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 9, 2015, 12:22 pm
#2656
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: IAD, sometimes DCA
Posts: 107
Like amex which receives some travel itineraries on purchases, do you guys think chase would receive line item information from the sales.
Specially since they promote office supply stores with 5x points, wouldnt they have some kinda program in place with staples to do this?
Specially since they promote office supply stores with 5x points, wouldnt they have some kinda program in place with staples to do this?
Look for the merchants you're purchasing through in this list:
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/
Avoid Level 3's... those give out itemized list. All Staples and OD's in my area are lvl 2's.
Jun 9, 2015, 1:02 pm
#2657
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 38
No.
Look for the merchants you're purchasing through in this list:
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/
Avoid Level 3's... those give out itemized list. All Staples and OD's in my area are lvl 2's.
Look for the merchants you're purchasing through in this list:
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/
Avoid Level 3's... those give out itemized list. All Staples and OD's in my area are lvl 2's.
Thanks. The staples I buy from doesnt have anything listed for 'Enhanced Data Level'.
Jun 10, 2015, 11:48 pm
#2658
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 36
anyone buy them online lately? i bought a few and it looks like gcm changed their website a little. giftcardmall.com/activate now leads to a page that requires login. I made an account, but was still unable to activate. this is so frustrating, I'll probably end up calling to activate. 
Jun 11, 2015, 5:58 am
#2659
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: American Airlines EXP, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 408
anyone buy them online lately? i bought a few and it looks like gcm changed their website a little. giftcardmall.com/activate now leads to a page that requires login. I made an account, but was still unable to activate. this is so frustrating, I'll probably end up calling to activate.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ck-tip-34.html
Jun 11, 2015, 6:04 am
#2661
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 69
Its a very YMMV issue, as some stores will limit you to 2, others will 1st call your CC and tell them you want to buy $XXXX in gift cards is it OK. Generally most stores will sell you up to $2k and that includes the fees , so 9 GCs of $200 is the max. But then your CC wont like it and will mostly put ahold on the CC if they see the same amount being charged every time = you have to be creative how you go about the buying and dont try to buy them all on the same day.
I think any purchase over $400 or $500 requires the override and the mgr inputting their code for the transaction to complete, which sometimes can take upwards of 10 mins till the mgr gets to the reg and even longer if they stepped out or are in the private office (loo)
I think any purchase over $400 or $500 requires the override and the mgr inputting their code for the transaction to complete, which sometimes can take upwards of 10 mins till the mgr gets to the reg and even longer if they stepped out or are in the private office (loo)
Jun 11, 2015, 8:15 am
#2662
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 286
No.
Look for the merchants you're purchasing through in this list:
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/
Avoid Level 3's... those give out itemized list. All Staples and OD's in my area are lvl 2's.
Look for the merchants you're purchasing through in this list:
https://www.visa.com/supplierlocator/
Avoid Level 3's... those give out itemized list. All Staples and OD's in my area are lvl 2's.
Jun 11, 2015, 12:19 pm
#2664
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 20
$20 rebate on $300+ purchase of AGC @ Staples through 2015.06.13
I know it's not a VGC, per thread title.
Through June 13, Staples is offering a $20 rebate on purchases of $300+ in AGC's.
Use the AGC's to purchase VGC's.
Through June 13, Staples is offering a $20 rebate on purchases of $300+ in AGC's.
Use the AGC's to purchase VGC's.
Jun 11, 2015, 6:43 pm
#2665
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,503
What you suggested is definitely an option if you don't mind jumping through another hoop and then paying the extra $5 in activation fees. It may fit for some but this deal is not for me.
Jun 11, 2015, 8:49 pm
#2667
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 56
anyone buy them online lately? i bought a few and it looks like gcm changed their website a little. giftcardmall.com/activate now leads to a page that requires login. I made an account, but was still unable to activate. this is so frustrating, I'll probably end up calling to activate.
giftcardmall purchase is not generally discussed on this thread - I believe that in this thread "buying online" would mean buying from staples.com. Try this thread -
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ck-tip-34.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...ck-tip-34.html
Jun 12, 2015, 8:54 am
#2668
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 303
Yesterday I bought a batch of 9 $200 MC's (Visas not always in stock). The receipt printed out with a message next to each one that it will activate within the "next 24 hours" and when I tried to call as usually do to set the pin, gave me message that its not activated and $0 balance.
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?
Jun 12, 2015, 11:48 am
#2669
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Yesterday I bought a batch of 9 $200 MC's (Visas not always in stock). The receipt printed out with a message next to each one that it will activate within the "next 24 hours" and when I tried to call as usually do to set the pin, gave me message that its not activated and $0 balance.
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?
Jun 12, 2015, 8:00 pm
#2670
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 718
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 967
Yesterday I bought a batch of 9 $200 MC's (Visas not always in stock). The receipt printed out with a message next to each one that it will activate within the "next 24 hours" and when I tried to call as usually do to set the pin, gave me message that its not activated and $0 balance.
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?
Never experienced this before having bought both Visas and MC's many times. Has this happened with others and if so has it activated within the timeframe?