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)
Jun 4, 2014, 3:48 pm
#9587
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,066
It's been talked about before. The alternate tender required message usually happens when there is a fraud alert on your payment method or the chosen payment method fails. It can be interpreted by the cashier to mean "cash only", but it most cases it's benign. Being able to handle this and say, "Oh, I got an alert like that the other day. Let me call my bank quickly." can diffuse the situation and avoid turning off the spigot at a cc friendly CVS.
Jun 5, 2014, 9:05 am
#9588
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Upstate
Programs: HH Diamond-IHG Plat-AA Gold
Posts: 215
Jun 5, 2014, 9:37 am
#9589
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I had a complete lapse of memory last month. I'm so use to going into CVS to buy OVs only and using one of my 5x credit card. Then for normal spend, I use my 2x Arrival card. Well last month, I had to make a rare purchase from the pharmacy for a $50 prescription. It wasn't until just yesterday (weeks later) that I realized I used my 2x card instead of one of my 5x cards. I guess in my mind, CVS=MS. If it's not MS-related then my mind goes to normal spend. (Though I do remember to use it for normal spending at grocery but I think that that's b/c I always had a 5x grocery card so it's second nature)
Jun 5, 2014, 11:36 am
#9590
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
Waste of time? It's no waste of time buying a few K worth of OV at once, I don't have cvs where I live and nowhere allows more than 1 purchase of $500 per day. Due to the fact I was in the middle of nowhere and decided to give it a try to see if it would work has absolutely nothing to do with trying to prove anything to strangers, it was just an attempt to see how the store was operating. And I thought I would share my experience and what I was told by an employee. I'll just keep to myself and go back to lurking now, hopefully I don't find anything new that would be beneficial to MSers, like another chain of stores that is located in almost 10 states that has a sign posted next to gift cards saying you can purchase $5,000 per day, wait a second, that sounds familiar....
Jun 5, 2014, 11:41 am
#9591
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
I'm really despising this 24 hr rolling window policy right about now 
2 days in a row CBed by the register :/
just let me get my $5k in a day already CVS
2 days in a row CBed by the register :/just let me get my $5k in a day already CVS
Jun 5, 2014, 11:44 am
#9592
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
It's getting harder to get more than $1K at a time in my local CVS. I only have one CVS here in my town.
Today, Store Manager was the counter, and I went to him with 4 OV. He said, I can do only 1K. I said ok.
Then total was $1k +9.xx fees. I asked him to split the transaction, with $1K on AGC and rest on a cc. He is like " I am the store Manager, I will NOT Split the transaction, you have to swipe all on one shot", Was too rude IMO.
What can I do if he is the store manager? But any way, ended up using BC card finally.
Today, Store Manager was the counter, and I went to him with 4 OV. He said, I can do only 1K. I said ok.
Then total was $1k +9.xx fees. I asked him to split the transaction, with $1K on AGC and rest on a cc. He is like " I am the store Manager, I will NOT Split the transaction, you have to swipe all on one shot", Was too rude IMO.
What can I do if he is the store manager? But any way, ended up using BC card finally.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:06 pm
#9594
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 193
Look at your receipt, it will print the time it was completed. Do the math and go a few minutes after 24 hours to make your next purchase. Inconvenient at the start for me, but I successfully planned my purchases after finding out they enforced the 24 hour rule.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:06 pm
#9595
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,066
Jun 5, 2014, 12:15 pm
#9596
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Yea I have gotten bitten by this recently too. Since I don't always go to work and get off at the exact same min, it turns numbers around. I've started to think that I should alternate buying mornings/evenings when I know I will be doing 2 days in a row.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:28 pm
#9597
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
This is actually not true everywhere. In my area, CVS does not autodetect prepaid balances. It depends highly on 1. your location, 2. the store you are using, and 3. the card you are using. Just because it works for you doesnt mean it will work everywhere.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:30 pm
#9598
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 757
I had to kill five minutes in the parking lot just last night. OH THE HUMANITY.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:41 pm
#9599
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
From talking to a lot of other people throughout this website, it's common in a lot of places. Sorry to hear that it hasn't work in your area. Also, I only mentioned Amex GCs. I can't speak for other cards.
Jun 5, 2014, 12:43 pm
#9600
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 44
Hope this is a unfounded rumor but I would be remiss if I didn't report it here. I spoke with a CVS cashier today and she told me that sometime in July they would no longer accept credit for ANY prepaids including the OVs. I asked if there was any memo but she said she only heard from a coworker. I'm planning on going again tomorrow morning and will ask a few more questions. I'll keep everyone posted.
Last edited by ParkALot; Jun 5, 2014 at 12:58 pm