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)
Aug 4, 2014, 11:02 am
#1546
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Aug 4, 2014, 11:35 am
#1547
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Aug 4, 2014, 1:01 pm
#1548
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Was it really necessary to post the name in public? If you really wanted to help the guy out you could have PM'd him. They've been a gold mine for people that have them and we don't need others to draw unneeded attention.
Aug 4, 2014, 1:05 pm
#1549
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 511
But also I hazard people should have avoided mentioning them in the first place. I've used them pretty much soley for my needs forever, but they are quite sensitive to volume.
I've already heard rumblings from CSRs about additional checks and balances being put in place.
Aug 4, 2014, 1:09 pm
#1550
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Was it really necessary to try to enforce your own need for secrecy on other posters?
Aug 4, 2014, 1:57 pm
#1551
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Aug 4, 2014, 2:24 pm
#1552
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Actually, I'm not -- I don't care about bloggers one way or another. I do want this forum to remain open and helpful, and I have little use for irrational conclusions based on paranoia and greed.
Aug 4, 2014, 7:03 pm
#1553
Join Date: May 2014
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@payeco What are you using reloadit for (that has been working safely for you)? lol
I have 3 of said store all within about 7minutes of me and use it for certain things but have not for reloadit yet. Been looking into using reloadit but cant decide which reload card would be worth it.
I have 3 of said store all within about 7minutes of me and use it for certain things but have not for reloadit yet. Been looking into using reloadit but cant decide which reload card would be worth it.
Aug 4, 2014, 7:10 pm
#1554
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@payeco What are you using reloadit for (that has been working safely for you)? lol
I have 3 of said store all within about 7minutes of me and use it for certain things but have not for reloadit yet. Been looking into using reloadit but cant decide which reload card would be worth it.
I have 3 of said store all within about 7minutes of me and use it for certain things but have not for reloadit yet. Been looking into using reloadit but cant decide which reload card would be worth it.
Aug 8, 2014, 6:20 pm
#1555
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SEA, HKG
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Posts: 3
confirmation...
hi, i didn't need to buy those 200$ vgc back then but now there is a need. however when i looked at the wiki at the top it says all portals are dead. the date posted was july 12 but there were still a lot of conversations since. so i think maybe i don't really understand it. i went through each page and still i am not clear.
can somebody please tell me if i can still buy the vgc from staples.com and get the 5x UR points? or it is true that i am too late for this deal?! and if so, is there any alternatives for making more UR points?
thanks a bunch!!!
Hugh
can somebody please tell me if i can still buy the vgc from staples.com and get the 5x UR points? or it is true that i am too late for this deal?! and if so, is there any alternatives for making more UR points?
thanks a bunch!!!
Hugh
Aug 8, 2014, 6:31 pm
#1556
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Pensacola
Programs: AAdvantage, BAEC
Posts: 17
hi, i didn't need to buy those 200$ vgc back then but now there is a need. however when i looked at the wiki at the top it says all portals are dead. the date posted was july 12 but there were still a lot of conversations since. so i think maybe i don't really understand it. i went through each page and still i am not clear.
can somebody please tell me if i can still buy the vgc from staples.com and get the 5x UR points? or it is true that i am too late for this deal?! and if so, is there any alternatives for making more UR points?
thanks a bunch!!!
Hugh
can somebody please tell me if i can still buy the vgc from staples.com and get the 5x UR points? or it is true that i am too late for this deal?! and if so, is there any alternatives for making more UR points?
thanks a bunch!!!
Hugh
Aug 9, 2014, 1:36 pm
#1557
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
The portals were yielding additional points/cash back - that is no longer possible.
Aug 9, 2014, 2:12 pm
#1558
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 131
Anyone having trouble loading these $200 cards onto BB at WM recently?
Aug 9, 2014, 2:32 pm
#1559
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Aug 9, 2014, 2:36 pm
#1560
Join Date: Nov 2013
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