Feb 3, 2017, 9:45 am
Last edit by: RedSun
This is the thread for 2017 onward. The previous discussion can be found here.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
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.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 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.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
UPDATED Oct-2018: A lot of CVS store take CCs for GC purchases. Some stores check CCs and scan driver's license (with hand scanner). The best GCs are OVVGC and VVGC. The only differences are card designs. The current fee is $5.95 for $25 - $500 variable loading. If prompted for PIN, enter the last 4 digits.
Look for mobile shipping portal with CVS bonus. Certain CCs have category bonus.
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.
Transaction limits since October 20, 2014:
Transactions with $300 or more of card face value require ID.
Limit $ 2000 of card face value per 24 hour rolling period. (Some are reporting limit of $1000 per 24 hrs as of 2/2018)?
Limit of 10 cards per 24 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.
System error after giving them license If you keep getting this error, there could be a problem with the magnetic strip on your license. Have them use the wand to scan it instead.
CVS Master Thread(2017 onwards)
Feb 20, 2017, 1:47 am
#211
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 5
Anyone getting an "alternate payment form required" or the like error? I've gotten it twice today when purchasing $1000. It's the first swipe, but then I swipe the second card without and it processes. Then swipe the first card again and it works just fine." Not sure if this is CVS trying to limit the cards or just my random luck tonight
indyjosh - What do you mean by "...I swipe the second card without..."?
"without" what?
Tyia for clarifying.
Feb 22, 2017, 4:31 pm
#212
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 316
Anyone getting an "alternate payment form required" or the like error? I've gotten it twice today when purchasing $1000. It's the first swipe, but then I swipe the second card without and it processes. Then swipe the first card again and it works just fine." Not sure if this is CVS trying to limit the cards or just my random luck tonight
Feb 22, 2017, 6:53 pm
#213
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Feb 22, 2017, 7:19 pm
#214
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 316
Feb 23, 2017, 9:26 am
#216
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: So.FL
Programs: AA Platinum Jet Blue Mosaic
Posts: 106
Cvs: Activation issues
Needed to buy some variable AX GC for business gifts.
Went to two different CVS stores (and one OM)
in South FL.
All three attempts failed as register could not process.
Was not a cc issue as I did not get that far.
At one CVS, manager came over and said that he was supposed to
pull the AX GC off the shelf as they are having activation issues.
Anyone else ?
Went to two different CVS stores (and one OM)
in South FL.
All three attempts failed as register could not process.
Was not a cc issue as I did not get that far.
At one CVS, manager came over and said that he was supposed to
pull the AX GC off the shelf as they are having activation issues.
Anyone else ?
Feb 24, 2017, 7:22 am
#217
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of the parrots and parrotheads
Programs: Several dozen
Posts: 4,820
Just an update on issues with CVS accepting a nonchip cc for a 500 GC. Just had a repeat issue of a nonchip cc not working at a location on my MS trotline. However, observed clerk make call to manager before cc transaction was completed then card failed when she did the manual number entry. Told her card was preauthorized and asked if she had made an error in number key in. She retried and this time cc worked. Here fishy, fishy, fishy - someone playing AML or fraud hero? Already have a second CVS in my territory that went cash only on management prerogative. Did anyone get the memo? May pay to get chip version of cc as CVS nonchip cc issues are turning out to not be bank, transaction system or card reader related but rather manager or clerk allergies.
On another note, my Simon is nonetoohappy about loosing several 100k in GC sales since November over the USPSMO POS change. The finger definitely points to USPS rather than Meta for the change, but has anyone seen the memo? And what is unique about the few USPS locations where Meta works. Suspect they are contract, but all contracts I have checked are cash only.
On another note, my Simon is nonetoohappy about loosing several 100k in GC sales since November over the USPSMO POS change. The finger definitely points to USPS rather than Meta for the change, but has anyone seen the memo? And what is unique about the few USPS locations where Meta works. Suspect they are contract, but all contracts I have checked are cash only.
Feb 24, 2017, 7:47 am
#218
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Just an update on issues with CVS accepting a nonchip cc for a 500 GC. Just had a repeat issue of a nonchip cc not working at a location on my MS trotline. However, observed clerk make call to manager before cc transaction was completed then card failed when she did the manual number entry. Told her card was preauthorized and asked if she had made an error in number key in. She retried and this time cc worked. Here fishy, fishy, fishy - someone playing AML or fraud hero? Already have a second CVS in my territory that went cash only on management prerogative. Did anyone get the memo? May pay to get chip version of cc as CVS nonchip cc issues are turning out to not be bank, transaction system or card reader related but rather manager or clerk allergies.
On another note, my Simon is nonetoohappy about loosing several 100k in GC sales since November over the USPSMO POS change. The finger definitely points to USPS rather than Meta for the change, but has anyone seen the memo? And what is unique about the few USPS locations where Meta works. Suspect they are contract, but all contracts I have checked are cash only.
On another note, my Simon is nonetoohappy about loosing several 100k in GC sales since November over the USPSMO POS change. The finger definitely points to USPS rather than Meta for the change, but has anyone seen the memo? And what is unique about the few USPS locations where Meta works. Suspect they are contract, but all contracts I have checked are cash only.
Feb 25, 2017, 7:56 am
#220
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 572
The accepted one was not activated. Call the number on the back of the GC. You'll have to send the copy of your receipt, your DL and pic of the GC. It takes about a week to have the card fixed.
Feb 25, 2017, 10:53 am
#221
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,066
Thanks, but it looks like it got resolved. Active with a $500 balance when I called in.
Feb 25, 2017, 12:16 pm
#222
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 123
Same thing happened to me a couple months ago. Called in, said 500 on card. Tried again using card to purchase MO but no go. Called again said 500 on card. Contacted cust service and supplied info as stated by Zgirl. A little more than a week later I received a card printed with my name on it.
Apr 7, 2017, 9:26 pm
#223
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ONT
Programs: AGR, UA, AA
Posts: 476
While idly chatting with the manager at CVS while buying OV to pay taxes, for the Citi Dividend Q2 period, she mentioned that apparently in the past few days three people have been trying to be scammed with paying taxes over the phone with OV, with people calling alleged from the IRS asking for payment with OVs. CVS still works as a good location to max out those Freedom and Dividend categories, but not for much else. Also out of the four CVSs I've been to in the past few days, there have been no PPMC available.
Apr 13, 2017, 10:42 am
#225
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 7
I am new to this but tried 3 seperate CVS in the SLC, Utah area with no luck. Brought up the Vanilla VGC by bancorp to the desk and all 3 said it wouldn't be a probably paying with a credit card. Scanned my ID, asked how much I wanted on the cards, told them $500 and then tried to run the order but it wouldn't work. They told me on their screen that cash was required for these. They tried to override it with no luck. Called the manager over at each place and they told me they couldn't override it. Just my experience.