American Express and Sprint have announced an agreement to provide Sprint customers with better access to Serve, American Express’ recently launched digital payments platform.
Starting this summer, Serve’s mobile wallet application will be made available in the Sprint Zone, a pre-loaded app that keeps users up-to-date on new apps and provides tips on how to best use their smart phone. The Sprint Zone service is available to all Sprint customers using select Android-powered smart phones.
According to AmEx, the Serve digital payment platform is designed to unify online, offline and mobile payment options into a single account. Serve can be funded from a bank account, debit, credit or charge card, or by receiving money from another Serve account.
Sprint customers who register for a Serve account will be able to use their Serve card for making purchases at American Express participating merchants, paying their Sprint mobile bill, and in the future, for redeeming offers on goods and services.
The agreement marks Serve’s first relationship with a mobile carrier since its launch in late March. Across carriers, Serve also supports Android and Apple iOS operating systems and will continue to be developed to support additional operating systems including Microsoft and RIM, says Sprint. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/nfcnews-4.gif)
Serve, just as PayPal, is a closed payment system. It restricts users to using only AmEx payment products with their accounts. You can see how the credit card company benefits from such an arrangement, but you can’t really make a strong case that it is a sound strategy for Sprint and it certainly runs counter to the consumer’s best interests.
I think that if Sprint, or any other carrier, leaves it up to the consumer to decide what payment type to link to their mobile wallet, they will find that consumers appreciate the freedom of choice. http://blog.unibulmerchantservices.com/sprint-to-help-push-amexs-mobile-payments-platform