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)
Mar 30, 2014, 12:07 pm
#6316
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton-Gold
Posts: 706
CVS now $5k/day
Just got 6 cards in FLORIDA
Hate auto correct features in phone
Hate auto correct features in phone
Mar 30, 2014, 12:08 pm
#6317
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Just walked into CVS in FL to stock up. The cashier, whom I have never seen probably cuz I go weekdays, pulled out the memo. I told her it starts tomorrow and she verified.
Funny story though. Her thoughts were that it was due to this lady that has been coming in and buy gift cards with gift cards. She said lady has been told not to do it and even went to the pharmacy to try. Then she came in and started using her phone to start paying with the gift card and they had no way to verify. She found it funny how thos memo came out afterwards. I told her it's nationwode memo so couldn't be the woman. She mentioned that they even asked head regional managers about it and they said it was ok what the lady was doing. But she still thought the woman was up to something devious.
The funniest part is that I am about 99% sure that she was talking about me! Lmbo. I often use Amex GCs to buy VRs/reload Serve. And I recently started using Isis for the $1 Serve deal and the 20% WF deal. But I didn't say anything. I paid with normal cards that day and walked out $6k in the hole. (I reloaded Serve too which actually is odd since they let me go over $5k. Guess Serve reload doesn't count to that max.)
Funny story though. Her thoughts were that it was due to this lady that has been coming in and buy gift cards with gift cards. She said lady has been told not to do it and even went to the pharmacy to try. Then she came in and started using her phone to start paying with the gift card and they had no way to verify. She found it funny how thos memo came out afterwards. I told her it's nationwode memo so couldn't be the woman. She mentioned that they even asked head regional managers about it and they said it was ok what the lady was doing. But she still thought the woman was up to something devious.
The funniest part is that I am about 99% sure that she was talking about me! Lmbo. I often use Amex GCs to buy VRs/reload Serve. And I recently started using Isis for the $1 Serve deal and the 20% WF deal. But I didn't say anything. I paid with normal cards that day and walked out $6k in the hole. (I reloaded Serve too which actually is odd since they let me go over $5k. Guess Serve reload doesn't count to that max.)
Mar 30, 2014, 12:10 pm
#6318
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Metro DC
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Priority Club Platinum, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 291
Data point:
Northern Virginia
First stop said the just received direction to accept cash only with limit of $1000 total purchase per transaction.
Second stop bought 2k vr with no problems on card will get more before the end of the day.
Looks like it just got real folks.
Northern Virginia
First stop said the just received direction to accept cash only with limit of $1000 total purchase per transaction.
Second stop bought 2k vr with no problems on card will get more before the end of the day.
Looks like it just got real folks.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:10 pm
#6319
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 246
Mar 30, 2014, 12:13 pm
#6320
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
Confirmed at my local CVS
I bought 10 cards at one of my local CVS stores near my house today, and asked the cashier about the rumor; he hadn't heard of it, but told me the manager was in aisle 18 if I wanted to ask.
She confirmed that they received an email from headquarters saying that as of tomorrow these will be cash only.
Kind of sad news, but *thank you* to the people on this board who gave us all a heads up about it yesterday and today! At least we had a chance of picking up a few more VR is before the policy goes into effect.
She confirmed that they received an email from headquarters saying that as of tomorrow these will be cash only.
Kind of sad news, but *thank you* to the people on this board who gave us all a heads up about it yesterday and today! At least we had a chance of picking up a few more VR is before the policy goes into effect.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:14 pm
#6321
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 31
Yep so in a nutshell, that ad on VR website is just letting you know you can do at the customer service, what you already knew you could do (cash a paycheck or SS or Welfare check) and they'll load it on to a pre-paid of your choice (some new, some they always could do).
Mar 30, 2014, 12:17 pm
#6322
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,857
Other than the float, what is the down side of holding on to the VR for a month? I already bought the max that I can load in April, was thinking of buying more today.
I found one report on the web of someone buying a card without a pin, which he felt was a scam, but only one. I suppose waiting a month would be an issue in that case, is it prudent to check to make sure the PIN is there?
I found one report on the web of someone buying a card without a pin, which he felt was a scam, but only one. I suppose waiting a month would be an issue in that case, is it prudent to check to make sure the PIN is there?
If you're going to hold on to them without depositing them for any time at all, definitely make sure you keep all the receipts, cards, etc. It's your only line of defense if something does go wrong.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:17 pm
#6323
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: SFO/ORD
Posts: 212
Is there a limit on how many refund requests you can submit / request?
Mar 30, 2014, 12:19 pm
#6324
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
I thought about that as well. One would have to think that their revenue estimates are going to fall short unless they have had this planned for some time? Im guessing Q2 earnings may show a revenue miss and that is just enough to scare off investors IMO. Im not taking a position on the stock one way or another though.
There are other places to buy them, and other things to buy at drug stores.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:19 pm
#6325
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
Bought 4k at three different CVS no problem with using CC and no problems with supply. Wife and I will do some more later. Not worth much but the one CVS where I have chatted with the asst manager before I asked about the policy change he said he wasn't aware of any change but said he wouldn't be surprised if it happened.
Last edited by 36902BRF; Mar 30, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Mar 30, 2014, 12:20 pm
#6326
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: United: Gold, HHonors: Gold, Marriott: Gold, AA, US, AGR
Posts: 397
I wish I had jumped on the VRs earlier, but when my CC got declined the first time (fraud alert) so I was discouraged to do it again. I finally got up the guts to do $5,000 today on my United Chase Visa - no questions asked at the DTX location in Boston. I notified Chase of the large purchase, and sure enough all worked out.
Good things always come to an end, but I guess that's all part of the game.
Good things always come to an end, but I guess that's all part of the game.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:22 pm
#6327
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Fishers, IN
Posts: 105
Picked up my 5k today. Will be loading all these on my card in a few days 
Cashier had no idea, didn't see a manager in the area to ask.
Cashier had no idea, didn't see a manager in the area to ask.
Mar 30, 2014, 12:26 pm
#6328
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RSW/FMY
Programs: All, but no status!
Posts: 754
If CVS is about to become useless for buying vanilla and other reloads, can they still offer us any value in terms of buying MOs with a PIN debit?
What are the rules, costs, limits? Would love folks to weigh in with data including how easy it is and whether cashiers tend to be picky about it being an official debit vs. a prepaid say visa or MC GC?
What are the rules, costs, limits? Would love folks to weigh in with data including how easy it is and whether cashiers tend to be picky about it being an official debit vs. a prepaid say visa or MC GC?
ZapperO -- we can share tips at tomorrow's Boston DO!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...arch-31-a.html
Mar 30, 2014, 12:26 pm
#6329
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,857
So, in short, it looks like sticking to VGC is the way to go if you want to avoid hassles.