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 10, 2014, 3:11 pm
#3676
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,052
Ive heard of that too tho
I will tell you that ive somehow trained my typ to do at least five like swipes in a row with no fraud text (btw setting up text alerts is soooo much faster and better than the call ones)
I will tell you that ive somehow trained my typ to do at least five like swipes in a row with no fraud text (btw setting up text alerts is soooo much faster and better than the call ones)
Jan 10, 2014, 3:16 pm
#3677
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: South NJ
Posts: 263
... Except that Citi's fraud prevention team did see the block and attempted to contact me. So it doesn't seem to have been blocked at the POS directly. The advice provided by them didn't make much sense to me, on the other hand...
Jan 10, 2014, 4:12 pm
#3678
Join Date: Jan 2010
Programs: AA BAEC FL WN US SPG Marriott Hyatt UR
Posts: 145
Datapoint: Four Baltimore metro area CVS stores uncharacteristically beanless today. 
Last edited by mfinn; Jan 10, 2014 at 9:52 pm Reason: Change "Three" to "Four"
Jan 11, 2014, 4:21 am
#3679
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Deleted
Last edited by PaulMSN; Jan 11, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Jan 11, 2014, 6:42 am
#3680
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Texas
Programs: AA, USAir
Posts: 228
I for one, need to feed my 2x Plantinum miles for me and my wife, and then do the Dividend so activity has definitely gone up
Jan 11, 2014, 9:53 am
#3681
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
No, I see VR everywhere, supply has gone up....
Jan 11, 2014, 10:18 pm
#3683
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,463
But, the interesting part... Spoke with Citi's fraud prevention dept, and they said that it wasn't suspicious activity that triggered it, but rather that the magnetic card reader did not read the number or the expiration date properly. They suggested telling the cashier the next time to key in the card number manually. Anyone hear or try that before?
Jan 11, 2014, 10:27 pm
#3684
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Murica
Posts: 344
Went to a different CVS (from my regular one) yesterday to buy 3K worth of beans. The cashier said they needed to split them into 3 transactions of 1K each. The third transaction triggered a fraud alert on the Citi TYP card, so I just had him cancel the transaction. Never had that happen with a single 3K transaction, so I know it's not the amount, but the number of swipes.
But, the interesting part... Spoke with Citi's fraud prevention dept, and they said that it wasn't suspicious activity that triggered it, but rather that the magnetic card reader did not read the number or the expiration date properly. They suggested telling the cashier the next time to key in the card number manually. Anyone hear or try that before?
But, the interesting part... Spoke with Citi's fraud prevention dept, and they said that it wasn't suspicious activity that triggered it, but rather that the magnetic card reader did not read the number or the expiration date properly. They suggested telling the cashier the next time to key in the card number manually. Anyone hear or try that before?
Jan 12, 2014, 10:11 am
#3685
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: South NJ
Posts: 263
Thx, that's what I thought but was curious as to what others may have experienced. Went yesterday and got another 2K in one transaction with no problem, so the card seems to be working just fine.
Jan 13, 2014, 7:22 am
#3686
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BOS
Posts: 31
Bought at CVS today, and instead of the receipt showing "ACTIVATED" for the cards, it now says "Will be activated within 24 hours". Sure enough, over an hour later the cards still are not activated. Anyone experience this?
Jan 13, 2014, 8:10 am
#3687
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 187
Bought yesterday and receipt shows "activated" and cards worked immediately.
Jan 13, 2014, 8:25 am
#3688
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 42
Same here. 4/5 cards are now active, about an hour after purchase. Still waiting on the last. I called the number on the back of the card. They said CVS is experiencing a delay this morning.
Jan 13, 2014, 8:57 am
#3689
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Warm, sunny Florida
Posts: 251
I had this happen to me once at staples. Didn't notice the within 24 hour print on the receipt. Tried to use the card but by not waiting my actions effectively killed the debit card. Had to go back to Staples and through this 2 hour ordeal with the manager. Not sure if VRs are the same way but I'd wait to try until after the 24 hour period.
Jan 13, 2014, 9:52 am
#3690
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 126
Did 9 in a row before the transaction failed and the Wells Fargo fraud call came in. I didn't want to wait for the automated system to verify my activity, so I left with only 9.
So the register did not attempt to block the multiple swipes at all.