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 16, 2016, 9:40 pm
#61
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 285
Wait? $300's now available in (Staples) store?
7.95 activation fee?
7.95 activation fee?
Jan 16, 2016, 10:53 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,647
Jan 16, 2016, 11:10 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 285
It seemed like the previous post inferred that they were available in store
And I remember reading that 1.00 of the online activation cost may be shipping
Thanks
And I remember reading that 1.00 of the online activation cost may be shipping
Thanks
Jan 17, 2016, 10:32 am
#65
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 77
So sad $300 Visa Gift Cards are now available at Staples AND $200 Visa Gift Cards are now available at Office Depot but Bluebird is DEAD. The 250,000 Chase Ultimate Reward points in 2015 will go to a good cause... first class airlines flights.
Paid $1000 car insurance via multiple $300 Visa gift cards. Not out of the game.
Paid $1000 car insurance via multiple $300 Visa gift cards. Not out of the game.
Jan 17, 2016, 4:40 pm
#66
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,560
Feb 2, 2016, 11:03 am
#67
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 19
I have been purchasing 4x$300= $1200 VGC from Staples with my Ink Business Bold for the past couple of months. Can I 2x or 3x my monthly spend without raising any flags? I also use my card for my phone, internet, electricity and gas so it's not just manufactured spend.
Feb 2, 2016, 12:47 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 30
Out of 4 staples that I know of, only one regularly carries the $200 visa gift cards. Is this normal? Are they hiding them elsewhere in the store 
?
?
Feb 2, 2016, 1:52 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,293
Sometimes you do have to ask. At one store, they're often out with the gift cards, but if not, they keep some behind the register area.
Feb 2, 2016, 2:09 pm
#70
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
Why would anyone be looking for in store for the $200 unless it's rebate season?
Feb 2, 2016, 7:04 pm
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,404
Heck, I can't muster the enthusiasm to buy the $300s on line.
I will buy the $200s when they become "free" again, though. Not sure how I'll get rid of the cards, though. I can use some to pay my auto insurance and such, but buying money orders with them would seem interesting. It's theoretically 4 swipes at Walmart, right? So in theory I guess I could get an $800 MO. I just don't think that's going to go well in most Walmart stores.
Feb 2, 2016, 8:07 pm
#72
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 800
Yup, and now that Bluebird is basically gone, I suspect Staples gift card sales are down sharply.
Heck, I can't muster the enthusiasm to buy the $300s on line.
I will buy the $200s when they become "free" again, though. Not sure how I'll get rid of the cards, though. I can use some to pay my auto insurance and such, but buying money orders with them would seem interesting. It's theoretically 4 swipes at Walmart, right? So in theory I guess I could get an $800 MO. I just don't think that's going to go well in most Walmart stores.
Heck, I can't muster the enthusiasm to buy the $300s on line.
I will buy the $200s when they become "free" again, though. Not sure how I'll get rid of the cards, though. I can use some to pay my auto insurance and such, but buying money orders with them would seem interesting. It's theoretically 4 swipes at Walmart, right? So in theory I guess I could get an $800 MO. I just don't think that's going to go well in most Walmart stores.
Feb 3, 2016, 12:47 am
#73
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,112
I can understand everything except the last point. The $300 cards are clearly labeled as such in the upper right.
Feb 3, 2016, 12:50 am
#74
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 285
Just write the denomination with a sharpie on the signature portion on the back of the card. That has worked for me at least
Feb 3, 2016, 7:02 am
#75
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,061
would the net profit be about the same if we have & use a 2% cb CC like the barclay arrival +, also don't have to go thru the hassle of going to the store to buy VGCs for either bill pay or prepaid cards load? Feel that it's worth the effort only when the rebate is offered...
