Aug 2, 13, 7:51 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)
Jun 12, 13, 4:48 pm
#722
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
U missed it?
Last edited by prasha11; Jun 12, 13 at 5:17 pm
Jun 12, 13, 6:00 pm
#723
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 26,355
Provisions in the patriot act plus IRS rules have been put in place because of money laundering. How do I know? I've been a store manager at a store that was hit for failing to comply. We got hit with a couple thousand dollar fines. A cc traces to someone but cash doesn't. Criminals love gift cards for the reason they can use dirty money and walk away with a spendable amount of equal value. There's a reason some stores call the cops with high dollar gift card purchases. Anyone who thinks gift cards aren't a money launders dream are fooling theirselves.
Jun 12, 13, 8:06 pm
#725
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: YVR - Vancouver, with most winter weekends in Whistler.
Programs: Aeroplan 35K, Alaska MVP, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime Gold, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 4,601
If money launderers were using credit cards, it would be the worst possible method.
Every record is held with a bank that has legislation that requires them to protect said information for a pre-determined period of time. The authorities could easily get any information with a court order. It's overly traceable. . .
cash not so much.
Every record is held with a bank that has legislation that requires them to protect said information for a pre-determined period of time. The authorities could easily get any information with a court order. It's overly traceable. . .
cash not so much.
Jun 12, 13, 9:57 pm
#726
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
Jun 12, 13, 9:58 pm
#727
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
^ Why is it difficult to comprehend?
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
Jun 12, 13, 10:16 pm
#728
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,509
Yes, today it printed out totally unexpectedly on OneVanilla. The description said Home Improvement on the ECB, but on the receipt it said Visa, buy 2 get 5 EB. Limit one per household (card).
Jun 12, 13, 10:17 pm
#729
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: AA, SPG, UA, CSP
Posts: 338
^ Why is it difficult to comprehend?
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
Jun 12, 13, 11:50 pm
#730
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 362
IME there are two rules: $1K/transaction, which is a universal register limit as whenever a newbie cashier tries to ring up the third card, they stop and stare at the screen for a few seconds, then tell me that they can only do $1K per transaction; and some stores have a two cards/day limit, which the cashier has always informed me of as soon as I lay down more than two cards. YMMV of course.
Jun 13, 13, 5:10 am
#731
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: BOS, MHT
Programs: AA ltg, B6, DL, UA, AS, SPG/Marriott Plt, HH, Hyatt
Posts: 10,051
^ Why is it difficult to comprehend?
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
When U buy a Gift card with credit card, there is 'no money' involved to be laundered - laundering impossible
When U buy a Gift card with Money (cash) that money (if dirty) can be laundered (cleaned) - laundering possible
cannot be simpler. the end!
I find that it depends solely on the zeal of any given clerk or manager. I find CVS is more--let's say--stressful about things than say, Rite Aid.
CVS is like one of those really busy popular coffee cafe's in your town in the morning where, if you were not savvy to the ways and means of things, you might walk out before ordering.
All you guys are making the same pt. Can we get back to CVS and its threshold. I think most people can easily google how people launder money (and for people who work in the financial sector, well we should know this by heart by now after getting AML training notifications every 6 months).
I have one CVS in my area which is so up in arms crazy about the limit that they pretty much yell at you if you even TRY to breach it. Whereas one just about 2 miles away has an old lady working there who has been there for ages who said, "I don't really care if you buy 10 of these!" I have never bought more than $2k from her though and I don't know why.
In the end it really just depends on a set of things each store put into play either at the register or in the minds of their staff.
Moving a bit from one red/white logo company to another (both HQ in New England so I can talk about it cuz I'm from here) ...I took a class last year at a community college and some were my age but some were regular college aged students. One young gal used to yap to her friend before class about her side job working for Staples as a cashier for a few years now... She would tell stories as we waited for the class room to open up before our time started and on one occasion she actually CALLED herself the Staples Nazi and said things like, "Well I never let anyone get away with anything! I think people buying things with gift cards is almost always a scam..." I hadn't even opened my mouth (believe it or not lol) and she was going on and on about it. then one day I told her how many FAR and UR gigs I had done and from then on she would literally snarl at me when I walked in. She referred to the store she worked at as MY STAPLES.
There are those people out there and sadly they walk among us.
I have another friend whose wife is an exec at the company's corp offices in my state and knows a few things about some of the FAR issues that have bothered them. When at a BBQ, I said I had done some of them and she smiled and shrugged and said "Well, hey, if my company cant get it right, so be it! I just didn't tell you that lol." And she handed me another beer.
Jun 13, 13, 7:52 am
#732
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NE
Programs: UA PLAT, HH Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 211
IME there are two rules: $1K/transaction, which is a universal register limit as whenever a newbie cashier tries to ring up the third card, they stop and stare at the screen for a few seconds, then tell me that they can only do $1K per transaction; and some stores have a two cards/day limit, which the cashier has always informed me of as soon as I lay down more than two cards. YMMV of course.
Jun 13, 13, 7:57 am
#733
Join Date: May 2002
Location: St Louis, MO
Programs: AA L.T. PLT
Posts: 3,245
IME there are two rules: $1K/transaction, which is a universal register limit as whenever a newbie cashier tries to ring up the third card, they stop and stare at the screen for a few seconds, then tell me that they can only do $1K per transaction; and some stores have a two cards/day limit, which the cashier has always informed me of as soon as I lay down more than two cards. YMMV of course.
Jun 13, 13, 8:50 am
#734
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: LGA/JFK/HPN
Programs: DL Gld, AA MM
Posts: 139
Is there a FAQ for this forum? I got here from the flyer talk newsletter and trying to figure this thread out! lol.... After going through 10 pages so far, I think it's about accruing more credit card points through cvs gift card purchases?
What is VR, FR, BB? I'm lost!
What is VR, FR, BB? I'm lost!
