My Crazy CVS / Vanilla Reload Conspiracy Theory
Let’s be honest, no one knows what is going on with CVS and Vanilla Reload Cards. All I know is that my local CVS stores have let me buy them with credit cards on Sunday afternoon, Monday morning, and Tuesday morning. Since I don’t know why my local CVS Stores (located in Southern California) accept credit cards while other stores across the country are cash-only, here is my conspiracy theory. Feel free to share yours in the comments below.
It all started a few months ago when I used to see purchase description after some of my CVS purchases:
The charge shows up as Garfield Beach CVS, LLC. After a quick Google search, I stumbled onto CVS Caremark’s 2013 10-K Financial Statement (link). Go to page 99 of the PDF or page 61 of the document. It shows a list of “significant subsidiaries” and I have highlighted the subsidiary that shows up for my purchases.
Here is the list, sorted by state. This might explain why it is so hard for my friend in Delaware to find Vanilla Reload Cards (there are a lot of subsidies in that small state).
| Subsidiary Name | State |
| Caremark, L.L.C. | CA |
| Garfield Beach CVS, L.L.C. | CA |
| Longs Drug Stores California, L.L.C. | CA |
| Caremark PhC, L.L.C. | DE |
| Caremark Rx, L.L.C. | DE |
| CaremarkPCS Health, L.L.C. | DE |
| CVS Caremark Part D Services, L.L.C. | DE |
| MemberHealth L.L.C | DE |
| RxAmerica, L.L.C | DE |
| Holiday CVS, L.L.C. | FL |
| CVS Albany, L.L.C. | NY |
| Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy, L.L.C. | PA |
| CVS Pharmacy, Inc. | RI |
| SilverScript Insurance Company | TN |
This might mean something, or it might mean nothing. Who knows. If you have any insight, please leave a comment below. Have a great night.
P.S. The Amazon gift card results are coming soon, stay tuned.
I am in Northern IL and I have bought VR in this area and southern WI and I don’t see either of those areas in your list. I plan to hit a CVS tomorrow so I can verify that I can still use a CC to make the purchase.
Thank yo for the data point Mike. The list represents larger subsidiaries, so the stores you visit might be smaller subsidiaries or individually owned. Have you noticed any name before CVS on any of your credit card statements?
Here is the pending charge on my Citi card
**Pending CVS PHARMACY # IL
Thanks for the data point Mike, strange how mine shows up differently. Glad you could get your fix on VRCs.
Very interesting. Any move any company makes is all about the Benjamins, so I’m sure they just want to stop losing money, even thought it’s probably pocket change to them. Im in Maryland I will try and purchase a VRC tomorrow and get back to you.
Went to 4 surrounding CVS today and only one had VRC’s in stock and didn’t take CC’s. Oh well this wasn’t my primary method anyway I’m gonna stick to getting MC and VISA gift cards and my supermarket which will also apply to their gas rewards program. Filled up about 10 gallons for a buck today. Once they stop accepting gift cards for their gas program, which is inevitable since every other grocery store does, I will have to find something else.
Yup, every loophole gets filled, but a new one should come around. Glad you are able to get cheap gas.
Data point: Was able to buy VR in Texas this weekend and this morning but ‘cash only’ tonight!
Interesting theory, I’m just waiting on the sidelines to see how this all plays out. I can still purchase VRs fine, but they aren’t my favorite MS method anyway so I really do.
Still working in Fort Myers, FL
Hey man just wondering why do you buy VRs at CVS? Is there a credit card you use to get bonus points at pharmacy stores?
I used to use my Citi Dividend credit card and got 5% cash back at pharmacies. Search my blog for more info.
My favorite NJ store was fine with $2k purchase last night (4/1), but was no-go this morning.(4/2)
People are driving them selves nuts about Vanilla reloads. No problem with One Vanilla debit cards except not all CVS carry them.
That might be the future of MS