This may get lengthy…
First, if you look at my posts on the marketplace, or if I have purchased something from a member, you can see that I don't use Paypal anymore. Long story short, an ex used it without my knowledge and currently it sits "unresolved". I normally send cashier's checks or money orders, but recently found another alternative, one that you can use to send cash back and forth without getting charged whatever fee Paypal charges…
It's American Express Serve. You may have seen this being promoted at locations like Walgreen's and CVS. I used my Serve app and sent $1 to my friend, sitting next to me, and it transferred instantly, (which I'm sure Paypal does instant, too, but read on).
Now, if you have a Verizon Wireless device, you can download an app called ISIS Mobile Wallet. This allows you to "tap to pay" (using your handset) at a variety of locations, (more on this later). Your device has to be NFC capable, so not every smartphone will work, and you may require a secure NFC-capable SIM, (which is no cost). When you set up ISIS, it asks for a funding source, which is where Amex Serve comes in. If you sign up for Serve, via ISIS, you get $40 for signing up. You'll actually get a physical card in the mail, too. Once you do that, you can link your bank to fund the Serve account, (and in turn ISIS). Verizon has a promo, where if you tap to pay at a location, you get a $10 Serve credit from ISIS. I would recommend downloading the Serve app once everything is set up.
There's more, too, but I wanted to get this out there...

 

Interesting, but do they also afford services such as settle disputes, refund $ if item not received ect... ?

 

Knowing what I know about AMEX , I would be very careful....
Did you know if you have an amex business card, you are a co-signer on the cc....if the company goes chapter 11/7....they come after YOU...100% verified. Period.
they also have a terrible reputation for debt collection....one of the worst actually....
Good luck if you ever have a dispute.... They usually require binding arbitration....and since they send 99% of the business to the firms that decide the cases....let's just say they are not very neutral from what I have been hearing.....
Amex has few lovers....they mostly have been riding on the perception that they are the credicard for billionaires.... Lol...ever hear of a billionare borrowing $$ at 18%.......

 

Not sure.
I linked it up with my ISIS wallet on my phone, and received up to $200 back doing so. Early adopter of that technology, hence the 20% back offer.
Tapped to pay gas, my cell bill, a prepaid VISA card.
Don't think I'm really going to have disputes in that sense.

 

Guess that answers that.....thanks Zip !

 

This one is more of a prepaid card that you would use often.
I have an American Express Corporate Card through work. I don't deal in finance or our accounts payable type department, I just make sure to get my expense reports done in a reasonable time.

 

https://www.serve.com/what-you-get/

 

There are many alternatives for paypal. Dwolla is one that only charged $0.25 per transaction. Then there is google wallet among others.

I have to second the opinion that Amex is horrible to deal with if there is a problem. Amex was more of a status symbol during the cocaine days of the 80's.

 

I have a credit card and deal with my credit union which is phenomenal, never had an issue…
I guess the main point of the post, was that, yes, this could be used as an alternative, but more so to highlight the ISIS Mobile Wallet. Will I be using Serve. Probably not, because I do have a CC for that purpose. Have I used Serve? Yes, and specifically it was for the offers via the ISIS Mobile Wallet. I've gotten $250 back, on the Serve card, which I basically used at Qdoba, a sub shop, gas and other little places. (That offer expires at end of month.)
I haven't had the misfortune of not receiving something from a member, to test that capability. But, if you offered me $250 for free, I wouldn't overlook it.

 

I'm all for free money. But I'm more interested in NFC and how it will be securely but at the same time conveniently implemented.

 

The ISIS Mobile wallet can be funded using other cards, Wells Fargo and Chase have adopted. And with NFC, it requires a few levels of security. The app has a PIN, but the SIM had to be secure or compatible. That app works on pin pads that are NFC capable, and the merchant has the software running. I noticed them at Sears, but a rep told me they have heard of it, but not used it. Same with a few terminals at a local Macy's.
I'm sure it's not where two people bump phones and basically bankrupted you…but, you never know.