Jan 6, 2016, 5:28 pm
Last edit by: ChrisFlyer66
This is a new thread for 2016. The previous megathread on this topic is here.
The 2017 thread is here.
This thread is about prepaid debit cards from Staples. Please post questions on other topics in the appropriate threads elsewhere in this forum.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep. Post #132.
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)
* FASTEST WAY to liquidate $20 Staples Rebate Visa GCs*
Use for purchase at Costco. The POS at Costco will auto-drain the Staples Visa GC, once you press the green button when the PIN is requested.
Then, swipe the next Staples VGC, press green and repeat! The POS is so fast, you can keep feeding 4 - 5 total $20 cards and the cashier will not even care!
The 2017 thread is here.
This thread is about prepaid debit cards from Staples. Please post questions on other topics in the appropriate threads elsewhere in this forum.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep. Post #132.
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)
* FASTEST WAY to liquidate $20 Staples Rebate Visa GCs*
Use for purchase at Costco. The POS at Costco will auto-drain the Staples Visa GC, once you press the green button when the PIN is requested.
Then, swipe the next Staples VGC, press green and repeat! The POS is so fast, you can keep feeding 4 - 5 total $20 cards and the cashier will not even care!
Visa Gift cards at Staples (2016)
Jan 5, 2016, 2:53 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 348
Based on history, the next promo is likely to be a $20 Staples GC. Let's see then if they will offer a $20 VGC as an option. That would be telling.
Jan 5, 2016, 3:08 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
I never saw a choice, not there would be one given those two options
Jan 5, 2016, 3:13 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Has anybody received either the gift cards or the PINs on the discounted $300 VGC from 12/28? It's been a long time since I ordered the $200 VGC from Staples online so I can't remember how long it takes for them to arrive.
Jan 5, 2016, 4:15 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
I ordered on 12/28 as well and both orders still say processing....
Cheers!
JudyJFLA
Jan 5, 2016, 4:31 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,832
I placed eleven orders for these on Dec. 28. One of the eleven was cancelled via e-mail. The remaining 10 have been listed as "processing" on my Staples order page ever since then, and "pending" on my credit card statement.
Getting nervous.....
Getting nervous.....
Jan 5, 2016, 8:52 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 65
$300 VGC order status changed to "In Transit"
This morning I received a call from 508–253–5000, a number I didn't recognize. I was commuting so I didn't pick it up. Later on in the day, I did a quick search and I found out it was the Staples corporate office. 
They didn't leave a voicemail and I didn't call them back.
I feared the worst but I just checked my account and both of my $300 VGC orders' order status changed from "Processing" to "In Transit" tonight. Have hope!
They didn't leave a voicemail and I didn't call them back. I feared the worst but I just checked my account and both of my $300 VGC orders' order status changed from "Processing" to "In Transit" tonight. Have hope!
Jan 6, 2016, 2:44 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 285
Ok I get that the last special has the $300 cards on backorder but I am ready to go ahead and place an order here 
Jan 7, 2016, 1:31 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
On Monday, I went to my reliable Staples, which has become less so as more people have been buying cards, and they had $200 cards running out of their rears. Four full pegs on the display and more behind the counter.
Jan 7, 2016, 7:52 am
#29
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 348
That $300 VGC online sale from late December is finally showing as pending on my CC. I'm hopeful.
Jan 7, 2016, 7:55 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
Staples orders from 12/28/15
They are shipping now. Checked a few orders already.