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)
Apr 28, 2014, 4:37 pm
#46
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: UA, DL, AA, ANA
Posts: 226
I think we should start a wiki with bets for how long this last.. I take 04/29/14 at 3pm EST.
Apr 28, 2014, 5:35 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Madison, WI, USA
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Apr 28, 2014, 5:36 pm
#50
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: UA, DL, AA, ANA
Posts: 226
I am also gonna postulate that if no shutdowns occur from this, then Chase officially does not care about GC purchases.
Apr 28, 2014, 5:45 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: United MP, American AAdvantage, Chase UR, AMEX MR
Posts: 211
Apr 28, 2014, 6:08 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Delta
Posts: 38
Are ya'll just going for 10 at a time, or do you do several small separate orders?
Apr 28, 2014, 6:31 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: United MP, American AAdvantage, Chase UR, AMEX MR
Posts: 211
Apr 28, 2014, 7:19 pm
#54
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Apr 28, 2014, 7:39 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Posts: 1,134
Apr 28, 2014, 7:39 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Apr 28, 2014, 8:19 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: American Airlaines, Delta SkyMiles, United, BA, HH, Marriott, SPG, Priority Club
Posts: 160
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifeonitsown View Post
My chase bold is Mastercard. I noticed that some of you are using Visa Savings edge. So does that mean that there is another flavor of Chase bold (visa)?
I would suggest applying for a new Ink card which will be the Visa rather than switching your Mastercard. That way you will get a new sign up bonus for it! If they ask you why you are applying when you already have one, just tell them you are applying for the Visa version to take advantage of the Visa perks such as Visa Savings Edge. Visa version is considered a different product so you should be getting a new sign up bonus
Originally Posted by lifeonitsown View Post
My chase bold is Mastercard. I noticed that some of you are using Visa Savings edge. So does that mean that there is another flavor of Chase bold (visa)?
I would suggest applying for a new Ink card which will be the Visa rather than switching your Mastercard. That way you will get a new sign up bonus for it! If they ask you why you are applying when you already have one, just tell them you are applying for the Visa version to take advantage of the Visa perks such as Visa Savings Edge. Visa version is considered a different product so you should be getting a new sign up bonus
Apr 28, 2014, 9:22 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Apr 28, 2014, 10:20 pm
#59
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
Ordered 10....how quick do u get confirmation of ultimate rewards activity? I have not had good luck with purchases being tracked through ur. Any tips? Am using chrome.
Apr 28, 2014, 11:05 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 174
I typically receive UR points confirmation a day or two after receiving notice that the cards shipped.