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)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,060
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
Unless you can find ways around this. Maybe you are a Venezuelan pilot traveling every other day to the US
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
This is completely OT but due to the limit I don't think Venezuela is in play. Now Argentina is a different story. The spread is not as big as Venezuela but there is not much limit except for the CC limit so you can easily make 30+% off that limit (not sure if you can turn over that limit several times in a billing cycle). As a matter of fact our Argentina contractors execute this (buy OV and cash out) for every trip they make to the U.S. Free money to them since their trip is already paid for.
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 511
Wouldn't the flight ticket expense makes this a negative margin endeavor? I think if you HAVE to travel, then this minimizes your travel cost. But still, you are not making money. You are just spending less.
Unless you can find ways around this. Maybe you are a Venezuelan pilot traveling every other day to the US
Unless you can find ways around this. Maybe you are a Venezuelan pilot traveling every other day to the US
If they came here and bought $2,500 in GC for 6.3 VEF (Bolivar) to USD, they would pay 15,750 VEF for 2,500 USD.
If they converted and took that money home, that USD is worth 60-75,000 VEF on the black market.
They profit tens of thousands in VEF after flight costs in a country where the yearly minimum wage is 4,500 VEF.
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: PHL (and sometimes BKK)
Programs: aa/ua gold; mar titanium. SPG till I die.
Posts: 15,648
I can see it being amazingly profitable for someone who knows what they're doing to buy VRs in the states for use there.
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 32
Searched thread to see if you can go to multiple CVS stores and make purchases. Didn't see anything. i.e.- go to CVS #1 and purchase $5k then go to another store within 30 minutes and purchase $5k. Or is this not allowed as they scan your ID and limits you at all CVS's for 24 hours? Then an you use a passport at one then a drivers license at another?
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,998
Searched thread to see if you can go to multiple CVS stores and make purchases. Didn't see anything. i.e.- go to CVS #1 and purchase $5k then go to another store within 30 minutes and purchase $5k. Or is this not allowed as they scan your ID and limits you at all CVS's for 24 hours? Then an you use a passport at one then a drivers license at another?
You can buy under $1k at the other stores but that's it.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 825
Searched thread to see if you can go to multiple CVS stores and make purchases. Didn't see anything. i.e.- go to CVS #1 and purchase $5k then go to another store within 30 minutes and purchase $5k. Or is this not allowed as they scan your ID and limits you at all CVS's for 24 hours? Then an you use a passport at one then a drivers license at another?
Limit $5000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. Limit of 10 cards per 24 hours.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
Searched thread to see if you can go to multiple CVS stores and make purchases. Didn't see anything. i.e.- go to CVS #1 and purchase $5k then go to another store within 30 minutes and purchase $5k. Or is this not allowed as they scan your ID and limits you at all CVS's for 24 hours? Then an you use a passport at one then a drivers license at another?
2) If any cvs scans your DL, it goes in their system.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MKE
Posts: 614
My go to CVS was all out of OVs, first time I have ever seen them all gone. Either someone cleared them out or they are no longer stocking them. Time to visit the further CVS.
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
My go to CVS pulled all the OVs a while ago, I was trying to purchase 4 and when they scanned the 1st one an error popped up....2nd one same thing. The clerk called over a floor manager and she read something on the register screen and said 'we'll have to pull the off the rack'. They left it empty for about 3 or so weeks. I went by on Monday and saw a few of them back on but I wasn't buying any.
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 322
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 817
Anyone had luck using OV for MO?