5,000 per month at Walmart.