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)
Jun 12, 2014, 10:45 pm
#1277
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Jun 13, 2014, 2:35 am
#1278
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
If you talking WM, just go to the cashier. Much faster. I don't have any problem doing 5 with one cashier.
Jun 13, 2014, 6:27 am
#1279
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Midwest U.S.A
Programs: Too many to list. Since the early 90's.
Posts: 1,407
With the 6.95 fee per card the 5% cb from Ink means only 3.40 ahead and that doesn't include any liquidation costs, if any, such as MO purchase. That's less than a 2% return, unless you're using an Ink Visa to get the edge savings or using a discount code. Am I missing something?
Jun 13, 2014, 7:29 am
#1280
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DC/NOVA
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 192
With the 6.95 fee per card the 5% cb from Ink means only 3.40 ahead and that doesn't include any liquidation costs, if any, such as MO purchase. That's less than a 2% return, unless you're using an Ink Visa to get the edge savings or using a discount code. Am I missing something?
Personally, I load these $200VGC to BB throughout the month and liquidate that way (at least now that evolve has reduced the allowed number of payments).
Last edited by picards007; Jun 13, 2014 at 11:16 am Reason: spelling + maths are important
Jun 13, 2014, 10:08 am
#1281
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 315
With VSE (1% discount): 1007 pts for $4.88 (or $0.0048/pt). As long as you are not using UR for statement credits (i.e., at least using them for travel on the UR portal at $0.0125/pt) then you are getting back $12.58 per card or a gain of $7.70 prior to liquidation costs (3.6% net return). Redeeming with partners improves that calculation.
Personally, I load these $200VGC to BB throughout the month and liquidate that way (at least now that evolve has reduced the allowed number of payments).
Personally, I load these $200VGC to BB throughout the month and liquidate that way (at least now that evolve has reduced the allowed number of payments).
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Jun 13, 2014, 11:14 am
#1282
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: DC/NOVA
Programs: AA Gold, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 192
Jun 13, 2014, 12:32 pm
#1283
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 69
Buying VGC with Staples GC
So...has anybody done this recently? I did it to maximize my Freedom 5x. Then I do it yesterday and I get a phone call from staples saying the computer rejected this, and they will refund my gift cards/credit card.
I can personally give a flying .... if my online account gets blacklisted. The only thing I purchase from Staples is $200 VGC's anyway. Now that they don't pay out for portals anymore, I have zero problem going back into the stores to purchase. What I need to do, however, is liquidate these Staples GC's I purchased. Might be sitting on them until a FAR opportunity comes up again.
Jun 13, 2014, 12:48 pm
#1284
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 9
So...has anybody done this recently? I did it to maximize my Freedom 5x. Then I do it yesterday and I get a phone call from staples saying the computer rejected this, and they will refund my gift cards/credit card.
I can personally give a flying .... if my online account gets blacklisted. The only thing I purchase from Staples is $200 VGC's anyway. Now that they don't pay out for portals anymore, I have zero problem going back into the stores to purchase. What I need to do, however, is liquidate these Staples GC's I purchased. Might be sitting on them until a FAR opportunity comes up again.
I can personally give a flying .... if my online account gets blacklisted. The only thing I purchase from Staples is $200 VGC's anyway. Now that they don't pay out for portals anymore, I have zero problem going back into the stores to purchase. What I need to do, however, is liquidate these Staples GC's I purchased. Might be sitting on them until a FAR opportunity comes up again.
Evolve takes a little while to post to Sallie Mae, and make sure you choose the right mailing address.
I'm just doing this to knock out the promo for Ink.
Jun 13, 2014, 1:27 pm
#1285
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 69
I have a feeling you're misreading my title. Not buying Visa GC's from staples with a Credit Card. That's old hat/reliable. I'm talking about actually buying the Visa's with a Staples GC. It's worked in the past, and now has suddenly begun rejecting after having placed the order. Staples rep didn't sound angry, threaten to ban me, whatever...they just said "no can do...would you like for us to continue the order with the credit card number on file for this order?"
no...i want to liquidate my friggin staples gift cards.
Jun 13, 2014, 6:43 pm
#1286
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,059
Is there a limit per transaction or per time period, e.g. like AGC?
Jun 14, 2014, 9:00 pm
#1287
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ORD
Programs: status free since 2017
Posts: 2,188
Can I get the $20 rebate from an online VGC order?
Jun 15, 2014, 7:43 am
#1289
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 115
Does anyone know if this VGC qualifies for this $20 rebate? https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/p...tml?sku=763604
Jun 15, 2014, 8:27 am
#1290
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: The Phoenix Desert
Programs: Hilton Cubic Zirconia, Marriott Fools Gold
Posts: 1,692
Does anyone know if this VGC qualifies for this $20 rebate? https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/p...tml?sku=763604