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)
Jul 5, 2014, 2:55 pm
#1426
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
The cue for asking to see the card was the amount. They're on to all of these $200 transactions.
Entertained that the cashier said that I could use Walmart's own "money card" for loads since it wasn't a "gift card."
Jul 5, 2014, 3:02 pm
#1427
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I hope that we're not using the same store. I got dinged today for trying to use a "gift card" (forgot to bring a debit with me for the switch).
The cue for asking to see the card was the amount. They're on to all of these $200 transactions.
Entertained that the cashier said that I could use Walmart's own "money card" for loads since it wasn't a "gift card."
Jul 9, 2014, 11:57 am
#1428
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
AMEX Sync has a Staples.com deal
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...atement-credit
I had it on 2 AMEX cards.
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...atement-credit
I had it on 2 AMEX cards.
Jul 9, 2014, 12:05 pm
#1429
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 157
i ordered a $200 gc to take advantage of the Amex offer, got the confirmation message on their page....but no email confirmation yet...how long does it take for staples to confirm an order? 
I see a $1 pending charge on my Amex card....wonder why the order is in a "Limbo"
I see a $1 pending charge on my Amex card....wonder why the order is in a "Limbo"
Jul 9, 2014, 12:16 pm
#1430
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
i ordered a $200 gc to take advantage of the Amex offer, got the confirmation message on their page....but no email confirmation yet...how long does it take for staples to confirm an order?
I see a $1 pending charge on my Amex card....wonder why the order is in a "Limbo"
I see a $1 pending charge on my Amex card....wonder why the order is in a "Limbo"
Jul 9, 2014, 12:26 pm
#1431
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Jul 9, 2014, 2:25 pm
#1432
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,424
I seem to have this deal on all my AMEX cards. I guess it nets $8 cash for each $100 gift card, plus whatever reward you earn from your AMEX card (typically worth a buck or two on $100). Pretty darn marginal -- but also pretty easy. Wish it was a promo whereby I could use my Ink card!
Jul 11, 2014, 12:04 am
#1433
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
AMEX Sync has a Staples.com deal
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...atement-credit
I had it on 2 AMEX cards.
http://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/...atement-credit
I had it on 2 AMEX cards.
Jul 11, 2014, 1:54 am
#1434
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 721
Some of us are guessing you'll get it from yesterday's order, hmmm.
Jul 12, 2014, 10:20 pm
#1435
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Jul 15, 2014, 7:14 am
#1436
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 766
# of staples gc allowed on each online purchase
Anyone know that number? I just noticed a favorite retailer of mine who allows me to pay for GC with a gift card is selling staples gift cards......but, max denomination of $25, so I'd need 8 for a $200 gift card. (provided fees to my bold)
If you'd rather PM, I understand.
If you'd rather PM, I understand.
Jul 15, 2014, 7:37 am
#1437
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DFW
Posts: 246
Anyone know that number? I just noticed a favorite retailer of mine who allows me to pay for GC with a gift card is selling staples gift cards......but, max denomination of $25, so I'd need 8 for a $200 gift card. (provided fees to my bold)
If you'd rather PM, I understand.
If you'd rather PM, I understand.
Jul 15, 2014, 10:11 am
#1439
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Jul 15, 2014, 2:48 pm
#1440
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 766
I do appreciate the cautious, my friends, but is there a thread talking about bans and folks that have gotten in trouble? If you don't want to answer, please PM me.
This cloak and dager stuff does get a little crazy on this board. We never learn anything without experimentation, yet I don't want to be reckless if others have already crashed and burned. I've yet to be banned from anywhere (other than Netspend, but so did everyone!) as I never push to extremes.
This cloak and dager stuff does get a little crazy on this board. We never learn anything without experimentation, yet I don't want to be reckless if others have already crashed and burned. I've yet to be banned from anywhere (other than Netspend, but so did everyone!) as I never push to extremes.