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)
Jan 4, 2014, 2:49 am
#3601
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,457
Data Point: just hit up my favorite CVS outpost. Of course, an older cashier, had never seen VRs before. She tried, message popped up, went away, went through. BUT system wouldn't scan more than 1 VR per trans. Not a problem with me. But worth noting. Walked out with $1500 as that's all I need for my Chase BA bonus
Jan 4, 2014, 6:05 am
#3602
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
Was at a cvs thurs nite and got $4k vanilla. No issues whatsoever. Is this $2k rule regional or store specific?
Jan 4, 2014, 9:28 am
#3603
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CT
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 429
Picked up 5k, 3k, and 3k (30 mins ago) over the past 3 days, at 3 different stores without any hassles. Either its a regional issue or a rogue cashier again.
Jan 4, 2014, 9:31 am
#3604
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CT
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 429
Also, the 6 stores around me have always had a decent amount of cards but the 3 I hit the last 3 days are now carrying a stupendous amount of beans. Anyone else noticing this?
Jan 4, 2014, 9:45 am
#3605
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
My three favorite stores have had an increased number the past few weeks as well.... but OTOH I've never seen one VR at the two stores closest to my house.
Jan 4, 2014, 9:50 am
#3606
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Yes, and I easily saw nearly 100 at one of the locations near me that consistently only had about 20-30 in previous months.
Jan 4, 2014, 9:57 am
#3607
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
supply up or demand down? or both
I can see signs of demand down because of 2 reasons
1) not many new credit card application offers
2) MVD is almost ended.
Jan 4, 2014, 10:57 am
#3608
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 374
Jan 5, 2014, 10:13 am
#3609
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CT
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 429
Jan 5, 2014, 10:22 am
#3610
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Naw, its just the winter storms cutting down on CVS traffic. Brrrrr - it was freezing over in Coral Gables last night when I opened our freezer to get ice cubes.
Jan 5, 2014, 1:19 pm
#3611
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,457
Well said, we got a little cold last night with the top down coming back from CVS in which I bought 5K of beans.....
Jan 5, 2014, 1:24 pm
#3612
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,061
Jan 5, 2014, 4:17 pm
#3613
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, AA Plat. Pro
Posts: 400
I bought 2K of beans today. Cashier calls over the manager, he would only let me do 2K, apparently there is another MSer that goes there too. He was a bit skiddish but 2 is better than none. He felt better after the DL scan though. I'll keep trying there to see how it goes. CVS in Ohio.
Last edited by HansGruber; Jan 5, 2014 at 4:17 pm Reason: Added location
Jan 5, 2014, 11:13 pm
#3614
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 632
Ran into something weird tonight: US Bank flagged one of my VR buys, like they do, but then the purchase kept getting rejected. I was on the phone with the rep trying to complete the sale, and she asked me to have the CVS guy punch in the CC numbers. Apparently, the system wouldn't let him do that for a gift card sale. The manager came over and she couldn't either. Weird.