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 23, 2014, 4:04 am
#1351
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 62
I was lucky enough to buy 9 of the OD's $20 promotion virtual Visa prepaid cards using OD ink recycling rewards & OD gift cards before they removed the item from being available for purchase ($180 worth of prepaids for $160). Yesterday I received a shipping confirmation email from OD with tracking information.
It looks like I'm only able to use 1 prepaid gift card per order. I plan to buy 3 x $200 VGC's, paying with Ink and 1 $20 virtual Visa prepaid. Rinse and repeat.
Does staples.com "care" how many of the same orders I place?
It looks like I'm only able to use 1 prepaid gift card per order. I plan to buy 3 x $200 VGC's, paying with Ink and 1 $20 virtual Visa prepaid. Rinse and repeat.
Does staples.com "care" how many of the same orders I place?
Last edited by pwned; Jun 23, 2014 at 4:37 am
Jun 23, 2014, 4:25 pm
#1352
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 246
Thank you for your post. I was hesitated to post my problem, but it turned out you have the same issue. I ordered the normal batch of 10 per order, but today's batch only have 7 instead of 10. Both Staples order status and chase ink shows 2069.xx. meaning i had indeed ordered 10. Anyone else have the same situation, please post.
Checked my mail last night since I was out of town for the weekend, 2 big brown oversized envelopes.
First one had 3 cards, 2nd one had 4 cards. No activation codes yet, assume I'll get them today or tomorrow...and hopefully the last 3 cards too.
Jun 23, 2014, 4:49 pm
#1353
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 104
Thank you for your post. I was hesitated to post my problem, but it turned out you have the same issue. I ordered the normal batch of 10 per order, but today's batch only have 7 instead of 10. Both Staples order status and chase ink shows 2069.xx. meaning i had indeed ordered 10. Anyone else have the same situation, please post.
Jun 23, 2014, 10:58 pm
#1354
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: United MP, American AAdvantage, Chase UR, AMEX MR
Posts: 211
Exact same thing happened to me (7/10 cards and chase ink shows 2069 already charged). Called GCM customer service rep who confirmed that 'a partial order had been filled' and that the other 3 cards would be delivered with activation codes prior to 7/1. Very nice and prompt csr!
Jun 24, 2014, 9:38 pm
#1355
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Angels
Posts: 196
Weird situation. Ordered 9 GC on the 18 and received 6 today. The weirdest thing is the enclosed paper only shows 6 cards with the activation codes for 6. It is as if I ordered only 6 instead of 9. However, the pending charge on my ink is definitely 1k8ish. Has anyone experienced this issue? Thanks.
Jun 25, 2014, 9:27 am
#1356
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 467
I'm about to give up on this as WM is a pain to get to and load $200 at a time with kate. Any other liquidation suggestions other than evolve (not enough bills) or AP? MOs seem shady as hell splitting between 3 cards per $500 and AFTs are hella expensive to liquidate this way. Any advice is appreciated.
Jun 25, 2014, 9:34 am
#1357
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 19
Reload BB at WM?
Do these cards still work to reload BB at WM? Just want to make sure I don't have the same issue as with the OVs.
Jun 25, 2014, 9:41 am
#1358
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,060
So, buy one or two and try for yourself, but as of now - yes they can be used
Jun 25, 2014, 9:44 am
#1359
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 19
MAN!!! Hello and welcome to the forum. Yes BUT START SLOW!!! For the love of God do not go to Staples and buy 10 and then get stuck with them, without knowing AT LEAST three ways to get rid of them.
So, buy one or two and try for yourself, but as of now - yes they can be used
So, buy one or two and try for yourself, but as of now - yes they can be used
Jun 25, 2014, 9:59 am
#1360
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 104
I'm about to give up on this as WM is a pain to get to and load $200 at a time with kate. Any other liquidation suggestions other than evolve (not enough bills) or AP? MOs seem shady as hell splitting between 3 cards per $500 and AFTs are hella expensive to liquidate this way. Any advice is appreciated.
But I guess I need help with the math to see if it works. Using the InK card I am getting 1k UR points for $4.88 + MO fees. If I use my United Club card or my SPG Amex, I can buy $500 OV at CVS and convert them over to MO for a little better return. Using my Club I can get 1500 United miles for $4.95 + MO fees or using my SPG I can get (effectively) 1200 points for $4.95 + MO fees. Anyone see any reason to keep ordering the cards through Staples - other than the fact that I might find UR more valuable than United miles or SPG points?
Jun 25, 2014, 10:09 am
#1361
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAD
Posts: 60
You can use a portal for staples.
Jun 25, 2014, 10:21 am
#1362
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: AA, SPG, MR, UR, Cash Back!
Posts: 606
I'm in the same boat - not sure whether to continue with these things based on my effective cpm. Loading them on to BB at WM (either through Kate or cashier) is more of a pain now - don't feel comfortable holding up the line for more than 2 at a time. Also, I do MO at grocery stores and split payments for $400 MO.
But I guess I need help with the math to see if it works. Using the InK card I am getting 1k UR points for $4.88 + MO fees. If I use my United Club card or my SPG Amex, I can buy $500 OV at CVS and convert them over to MO for a little better return. Using my Club I can get 1500 United miles for $4.95 + MO fees or using my SPG I can get (effectively) 1200 points for $4.95 + MO fees. Anyone see any reason to keep ordering the cards through Staples - other than the fact that I might find UR more valuable than United miles or SPG points?
But I guess I need help with the math to see if it works. Using the InK card I am getting 1k UR points for $4.88 + MO fees. If I use my United Club card or my SPG Amex, I can buy $500 OV at CVS and convert them over to MO for a little better return. Using my Club I can get 1500 United miles for $4.95 + MO fees or using my SPG I can get (effectively) 1200 points for $4.95 + MO fees. Anyone see any reason to keep ordering the cards through Staples - other than the fact that I might find UR more valuable than United miles or SPG points?
You are getting 1035 UR points per $200 Staples GC. Fees are $6.95 but it is reduced to $4.88. Add in a .50 MO so it comes out to $5.38
You are getting 505 SPG points per $500 OV. Fees here are 4.95+ .50 MO so it comes out to $5.45
You are basically getting double the amount of UR points per at Staples than you are for SPG points using OV's at CVS. The fees are basically are very close too when you deduct the discount from Visa Savings edge.
Jun 25, 2014, 10:47 am
#1364
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 104
Maybe I'm confused here. Here is the way I see it, per GC purchased.
You are getting 1035 UR points per $200 Staples GC. Fees are $6.95 but it is reduced to $4.88. Add in a .50 MO so it comes out to $5.38
You are getting 505 SPG points per $500 OV. Fees here are 4.95+ .50 MO so it comes out to $5.45
You are basically getting double the amount of UR points per at Staples than you are for SPG points using OV's at CVS. The fees are basically are very close too when you deduct the discount from Visa Savings edge.
You are getting 1035 UR points per $200 Staples GC. Fees are $6.95 but it is reduced to $4.88. Add in a .50 MO so it comes out to $5.38
You are getting 505 SPG points per $500 OV. Fees here are 4.95+ .50 MO so it comes out to $5.45
You are basically getting double the amount of UR points per at Staples than you are for SPG points using OV's at CVS. The fees are basically are very close too when you deduct the discount from Visa Savings edge.
And I guess there are no more portals for Staples correct?
Jun 25, 2014, 11:07 am
#1365
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 467
And that's why I needed help with the math, thanks! Even with counting the 25% transfer bonus with SPG (when you transfer 20k points) - I would still only get 630 SPG points per OV. And I get a 50% automatic bonus on my club card but again - only 755 miles per $500 OV. So the UR are still the better (albeit more work) option ^
And I guess there are no more portals for Staples correct?
And I guess there are no more portals for Staples correct?