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)
#1562
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DC/NOVA
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 192
See the "PIN now available on gift cards thread" for details. Basically when you swipe, you push the change payment button to force the system to charge the card as debit. Required for certain VGCs and MCGCs
#1567
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DC/NOVA
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 192
used the same register as yesterday and was able to load one card to BB without issue. also purchased a MO with a OV using the work-around.
#1568
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: SPG, Hyatt Diamond Member, Club Calrson Silver, AA, Hilton Gold, BA
Posts: 476
#1570
#1571
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DCA
Posts: 4
Has anyone had issues with Visa Savings Edge rebates posting? I had Staples charges post on 7/9 for $3,100, but no corresponding $31 rebate.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
#1572
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
Has anyone had issues with Visa Savings Edge rebates posting? I had Staples charges post on 7/9 for $3,100, but no corresponding $31 rebate.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Tried calling the fine folks over at Visa Savings Edge on Friday afternoon, but had nobody pick up. I'll be trying again this week.
Have you had previous rebates post successfully?
#1573
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 244
I just got my Ink card and thought I would start with $1K worth to get my feet wet. We were traveling this weekend and I went into an out of state staples to buy, the cashier had to call over the manager for approval, the manager came asked me for an ID and said he won't sell me GC's because my ID is from out of state and walked away - he has the right to refuse! I called him back asked him to explain why he is refusing (something related to fraud etc) - I had to tell him it is my card and I want to buy it he can call whoever he wants to get authorization if he didn't have the authority! Since I stood my ground, he finally gave in, apologized for being hasty and did the transaction.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!
#1574
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 246
I just got my Ink card and thought I would start with $1K worth to get my feet wet. We were traveling this weekend and I went into an out of state staples to buy, the cashier had to call over the manager for approval, the manager came asked me for an ID and said he won't sell me GC's because my ID is from out of state and walked away - he has the right to refuse! I called him back asked him to explain why he is refusing (something related to fraud etc) - I had to tell him it is my card and I want to buy it he can call whoever he wants to get authorization if he didn't have the authority! Since I stood my ground, he finally gave in, apologized for being hasty and did the transaction.
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!
Has anyone had a similar experience? Trying to buy in a state different than where you live a no-no? Didn't think it would be this much of a hassle to buy $1K worth - maybe I'll just order them online!