Feb 9, 2017, 8:17 pm
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
This is the master thread for all VGC and MCGC sold at Staples.
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
The previous discussion can be found here.
The VGCs sold at Staples are issued by Metabank and serviced by Blackhawk Network.
The activation code for online purchase comes with the card. Cards purchased at store are activated at check-out.
To activate cards over the phone (without activation codes), call (877) 426-2551 to talk to a rep.
To activate cards over the web, www.giftcardkey.com.
The default PIN number is the last four digits of the card number but can be changed online.
As of 5/12/2014, all known portals are dead.
Earn 5x points with Chase Ink, or Simply Cash for 5% cash back
Buy Visa gift cards (Metabank) at Staples ($200 for $7.95) or the website ($300 for $8.95).
2k Limit per transaction / 10k per day for online. In-store is usually 2k but YMMV
Often times, there are promotions with no or reduced activation fees
Visa/MasterCard Gift Cards at Staples(2017 onwards)
Aug 27, 2018, 7:36 pm
#812
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 465
If you try to check the balance before activating the cards then the cards will be blocked so avoid that if you can
First you need to activate it so the funds are loaded in 1-2 hrs (activation letter comes separately) — you can call Staples activation support @ 877-233-4633 if you don’t want to wait for activation letter (they’ll look up the cards by Staples order number)
Then you can call the number on back of card and ask if there’s any block on the card — they’ll tell you its “inactive” to prevent fraud since someone tried to login online before activation. Let them know that was you — you bought the card online and didn’t know that the card had a separate activation process so you tried logging in first. They’ll get another dept to reactivate the card while you wait on the phone — they’ll tell you it’ll be available for use in 10 mins but it’ll probably take a few hrs
I unblocked 2 cards yesterday and tried logging into one after 30 mins but it gave an error and now its blocked again — the 2nd card I waited a few hrs to login and it was working fine
First you need to activate it so the funds are loaded in 1-2 hrs (activation letter comes separately) — you can call Staples activation support @ 877-233-4633 if you don’t want to wait for activation letter (they’ll look up the cards by Staples order number)
Then you can call the number on back of card and ask if there’s any block on the card — they’ll tell you its “inactive” to prevent fraud since someone tried to login online before activation. Let them know that was you — you bought the card online and didn’t know that the card had a separate activation process so you tried logging in first. They’ll get another dept to reactivate the card while you wait on the phone — they’ll tell you it’ll be available for use in 10 mins but it’ll probably take a few hrs
I unblocked 2 cards yesterday and tried logging into one after 30 mins but it gave an error and now its blocked again — the 2nd card I waited a few hrs to login and it was working fine
Aug 28, 2018, 1:58 am
#813
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Do the codes come before or after the cards? I got my cards today but don't remember seeing any envelope with codes. Then again, I don't sort through my mail that quickly. So of course I tried to register a card online before activating it.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:03 am
#814
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 780
The activation codes can come before or after the giftcards. If I have the giftcards and don't have the codes I usually call and get them activated.
Aug 28, 2018, 9:09 pm
#815
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA Platinum, HH Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 130
Aug 29, 2018, 12:40 pm
#818
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Chase UR, HHonors, SPG/Marriott, Total Rewards
Posts: 23
I know CIC gives 5X for Staples/ODOM, but does CIP also provide bonus points for office supply stores? It's not listed... but neither was Plztiq. Any DP on this? I'm wanting to churn CIP.
Aug 30, 2018, 1:23 pm
#824
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 163
Is there a separate thread for American Express revoking the 10% statement credits from their offer that started in June? I've been hit with over $1,000 in "statement credit reversals" even though I bought the cards at Staples B&M in early June, receiving my statement credits nearly 3 months ago. I've never heard of them going back several months to claw back Amex Offers. It looks like they are claiming the offer should have only been ONE per person, even though it was letting you add it to multiple different cards back then, although they changed their system in August.
Aug 30, 2018, 4:01 pm
#825
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Is there a separate thread for American Express revoking the 10% statement credits from their offer that started in June? I've been hit with over $1,000 in "statement credit reversals" even though I bought the cards at Staples B&M in early June, receiving my statement credits nearly 3 months ago. I've never heard of them going back several months to claw back Amex Offers. It looks like they are claiming the offer should have only been ONE per person, even though it was letting you add it to multiple different cards back then, although they changed their system in August.