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 23, 2014, 10:31 am
#9872
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
Besides your math being off by a buck or so, this is a very specific case that requires 1. you have a 5x card, and 2. you have no other cash out methods whatsoever. Most people are not in that same situation. It requires a lot more work too, given that you now have to take an additional step. But if it works for you, why do you care what other people thing. Keep doing it and be happy.
Jun 23, 2014, 11:51 am
#9873
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 201
Um, you can't buy VR with GC. At least no where that I've found.
Jun 23, 2014, 12:09 pm
#9874
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 95
Um, you can't buy VR with GC. At least no where that I've found.
Jun 23, 2014, 12:13 pm
#9875
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA
Programs: DL DI AA LTPL MAR LTPL HY GL
Posts: 477
VRs at where I live are all cash only as well. No "debit or cash." Good old "cash or out"
Jun 23, 2014, 12:20 pm
#9876
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SFO/DTW
Programs: DL PM 0.5MM, Hyatt Globalist, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, Avis PC, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,989
Jun 23, 2014, 6:13 pm
#9877
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 198
Since VGCs cannot be loaded at WM, I don't want to go to CVS any more.
Jun 23, 2014, 7:44 pm
#9879
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Stopped off at a CVS after making a MO deposit and was picking up 2 more OVs when it looked like there might be a problem when closing the transaction. Everything was going well. Handed over the OV's, handed over the ID and the CC and when the clerk was swiping for the payment alarms went off. I immediately tried to think 'did I hit my limit on the card?'. I purchased 2 OV's earlier and thought maybe they flagged my ID and it went through the whole CVS network!
The clerk stepped over to the phone and called up someone....I could see what she was doing.
What seemed like eons and feeling the line of customers growing behind me she came back and said...."see what you did" then smiled.
Turns out it was my CC company that thought it was an unauthorized transaction. I spoke with the CC rep and everything was fine.
*phew*
International Incident Averted!
The clerk stepped over to the phone and called up someone....I could see what she was doing.
What seemed like eons and feeling the line of customers growing behind me she came back and said...."see what you did" then smiled.
Turns out it was my CC company that thought it was an unauthorized transaction. I spoke with the CC rep and everything was fine.
*phew*
International Incident Averted!
Jun 23, 2014, 8:32 pm
#9880
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 571
Stopped off at a CVS after making a MO deposit and was picking up 2 more OVs when it looked like there might be a problem when closing the transaction. Everything was going well. Handed over the OV's, handed over the ID and the CC and when the clerk was swiping for the payment alarms went off. I immediately tried to think 'did I hit my limit on the card?'. I purchased 2 OV's earlier and thought maybe they flagged my ID and it went through the whole CVS network!
The clerk stepped over to the phone and called up someone....I could see what she was doing.
What seemed like eons and feeling the line of customers growing behind me she came back and said...."see what you did" then smiled.
Turns out it was my CC company that thought it was an unauthorized transaction. I spoke with the CC rep and everything was fine.
*phew*
International Incident Averted!
The clerk stepped over to the phone and called up someone....I could see what she was doing.
What seemed like eons and feeling the line of customers growing behind me she came back and said...."see what you did" then smiled.
Turns out it was my CC company that thought it was an unauthorized transaction. I spoke with the CC rep and everything was fine.
*phew*
International Incident Averted!
Jun 23, 2014, 8:56 pm
#9881
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Uranus
Posts: 333
Today a CVS cashier "wasn't comfortable" (?!) scanning my ID and wanted to do 4 separate transactions--one for each OV. I insisted a couple of times but relented and said I'll just get two OVs because I don't want a pocket full of receipts. The second one got a fraud alert and while I cleared it up on the phone, the second transaction wouldn't go through immediately so I ended up with just one card. The lady said she'd scan my ID next time. Jeez.
Last edited by MileageAddict; Jun 23, 2014 at 9:34 pm Reason: obscenity removed
Jun 23, 2014, 9:01 pm
#9882
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 571
It was just a new thing for her.
Jun 24, 2014, 5:54 am
#9883
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 142
About to plan a churn of a few cards since I took a break for the last year or so.
Anyone have any favorite cards for CVS? Doesn't seem like many offer pharmacy bonus, except the random Freedom category.
And I've found a MO sweet spot, so my CVS still has a special place in my heart.
Anyone have any favorite cards for CVS? Doesn't seem like many offer pharmacy bonus, except the random Freedom category.
And I've found a MO sweet spot, so my CVS still has a special place in my heart.
Jun 24, 2014, 6:26 am
#9884
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,635
A couple cashiers at my local CVS know I'd come in regularly to buy cards... first the VR when you could still get them with a CC, and then the VGCs until WM killed those. Unfortunately nothing left to go there for, since all GCs are vanilla/incomm.
Suppose I can do the MO thing, but its pretty limited in my area with who accepts debit cards.
Suppose I can do the MO thing, but its pretty limited in my area with who accepts debit cards.
Jun 24, 2014, 8:01 am
#9885
Join Date: May 2014
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,164
About to plan a churn of a few cards since I took a break for the last year or so.
Anyone have any favorite cards for CVS? Doesn't seem like many offer pharmacy bonus, except the random Freedom category.
And I've found a MO sweet spot, so my CVS still has a special place in my heart.
Anyone have any favorite cards for CVS? Doesn't seem like many offer pharmacy bonus, except the random Freedom category.
And I've found a MO sweet spot, so my CVS still has a special place in my heart.