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 17, 2013, 3:37 pm
#3031
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: New England
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Jetblue Mosaic (past)
Posts: 298
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
Nov 17, 2013, 5:25 pm
#3033
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 367
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I use another VR to scratch it off. Probably 3-5 seconds and yes it generates some flakeys. I don't know if those things are really designed to be taken off in one piece - and with some cards, when you try, you damage the numbers.
Nov 17, 2013, 5:26 pm
#3034
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Warm, sunny Florida
Posts: 251
First VR I purchased, I was in such a hurry to load for fear of it being stolen, cloned, etc. I used my fingernail. Didn't realize I had keys in my pocket, coins in my wallet, and the bird debit card I was going to load...
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
Nov 17, 2013, 5:46 pm
#3035
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
Find the post called http://mileageupdate.com/vr-gc-roulette/ and scroll thru to find vr ale
Nov 17, 2013, 6:41 pm
#3036
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I have also used HKD $2 before to scratch it.
Nov 17, 2013, 9:20 pm
#3038
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,060
I'd caution people on this too, especially with the 3rd generation VRs. While I didn't remove the numbers, I would have if I hadn't been paying attention. Compare this to the 2nd generation which took considerable effort to scratch off. Definitely a coin is the way to go.
Nov 18, 2013, 12:40 am
#3039
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I'd caution people on this too, especially with the 3rd generation VRs. While I didn't remove the numbers, I would have if I hadn't been paying attention. Compare this to the 2nd generation which took considerable effort to scratch off. Definitely a coin is the way to go.
Nov 18, 2013, 5:42 am
#3040
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,946
I switched to one of the gold-tone dollar coins with a flat edge. It works perfectly fine, albeit I could see how one might scratch off the numbers if not careful.
Nov 18, 2013, 5:42 am
#3041
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,322
I use a penny. Three or four swipes, just enough to expose da numbahs.
Nov 18, 2013, 5:52 am
#3042
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I invented a special VR scratching tool. Guaranteed never to scrape off the numbers when used per manufacturer's instructions. Paypal me $10 and I'll send you one. Free shipping!
Nov 18, 2013, 7:56 am
#3043
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 88
How do people scratch off the backs of their VRs?
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I've tried keys, pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters...never really satisfied with it being neat or efficient--usually takes 5-10 seconds and is messy. Then, I happened across a $2 Canadian coin that has partially smooth and partially rough edges and is very large so that with one swipe in about 2 second I can cleanly remove the right amount of the scratch off area and not make a mess. This works much better with the VR 3.0 (that start with a 7) scratch offs that have a newer better scratch off material.
Maybe I'm a little OCD about this but I'm guessing I'm not alone....
I don't think this is a HUGE concern, but at the rate that some of us are buying VRs, a good scratch-off tool has value.
Nov 18, 2013, 8:19 am
#3044
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,179
scratch using nails...simple.
Nov 18, 2013, 8:40 am
#3045
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BA CO DL UA US
Posts: 814
I used pennies to scratch the VR. Now...if only I can find VR in south Jersey area.