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)
Sep 26, 2013, 9:55 am
#2131
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
For those that haven't seen them stocked, did your store have the newer versions of the cards before the stock ran out?
Sep 26, 2013, 10:16 am
#2133
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 14
Heh...I just had an interesting experience with BB from linking my debit GCs. Posted here so as not to derail.
Sep 26, 2013, 1:27 pm
#2134
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 49
Just at my local cvs here in Cincinnati no vanilla reloads for at least a week. The manager called all local Cvs stores no VRs anywhere. One manager he spoke to said there were no more coming. I sure hope this is not corporate policy
Sep 26, 2013, 2:01 pm
#2135
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 498
had a whirlwind of local stores today - it was actually kind of fun. The most fun was hearing the poor logic of why cashiers at stores that allow prepaid cards to be purchased with CCs deny the purchase. I was nice and just said "oh, sorry, was looking to buy it as a gift for my sister-in-law's baby shower" which is actually this weekend 
The best was someone in 7-11 telling me that I cannot by a vanilla reload with my credit card because the credit card could be stolen. I then asked her to verify my signature, etc. She seemed taken aback and just stated only cash. I said "ok, megamillions quick pick" and moved on.
Now onto CVS. my second to last stop of the day and a decent one. Local CVS manager stated the only ones that he will allow me to purchase with a credit card are the vanilla gift cards - no other cards. They are out of vanilla reloads but had a ton of other variations. Is this what everyone else is getting at cvs? I am not complaining, I can just keep buying these bad boys but was curious - are you guys only being allowed to buy the vanilla gift cards as well (4.95 purchase charge, vanillavisa.com cards) (so many different ones it gets confusing). Anyway, this was my first non-chase gc MS so I figured I would just buy one and make sure I was getting the correct one.
The best was someone in 7-11 telling me that I cannot by a vanilla reload with my credit card because the credit card could be stolen. I then asked her to verify my signature, etc. She seemed taken aback and just stated only cash. I said "ok, megamillions quick pick" and moved on.Now onto CVS. my second to last stop of the day and a decent one. Local CVS manager stated the only ones that he will allow me to purchase with a credit card are the vanilla gift cards - no other cards. They are out of vanilla reloads but had a ton of other variations. Is this what everyone else is getting at cvs? I am not complaining, I can just keep buying these bad boys but was curious - are you guys only being allowed to buy the vanilla gift cards as well (4.95 purchase charge, vanillavisa.com cards) (so many different ones it gets confusing). Anyway, this was my first non-chase gc MS so I figured I would just buy one and make sure I was getting the correct one.
Sep 26, 2013, 2:14 pm
#2136
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NY
Programs: SPG preferred, AA, United
Posts: 290
Most of the people here buy vanillareload.com/ as this is the easiest to unload. Buy -> load BB -> pay off bills. I would (read: do not) not get any other variation but there are threads on the other vanilla cards that can show you how to utilize these cards.
Sep 26, 2013, 2:20 pm
#2137
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 498
I know I can unload the one I purchased.My bluejay will be missing its chase feed soon
Sep 26, 2013, 2:45 pm
#2138
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 104
i'm in NC. my favorite cashier told me as soon as i walked in the store that they've been out of reloads for about 2.5 weeks now and so have all the nearby stores (just haven't been stocked). she has no idea when the situation will change but told me they tend to get stocked on mondays, so to check then
Sep 26, 2013, 2:47 pm
#2139
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 109
Seems to be around the same timeframe everywhere VR's have been oos.. I'm curious if other places are getting restocked (7-11, FF, etc..)
Sep 26, 2013, 2:56 pm
#2140
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 11
In NYC (specifically Manhattan) and nearby NJ areas that I travel, other stores like -4 are getting restocked (and 2 CVS stores have recently been fully restocked with 2 full rows). However, as everyone is aware -4 is a cash only policy.
Sep 26, 2013, 8:40 pm
#2141
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: New Hampshire
Programs: AA Platinum, Marriott Gold, Everything else: Dirt
Posts: 802
Went to a CVS by my house in NH where I have never once had a problem buying them...and there were none. This one was 24 hours so I will try some of the other locations tomorrow when they open. Bummer.
Sep 26, 2013, 8:48 pm
#2142
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 13
I am in Nashua NH. I can confirm that one CVS on Daniel Webster Hwy and the other CVS on Amherst both are out of VRs. Sad!
Sep 26, 2013, 8:51 pm
#2143
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA, USAir
Posts: 228
I am in North Texas and all of them that I have been to recently have been in good stock.
Sep 26, 2013, 11:49 pm
#2144
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 204
oh geez, will some of you please scroll back to 3rd/4th of week august posts, you'll see complaining about being out of stock as we see now and every second half of the month. only difference is now stores run out even faster because BB is getting more popular and there's more mouths to feed.
As more and more people join the game, more and more metro areas will quickly become as barren as the bay area. this is inevitable.
As more and more people join the game, more and more metro areas will quickly become as barren as the bay area. this is inevitable.
Sep 27, 2013, 1:48 am
#2145
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,184
oh geez, will some of you please scroll back to 3rd/4th of week august posts, you'll see complaining about being out of stock as we see now and every second half of the month. only difference is now stores run out even faster because BB is getting more popular and there's more mouths to feed.
As more and more people join the game, more and more metro areas will quickly become as barren as the bay area. this is inevitable.
As more and more people join the game, more and more metro areas will quickly become as barren as the bay area. this is inevitable.