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 27, 2018, 8:01 pm
#362
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 584
I'd like to see some more data points to confirm that this wasn't a temporary problem. I was just finishing up a WF quota, and I do most of my OBC at grocery. I will attempt to purchase 2K next time there is a good opportunity to see.
My refund did go through.
My refund did go through.
Mar 3, 2018, 8:10 am
#366
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 41
-Visas issued by MetaBank work great. Pin is last 4 digits
-MC issued by US bank work good, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. Swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen and have them enter amount and then enter the pin. Pin in packaging.
-Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes > $49.99.
-MC issued by US bank work good, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. Swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen and have them enter amount and then enter the pin. Pin in packaging.
-Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes > $49.99.
Mar 3, 2018, 12:23 pm
#367
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 92
No. The three big drug store chains carry various versions of "Vanillas". (It's just a marketing term, not a company.) They are issued by Bancorp Bank and distributed and serviced by InComm Financial Services. The other big distributor is Blackhawk Network who handles most of the Metabank-issued cards you see in grocery stores, etc. I've never seen a store sell cards from both distributors so they probably have exclusivity language in their contracts..
Mar 4, 2018, 1:16 pm
#368
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: Southwest, SPG, Marriott, UR & Amex
Posts: 79
Mar 10, 2018, 1:33 pm
#371
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,688
I started to notice that activation of these vanillas (OVs and regular vanillas) are now delayed by an hour (in my case). In the past, after buying them from WAG and/or CVS, I go to the grocery store to drain them but not anymore. I've tried twice where it failed even when I've called first to check balance and when I called Incomm, was told to wait an hour. When I checked online, I noticed the time of activation is one hour after the time on my receipt(s). Maybe it's just me but from now on, I'll buy them ahead of time, go do some shopping and drain them when an hour has passed to avoid failure at the store registers.
So for those who may fail to drain their vanillas soon after buying, try again after an hour before you panic. More likely, it'll go through as long as balance is there and time of activation online has passed.
So for those who may fail to drain their vanillas soon after buying, try again after an hour before you panic. More likely, it'll go through as long as balance is there and time of activation online has passed.
May 21, 2018, 9:40 am
#373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453