OK, I am posting somewhat more valuable info:)

I finally found them at my local CVS for the first time in about 2 weeks.
New version ones but different from the ones at 7-11, still the same silver/green scratch tape but black diagonal lines added.

Same here. A brand new CVS opened today, so I thought I was 100% sure to get some VR. Went to the store and zero VR, but a full inventory of every other card.

As I just posted, new version of VR for CVS was available now, so your local CVS will restock them sooner or later I guess.

You're saying you've found them at downtown locations within the past 5 days?

Agreed. The title of this whole thread has been proved to be inaccurate at least 100 times as well. 90% of postings are about Chicago or NYC (which admittedly make up quite a bit of our population). Maybe this should be retired or a new thread started about CVS/VR babbles.

So I'm not completely negative I guess I'll contribute something. Haven't seen the enhanced VRs come to any CVS yet, but they are at other stores.

Not sure about downtown since they're mostly miss with CC purchase, but there are plenty on the north side.

No, I don't even bother checking the downtown locations. Try the burbs... further is better for your chances.

First Timer
 

I have to meet a min. spend of $3K on my new Citi AA VISA for the 50K bonus miles. It is a bit hard to do since we are now retired and no large purchases anticipated. I have been reading this thread on BB for hours. Finally figured out what "VR" and "GC" stand for - LOL!

Just went to the local 7-11 and purchased a VR "Prepaid Reload" and convinced the cashier to let me charge the $500 amt to my CC - even though he initially said cash.

I need to open a BB acct with Walmart - will do this online.

So logistically, please help me with the steps on how to load the $500 onto my BB acct. Do I just follow the directions on the VR and when at Vanillareload.com - I enter the BB acct # as the "prepaid card number" (AMEX) and the VR scratch off PIN #? Sorry for the stupid question - but just want to make sure I have it right since this is my first time.

If it works, I will go back to 7-11 and try to purchase additional VRs and hope they let me charge it again!

Also, visited my local CVS and they had totally different Vanilla cards. The packaging was black with 2 horizontal stripes with the name" My Vanilla, Personal Reloadable Prepaid Card". Says that after registering online - you will receive a car in the mail in 7-10 days. I assume this is NOT the correct Vanilla card to get for the BB scenario - is that right?

Thanks for the help - it is a bit confusing. And of course, I am always on the tail end of great schemes since most retailers are now asking cash payment for the VR cards.

Wait until you get your BB in the mail and activate it before buying a bunch of VRs(Atlanta had a lot of fraud on VRs and it seems to be only in ATL).

Sign up to Plink.com. It will give you $2.5 in the form of a GC(such as amazon) when you make a purchase greater than $25 at 7-11.

The CVS My vanilla is NOT VR. do not buy it. CVS VRs are hard to come by. Still quite a few in DFW area but plenty of VRs at 7-11.

You can stick with 7-11 VRs ith Plink making your cost from 5.95-2.5 per 500 card.

New version VR for CVS
 

FT and other boards are not a good starting point for newbies in general.
Some blogs are very generous for newbies, for example, Million Mile Secret.

http://millionmilesecrets.com/2012/1...-reload-cards/

You need to get a "permanent" BB first to load $ on it.
You can find how to get a permanent BB on the blog or BB official site.

Yes, you simply go to vanillareload.com and enter two numbers 1) the bluebird account number (which will appear on the permanent bluebird card that you receive in the mail) and 2) the number under the scratch-off area on the back of the VR. Click submit, accept the terms (i typically have to click submit again after accepting the terms), and it will show you a "success!" message.

You are right, the My Vanilla is NOT the same as the VR. Do not buy the my vanilla reloadABLE cards at CVS. The correct VR card should be very similar to the one you bought at 7-11 (more of a plastic placard than a credit card looking thing). It will say "Prepaid Reload".

Once the VR funds have been transfered to the Bluebird account, you can login at Bluebird.com and manage your account (i.e. use billpay to pay off cc bills, pay mortgage, obtain checks, etc.).

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

Still happening on the west side of the country. A reliable CVS has been out of stock for over 2 weeks and cashier says they "didn't come in" during their last shipments. I'm gonna try a few other super reliable CVS stores before I start to panic.

Just North of Boston most CVS stores are out also. It will be interesting to see what happens in the near future. Heck even the CVS next to the location of the BOS DO last night was out of VR's. You would think they would have stocked up in anticipation of their best customers being in the neighborhood.
Then again maybe I arrived at the CVS to late at 6:15.

No luck at 5 CVS for White Bean
 

I thought I had scored with CVS when they were out of cards - service manager said he would order an extra supply and I should come early Friday morning. Woo-hoo! When I got there - rack was chock full of black beans. I showed him a photo from Darius' website. Said they never carry it. Hope one of the 4 I previously tried will carry the new version discussed above.

So far my only success has been on visits to my parents. These country convenience stores absorbed by 7-11 aren't enforcing the "7-11 policy" and let me use Ink Plus. I've only bought one per store cause I don't want to frighten them into checking with management. Last clerk said "You're really giving someone a $500 gift??"