Feb 9, 2017, 8:17 pm
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
This is the master thread for all VGC and MCGC sold at Staples.
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
Visa/MasterCard Gift Cards at Staples(2017 onwards)
Sep 19, 2017, 7:30 pm
#511
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CCR
Posts: 326
Today I shucked my 2 $200 MCGCs and then thought, what the heck, and added a bottle of water. Total $415 and change. About 2.5 hours later I got a notification of the $20 Uber credit.
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
Sep 20, 2017, 4:54 am
#513
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Sep 20, 2017, 7:39 am
#514
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
Today I shucked my 2 $200 MCGCs and then thought, what the heck, and added a bottle of water. Total $415 and change. About 2.5 hours later I got a notification of the $20 Uber credit.
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
Sep 20, 2017, 1:29 pm
#516
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 576
Anyone know how strict Staple policy is? I had a weird experience at my another staples i went to. Bought $600 worth of MCGC due to the promotion. lady basically grabbed my ink+ card, she herself stuck the card into the machine and held it there until my transaction went though...
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
Sep 20, 2017, 1:50 pm
#517
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Anyone know how strict Staple policy is? I had a weird experience at my another staples i went to. Bought $600 worth of MCGC due to the promotion. lady basically grabbed my ink+ card, she herself stuck the card into the machine and held it there until my transaction went though...
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
Sep 22, 2017, 9:02 am
#518
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
Today I shucked my 2 $200 MCGCs and then thought, what the heck, and added a bottle of water. Total $415 and change. About 2.5 hours later I got a notification of the $20 Uber credit.
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
It didn't work for me the time before, when all I bought was 2 $200 VGCs. So I don't know if VGC vs. MCGC matters, or if the bottle of water triggered it, or if I had added the card too recently last time (it was just a couple minutes before the purchase).
Seth
It could be that some banks are getting more detailed info on the transaction.
Yesterday using my CSR card, I added a pack of gum to my purchase right after he scanned the 2xMCGC, but no Uber credit for me
Sep 22, 2017, 9:42 am
#519
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,674
Anyone know how strict Staple policy is? I had a weird experience at my another staples i went to. Bought $600 worth of MCGC due to the promotion. lady basically grabbed my ink+ card, she herself stuck the card into the machine and held it there until my transaction went though...
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
all the other times i bought gift cards, i did the sticking in my own card.
Sep 22, 2017, 9:46 pm
#521
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC
Posts: 419
Which bank issued the Visa, and was it the same card you used both times?
It could be that some banks are getting more detailed info on the transaction.
Yesterday using my CSR card, I added a pack of gum to my purchase right after he scanned the 2xMCGC, but no Uber credit for me
It could be that some banks are getting more detailed info on the transaction.
Yesterday using my CSR card, I added a pack of gum to my purchase right after he scanned the 2xMCGC, but no Uber credit for me
Seth
Sep 23, 2017, 6:01 am
#523
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 58
Sep 25, 2017, 2:43 am
#525
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 264
I've had problems with Staples registers where their chip reader fails to read my card. Maybe the cashier just knew that the register was flaky and only works if she holds the card a certain way.