Can You Load a Serve Card with a Credit Card?
Serve card is a prepaid debit card offered by American Express, which can be used to make purchases, pay bills, and withdraw cash from ATMs. One of the advantages of Serve card is that it does not require a minimum balance or a credit check, making it accessible to people who cannot qualify for traditional credit cards. However, many Serve cardholders wonder whether they can load their cards with a credit card, as this could provide them with additional funds and rewards. In this article, we will explore whether loading Serve card with a credit card is possible and how to do it, if it is.
What Are the Benefits of Loading Serve Card with a Credit Card?
Before we dive into the process of loading Serve card with a credit card, let us first examine why someone might want to do that. Here are some of the benefits:
- Earning credit card rewards: Many credit cards offer cashback, points, or miles for every dollar spent. By loading Serve card with a credit card, you could earn rewards on purchases that you would have made anyway.
- Meeting spending requirements: Some credit cards require you to spend a certain amount of money within a specified period to qualify for a sign-up bonus or promotion. By loading Serve card with a credit card, you could meet those requirements without overspending on things you do not need.
- Consolidating bills: You could use a credit card to pay your bills, such as rent, utilities, or subscriptions, then load the same amount onto your Serve card. This way, you only need to make one payment to your credit card issuer, and you can keep track of your expenses more easily.
Is It Possible to Load Serve Card with a Credit Card?
Now, let us answer the burning question: can you load a Serve card with a credit card? Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward. American Express itself does not allow direct credit card loads onto Serve card, meaning that you cannot use a credit card to add funds directly to your Serve account. Moreover, Serve card does not accept credit card payments from third-party providers, such as PayPal, Venmo, or Google Pay, which would have been a workaround.
However, there is still a way to indirectly load Serve card with a credit card, albeit with some caveats. You can use a credit card to purchase a money order or gift card, then use that money order or gift card to load your Serve card. Or, you can use a credit card to fund a bank account that supports ACH transfers, then use that bank account to load your Serve card. While these methods involve an extra step and some fees, they can still enable you to earn rewards or meet spending requirements.
How to Load Serve Card with a Credit Card?
If you want to try to load your Serve card with a credit card, here are the steps you can follow:
- Check your Serve card's load limits and fees. Serve card allows you to load up to $1,000 per day and $5,000 per month, but some methods have lower limits or higher fees. For example, loading Serve card with a money order from Walmart costs $0.70 per $1,000, while loading with a debit card from Visa ReadyLink location costs up to $3.95 per transaction.
- Choose a method to purchase a money order or gift card. You can buy a money order from a post office, a Walmart store, a grocery store, or a convenience store, depending on availability and fees. You can buy a gift card from a retailer or an online marketplace, such as Amazon, Target, or eBay, but make sure it is eligible for loading Serve card.
- Use your credit card to purchase the money order or gift card. Some vendors may only accept cash or debit cards for money orders, so check beforehand. If you use a credit card with cash advance fees, be aware of the consequences.
- Load your Serve card with the money order or gift card. To load your Serve card with a money order, you need to write your name and Serve account number on the money order, then deposit it either through the Serve mobile app or at a Walmart store. To load your Serve card with a gift card, you need to add the card information to your Serve account, then transfer the balance online or through the Serve mobile app. Some gift cards may require an activation fee or have limitations on their use.
Conclusion
While it is not possible to load Serve card with a credit card directly, you can still use a roundabout way to achieve the same result. By purchasing a money order or gift card with a credit card, then loading your Serve card with them, you can earn rewards, meet spending requirements, or consolidate bills. However, you need to be aware of the fees, limitations, and risks involved, and weigh the benefits against the costs. If you decide to go down this path, make sure to follow the steps carefully and responsibly, and enjoy the extra funds and perks that it brings.
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