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)
Sep 10, 2014, 8:19 am
#1651
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 194
2,000x2 = 4,000 + 2,000 bonus = 6,000.
Sep 14, 2014, 7:27 pm
#1652
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
Amex Sync promotion (targeted accounts)
Good for buying VGC on staples.com.
HT to deals we like -
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...tement-credit/
I didn't have it on 3 AMEX accounts, but my wife had it on all 3 of her AMEX cards (interestingly one of her cards is an AU card on one of my accounts!).
HT to deals we like -
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...tement-credit/
I didn't have it on 3 AMEX accounts, but my wife had it on all 3 of her AMEX cards (interestingly one of her cards is an AU card on one of my accounts!).
Sep 14, 2014, 7:45 pm
#1653
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: 5,561
Good for buying VGC on staples.com.
HT to deals we like -
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...tement-credit/
I didn't have it on 3 AMEX accounts, but my wife had it on all 3 of her AMEX cards (interestingly one of her cards is an AU card on one of my accounts!).
HT to deals we like -
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...tement-credit/
I didn't have it on 3 AMEX accounts, but my wife had it on all 3 of her AMEX cards (interestingly one of her cards is an AU card on one of my accounts!).
Sep 14, 2014, 9:24 pm
#1655
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 52
Liquidating $200 Visa Gift Cards
I preface this with forgive me if this has been answered. I've read about 35 pages of this thread but I cant read it all and I am still confused. My understanding is you can no longer load your Amex Serve card with VGCs at WM or pretty much any place else. Is this correct?
If so, how are people liquidating these cards? I read something about a money order but I believe those cost money. Are the points you earn worth more than the fees incurred by the cost of the gift card and the cost of the money order?
Could someone please layout their liquidation methods to me as if I am an idiot? I'm not an idiot but I've been reading these boards for so long I'm starting to feel like I am.
Thank you.
If so, how are people liquidating these cards? I read something about a money order but I believe those cost money. Are the points you earn worth more than the fees incurred by the cost of the gift card and the cost of the money order?
Could someone please layout their liquidation methods to me as if I am an idiot? I'm not an idiot but I've been reading these boards for so long I'm starting to feel like I am.
Thank you.
Sep 14, 2014, 10:35 pm
#1656
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 374
And remember, if anyone asks you if you're using a gift card, the answer is "it's a debit card".
Sep 14, 2014, 11:55 pm
#1657
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
Sep 15, 2014, 9:17 am
#1658
Join Date: May 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: US Chairman, Marriott Platinum, PCR Platinum, and SPG Gold
Posts: 1,244
Sep 15, 2014, 9:39 am
#1659
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,424
So if it were me, I'd keep earning the points, but I'd transfer the majority of my points away from UR.
Sep 15, 2014, 10:20 am
#1660
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 319
I'm also stopping MS on Ink. I even thought about rotating my chase cards for normal spending every month..
Sep 15, 2014, 1:09 pm
#1661
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
I read the chase closing CC thread, got anxious, and transferred all my UR out.. Not very happy about that since now I'm stuck with UA when I want to fly.. But better than losing all points.
I'm also stopping MS on Ink. I even thought about rotating my chase cards for normal spending every month..
I'm also stopping MS on Ink. I even thought about rotating my chase cards for normal spending every month..
Sep 15, 2014, 1:33 pm
#1662
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 319
Back when I read that thread at least, Chase was giving people 30 days to transfer their UR points after they got shut down. Until the dust settles I'm going to keep my UR in place and keep MSing on Chase cards, I'm just going to do it all at 1x and forgo bonus spending except on legitimate transactions like restaurant spending, etc.
It's not a bad strategy I guess. If AGC was still alive, 1x on chase cards would still be pretty good. I hope AGC comes back soon
Sep 15, 2014, 1:46 pm
#1663
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Location: ILG/PHL
Programs: Amex Plat, AA Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Gold, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,075
Sep 15, 2014, 1:57 pm
#1664
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sweet Home Chicago
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 646
Sep 15, 2014, 7:01 pm
#1665
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: 25 million points to burn!
Posts: 1,522
2 years ago when VR were all the rage at OD, this was a common fear too. But instead of shutting a lot of people down, they just changed the rules, and now that avenue is dead. I never panicked. I just kept hitting the 5X hard every month, but also transferring all my points out every month too. B/c Chase has limits, 50K a year, they cover their potential losses better than some other cards with no cap. Hence, I am still hitting staples hard.