American Express Serve Prepaid Debit Card Review: More Choice, Fewer Fees

American Express offers a handful of prepaid debit cards. The three different versions of the Serve prepaid debit card — the basic Serve, Serve FREE Reloads and Serve Cash Back — have slightly varying features and come with budgeting tools and low fees. Depending on the card, a reload fee or a monthly fee may still apply, but you won’t have to worry about the excessive fees and limitations typically found in prepaid debit products. American Express Serve may be right for you if: You don’t qualify for a traditional bank account, but want a close alternative. You want to avoid most fees associated with prepaid debit cards. You want to stick to a budget. » MORE: NerdWallet’s best prepaid debit cards American Express Serve prepaid debit cards AMERICAN EXPRESS SERVE Learn Moreat American Express Pro: No monthly fee with $500 direct deposit. Con: No added features. AMERICAN EXPRESS SERVE FREE RELOADS Learn Moreat American Express Pro: Free card reloading options. Con: $4.95 monthly fee. AMERICAN EXPRESS SERVE CASH BACK Learn Moreat American Express Pro: 1% cash back on all purchases. Con: $5.95 monthly fee. At a glance Fees/FeaturesAmerican Express Serve American Express Serve FREE ReloadsAmerican Express Serve Cash Back Card purchase$0 online, up to $3.95 in retail locations Monthly fee (none in NY, TX, VT)$1, waived with monthly direct deposit of $500$4.95$5.95 Reloads (no fee for online bank transfers and loading via direct deposit)Up to $3.95 (varies by retailer)$0 at CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Rite Aid, Wal-Mart and some 7-Eleven locationsUp to $3.95 elsewhereUp to $3.95 (varies by retailer) RewardsNoneNone1% cash back on all purchases Mobile check deposit, direct deposit or checking/savings transfer$0 Withdrawals$0 at MoneyPass ATMs, $2.50 at non-MoneyPass ATMs (ATM owner fees may apply) Online bill pay$0 Send and receive money to other Serve cardholders$0 Foreign transaction fee2.7% Learn Moreat American ExpressLearn Moreat American ExpressLearn Moreat American Express Customer experience American Express Serve prepaid debit cards offer a variety of free features that other prepaid products often charge for. Cardholders aren’t charged for pausing recurring transfers, adding or transferring money to “subaccounts” for their kids or another payee, replacing cards, using an in-network ATM or contacting customer service.