Aug 2, 13, 7:51 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)
Aug 14, 13, 2:17 pm
#1471
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 417
I don't see how DL can be linked to IRS.
According to the posted link ( http://www.dol.wa.gov/external/docs/...tion-basic.pdf ), DL does not have SSN, which is IRS identifier.
According to the posted link ( http://www.dol.wa.gov/external/docs/...tion-basic.pdf ), DL does not have SSN, which is IRS identifier.
Aug 14, 13, 2:20 pm
#1472
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
I don't see how DL can be linked to IRS.
According to the posted link ( http://www.dol.wa.gov/external/docs/...tion-basic.pdf ), DL does not have SSN, which is IRS identifier.
According to the posted link ( http://www.dol.wa.gov/external/docs/...tion-basic.pdf ), DL does not have SSN, which is IRS identifier.
Aug 14, 13, 2:34 pm
#1473
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 417
The question is rather can CVS automatically report transactions to IRS or can CVS's system file automatic SAR. Hard to tell...
Aug 14, 13, 2:40 pm
#1474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
I believe auto-report is possible. My concern is an automatic SAR, since most SARs are filed online now anyway. Plus, just because we manufactured spenders are using CCs doesn't mean that a true money launderer, whom this theoretically is attempting to prevent from buying too many of these, would use a CC. The system must be designed independent of CC usage, everyone who has had ID scanned has had it happen before declaring their payment method.
Aug 14, 13, 8:07 pm
#1475
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 168
I believe auto-report is possible. My concern is an automatic SAR, since most SARs are filed online now anyway. Plus, just because we manufactured spenders are using CCs doesn't mean that a true money launderer, whom this theoretically is attempting to prevent from buying too many of these, would use a CC. The system must be designed independent of CC usage, everyone who has had ID scanned has had it happen before declaring their payment method.
Aug 15, 13, 3:06 pm
#1476
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 196
$999 does not require an ID Scan
I haven't read this whole 98 page thread, my apologies if this isn't the right place or doesn't bring anything new to the table. Just want to add a data point.
I did a test today on two different cards in a CVS in Atlanta. Bought 2 cards ($500 each) on one credit card, total was $1,007.90 (after taxes/fees). This transaction required ID scan.
I then bought 2 cards ($500 on one, $499 on the other) on one credit card, total was $1,006.90 (after taxes/fees). That transaction did NOT require an ID scan.
So next time I'll try a $500.00 and a $499.99 on the same transaction out of curiosity and see if that requires a scan! As of now, it appears the minimum for an ID scan is a hard line at $1000.00, but we need one more data point to be clear.
I did a test today on two different cards in a CVS in Atlanta. Bought 2 cards ($500 each) on one credit card, total was $1,007.90 (after taxes/fees). This transaction required ID scan.
I then bought 2 cards ($500 on one, $499 on the other) on one credit card, total was $1,006.90 (after taxes/fees). That transaction did NOT require an ID scan.
So next time I'll try a $500.00 and a $499.99 on the same transaction out of curiosity and see if that requires a scan! As of now, it appears the minimum for an ID scan is a hard line at $1000.00, but we need one more data point to be clear.
Aug 15, 13, 4:06 pm
#1477
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: UA 1K; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Diamond; CCarlson Elite
Posts: 641
I have begun buying VRs singly. I simply go up with X cards and I say "I need to put $500 on each one of these, and I need to buy each one as a separate transaction." I pay for each transaction with the same CC, and noone has batted an eye. Trips no barriers, and no scans.
Aug 15, 13, 4:50 pm
#1478
Join Date: May 2013
Location: AZ
Programs: AA, UA, US
Posts: 525
I have begun buying VRs singly. I simply go up with X cards and I say "I need to put $500 on each one of these, and I need to buy each one as a separate transaction." I pay for each transaction with the same CC, and noone has batted an eye. Trips no barriers, and no scans.
Aug 15, 13, 4:53 pm
#1479
Aug 15, 13, 4:54 pm
#1480
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: 5280/8150
Programs: Flying and sleeping
Posts: 341
I think he does them all at the same time, one by one.
Can anyone on the north side of the windy city or southwest of beantown PM me with their experiences? I have some upcoming travel out of my CVS-free zone and want to play with some beans.
Can anyone on the north side of the windy city or southwest of beantown PM me with their experiences? I have some upcoming travel out of my CVS-free zone and want to play with some beans.
Aug 15, 13, 5:01 pm
#1482
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 809
S/He said "I need to put $500 on each one of these, and I need to buy each one as a separate transaction."
Meaning s/he buys X amount of cards from the same store without ID scan. I am confused as where the gas savings comes from.
Meaning s/he buys X amount of cards from the same store without ID scan. I am confused as where the gas savings comes from.
Aug 15, 13, 5:12 pm
#1483
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 236
I haven't read this whole 98 page thread, my apologies if this isn't the right place or doesn't bring anything new to the table. Just want to add a data point.
I did a test today on two different cards in a CVS in Atlanta. Bought 2 cards ($500 each) on one credit card, total was $1,007.90 (after taxes/fees). This transaction required ID scan.
I then bought 2 cards ($500 on one, $499 on the other) on one credit card, total was $1,006.90 (after taxes/fees). That transaction did NOT require an ID scan.
So next time I'll try a $500.00 and a $499.99 on the same transaction out of curiosity and see if that requires a scan! As of now, it appears the minimum for an ID scan is a hard line at $1000.00, but we need one more data point to be clear.
I did a test today on two different cards in a CVS in Atlanta. Bought 2 cards ($500 each) on one credit card, total was $1,007.90 (after taxes/fees). This transaction required ID scan.
I then bought 2 cards ($500 on one, $499 on the other) on one credit card, total was $1,006.90 (after taxes/fees). That transaction did NOT require an ID scan.
So next time I'll try a $500.00 and a $499.99 on the same transaction out of curiosity and see if that requires a scan! As of now, it appears the minimum for an ID scan is a hard line at $1000.00, but we need one more data point to be clear.
Aug 15, 13, 5:15 pm
#1484
Join Date: May 2013
Location: AZ
Programs: AA, UA, US
Posts: 525
if he does 495 X 2 ( X 4 cc) on each card, he can do ~4k per trip
moot point but 2 trips to cvs will get him 4k - if he is gunning for 10k / month, 1st story would take him 5 trips, 2nd story does the job in 2 trips
- saves gas 
Aug 15, 13, 6:50 pm
#1485
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,161
I'm not concerned about the DL scan, and I finally found a cashier who knew about the $5,000 limit. So I bought 4x$500 Vanilla GCs today. Off to WM for a couple of MOs.
