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)
Dec 15, 2016 | 4:00 pm
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 279
About to try some FB's at CVS. Is this what I am looking for?
http://travelwithgrant.boardingarea....HH-Cert007.jpg
http://travelwithgrant.boardingarea....HH-Cert007.jpg
Dec 15, 2016 | 4:06 pm
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 178
Dec 15, 2016 | 4:14 pm
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,318
thanks cashcyclone.
i did #2. my maiden attempt was to buy 4 GC of $495 load amount each. but i paid for them in 4 separate transactions to make it easy for myself, and it works. havent tried a variation from that approach yet, but hope to 'advance' myself up to $499 or $500 load amount soon, which would mean i need to keep all in 1 transaction only.
for some reason, i even got FB twice on one of the cards. probably some glitch.
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question 1: is there a reason why when you use method #2 (debit), you shouldnt max out by saying 'deduct $500' each time? for method #1 (credit), you did say $500 is OK, but not for debit you said $499 which is $1 less.
question 2: regardless of method #1 (credit) or method #2 (debit), does the cashier enter the amount you want to deduct first to computer before you swipe, or does that only happen after you swipe?
thanks
Dec 15, 2016 | 5:33 pm
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
I have found that there is a maximum of 7 swipes at my CVS. After you get the CB from your first pass, you can go buy 4x500, using 3 previously used one first. You will then end up with "usable" balance on the last card for your next run. You can also do a single transaction for a $500 card using 6 of the previously used cards followed by one full one for the balance.
Dec 15, 2016 | 7:05 pm
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,318
I have found that there is a maximum of 7 swipes at my CVS. After you get the CB from your first pass, you can go buy 4x500, using 3 previously used one first. You will then end up with "usable" balance on the last card for your next run. You can also do a single transaction for a $500 card using 6 of the previously used cards followed by one full one for the balance.
dont think i quite get it. possible to spell out furhter?
btw, does the cashier get suspicious or paranoid when you want to do so many swipes (some swipes as low as $25/swipe), and with diff cards (although all look magenta and thus the same)?
so far, i have been to a CVS who doesnt want to accept GC as a tool to buy another GC. so i avoided that store for now, but went to others with success in buying, but i dont want to trigger them off or something when there are not even that many CVS stores around to begin with to play my game (can count on 1 hand, within a 45 min driving radius)
Dec 15, 2016 | 7:18 pm
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 119
I'm going to do a test run tomorrow for $495 using debit. I have no feel for how my local CVS's operate.
Dec 15, 2016 | 9:29 pm
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 4
dont think i quite get it. possible to spell out furhter?
btw, does the cashier get suspicious or paranoid when you want to do so many swipes (some swipes as low as $25/swipe), and with diff cards (although all look magenta and thus the same)?
so far, i have been to a CVS who doesnt want to accept GC as a tool to buy another GC. so i avoided that store for now, but went to others with success in buying, but i dont want to trigger them off or something when there are not even that many CVS stores around to begin with to play my game (can count on 1 hand, within a 45 min driving radius)
btw, does the cashier get suspicious or paranoid when you want to do so many swipes (some swipes as low as $25/swipe), and with diff cards (although all look magenta and thus the same)?
so far, i have been to a CVS who doesnt want to accept GC as a tool to buy another GC. so i avoided that store for now, but went to others with success in buying, but i dont want to trigger them off or something when there are not even that many CVS stores around to begin with to play my game (can count on 1 hand, within a 45 min driving radius)
Card 2 $25
Card 3 $25
Card 4 $25
Card 5 $25
Card 6 $25
Card 7 $353.95 (or whatever it works out to)
CVS is auto drain, so it will figure out what is left on the card or take what it needs.
For the next purchase, you can use some of the other $25s and the $147.05 remaining on the last card above. Just make sure your 7th card has enough left to cover remainder. If it doesn't they will have to void the transaction and start again.
Some cashiers are more picky than others and get suspicious. Maybe then I just do a couple of the smaller ones and finish with a 500. You could also start with the $147.05, then a couple $25s and then a 500. Since you only get 7 swipes, you want to use up the the smaller ones up and have a full $500 purchase.
Dec 15, 2016 | 9:50 pm
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
Card 1 $25
Card 2 $25
Card 3 $25
Card 4 $25
Card 5 $25
Card 6 $25
Card 7 $353.95 (or whatever it works out to)
CVS is auto drain, so it will figure out what is left on the card or take what it needs.
For the next purchase, you can use some of the other $25s and the $147.05 remaining on the last card above. Just make sure your 7th card has enough left to cover remainder. If it doesn't they will have to void the transaction and start again.
Some cashiers are more picky than others and get suspicious. Maybe then I just do a couple of the smaller ones and finish with a 500. You could also start with the $147.05, then a couple $25s and then a 500. Since you only get 7 swipes, you want to use up the the smaller ones up and have a full $500 purchase.
Card 2 $25
Card 3 $25
Card 4 $25
Card 5 $25
Card 6 $25
Card 7 $353.95 (or whatever it works out to)
CVS is auto drain, so it will figure out what is left on the card or take what it needs.
For the next purchase, you can use some of the other $25s and the $147.05 remaining on the last card above. Just make sure your 7th card has enough left to cover remainder. If it doesn't they will have to void the transaction and start again.
Some cashiers are more picky than others and get suspicious. Maybe then I just do a couple of the smaller ones and finish with a 500. You could also start with the $147.05, then a couple $25s and then a 500. Since you only get 7 swipes, you want to use up the the smaller ones up and have a full $500 purchase.
Dec 15, 2016 | 9:53 pm
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,318
Some cashiers are more picky than others and get suspicious. Maybe then I just do a couple of the smaller ones and finish with a 500. You could also start with the $147.05, then a couple $25s and then a 500. Since you only get 7 swipes, you want to use up the the smaller ones up and have a full $500 purchase.
Dec 16, 2016 | 12:12 am
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: SPG, Hyatt Diamond Member, Club Calrson Silver, AA, Hilton Gold, BA
Posts: 476
does the auto drain work with debits or only credits on the Five back cards at CVS?
Dec 16, 2016 | 2:27 am
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 73
Dec 16, 2016 | 7:24 am
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Cincinnati
Programs: AA, Hyatt
Posts: 371
i just do 4x495.05 every time. spends the $500 on each card, no keeping track of anything else after that. It just goes into my "need to check these for the $25 balance in a couple days" bin.
Dec 16, 2016 | 8:20 am
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 831
I always pay in one transaction with 4x 500 debit transactions and 1 CC payment for the fees. Seems like lately it's very frequently been happening that the first card will let me enter PIN, select no cashback, then come back with an error "alternate form of payment required." Then the next one will go through fine. I think I even tried the same card later in this morning's purchase, wasn't keeping close enough track. I always keep a couple of "spare" FBs in my wallet for situations like this -- please the separate "card read error" which occassionally pops up right after swiping. Anyone else frequently getting the "alternate form of payment required" on first card used? Wonder if it's something on the cashier's end of things?
Dec 16, 2016 | 9:29 am
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 119
No problems buying a $5.95 fee card ($499.95 total) with a FB at the first location I tried. Cashier scanned DL and I paid using debit+pin. Will try another location later today.
Dec 16, 2016 | 11:07 am
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,359
For those who are using the autodrain feature of the FB cards, do both debit and credit purchases autodrain or just one or the other? Thanks.