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)
Jan 30, 2015, 8:32 pm
#2252
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: GSO
Posts: 58
My first real problem with the Staples VGC through GCM. I ordered 5, and got the activation codes as well as the cards. I activated them all, then when I tried to change the pin on all of them, I could not. Whether I did it online or by phone, when I input the numbers, exp date and CVV it says invalid info. I called GCM and they say they are all activated and referred me to Cardholder services. After 20 min on hold, I gave up for now, and will try again tomorrow. Anyone have similar issues?
Jan 30, 2015, 9:24 pm
#2253
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 742
Why would you want to change the PINs? The strategy with these gift cards is to use them immediately, thus never actually needing a real PIN.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:29 pm
#2254
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: California
Posts: 264
My first real problem with the Staples VGC through GCM. I ordered 5, and got the activation codes as well as the cards. I activated them all, then when I tried to change the pin on all of them, I could not. Whether I did it online or by phone, when I input the numbers, exp date and CVV it says invalid info. I called GCM and they say they are all activated and referred me to Cardholder services. After 20 min on hold, I gave up for now, and will try again tomorrow. Anyone have similar issues?
Jan 30, 2015, 10:42 pm
#2255
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 191
Meta/Gowallet definitely is having quite some widespread issues. Personally I ran into all the issues mentioned above. In addition, today the system didn't take the pre-set pin (last 4 digits) while unloading at both Kate and cashier initially. Had to try few times to get it to work. Also when I called in a couple of days ago, the CSR told me they were having issues with their system and couldn't do anything.
Jan 31, 2015, 9:17 am
#2256
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Programs: SPG, SW Air, AA, all of'em!
Posts: 239
Staples rebates delay
Thanks for the holiday hold period reminder.
Jan 31, 2015, 10:49 am
#2257
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
I've collected a lot of those $20 Visa rebate cards from past Staples deals and I forgot about a couple of them. Both expired on 11/14, one has $17 value and the other $2-3. The terms on the back state that there's no monthly charge for the first 6 months, then $3/mo after that. I think the cards expire after 1 year, so 6 months of $3 fees basically will empty my card out. I tried calling the number on the back of the card, but I can't get through to a human operator. The FAQ on the website says that if I call BEFORE the expiration date, I can get a new card with an extended expiration. I see the $2.xx one as a lost cause. Should I just give up on the $17 card as well?
I also had another card that I tried to use at Staples in the month it was to due to expire. They couldn't get the card to work, so he manually deducted the amount from my purchase and cut up the card. Needless to say, I will be burning those ASAP from now on.
Jan 31, 2015, 11:31 pm
#2258
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 742
thought it was per calendar year and bought some GC, called in 10 min later to have them cancel my order. 50k is not calendar year, but cardmember year, will report back if issues arise. dumb error on my part.
Feb 1, 2015, 12:17 pm
#2259
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 41
Saw something on the Techbargains website where under a Sears GC deal, it said the following...
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
Feb 1, 2015, 3:32 pm
#2260
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Saw something on the Techbargains website where under a Sears GC deal, it said the following...
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
Feb 1, 2015, 7:38 pm
#2261
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 80
What kind of $200 VGC spend are you planning to put on your Chase Ink this year?
Anyone going to the max with mostly VGC? I have a TON of natural spend to which I can apply the cards and get 5x everywhere. I'm wondering how much Chase tolerates...
Anyone going to the max with mostly VGC? I have a TON of natural spend to which I can apply the cards and get 5x everywhere. I'm wondering how much Chase tolerates...
Feb 1, 2015, 9:26 pm
#2262
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Left Coast
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott/SPG Gold (UA comp)
Posts: 1,354
Saw something on the Techbargains website where under a Sears GC deal, it said the following...
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
NOTE: For Chase Ink Plus or Ink Bold members who get 5X points on office supplies, the vendor "giftcardmall" works with Staples and is considered by the credit card to be an office supply retailer. That means you'll get 5X points on this deal if you pay with one of those cards.
Does this mean that GiftCardMall counts as an office supply store for Ink?
GIFTCARDMALL COM VM
6220 STONERIDGE MALL RD
PLEASANTON CA 94588
(925) 226-9990
1.0 miles
GENERAL MERCHANDISE - 5999
N/A
Chase tolerates 50K spend/year (250K UR from your 5x multiplier [200K bonus UR on top of the base 50K UR)]
Feb 1, 2015, 9:40 pm
#2263
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, USAir, UA, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 86
Feb 1, 2015, 11:39 pm
#2264
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ONT
Programs: AGR, UA, AA
Posts: 476
I have heard people on in person meetups that do $5k a month. Any more consistently (i.e. 10k just to try to hit the cap in five months) is probably a bad idea, as is spending more than your monthly credit limit and paying back early. I am mixing other spend - just did some EBay gift cards through GCM, domain name renewals, and my phone bills.
Feb 2, 2015, 9:35 am
#2265
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, USAir, UA, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 86
I have heard people on in person meetups that do $5k a month. Any more consistently (i.e. 10k just to try to hit the cap in five months) is probably a bad idea, as is spending more than your monthly credit limit and paying back early. I am mixing other spend - just did some EBay gift cards through GCM, domain name renewals, and my phone bills.