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 29, 2013, 5:55 pm
#2207
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 71
Well, by $100 you mean 100 points--so more like $1.75 as I value my points. I'm willing to sacrifice $1.75 to fly slightly further under the radar. I think there's something slightly less psychologically jarring to a cashier in a $908 charge than a $1008 charge. I don't want to raise eyebrows more than necessary since I've got a good thing going with this particular CVS. I don't have time to do VR's for MS, but they're invaluable to me for hitting spending requirements.
Sep 29, 2013, 8:13 pm
#2208
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 636
Well, by $100 you mean 100 points--so more like $1.75 as I value my points. I'm willing to sacrifice $1.75 to fly slightly further under the radar. I think there's something slightly less psychologically jarring to a cashier in a $908 charge than a $1008 charge. I don't want to raise eyebrows more than necessary since I've got a good thing going with this particular CVS. I don't have time to do VR's for MS, but they're invaluable to me for hitting spending requirements.
I remembered seeing new lot of VR (~ 50 cards) came about two weeks ago and I still saw a lot of them last week. This week, all gone.
Sep 30, 2013, 12:46 am
#2209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Well, by $100 you mean 100 points--so more like $1.75 as I value my points. I'm willing to sacrifice $1.75 to fly slightly further under the radar. I think there's something slightly less psychologically jarring to a cashier in a $908 charge than a $1008 charge. I don't want to raise eyebrows more than necessary since I've got a good thing going with this particular CVS. I don't have time to do VR's for MS, but they're invaluable to me for hitting spending requirements.
Sep 30, 2013, 1:51 am
#2211
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 67
I had planned to cancel my Serve and switch to BB, but is there any reason to if you don't need to write paper checks and you are just loading online with VRs? It seems to me the draw for BB was the online bill pay, and since Serve has that as well now, is there a major benefit to the BB I'm missing? I'm pretty diligent reading through threads but I guess the answer might be buried in a thread somewhere. I'm not maxing out limits, I'm a smaller player.
Sep 30, 2013, 5:54 am
#2212
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 118
Isn't Serve limited to $2500 per month as opposed to $5000 per month for BB?
I had planned to cancel my Serve and switch to BB, but is there any reason to if you don't need to write paper checks and you are just loading online with VRs? It seems to me the draw for BB was the online bill pay, and since Serve has that as well now, is there a major benefit to the BB I'm missing? I'm pretty diligent reading through threads but I guess the answer might be buried in a thread somewhere. I'm not maxing out limits, I'm a smaller player.
Sep 30, 2013, 6:02 am
#2213
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 118
I was told by a couple of CVS managers that they were pretty sure they were not being discontinued and the lack of cards was due to a new version coming out. If nothing shows up by the end of October I am going to assume that VRs at CVS are no more in my area.
Sep 30, 2013, 12:14 pm
#2214
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 413
I was thinking that is what they are doing in my area. Had new ones for weeks, then they all got bought. Now have old ones again with no new ones on rack so my impression is they are letting them run down to clean out the old ones from the warehouse and backrooms. Or maybe it is just happenstance. Several stores are out of VR but still have plenty of Visa $500 giftcards on the racks. In some stores Visa $500 have gone from stuffed racks to noticeably thinned out in the last month. But no shortage of Visa.
Sep 30, 2013, 12:49 pm
#2215
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Well, by $100 you mean 100 points--so more like $1.75 as I value my points. I'm willing to sacrifice $1.75 to fly slightly further under the radar. I think there's something slightly less psychologically jarring to a cashier in a $908 charge than a $1008 charge. I don't want to raise eyebrows more than necessary since I've got a good thing going with this particular CVS. I don't have time to do VR's for MS, but they're invaluable to me for hitting spending requirements.
My advice (not asked for, but still), however, is that you are over-thinking it a bit. I just don't think the cashiers think about it that much. And truthfully, doing a VR for $494.35, for instance, makes it sound like you have a particular expense in mind.
Welcome to FT! Enjoy the ride.
Mike
Sep 30, 2013, 2:22 pm
#2216
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 721
It seems like a trend now.
I will try going there again on the different shift and see what happens.
It is about 40 miles roundtrip for me though.
At least I was able to get rid of 4x$500 CGCs there. I bought beans w/them.
All in all, I liquidated $10500 in CGCs today. Not bad.
I will try going there again on the different shift and see what happens.
It is about 40 miles roundtrip for me though.
At least I was able to get rid of 4x$500 CGCs there. I bought beans w/them.
All in all, I liquidated $10500 in CGCs today. Not bad.
And FWIW unless there's a weird time-shift re minimum spend on a new card, you didn't really liquidate CGCs. That sentence means there was no need to buy the CGCs in the first place. You always had the alternative of buying the VRs with the same Chase CC.
Sep 30, 2013, 2:32 pm
#2217
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Don't mind me, but I hope you factor fuel and time into why you do 40 miles r/t to MS.
And FWIW unless there's a weird time-shift re minimum spend on a new card, you didn't really liquidate CGCs. That sentence means there was no need to buy the CGCs in the first place. You always had the alternative of buying the VRs with the same Chase CC.
And FWIW unless there's a weird time-shift re minimum spend on a new card, you didn't really liquidate CGCs. That sentence means there was no need to buy the CGCs in the first place. You always had the alternative of buying the VRs with the same Chase CC.
Yes, it is for the new cards. Yes, I do factor time and fuel.
Didn't I write above that this particular CVS which was nice to me for a while, this time REFUSED to sell beans to me w/cc payment?
Sep 30, 2013, 3:59 pm
#2218
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 302
Just came back from a CVS and was excited to find a VR since I haven't seen any for a couple of weeks. But when I checked out, was told for the first time cash only. There was a pop up at the register only allow cash payment to proceed. I asked if this is something new but they are unsure. Anyone with similar experiences lately??
Sep 30, 2013, 4:18 pm
#2219
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
Just came back from a CVS and was excited to find a VR since I haven't seen any for a couple of weeks. But when I checked out, was told for the first time cash only. There was a pop up at the register only allow cash payment to proceed. I asked if this is something new but they are unsure. Anyone with similar experiences lately??
I asked him: "since when?" His response was: "since last week".
Waiting for more reports..
Sep 30, 2013, 4:22 pm
#2220
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 224
I just bought some with a CC a few minutes ago, so it seems like another case of YMMV.