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)
Jan 5, 2017, 8:01 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Can someone tell me which gc in CVS can be used to get MO in walmart or other places?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
Jan 5, 2017, 9:25 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,430
Can someone tell me which gc in CVS can be used to get MO in walmart or other places?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
General question: Does CVS even stock Metabank VGCs (or MCGCs)?
Jan 5, 2017, 9:39 am
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,750
Which retailers carry what type of GCs is not a random process. There are agreements in place on specific terms.
Came across some articles a few years ago explaining the above why the prepaids found in drug stores are not the same as in grocery stores for example. I am sure for those who are interested the information could be found via extensive googling.
Jan 5, 2017, 10:03 am
#49
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 826
Can someone tell me which gc in CVS can be used to get MO in walmart or other places?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
When I looked at CVS gc rack, none of them said Onevanilla. And I was not able to tell if any of them are issued by Metabank or Suntrust which I know can not be turned to MO.
So how do you identify?
I'm not sure why the poster above is saying it is all regional.
Jan 5, 2017, 11:23 am
#50
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,066
My go to CVS just shut down for 5 Backs. All it took was one new manager to call up corporate and ask about this. Store manager even apologized to me and said I was free to continue to use cards that had my name on them. Moral here is to tread lightly and if you see anyone that you think might give you an issue, just bail. Even though everyone at the store knew exactly what I was doing it just took one cowboy to ruin it.
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Jan 5, 2017, 11:32 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 826
My go to CVS just shut down for 5 Backs. All it took was one new manager to call up corporate and ask about this. Store manager even apologized to me and said I was free to continue to use cards that had my name on them. Moral here is to tread lightly and if you see anyone that you think might give you an issue, just bail. Even though everyone at the store knew exactly what I was doing it just took one cowboy to ruin it.
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Jan 5, 2017, 11:47 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
My go to CVS just shut down for 5 Backs. All it took was one new manager to call up corporate and ask about this. Store manager even apologized to me and said I was free to continue to use cards that had my name on them. Moral here is to tread lightly and if you see anyone that you think might give you an issue, just bail. Even though everyone at the store knew exactly what I was doing it just took one cowboy to ruin it.
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Jan 5, 2017, 11:58 am
#53
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
My go to CVS just shut down for 5 Backs. All it took was one new manager to call up corporate and ask about this. Store manager even apologized to me and said I was free to continue to use cards that had my name on them. Moral here is to tread lightly and if you see anyone that you think might give you an issue, just bail. Even though everyone at the store knew exactly what I was doing it just took one cowboy to ruin it.
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
Have one that is a couple miles away and that one worked fine...
more and more stores are cracking down
maybe if you live in the middle of no where, and you are the only person doing such purchases, then probably no one cares. but that is likely not the case for the majority of us
Jan 5, 2017, 12:24 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
When all these people see that we are able to rip so many rewards, buy so many cards. They don't know exactly how but they wonder how? and there can be jealousy factor. I won't blame anyone, MS is sheer unconventional and it is big shocker to someone who doesn't know how exactly it is done.
Truly, we reap what we sow. We put a lot of time and effort into it, we reap all the benefits.There is one woman at the grocery store I get my VGCs with the lowest fees and she has tried several times to block me from buying GCs citing different reasons IDK where she pulls from. Instead of showing annoyance, I just ignore her and still get my way since I know the store rules and follow it to the letter. Back in June last year, their stores put up signs Cash and DC only for ALL GCs so I quit buying my GCs there BUT starting in October I noticed signs were down which led me to email corp and clarify if they now accept CCs for GCs for the holiday season. The COO replied that they have decided to take CCs again but I can only pay for them at the service counter with ID and CC match. I have no problem with that so one time when Miss Sourgrape was at the counter, I brought ONE VGC and I had my DL and CC ready. She outright said NO! we don't take CCs. I took out the COO's email and showed her about RECENT TOS and she couldn't believe it that she had to call the store manager. He came and said YES, we accept CCs now with ID and CC check. I didn't want to gloat but I was glad with the turn of events. It was a double win for me since the MBGC I bought with baseball design rang up with zero fee
She didn't even realize it so it was windfall profit on my 0BCs. :-: Of course I went back for more of them later on a different shift.
Jan 5, 2017, 12:42 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,066
i think in general it has been getting harder and harder.
more and more stores are cracking down
maybe if you live in the middle of no where, and you are the only person doing such purchases, then probably no one cares. but that is likely not the case for the majority of us
more and more stores are cracking down
maybe if you live in the middle of no where, and you are the only person doing such purchases, then probably no one cares. but that is likely not the case for the majority of us
Also, I think in general this is a bad thing though that this shutdown appears to be driven from corporate. Store manager mentioned to me that he got a bit of a chewing from them. That's not good...
Jan 5, 2017, 2:07 pm
#56
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,293
must've been a Freudian slip but I know what you mean Truly, we reap what we sow. We put a lot of time and effort into it, we reap all the benefits.
There is one woman at the grocery store I get my VGCs with the lowest fees and she has tried several times to block me from buying GCs citing different reasons IDK where she pulls from. Instead of showing annoyance, I just ignore her and still get my way since I know the store rules and follow it to the letter. Back in June last year, their stores put up signs Cash and DC only for ALL GCs so I quit buying my GCs there BUT starting in October I noticed signs were down which led me to email corp and clarify if they now accept CCs for GCs for the holiday season. The COO replied that they have decided to take CCs again but I can only pay for them at the service counter with ID and CC match. I have no problem with that so one time when Miss Sourgrape was at the counter, I brought ONE VGC and I had my DL and CC ready. She outright said NO! we don't take CCs. I took out the COO's email and showed her about RECENT TOS and she couldn't believe it that she had to call the store manager. He came and said YES, we accept CCs now with ID and CC check. I didn't want to gloat but I was glad with the turn of events. It was a double win for me since the MBGC I bought with baseball design rang up with zero fee She didn't even realize it so it was windfall profit on my 0BCs. :-: Of course I went back for more of them later on a different shift.
Truly, we reap what we sow. We put a lot of time and effort into it, we reap all the benefits.There is one woman at the grocery store I get my VGCs with the lowest fees and she has tried several times to block me from buying GCs citing different reasons IDK where she pulls from. Instead of showing annoyance, I just ignore her and still get my way since I know the store rules and follow it to the letter. Back in June last year, their stores put up signs Cash and DC only for ALL GCs so I quit buying my GCs there BUT starting in October I noticed signs were down which led me to email corp and clarify if they now accept CCs for GCs for the holiday season. The COO replied that they have decided to take CCs again but I can only pay for them at the service counter with ID and CC match. I have no problem with that so one time when Miss Sourgrape was at the counter, I brought ONE VGC and I had my DL and CC ready. She outright said NO! we don't take CCs. I took out the COO's email and showed her about RECENT TOS and she couldn't believe it that she had to call the store manager. He came and said YES, we accept CCs now with ID and CC check. I didn't want to gloat but I was glad with the turn of events. It was a double win for me since the MBGC I bought with baseball design rang up with zero fee
She didn't even realize it so it was windfall profit on my 0BCs. :-: Of course I went back for more of them later on a different shift.I called corporate, got transferred to the gift card department who called the store and informed the shift manager that they need to accept credit cards for these cards. Was told they'd send a reminder to the store manager as well.
It's one thing if you're trying to skirt the rules, but it's nice being reinforced that you're right.
Jan 5, 2017, 2:26 pm
#57
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,293
Bummer was every single person I encountered there was nice. The store manager was nice.
Also, I think in general this is a bad thing though that this shutdown appears to be driven from corporate. Store manager mentioned to me that he got a bit of a chewing from them. That's not good...
Also, I think in general this is a bad thing though that this shutdown appears to be driven from corporate. Store manager mentioned to me that he got a bit of a chewing from them. That's not good...
I live in a city where there's a CVS on every other corner so if one says no, I go to another store.
Last edited by danpeake; Jan 5, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Jan 5, 2017, 2:28 pm
#58
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
Those little victories feel really good, don't they? Had a similar experience at my local Safeway that switched to chip cards and brought back the $500 visa cards. Was told they only sell them to a maximum of $200 (yes, even though the card has $500 printed right on the front).
I called corporate, got transferred to the gift card department who called the store and informed the shift manager that they need to accept credit cards for these cards. Was told they'd send a reminder to the store manager as well.
It's one thing if you're trying to skirt the rules, but it's nice being reinforced that you're right.
I called corporate, got transferred to the gift card department who called the store and informed the shift manager that they need to accept credit cards for these cards. Was told they'd send a reminder to the store manager as well.
It's one thing if you're trying to skirt the rules, but it's nice being reinforced that you're right.
and thanks. When corp came with the memo to reject all CCs for GCs, I'm sure she was doing the happy dance....but not for long. I was back with a vengeance soon as the signs were down and no limits. LOLMy good rapport with all cashiers has paid off and if I'm not sure of certain policies, I contact corp to clarify. I've never been disappointed leaving Ms Sourgrape figuring out what I do with my GCs. It's really none of her business, their store never had issues with my GC purchases over the years, she just has to curtail her envy since she can't figure it out.
Jan 5, 2017, 2:37 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,750
must've been a Freudian slip but I know what you mean Truly, we reap what we sow. We put a lot of time and effort into it, we reap all the benefits.
There is one woman at the grocery store I get my VGCs with the lowest fees and she has tried several times to block me from buying GCs citing different reasons IDK where she pulls from. Instead of showing annoyance, I just ignore her and still get my way since I know the store rules and follow it to the letter. Back in June last year, their stores put up signs Cash and DC only for ALL GCs so I quit buying my GCs there BUT starting in October I noticed signs were down which led me to email corp and clarify if they now accept CCs for GCs for the holiday season. The COO replied that they have decided to take CCs again but I can only pay for them at the service counter with ID and CC match. I have no problem with that so one time when Miss Sourgrape was at the counter, I brought ONE VGC and I had my DL and CC ready. She outright said NO! we don't take CCs. I took out the COO's email and showed her about RECENT TOS and she couldn't believe it that she had to call the store manager. He came and said YES, we accept CCs now with ID and CC check. I didn't want to gloat but I was glad with the turn of events. It was a double win for me since the MBGC I bought with baseball design rang up with zero fee She didn't even realize it so it was windfall profit on my 0BCs. :-: Of course I went back for more of them later on a different shift.
Truly, we reap what we sow. We put a lot of time and effort into it, we reap all the benefits.There is one woman at the grocery store I get my VGCs with the lowest fees and she has tried several times to block me from buying GCs citing different reasons IDK where she pulls from. Instead of showing annoyance, I just ignore her and still get my way since I know the store rules and follow it to the letter. Back in June last year, their stores put up signs Cash and DC only for ALL GCs so I quit buying my GCs there BUT starting in October I noticed signs were down which led me to email corp and clarify if they now accept CCs for GCs for the holiday season. The COO replied that they have decided to take CCs again but I can only pay for them at the service counter with ID and CC match. I have no problem with that so one time when Miss Sourgrape was at the counter, I brought ONE VGC and I had my DL and CC ready. She outright said NO! we don't take CCs. I took out the COO's email and showed her about RECENT TOS and she couldn't believe it that she had to call the store manager. He came and said YES, we accept CCs now with ID and CC check. I didn't want to gloat but I was glad with the turn of events. It was a double win for me since the MBGC I bought with baseball design rang up with zero fee
She didn't even realize it so it was windfall profit on my 0BCs. :-: Of course I went back for more of them later on a different shift.Especially the moment you pulled out the COO's reply. And this woman still needed to call the store manager to verify? Wow. Talk about self-made police.
Jan 5, 2017, 2:54 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,257
Bummer was every single person I encountered there was nice. The store manager was nice.
Also, I think in general this is a bad thing though that this shutdown appears to be driven from corporate. Store manager mentioned to me that he got a bit of a chewing from them. That's not good...
Also, I think in general this is a bad thing though that this shutdown appears to be driven from corporate. Store manager mentioned to me that he got a bit of a chewing from them. That's not good...
It would seem somewhat odd if it's a corporate decision, given that they chose to participate in the Five Back program. Obviously, they're unliking to be looking at cards used to buy a gallon of milk and a prescription, but still...
I live in a city where there's a CVS on every other corner so if one says no, I go to another store.
I live in a city where there's a CVS on every other corner so if one says no, I go to another store.
i had a similar encounter as cdog999 recently where a store i went and bought successfully previously, now told me the district or higher-up corporate had sent all of them a memo and therefore now they can only accept a card with a name on it for purchase.
so i was all doom and gloom thinking my gold rush has ended. but guess what, i persist and went to another store 30 min away and nobody stopped me and i did my usual.
all of the said stores are in the same county.