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)
May 15, 2014, 12:08 pm
#751
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
May 15, 2014, 1:42 pm
#752
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 546
"It seems to work with AmEx GCs. Different results are almost guaranteed."
Good point!
Good point!
Last edited by silver4300; May 15, 2014 at 7:39 pm
May 15, 2014, 3:23 pm
#754
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Delta, United, SPG, HHonors, Hyatt
Posts: 98
Didn't get a call yet. My status says "Processing Order" but the expected delivery date is 5/29.
May 15, 2014, 3:26 pm
#755
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: IAH
Programs: United
Posts: 178
submitted an order with 15off coupon, got the confirmation email immediately. let's see
May 15, 2014, 3:37 pm
#757
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Maybe they randomly choose orders to be inspected by a human, and if that happens they reject it because of the GCs. it will be interesting to see what happens with lingzhou's order.
May 15, 2014, 4:11 pm
#758
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MKE
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold,
Posts: 639
I used one about the same time too. I got a confirmation email though. Still no call or cancellation email.
May 15, 2014, 4:24 pm
#759
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: AA, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,887
I got a call while in the middle of a crisis at work today, couldn't answer, but no voicemail and it still shows processing.
On the bright side the regular cashier at my WM MC asked how many cards I would be using to load BB. I asked if people usually do that, she smirked and said "of course."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYqpi2tNAC0
On the bright side the regular cashier at my WM MC asked how many cards I would be using to load BB. I asked if people usually do that, she smirked and said "of course."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYqpi2tNAC0
May 15, 2014, 4:54 pm
#760
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 61
Thank you. Since apparently no portals are working for this offer, then only time and travel are the only reasons not to do this in-store.
May 15, 2014, 7:25 pm
#761
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 16
Data Point: Got 5% CB email from ShopDiscover using Ink on 5/9 purchase. Purchased only VGCs on order.
May 15, 2014, 7:31 pm
#762
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 42
May 15, 2014, 7:35 pm
#763
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 42
Check some more posts, people are getting order confirmed. So it might work. your 5 minutes spent on trying can generate thousands of free points + cash back. So yes try again, it might help. But if you not gonna try , it will surely not help 
^
^
May 15, 2014, 7:41 pm
#764
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
May 15, 2014, 7:42 pm
#765
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 546
Well sure, but I didn't go back to the same cashier at the same CVS.