At my Winn Dixie I have found that $1000 (2 x $500 Univision) seems to be the sweet spot without issue.

There is a social interaction flaw in trying to escalate against a "cash only" position. Almost always when someone makes up a rule in those situations it is very hard for anyone to back down without looking foolish or out right wrong. Most managers or supervisors will instinctively agree with the original teller out of support. Their objective is to move to the next customer and ride out their shift. And now the idea of "cash only" has just been reinforced, even though it was probably never a rule in the first place.

So escalating may make one feel better and empowered but is very unlikely to result in a different outcome at that point in time and has a reasonable possibility of becoming an entrenched position.

Your experience may be different and complaining gets you results, and if so good for you. Maybe you can report back your success rate and validate or contradict this view?

Lately I've been having issues using my CC to buy GCs at the local grocery stores. The minute they see $1k+, they reinforce the "cash only" rule. If I just buy $500, they let it slide by telling me they are doing it as a "one-time" exception. Really annoying.

I would suggest that any Bestern Mass/Northern CT FTers check out their local Big Y for VGCs.

Shaw's/Star Market requires manager override for anything over $300.

Found some $20-$500 Visa and MC variables at a Winn Dixie in West palm beach, FL. I didn't buy because I wasn't sure I could load to bluebird since they are issued by university national bank. After doing some research (which didn't work well on my phone at the store) it would appear these do work and the pin is the last 4 digits on the card (for the visa).
Now I just have to go back and buy the cards and hope they will take credit.

Depends. I have bought $500 at Shaw without any override needed.

I have had no issue with $1k at Winn Dixie either. I haven't tried more though.

Anyone in SoCal have any luck? I have tried multiple Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons etc. No VGCs

None of these other stores exist down here. :(

I tried buying a couple the other day at one of my Harris Teeter locations. The cashier tried to ring it up, and after calling the manager over I was told "no credit cards". It seemed to be hard coded, but I can't be sure. I have 3 harris teeters close to my house, so it's possible it's just the one, but I haven't been motivated to try again.

I've bought GCs at 4+ locations around here in NC and never had an issue. I generally only buy $500 at a time.

Reporting back from a Kroger city while on travel.

Today I got the courage to ask if I could split tender from two CCs. It threw the gals for a loop (ie, discussion) but one agreed to try it.

Reason: I have a BCE that has a $500 limit. Since I want that 3 percent back to take the ouchie off of the fees when I use miles and points cards, this was important to me. Back to report...

It worked, no problem. Later, I took someone to another Kroger to get a few groceries, and I used my other BCE (with a better limit) to score another GC.

While here I got my grocery category covered with my BOA CB and when I travel again, I can go back to miles and points. :)

Also would love to know. Both Ralphs that I was able to do this at earlier this year do not allow it anymore....

Orange county area

I tried at a few Harris Teeters back in January when I was in NC. I was not denied a single time (I got $500 once and $1,000 each time after that). I would just go to another Harris Teeter.

Purchased a $500 variable VGC card at Schnucks (STL area). Cards are not out on the racks, but you can buy them at the customer service desk.