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)
#9631
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 3,677
$5K is the top limit for purchasing OVs at CVS within 24 hours. Some locations set lower limits for themselves only.
#9632
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
a) cause the transaction to be voided
b) the funds will have been taken from the swiped cards, and you need to wait about a week to get the funds back
c) and the $2500 probably counts against your 24 hour rolling limit.
So: use higher-denomination AGC, or split in $2,500 purchases, or go to a CVS which doesn't have these policies (if there are any!)
#9633
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
There is also a limit on number of swipes. So, if using $500 AMEX GC, trying to buy more than $2500 in OV will (at least in my location)
a) cause the transaction to be voided
b) the funds will have been taken from the swiped cards, and you need to wait about a week to get the funds back
c) and the $2500 probably counts against your 24 hour rolling limit.
So: use higher-denomination AGC, or split in $2,500 purchases, or go to a CVS which doesn't have these policies (if there are any!)
a) cause the transaction to be voided
b) the funds will have been taken from the swiped cards, and you need to wait about a week to get the funds back
c) and the $2500 probably counts against your 24 hour rolling limit.
So: use higher-denomination AGC, or split in $2,500 purchases, or go to a CVS which doesn't have these policies (if there are any!)
Last edited by cdancer20; Jun 6, 2014 at 12:01 pm
#9634
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
When making my usual OV purchase, my local cashier told me that "everyone else buys the flat cards." I asked her what she meant and she walked over to the gift card rack and grabbed two VRs.
Register was hard-coded (as expected). I'm not sure if she just didn't realize you can't use a credit card. Cashiers at this store saw Frequent Miler's piece on Yahoo. They are now very interested in and supportive of what I am doing. They used to just run my transactions with apathy.
Register was hard-coded (as expected). I'm not sure if she just didn't realize you can't use a credit card. Cashiers at this store saw Frequent Miler's piece on Yahoo. They are now very interested in and supportive of what I am doing. They used to just run my transactions with apathy.
#9635
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Warm, sunny Florida
Posts: 251
There is also a limit on number of swipes. So, if using $500 AMEX GC, trying to buy more than $2500 in OV will (at least in my location)
a) cause the transaction to be voided
b) the funds will have been taken from the swiped cards, and you need to wait about a week to get the funds back
c) and the $2500 probably counts against your 24 hour rolling limit.
So: use higher-denomination AGC, or split in $2,500 purchases, or go to a CVS which doesn't have these policies (if there are any!)
a) cause the transaction to be voided
b) the funds will have been taken from the swiped cards, and you need to wait about a week to get the funds back
c) and the $2500 probably counts against your 24 hour rolling limit.
So: use higher-denomination AGC, or split in $2,500 purchases, or go to a CVS which doesn't have these policies (if there are any!)
#9638
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
#9639
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,263
I walked into my local CVS last night and there were no OVs on the rack. I asked the cashier and she pulled out a bag of them from behind the register, which was nice to see. She asked if I wanted 10 and I said no, 5 will work for today. She then said, $500 on each, right? Keep in mind this is the first time I had seen this cashier. She then asked me if I was getting those Amex points and I just told her no, I would be using a Visa. Come to find out that apparently another potential FTer is working this store as well as he informed the cashier about taking his wife to Paris in 1st class for about $400 OOP. Maybe we'll cross paths one day, LOL...good thing there is a honey hole CVS I found that always has 3 full racks of OVs. Most of the other ones around town are usually wiped out. In conclusion, this CVS is well aware of what is going on, but apparently has no issue with it. She also didn't mention any upcoming change to the current policy, but I also didn't explicitly ask her.
#9640
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Posts: 1,844
And we're still hoping for some, "substantial concrete evidence".
Nothing personal, it just fit together so well, couldn't pass up the elegance.
#9641
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 571
I walked into my local CVS last night and there were no OVs on the rack. I asked the cashier and she pulled out a bag of them from behind the register, which was nice to see. She asked if I wanted 10 and I said no, 5 will work for today. She then said, $500 on each, right? Keep in mind this is the first time I had seen this cashier. She then asked me if I was getting those Amex points and I just told her no, I would be using a Visa. Come to find out that apparently another potential FTer is working this store as well as he informed the cashier about taking his wife to Paris in 1st class for about $400 OOP. Maybe we'll cross paths one day, LOL...good thing there is a honey hole CVS I found that always has 3 full racks of OVs. Most of the other ones around town are usually wiped out. In conclusion, this CVS is well aware of what is going on, but apparently has no issue with it. She also didn't mention any upcoming change to the current policy, but I also didn't explicitly ask her.
#9643
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
#9644
Formerly known as FTRox87
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: TX
Programs: AA/US 1M, AS, BA, CX, EK, EY, JL, KE, LH, NH, OS, QF, QR, TG, UA/CO | *$G
Posts: 1,428
anyways as far as swipes go, you could do 5 $1k AGC swipes for the $5k load and the balance of fees on another (credit) card if your CVS is cool w/using GC/prepaid to buy GC (not a hard coded stop.)