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)
Apr 28, 2014, 7:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 38
Visa Gift cards at Staples(2014-2015)
Thanks to Frequent Miler, I confirm that the 200-dollar Visa gift cards are available on Staples.com. The fee is 6.95 with free shipping.
I ordered three just now through a cash back portal. If you need to meet a minimum spending requirement or make a little of money, you can certainly order the gift cards. I can order as many as I want without the frustration of not finding any in the store. I will update if I get the cash back.
I ordered three just now through a cash back portal. If you need to meet a minimum spending requirement or make a little of money, you can certainly order the gift cards. I can order as many as I want without the frustration of not finding any in the store. I will update if I get the cash back.
Last edited by ChrisFlyer66; Jun 24, 2015 at 10:29 pm Reason: This thread has evolved to be about VGC at Staples in general
Apr 28, 2014, 8:30 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: houston
Programs: UA Lifetime Platinum, 2MM since 1981, MAR Lifetime Plat, IHG Plat Amb. Global Entry
Posts: 561
easy with Ink
I just used my Ink to get 5x, plus UR Mall 2x, and Visa Savings Edge will do 1% in cash back.
Pretty easy 8x without leaving my chair and should be no worries about getting the points since they are all UR or Visa sites. Walmart is not far away and I usually go during the week when it is not busy.
So, if my math is correct I will pay fees of ($6.95-2.07=$4.88) to get 207x7 points = 1449 points or .34 cents per UR point. Works for me!
Pretty easy 8x without leaving my chair and should be no worries about getting the points since they are all UR or Visa sites. Walmart is not far away and I usually go during the week when it is not busy.
So, if my math is correct I will pay fees of ($6.95-2.07=$4.88) to get 207x7 points = 1449 points or .34 cents per UR point. Works for me!
Last edited by Platcomike; Apr 28, 2014 at 8:59 am Reason: Thanks to rufflesinc for the calculation method
Apr 28, 2014, 8:31 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL
Posts: 930
I just used my Ink to get 5x, plus UR Mall 2x, and Visa Business Advantage will do another 1x.
Pretty easy 8x without leaving my chair and should be no worries about getting the points since they are all UR or Visa sites. Walmart is not far away and I usually go during the week when it is not busy.
So, if my math is correct I will pay $6.95 to get 207x8 points = .42 cents per UR point. Works for me!
Pretty easy 8x without leaving my chair and should be no worries about getting the points since they are all UR or Visa sites. Walmart is not far away and I usually go during the week when it is not busy.
So, if my math is correct I will pay $6.95 to get 207x8 points = .42 cents per UR point. Works for me!
Apr 28, 2014, 8:40 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DTW, but drive to/from YYZ/ORD
Programs: Chase Ultimate Rewards 2MM, Diner Club points
Posts: 31,920
You are not calculating cost of ur points right. You are getting 7x points. The 1% lowers your cost. I get
.35 cents
.35 cents
Apr 28, 2014, 8:53 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: houston
Programs: UA Lifetime Platinum, 2MM since 1981, MAR Lifetime Plat, IHG Plat Amb. Global Entry
Posts: 561
Apr 28, 2014, 8:56 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 76
The current 3% at Topcashback plus 1% Savings Edge should leave a net of $5.25 per $1000 purchased (before any unload costs...if applicable). Always happy to profit plus take 5x points.
Apr 28, 2014, 9:03 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Last edited by MileageAddict; Apr 29, 2014 at 4:45 am Reason: remove sarcastic snark commentary
Apr 28, 2014, 9:04 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 448
Anyone ever try Discover portal for 5% cashback while using Ink to pay?
5% of $200 = $10 - $6.95 = $3.05 profit + 1000 UR pts per Visa GC
5% of $200 = $10 - $6.95 = $3.05 profit + 1000 UR pts per Visa GC
Apr 28, 2014, 9:07 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: houston
Programs: UA Lifetime Platinum, 2MM since 1981, MAR Lifetime Plat, IHG Plat Amb. Global Entry
Posts: 561
Its all good stuff and the more different ways available, the better the sport!
Apr 28, 2014, 9:29 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Down South, The Desert
Programs: Marriot Rewards, Southwest Rapid rewards, Emerald Club, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,871
Sounds like a Discover 5% portal and evolve money play to me...
Apr 28, 2014, 9:58 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
Apr 28, 2014, 10:15 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 121
How about Upromise at 5% rather than the other cashback options presented?
Apr 28, 2014, 10:16 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: WAS
Programs: SPG Plat. Marriott Plat. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Diamond. IHG Plat.
Posts: 2,580
Apr 28, 2014, 10:19 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 801
I ordered a $200 VGC and got herpes. True story. Be careful.
Apr 28, 2014, 10:21 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 632
Ordered 8 and went through Discover. Hopefully Discover won't try to say they're "gift certificates" and will honor it.