May 4, 2014, 4:19 am
Last edit by: weezl
This thread is about prepaid debit cards from Staples. Please post questions on other topics in the appropriate threads elsewhere in this forum.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
*Note- max purchase at one time seems to be 9x $200 (stays under their $2000 limit)
Pluses to Online purchase:
1. Less time/effort/gasoline vs traveling to store to purchase
2. No mgr override or cashier call to Chase needed for large purchases
3. Can bulk activate by phone after receipt of VGCs
4. Email is a nice way to keep record of your purchases
5. Avoids stupid sticky gum (4x per card) that has to be peeled off of each VGC
6. Rare opportunity to liquidate rewards and/or rebate card (YMMV)
Pluses to in-store purchase:
1. No wait/immediate gratification- mail order can take weeks
2. No risk of someone getting to your mailbox to steal your VGCs before you get them out of there
3. Activated at time of purchase- no need to call in or wait for stupid letter containing one activation code/card that comes in the mail separately (the letter sometimes arrives AFTER the VGCs arrive; this can be mitigated, see Pluses to Online #3, above)
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
- Get Chase Ink and BB/Serve
1% discount: Sign up Ink (must be Visa) at https://www.visasavingsedge.com/ to get 1% cash back at StaplesEnded 12/31/14- 5x points: Buy Visa gift cards at Staples or the website. $200 ones charge a hefty $6.95 activation fee (with 1% back it was effectively $4.88).
- Liquidate gift cards like any other
*Note- max purchase at one time seems to be 9x $200 (stays under their $2000 limit)
Pluses to Online purchase:
1. Less time/effort/gasoline vs traveling to store to purchase
2. No mgr override or cashier call to Chase needed for large purchases
3. Can bulk activate by phone after receipt of VGCs
4. Email is a nice way to keep record of your purchases
5. Avoids stupid sticky gum (4x per card) that has to be peeled off of each VGC
6. Rare opportunity to liquidate rewards and/or rebate card (YMMV)
Pluses to in-store purchase:
1. No wait/immediate gratification- mail order can take weeks
2. No risk of someone getting to your mailbox to steal your VGCs before you get them out of there
3. Activated at time of purchase- no need to call in or wait for stupid letter containing one activation code/card that comes in the mail separately (the letter sometimes arrives AFTER the VGCs arrive; this can be mitigated, see Pluses to Online #3, above)
Visa Gift cards at Staples(2014-2015)
Apr 28, 2014, 1:01 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Just use this at whatever level you're comfortable with, then go to something else when it disappears. Something will come up.
Apr 28, 2014, 1:08 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 76
Staples does not put a product on their website with the hope that customers will neither find it nor purchase it.
Apr 28, 2014, 1:21 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 139
I guess I did kinda jump the gun, but this is because I figure that the market will eventually correct itself and the returns will soon move back to the level that they are currently at. I should just enjoy it while they are where they are.
My apologies for getting anxious and throwing circles and arrows under the bus.
Apr 28, 2014, 1:37 pm
#34
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage Plat., WorldPerks, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 298
My chase bold is Mastercard. I noticed that some of you are using Visa Savings edge. So does that mean that there is another flavor of Chase bold (visa)?
Apr 28, 2014, 1:38 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 76
I'm not concerned with Staples, it is the portals that will all of the sudden be paying out major $'s to Staples click throughs. My fear is that the 100's that I am currently owed by Upromise and others might disappear (not a huge amount to some, but with thin margins it would result in a waist of my time which I don't enjoy).
I guess I did kinda jump the gun, but this is because I figure that the market will eventually correct itself and the returns will soon move back to the level that they are currently at. I should just enjoy it while they are where they are.
My apologies for getting anxious and throwing circles and arrows under the bus.
I guess I did kinda jump the gun, but this is because I figure that the market will eventually correct itself and the returns will soon move back to the level that they are currently at. I should just enjoy it while they are where they are.
My apologies for getting anxious and throwing circles and arrows under the bus.
I'm going to trust that Staples knows their numbers better than me and can pull it off...especially if online sales allow them to control/reduce their fraud risk they face with in-store purchases (which I strongly believe online sales allow).
Apr 28, 2014, 1:43 pm
#36
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,123
Of course go ahead and do this deal, but read the 19 page shutdown thread before you do it. Maybe xfer your existing UR and then go all-in on this.
Chase closed my CC account with 300,000+ UR points
Chase closed my CC account with 300,000+ UR points
Apr 28, 2014, 2:21 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 546
Since the money is ultimately paid by Staples to the portals, I'm sure they won't be too concerned. My preferred portal, TopCashBack, has only has a few restrictions for Staples and if they are similar to the big office retailer I worked for at one time, there are many low margin products available for sale online besides gift cards.
I'm going to trust that Staples knows their numbers better than me and can pull it off...especially if online sales allow them to control/reduce their fraud risk they face with in-store purchases (which I strongly believe online sales allow).
I'm going to trust that Staples knows their numbers better than me and can pull it off...especially if online sales allow them to control/reduce their fraud risk they face with in-store purchases (which I strongly believe online sales allow).
2) More sales sounds great for Staples. . . until they factor in all the money they are paying portals, shipping costs, customer service hours and chargebacks. I can't imagine Staples is making much on a $6.95 fee.
Apr 28, 2014, 2:34 pm
#39
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
Of course go ahead and do this deal, but read the 19 page shutdown thread before you do it. Maybe xfer your existing UR and then go all-in on this.
Chase closed my CC account with 300,000+ UR points
Chase closed my CC account with 300,000+ UR points
Apr 28, 2014, 2:44 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX, SNA
Posts: 359
This is awesome. Having an Ink card has never been better for earning URs. Well, except when VRs and VGCs were available at OD or the short lived HIGC (unless you knew about it before it hit the web everywhere). I wasn't able to get in on the VR/VGC/HIGC at OD so this is great for me. Hopefully this will be more sustainable and Chase doesn't even become more aggressive about shutting people down.
Apr 28, 2014, 3:29 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,060
Just heard back from Staples, via a robot call and the order has been delayed - it must be all of you crazy FT folks keeping all the dudes in shipping busy!!!
Or maybe the deal is dead already - this could be a record for all the bloggers
Or maybe the deal is dead already - this could be a record for all the bloggers
Apr 28, 2014, 3:42 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Delta Platinum, Air Berlin Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 53
Haven't gotten any robocalls yet. Placed two separate orders, one on each Ink card earlier this afternoon for a few thousand each. The charges are pending on my cards and the confirmation email says estimated delivery is May 12th. Hope mine doesn't get delayed!
Apr 28, 2014, 3:52 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
Programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards 2MM, Diner Club points
Posts: 31,894
Apr 28, 2014, 4:00 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Apr 28, 2014, 4:26 pm
#45
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,500
Overreaction much? Like others have said you can't restrict access to a thread to protect your personal interests. Does it suck to have a MS method circled and arrowed to death...YES but it is their right just like it is yours to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. I have not seen a MS get killed within hours...overreaction much?