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)
Nov 13, 2013, 4:49 pm
#2956
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: United, Hilton, National
Posts: 128
shingu79 seemed to be making the pedantic argument that one isn't actually getting ahead with BB bill pay unless someone else is paying the bill on the card/method used to fund BB. That seems to miss the whole idea of washing the funding through the Chase Blue family at grocery stores, the Ink family at OD, or anything reasonable at CVS.
Nov 13, 2013, 6:22 pm
#2957
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
Have been spending about 3k to 4k on my Club Carlson Biz card (credit limit is 5k) at CVS each month for the last 4 to 5 months. Last week, I spent a bit over 2k on Club Carlson. CSR needed to contact Manager who had to call the CVS head office for authorization followed by calling US bank for authorization. Everything was approved and no prob with the purchase. Today, I used Club Carlson Biz card for $500. Same procedure as last week and had no problem with the authorization. No calls from U.S. Bank on both visits. Also, used my US airways credit card for purchase of $500 and no phone call to CVS headquarter for authorization.
Is this happening to others too? Is it something CVS does now if spend a certain amount at CVS? I don't think this has to do with US bank. Am i right?
Is this happening to others too? Is it something CVS does now if spend a certain amount at CVS? I don't think this has to do with US bank. Am i right?
Nov 13, 2013, 6:54 pm
#2958
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
If one card in the middle is declined or "call for authorization" the whole transaction falls apart.
I honestly dont understand why people have the need to split payment on VRs. Just buy them per card. Much cleaner transaction this way.
Nov 13, 2013, 6:57 pm
#2959
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Have been spending about 3k to 4k on my Club Carlson Biz card (credit limit is 5k) at CVS each month for the last 4 to 5 months. Last week, I spent a bit over 2k on Club Carlson. CSR needed to contact Manager who had to call the CVS head office for authorization followed by calling US bank for authorization. Everything was approved and no prob with the purchase. Today, I used Club Carlson Biz card for $500. Same procedure as last week and had no problem with the authorization. No calls from U.S. Bank on both visits. Also, used my US airways credit card for purchase of $500 and no phone call to CVS headquarter for authorization.
Is this happening to others too? Is it something CVS does now if spend a certain amount at CVS? I don't think this has to do with US bank. Am i right?
Is this happening to others too? Is it something CVS does now if spend a certain amount at CVS? I don't think this has to do with US bank. Am i right?
US Airways card is issued by Barclays, not US Bank.
Retailers do not have a clue of how much your CL is. The register prompts the Cashier to call for authorization which in 99% of the case it is because your bank does not let the transaction going thru before verifying you being the owner of the card and the one buying the stuff.
US Bank must have updated its fraud alert software which seems to kick in overdrive and causes a lot of such incidents for a lot of people even on very "seasoned" cards with XX,XXX CLs.
Nov 13, 2013, 7:48 pm
#2961
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 688
I've been buying VR's from a CVS and today they said they are only accepting cash for purchase of VR's. I went to another CVS which I've visited before and was able to purchase with a cc. Has anyone else experienced this?
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
Nov 13, 2013, 8:06 pm
#2962
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chesapeake, VA (ORF)
Posts: 15
I've been buying VR's from a CVS and today they said they are only accepting cash for purchase of VR's. I went to another CVS which I've visited before and was able to purchase with a cc. Has anyone else experienced this?
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
Nov 13, 2013, 8:57 pm
#2963
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: LAX
Posts: 2,851
Your post is very confusing. CSR has to call manager - CSR or which company? CVS clerks are Cashiers, they are not CSRs.
US Airways card is issued by Barclays, not US Bank.
Retailers do not have a clue of how much your CL is. The register prompts the Cashier to call for authorization which in 99% of the case it is because your bank does not let the transaction going thru before verifying you being the owner of the card and the one buying the stuff.
US Bank must have updated its fraud alert software which seems to kick in overdrive and causes a lot of such incidents for a lot of people even on very "seasoned" cards with XX,XXX CLs.
US Airways card is issued by Barclays, not US Bank.
Retailers do not have a clue of how much your CL is. The register prompts the Cashier to call for authorization which in 99% of the case it is because your bank does not let the transaction going thru before verifying you being the owner of the card and the one buying the stuff.
US Bank must have updated its fraud alert software which seems to kick in overdrive and causes a lot of such incidents for a lot of people even on very "seasoned" cards with XX,XXX CLs.
Oops, Cashier had to talk to the manager who in turn had to call CVS headquarter. Headquarter then called U.S. Bank for authorization.
I made 2 transactions, both at $503.95. One with the Club Carlson Biz card which needed additional authorization whereas with my U.S. airways, I didn't have the same problem.
Nov 13, 2013, 9:02 pm
#2964
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
If you want to create a variance of amount, throw in some items CVS actually sells for LESS. That is what I normally do, a can of tuna here, a bag of Almond there. This week if you need milk, it is $2.99 a gallon at CVS versus $4+ in our local grocery store for the same brand...
Nov 13, 2013, 9:04 pm
#2965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Oops, Cashier had to talk to the manager who in turn had to call CVS headquarter. Headquarter then called U.S. Bank for authorization.
I made 2 transactions, both at $503.95. One with the Club Carlson Biz card which needed additional authorization whereas with my U.S. airways, I didn't have the same problem.
I made 2 transactions, both at $503.95. One with the Club Carlson Biz card which needed additional authorization whereas with my U.S. airways, I didn't have the same problem.
Barclays could not care less for the transaction.
They are 2 different banks with 2 proprietary risk assessment systems.
Nov 14, 2013, 4:47 am
#2966
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
a Shocker!
Last night I went into CVS and I actually bought something. It had nothing to do with mylez!
Nov 14, 2013, 8:35 am
#2967
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Long Beach
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 1,171
I went into a CVS last night to purchase 2 VR's. Upon seeing there were none on the rack i started to turn around, i had 3 cvs employees ask me if i need help, so i thought what the heck, and told themn i was looking for VR's, one said oh we keep those behind the counter, we cought someone taking them from the store and they gave the reason well you are often out of them and i want ot be sure i can get them. this sounds even worst than hiding them.
Nov 14, 2013, 8:44 am
#2968
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: KWI
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 806
I went into a CVS last night to purchase 2 VR's. Upon seeing there were none on the rack i started to turn around, i had 3 cvs employees ask me if i need help, so i thought what the heck, and told themn i was looking for VR's, one said oh we keep those behind the counter, we cought someone taking them from the store and they gave the reason well you are often out of them and i want ot be sure i can get them. this sounds even worst than hiding them.
Nov 14, 2013, 10:18 am
#2969
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: United, Hilton, National
Posts: 128
I've been buying VR's from a CVS and today they said they are only accepting cash for purchase of VR's. I went to another CVS which I've visited before and was able to purchase with a cc. Has anyone else experienced this?
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
I would think any changes would be corporate wide, not by an individual store.
And there are the stores that don't allow people to buy with CC at all.
Nov 14, 2013, 10:22 am
#2970
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SNA
Programs: United, Hilton, National
Posts: 128
I went into a CVS last night to purchase 2 VR's. Upon seeing there were none on the rack i started to turn around, i had 3 cvs employees ask me if i need help, so i thought what the heck, and told themn i was looking for VR's, one said oh we keep those behind the counter, we cought someone taking them from the store and they gave the reason well you are often out of them and i want ot be sure i can get them. this sounds even worst than hiding them.
The store should have a sign saying they keep VR behind the counter if that's what they do.