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)
Mar 3, 2014, 11:55 am
#5011
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,519
I am often asked how I will be paying for the purchase. My response is always CHARGE CARD.
Somehow people tend to value a charge card as cash vs. credit card. At one CVS location I went to the store mgr told me all GCs and Reload cards were cash only. I asked him if he was sure and he said it was changed a couple months ago to cash only. THIS WAS WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT MSING AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
A couple days later went back to the same CVS and picked up 4 One Vanilla cards and paid with my charge card.
Of course my charge card has revolving line just like credit cards.
Somehow people tend to value a charge card as cash vs. credit card. At one CVS location I went to the store mgr told me all GCs and Reload cards were cash only. I asked him if he was sure and he said it was changed a couple months ago to cash only. THIS WAS WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT MSING AND DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.
A couple days later went back to the same CVS and picked up 4 One Vanilla cards and paid with my charge card.
Of course my charge card has revolving line just like credit cards.
Mar 3, 2014, 12:10 pm
#5012
Join Date: May 2005
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 271
Ok so assume you say "charge card" and you slide your CC through the CVS system, wouldn't the cashier expect you to type in a PIN for your "charge card"? I can't get a sense from your post on whether you were successful in saying "charge card". It seems like it didn't work because you said you had to come back a couple days later to buy your VRs. I think its fairly obvious that during the transaction that they will find out that it is not a debit card.
Mar 3, 2014, 12:12 pm
#5013
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul
Posts: 271
Ok so assume you say "charge card" and you slide your CC through the CVS system, wouldn't the cashier expect you to type in a PIN for your "charge card"? I can't get a sense from your post on whether you were successful in saying "charge card". It seems like it didn't work because you said you had to come back a couple days later to buy your VRs. I think its fairly obvious that during the transaction that they will find out that it is not a debit card.
Mar 3, 2014, 12:40 pm
#5014
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Having spent a ton of time in retail, here is what I can tell you. cashiers don't know the difference between charge and credit, and it runs the same way, same networks. Difference is your bankif they demand payment, not how it is processed.
An amex plat gets run the same way as an amex blue cash on the merchant side.
An amex plat gets run the same way as an amex blue cash on the merchant side.
Mar 3, 2014, 12:55 pm
#5015
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
my understanding of charge card and credit cards was that you simply swipe and sign when using. the only time you punch in a pin was when you use your debit card, no? I thought the difference between charge and credit was that you had to pay off the charge card at the end of the month and there's no spending limit.
Mar 3, 2014, 2:04 pm
#5016
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: MSN
Posts: 203
As previously stated, there is no difference between a credit card and a charge card in terms of the relationship between the merchant and the card issuer. Both have transaction fees and neither instantly pays the retailer (both are basically a promise of payment).
The difference is in terms of the relationship between the card issuer and the card holder.
The difference is in terms of the relationship between the card issuer and the card holder.
Mar 3, 2014, 2:23 pm
#5017
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sacramento CA - SMF
Programs: UA 1K, PC Plat, SPG Gld, HH Gld, MR Gld
Posts: 207
If it's not hidden on the rack, it's pretty unfair.
I kind of consider fair game if people hide them behind other GCs on the rack, if they hide them elsewhere in the store, that's just wrong.
VRs have a distinct look to them, you'll be able to spot a hidden VR a mile away once you realize you need to look for the black markings on the side of the VR.
I usually just look at the sides of other gift cards and look for discrepancies. If so, I check to see if it's hidden VRs and more often than not, it is.
I kind of consider fair game if people hide them behind other GCs on the rack, if they hide them elsewhere in the store, that's just wrong.
VRs have a distinct look to them, you'll be able to spot a hidden VR a mile away once you realize you need to look for the black markings on the side of the VR.
I usually just look at the sides of other gift cards and look for discrepancies. If so, I check to see if it's hidden VRs and more often than not, it is.
But seriously, "Where have all the VRs gone"? I been going into 3 different locations; and the racks are empty of VRs. It's been that way for 3 weeks now. Prior to this period, they use to stock them back up late Thursday nights. There were always plenty on Friday and through the weekend.
Is anyone else seeing this?
Mar 3, 2014, 5:00 pm
#5018
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
"Where have all the VRs gone"? I been going into 3 different locations; and the racks are empty of VRs. It's been that way for 3 weeks now. Prior to this period, they use to stock them back up late Thursday nights. There were always plenty on Friday and through the weekend.
Is anyone else seeing this?
Is anyone else seeing this?
Mar 3, 2014, 5:21 pm
#5019
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,815
You're lucky. The racks by my prescription counter have never had them. They are limited gift cards only.
Mar 3, 2014, 6:03 pm
#5020
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Twin Cities
Posts: 18
Anybody buy today? Suddenly my CVS very adamantly told my wife cash only for VR, and apparently according to the cashier it's hard coded (she showed her the screen), and since it's the first of the month wanted to see if anyone else had the same experience. Hoping it's just this store. Will try another store on monday.
Mar 3, 2014, 6:32 pm
#5021
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 274
Meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but I thought I would mention an interesting data point here. At my local DC CVS, they now require a manager's approval for any transaction $1k or over. Cashier calls the manager, manager inspects the CC and DL, nods and walks away. Nothing entered into the register, so it's obviously just a store policy. And the managers never seem to care that I'm buying VRs.
I'm sure it's just a one-store-only kind of thing, just thought I'd mention.
I'm sure it's just a one-store-only kind of thing, just thought I'd mention.
Mar 3, 2014, 10:35 pm
#5022
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: CHICAGO, IL
Programs: Arrival Points, M-Life, Hyatt, ULTIMATE REWARDS, AA, UAL, SOUTHWEST
Posts: 121
Mar 3, 2014, 10:37 pm
#5023
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Platinum, M life Noir
Posts: 1,279
Meaningless in the grand scheme of things, but I thought I would mention an interesting data point here. At my local DC CVS, they now require a manager's approval for any transaction $1k or over. Cashier calls the manager, manager inspects the CC and DL, nods and walks away. Nothing entered into the register, so it's obviously just a store policy. And the managers never seem to care that I'm buying VRs.
I'm sure it's just a one-store-only kind of thing, just thought I'd mention.
I'm sure it's just a one-store-only kind of thing, just thought I'd mention.
Mar 3, 2014, 11:30 pm
#5025
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: SJC, SFO
Programs: Motel 6 Super Diamond
Posts: 351
I hide mine really well in the rack (similar colored cards).
But seriously, "Where have all the VRs gone"? I been going into 3 different locations; and the racks are empty of VRs. It's been that way for 3 weeks now. Prior to this period, they use to stock them back up late Thursday nights. There were always plenty on Friday and through the weekend.
Is anyone else seeing this?
But seriously, "Where have all the VRs gone"? I been going into 3 different locations; and the racks are empty of VRs. It's been that way for 3 weeks now. Prior to this period, they use to stock them back up late Thursday nights. There were always plenty on Friday and through the weekend.
Is anyone else seeing this?