Aug 2, 2013, 6:51 pm
Last edit by: CWAL
A new thread was created for the new year in 2017. This is the old thread. For the 2017 on this topic, go here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manufactured-spending/1819562-cvs-master-thread-2017-a.html
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
New limits rolling out starting 10/20:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period.
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cashback posted in 48 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
CVS is cash only for all Incomm-related reloads and reloadable cards, including Vanilla Reloads and Serve swipe reloads. See memo to stores for complete list. Other cards at CVS can still be bought using credit, but YMMV depending on location, Manager, etc.
New limits rolling out starting 10/20:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period.
Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Cashback posted in 48 hours.
Cash Register Freezing
Multiple reports that the CVS cash register will freeze and lock after scanning the ID when purchasing multiple prepaid cards. Then the register's computer needs to be restarted. Some report that "swiping" the ID instead of "scanning" will avoid the issue.
Limit of 7 tenders (swipes) per transaction. This is most commonly run into when using low-value AGCs. After seven, the transaction must be complete, no cash (or any other payment method) will be accepted to pay the balance.
CVS master thread(2013-2016)
Mar 20, 2013, 11:41 am
#46
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, UA Gold, HH Lifetime DIA, WoH Globalist
Posts: 57
Relatives in Los Angeles began reporting "cash only" last week. In PHX, I've been buying four to six every few weeks (with AMEX) from multiple CVS stores without incident. It helps tremendously to have a friendly relationship with the clerks and store manager.
Mar 20, 2013, 1:06 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 168
All depends upon the CVS store and clerk ringing you out. I've both $2,000 in one trip with two separate $1,000 transactions and then had times at the same store when the clerk only let me buy $1,000. Some clerks know what they are doing, others you have to walk them through the process and even the manager doesn't know what's up.
Mar 20, 2013, 2:22 pm
#48
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors Diamond, WN RR A-list+
Posts: 584
If you live near a college or an area with younger people..
Go in on Friday or Saturday night.. the cashiers are not happy they are working and might be less inclined to follow the rules
Go in on Friday or Saturday night.. the cashiers are not happy they are working and might be less inclined to follow the rules
Mar 20, 2013, 4:56 pm
#49
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 173
I think I misunderstood when I mentioned earlier I spend over 1k. I guess it meant for VRs which I have not tried more. And it seems most of the time I go in I get the managers. One has seen me enough that he recognizes me now, which might not be good.
Mar 20, 2013, 8:24 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
I just try to avoid this one old man - he talks a lot and just questions every purchase i make. Also, as you can see, i only go to one CVS. On my credit card statement it keeps showing the CVS charge with the same CVS store number.
Mar 21, 2013, 12:42 am
#51
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,179
Speaking of CVS and somewhat non-subject related, I found this article in LA Times interesting.
============
Employees at one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains must disclose personal health information -- including their weight -- or pay a $600-a-year fine, according to a published report.
CVS Caremark Corp. is requiring workers to reveal the information to their company’s insurance carrier or pay an extra $50 a month for health coverage, according to the Boston Herald.
CVS could not immediately be reached for comment. But a spokesman told the newspaper that “our benefits program is evolving to help our colleagues take more responsibility for improving their health and managing health-associated costs.”
Employees must reveal their weight, height, body fat and blood pressure, the paper reported.
The company calls it a "health screening and wellness review" and will foot the bill for the associated doctor visits, according to the report.
But employees must agree to sign a form claiming the screening is voluntary, according to the paper, and allow the insurer to pass the results to the firm handling its health program.
The effort is likely to spur strong feelings from both advocates and detractors.
Critics fear such programs encroach on employees’ privacy and could lead to discrimination against unhealthy or disabled workers.
Proponents, including companies that are anxious to reduce spending on medical coverage, say it holds down costs borne by all employees and encourages people to get healthier.
====
http://www.latimes.com/business/mone...,3069855.story
============
Employees at one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains must disclose personal health information -- including their weight -- or pay a $600-a-year fine, according to a published report.
CVS Caremark Corp. is requiring workers to reveal the information to their company’s insurance carrier or pay an extra $50 a month for health coverage, according to the Boston Herald.
CVS could not immediately be reached for comment. But a spokesman told the newspaper that “our benefits program is evolving to help our colleagues take more responsibility for improving their health and managing health-associated costs.”
Employees must reveal their weight, height, body fat and blood pressure, the paper reported.
The company calls it a "health screening and wellness review" and will foot the bill for the associated doctor visits, according to the report.
But employees must agree to sign a form claiming the screening is voluntary, according to the paper, and allow the insurer to pass the results to the firm handling its health program.
The effort is likely to spur strong feelings from both advocates and detractors.
Critics fear such programs encroach on employees’ privacy and could lead to discrimination against unhealthy or disabled workers.
Proponents, including companies that are anxious to reduce spending on medical coverage, say it holds down costs borne by all employees and encourages people to get healthier.
====
http://www.latimes.com/business/mone...,3069855.story
Mar 21, 2013, 7:01 am
#52
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: TX
Posts: 25
My employer has started this policy this year also for some employees (I'm sure it will roll company wide in the next year or so). We use Aetna and all our prescriptions must go thru CVS - I suspect it's the same insurance coverage.
Rather amusingly, they call it a discount not a fine. i.e. if you take the review you get a discount of $600 (yeah right...)
We are all fully expecting a fat tax on our health insurance rates next year.
Rather amusingly, they call it a discount not a fine. i.e. if you take the review you get a discount of $600 (yeah right...)
We are all fully expecting a fat tax on our health insurance rates next year.
Mar 21, 2013, 7:19 am
#53
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
At the risk of getting flamed....am I the only one reading this post and the comments that is thinking......why in the world is anyone suprised that credit card issuers and hotel companies change the earnings potential and the amount of points needed for free nights? Don't get me wrong because I play the points game too but this IMHO is just a blatant misuse of the system with $1000 a DAY. We shouldn't be suprised when hotel companies gut their programs!
Mar 21, 2013, 10:44 am
#54
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AS, US, Hilton, BA, DL, SPG, AA, VS
Posts: 1,628
Agree 100%.
Mar 21, 2013, 11:13 am
#55
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: hhonors
Posts: 4
All 4 CVS stores near me are either posting paper signs on the register, verbally informing me, or calling the police directly when attempting to purchase 1k VR with a credit card. Yes, one supervisor when questioned why the policy was cash only, immediately called the police. Twice! VR train is coming to an end soon folks... Start coming up with new tactics...
Mar 21, 2013, 11:17 am
#56
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
All 4 CVS stores near me are either posting paper signs on the register, verbally informing me, or calling the police directly when attempting to purchase 1k VR with a credit card. Yes, one supervisor when questioned why the policy was cash only, immediately called the police. Twice! VR train is coming to an end soon folks... Start coming up with new tactics...
Mar 21, 2013, 11:31 am
#57
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,727
At the risk of getting flamed....am I the only one reading this post and the comments that is thinking......why in the world is anyone suprised that credit card issuers and hotel companies change the earnings potential and the amount of points needed for free nights? Don't get me wrong because I play the points game too but this IMHO is just a blatant misuse of the system with $1000 a DAY. We shouldn't be suprised when hotel companies gut their programs!
Mar 21, 2013, 12:11 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW
Programs: UA, SW, AA
Posts: 93
Agreed, unless they have been specifically instructed by their managers to do this, which doesn't make sense. Don't the police also put a charge on a business for false calls?
Mar 21, 2013, 12:16 pm
#60
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 35
All 4 CVS stores near me are either posting paper signs on the register, verbally informing me, or calling the police directly when attempting to purchase 1k VR with a credit card. Yes, one supervisor when questioned why the policy was cash only, immediately called the police. Twice! VR train is coming to an end soon folks... Start coming up with new tactics...