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)
Jul 6, 2013, 1:51 am
#856
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 530
Has anyone tried to reload money onto an used VR? The clerk at my store suggested I try, but I didn't.
Jul 7, 2013, 3:37 am
#857
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,512
I noticed a sign at CVS (at both checkout and gift card section) that prepaid debit cards are not cash/debit only. Does it mean that you cannot buy Visa GCs with credit card anymore at CVS?
Jul 7, 2013, 10:29 am
#859
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: UA MPE, BA Blue, AA, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Silver, HHonors Silver, National Exec, Avis First
Posts: 553
noT = noW???
Jul 7, 2013, 10:35 am
#860
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 939
Seems that store has implemented a new policy.
It is NOT a company wide however.
You can go to another store, start buying your GCs at grocery stores or you can push back.
It is NOT a company wide however.
You can go to another store, start buying your GCs at grocery stores or you can push back.
Jul 7, 2013, 1:45 pm
#861
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Yesterday went to one store got $500 no problem. Today I tried 4 other stores and all said cash only. Went back to the same store yesterday and was fine. Hopefully that store doesn't change on me.
Jul 8, 2013, 10:04 pm
#862
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
Which Citi CC is it? Oddly Citi is the only I bank I do not get the occasional fraud alert from. Also, how much are you purchasing in each transaction? I used to get alerts at $1k from other banks, but these seem to have stopped (maybe they got used to it). Maybe try smaller transactions? Or try a couple of non-VR purchases at CVS?
I find Citi really slow at a lot of stuff, so I can understand the waiting-to-clear frustration.
I find Citi really slow at a lot of stuff, so I can understand the waiting-to-clear frustration.
Jul 9, 2013, 5:43 am
#863
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 112
It's the TYP w/ 5x points. But I don't think the type of card is important. What I do is usually 2 VRs per transaction -- I try to get in as many purchases as possible per day to maximize the points I'm getting. It happens usually after the 2nd $1007.90 purchase. I'm guessing it's usually because of the repeated large transaction amounts. But the most frustrating thing is that often they don't call me right away. And then if I call them, the reps on the phone can't tell why my transaction is being declined -- they talk to the security dept and my card looks like it's good to go, but in reality, it still gets declined. Very frustrating. I end up only being able to buy about $2-4k per day.
Jul 9, 2013, 9:11 am
#864
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angles
Posts: 2,101
It's the TYP w/ 5x points. But I don't think the type of card is important. What I do is usually 2 VRs per transaction -- I try to get in as many purchases as possible per day to maximize the points I'm getting. It happens usually after the 2nd $1007.90 purchase. I'm guessing it's usually because of the repeated large transaction amounts. But the most frustrating thing is that often they don't call me right away. And then if I call them, the reps on the phone can't tell why my transaction is being declined -- they talk to the security dept and my card looks like it's good to go, but in reality, it still gets declined. Very frustrating. I end up only being able to buy about $2-4k per day.
Jul 9, 2013, 10:13 am
#865
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
The CVS stores that I go to always have a sign about prepaid debit cards being cash only. They are referring to the Amex prepaids and cards like that. GCs and reloads have been fine.
Jul 9, 2013, 10:46 am
#866
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: HNL
Programs: Aadvantage ExPlt, SPG Platinum 100, Alaska 75K
Posts: 372
One way around a store's $1000 limit is to buy $1000 of different types of reloads with sep. transactions. Did it the other day w/o a problem.
Jul 9, 2013, 11:58 am
#867
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 939
That REALLY depends. My home store will only sell me 1k a day total. Some of my other stores will split up transactions and allow as many as i want though i never push more than 2k a visit. No need to posion the well as i can easily come back later in the day or the next.
Jul 9, 2013, 3:32 pm
#868
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
You can check out at the pharmacy at the back of the store. What you happen to remember to purchase on your way out the front of the store is up to you.
Jul 9, 2013, 5:10 pm
#869
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Avis Chairman
Posts: 1,286
Yep, that's what I've found as well. However, I got around that today. Last night, I did two things: (1) set a travel notification for myself (I'm a consultant, so I'm out of town and much of my buying is away from home) and (2) called up Citi and set up a large transaction notification.
I usually do this. I got called on it yesterday, though. The store manager came up to the front and told the cashier not to ring me up as I had just been at the pharmacy. It was too late -- the transaction had already been completed. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. I feigned ignorance and told him I thought it was $1000 per register, not per store.
Jul 9, 2013, 6:06 pm
#870
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I usually do this. I got called on it yesterday, though. The store manager came up to the front and told the cashier not to ring me up as I had just been at the pharmacy. It was too late -- the transaction had already been completed. Nanny-nanny-boo-boo. I feigned ignorance and told him I thought it was $1000 per register, not per store.
