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)
Apr 2, 14, 11:08 pm
#8236
formerly dmo580
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 492
Is anybody else not automatically maxing out their BB limits at CVS this week? Sure, I got some beans, but I stopped a few short of my limit to allow myself the opportunity to try out some other possible sources over the next day or two. I've got a couple stores in mind that I know carry them (don't ask me where; your best first step is to check the VR website). I know at least some locations of these stores accept CC for them, so I'm curious to find out about others.
Of course, I'm not talking anywhere near CVS levels when it comes to quantity, but definitely enough to help meet minimum spend (of non AA Executive cards) every few months.
Am I the only one going this route? Is everybody else just wearing out CVS as much as possible?
(Of course, if none of the other options pan out at all, you'll probably find me in line at CVS tomorrow night).
Of course, I'm not talking anywhere near CVS levels when it comes to quantity, but definitely enough to help meet minimum spend (of non AA Executive cards) every few months.
Am I the only one going this route? Is everybody else just wearing out CVS as much as possible?
(Of course, if none of the other options pan out at all, you'll probably find me in line at CVS tomorrow night).
Apr 2, 14, 11:12 pm
#8237
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 343
Is anybody else not automatically maxing out their BB limits at CVS this week? Sure, I got some beans, but I stopped a few short of my limit to allow myself the opportunity to try out some other possible sources over the next day or two. I've got a couple stores in mind that I know carry them (don't ask me where; your best first step is to check the VR website). I know at least some locations of these stores accept CC for them, so I'm curious to find out about others.
Of course, I'm not talking anywhere near CVS levels when it comes to quantity, but definitely enough to help meet minimum spend (of non AA Executive cards) every few months.
Am I the only one going this route? Is everybody else just wearing out CVS as much as possible?
(Of course, if none of the other options pan out at all, you'll probably find me in line at CVS tomorrow night).
Of course, I'm not talking anywhere near CVS levels when it comes to quantity, but definitely enough to help meet minimum spend (of non AA Executive cards) every few months.
Am I the only one going this route? Is everybody else just wearing out CVS as much as possible?
(Of course, if none of the other options pan out at all, you'll probably find me in line at CVS tomorrow night).
Apr 2, 14, 11:14 pm
#8238
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
He pulled the trigger: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carychaney
Apr 2, 14, 11:22 pm
#8239
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: LAS
Programs: DL DM 1MM, Hertz PC, National EE, Bonvoy TE, GE, CLEAR
Posts: 146
Bought $5,000 on 4/2 around noon in Hollywood, FL. The cashier said she thought these were cash only. I asked her to try anyway, she did but she completed the transaction after only $500 and had to have a supervisor/manager void it.
He went over my ID and credit card a bunch, probably because I am from out of state and gave me the stink eye while the cashier did about half of the cards. He then lost interest and walked away.
I went back later that day and did $500 with no ID and no problems. Drove to a second store a few streets over and was instantly turned away. The cashier pointed to the memo saying it was 3/31 as the new policy date.
Went back to the first store after the day rolled on the register to do another $5,000. The cashier asked me if it was going to be cash, I told her credit. She said she didn't think she could do it but started to ring it up anyway. Everything was fine until a manger walked by and she asked him what the daily limit was. He said it was $1,000 and then they both started talking about cash only.
I went back to the second store to see if I had any better luck after a shift change and was again told it was cash only. The cashier did volunteer some information. She said that their particular store has not accepted CC for a long time but other stores in the area have. She said they have been having problems with people buying the cards and then doing a chargeback later. This particular store had two full racks of the VR cards so it is believable that they have not been selling them.
Take it for what it is worth but it may not be the MS that screwed it all up after all.
He went over my ID and credit card a bunch, probably because I am from out of state and gave me the stink eye while the cashier did about half of the cards. He then lost interest and walked away.
I went back later that day and did $500 with no ID and no problems. Drove to a second store a few streets over and was instantly turned away. The cashier pointed to the memo saying it was 3/31 as the new policy date.
Went back to the first store after the day rolled on the register to do another $5,000. The cashier asked me if it was going to be cash, I told her credit. She said she didn't think she could do it but started to ring it up anyway. Everything was fine until a manger walked by and she asked him what the daily limit was. He said it was $1,000 and then they both started talking about cash only.
I went back to the second store to see if I had any better luck after a shift change and was again told it was cash only. The cashier did volunteer some information. She said that their particular store has not accepted CC for a long time but other stores in the area have. She said they have been having problems with people buying the cards and then doing a chargeback later. This particular store had two full racks of the VR cards so it is believable that they have not been selling them.
Take it for what it is worth but it may not be the MS that screwed it all up after all.
Apr 2, 14, 11:27 pm
#8240
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 274
bought last 2 today and was told this is starting to be cash only. But i asked the try and it went through. And she re-read the letter and said not today, but tomorrow.
She was telling me that the VGC is also cash only...is this true?
She was telling me that the VGC is also cash only...is this true?
Apr 2, 14, 11:28 pm
#8241
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,856
But yeah, if you're doing full on MS, you probably want to milk every last penny you can.
Apr 2, 14, 11:29 pm
#8242
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 252
Went to load my Serve card at my usual CVS. As soon as I swiped my credit card, the machine beeped and declined. Is this just a bug in the system (as I've been reading in here), or does this mean the POS machine is programmed to not accept credit card?
Apr 2, 14, 11:30 pm
#8243
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: DL DM-1MM HH Diamond
Posts: 361
[QUOTE=Take it for what it is worth but it may not be the MS that screwed it all up after all.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. This was a profitable deal for CVS until Incomm changed it's agreement, that is why CVS changed to cash only.
It was obviously profitable for CVS because they recently raised the daily limit to $5k.
Koodos to CVS for maximizing the deal they had with Incomm. They are MSing on a scale we can only dream about.
At least we got to ride along for a while.
Absolutely. This was a profitable deal for CVS until Incomm changed it's agreement, that is why CVS changed to cash only.
It was obviously profitable for CVS because they recently raised the daily limit to $5k.
Koodos to CVS for maximizing the deal they had with Incomm. They are MSing on a scale we can only dream about.
At least we got to ride along for a while.
Apr 2, 14, 11:32 pm
#8244
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 274
Absolutely. This was a profitable deal for CVS until Incomm changed it's agreement, that is why CVS changed to cash only.
It was obviously profitable for CVS because they recently raised the daily limit to $5k.
Koodos to CVS for maximizing the deal they had with Incomm. They are MSing on a scale we can only dream about.
At least we got to ride along for a while.
It was obviously profitable for CVS because they recently raised the daily limit to $5k.
Koodos to CVS for maximizing the deal they had with Incomm. They are MSing on a scale we can only dream about.
At least we got to ride along for a while.
Apr 2, 14, 11:40 pm
#8245
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 172
Are you guys just maxing out on any amount of beans you can get then loading them over the months or do you all have ways to unload all the beans in one month ?
Apr 2, 14, 11:42 pm
#8246
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, AA, WN, BA, AS, TK, Radisson, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham
Posts: 1,912
Today I tried to load Serve in one location in Palo Alto, CA, and it was declined (cash or debit only they said). After that, same store, allowed me to purchase VRs using CC. Went o another store (Mountain View). They loaded my Serve, and told me that today is the last day. They also sold me 6 VRs. Third store (Sunnyvale) another 2 VRs and no problems. They even had VRs hanging on a rack. I've bought 15k worth of VRs and loaded 2k to Serve just in 3 days.
Apr 2, 14, 11:50 pm
#8247
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 59
2014.04.02 - Cary, NC
The entire area here is a nice suburb near Raleigh, NC and CVS has been dealing with PANIC buying of VRs for several days now. This is based on employee reports after visiting 4 different CVS stores in a 6 mile radius before closing today. All 4 stores announced that Friday 2014.04.04 would be the official date when cash will be only accepted.
2 stores 100% sold out - Purchased 2 1k increments of OV that required DL scan with no issues. Will use BB and MO method at WM to liquidate.
1 store reported they were instructed via e-mail to cease all non-cash payments for VRs 24 hours ago. Even though it is not hard coded, this store apparently was "hit" so hard by a flood of VR buyers in the last few months that brought the attention of corporate HQ.
1 store had 5 remaining cards that I purchased with the encouragement and assistance of the store manager who HIMSELF had been playing the VR BB game for years. Also discovered that many CVS employees have been actively playing with this MS method for years.
Further details from store manager: CVS justifies this changeover to cash only for VRs due to two main reasons: Amex / Incomm (?) raised their fees being charged to CVS making it much less profitable. More stores in the last few months in an increasing number of areas were experiencing higher rates of fraud.
Note that even though some CVS stores now are refusing credit cards for OV not all are adhering to the same policy.
The entire area here is a nice suburb near Raleigh, NC and CVS has been dealing with PANIC buying of VRs for several days now. This is based on employee reports after visiting 4 different CVS stores in a 6 mile radius before closing today. All 4 stores announced that Friday 2014.04.04 would be the official date when cash will be only accepted.
2 stores 100% sold out - Purchased 2 1k increments of OV that required DL scan with no issues. Will use BB and MO method at WM to liquidate.
1 store reported they were instructed via e-mail to cease all non-cash payments for VRs 24 hours ago. Even though it is not hard coded, this store apparently was "hit" so hard by a flood of VR buyers in the last few months that brought the attention of corporate HQ.
1 store had 5 remaining cards that I purchased with the encouragement and assistance of the store manager who HIMSELF had been playing the VR BB game for years. Also discovered that many CVS employees have been actively playing with this MS method for years.
Further details from store manager: CVS justifies this changeover to cash only for VRs due to two main reasons: Amex / Incomm (?) raised their fees being charged to CVS making it much less profitable. More stores in the last few months in an increasing number of areas were experiencing higher rates of fraud.
Note that even though some CVS stores now are refusing credit cards for OV not all are adhering to the same policy.
Apr 2, 14, 11:51 pm
#8248
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 59
BB + H&R emerald + spouse with same = 20k/month
BB + H&R + JH = 15k/month
etc.
edit: that's not even getting into having multiple BB lines per SS#
