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 13, 2020, 6:17 am
#1546
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,690
Aug 13, 2020, 7:19 am
#1547
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
They are also likely out of stock at the stores that played by the weekly circular's rules from last week and the ones that don't honor it are useless anyway.
Aug 13, 2020, 7:48 am
#1548
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,441
Yeah its not cool when you get caught trying to open the gift card rack in stores and I am not surprised the managers get mad. I am pretty sure Staples managers already know that people come in to buy a bunch of VGCs so you really shouldn't be afraid to ask a Staples associate to check if they have any VGCs in stock. I am cool with the Staples manager at my local Staples and have no issue asking them to check if they have any VGCs inside that gift card container if they are out.
I didn't go any further.
Aug 13, 2020, 7:51 am
#1549
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,441
I can get $500 VGCs at my grocery store for $5.95 so if you are paying $1.95 for a $200 VGC, works out just about the same in cost.
However, for monetizing, I'll take the $500 any day of the week.
Aug 13, 2020, 8:08 am
#1551
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,949
I too will sit this round out. I also maxed out the 12 month limit on my credit cards that offer office supply bonuses. If they were running no-fee cards, I would jump on it, but without the category bonus, until my clock resets in November, I'll leave the cards on the rack for others to benefit from.
Aug 16, 2020, 10:51 am
#1553
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
As mentioned, there are two types of stores, ones that play by the rules, and those that have vigilante store/regional managers. In either case, with a Visa rebate two weeks ago, the stores that play by the rules are likely out of stock, and it can easily take more than 7 days to restock, particularly during Covid. And for the stores with managers who refuse to play by the rules in the first place, they aren't going to sell them to you anyway unless you call the corporate number an complain. Either way, this week IMO would be scant. I wouldn't bother with the cost this week anyhow, sends a message to corporate that the small fee drives folks away as opposed to the no fee promo.
Aug 16, 2020, 11:55 am
#1554
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,441
As mentioned, there are two types of stores, ones that play by the rules, and those that have vigilante store/regional managers. In either case, with a Visa rebate two weeks ago, the stores that play by the rules are likely out of stock, and it can easily take more than 7 days to restock, particularly during Covid. And for the stores with managers who refuse to play by the rules in the first place, they aren't going to sell them to you anyway unless you call the corporate number an complain. Either way, this week IMO would be scant. I wouldn't bother with the cost this week anyhow, sends a message to corporate that the small fee drives folks away as opposed to the no fee promo.
I actually thought that maybe some MSers had stashed the cards away and then returned them after the sale.
Aug 17, 2020, 5:21 pm
#1556
Join Date: May 2013
Programs: UA Au Marriott Ti Hilton C
Posts: 159
As mentioned, there are two types of stores, ones that play by the rules, and those that have vigilante store/regional managers. In either case, with a Visa rebate two weeks ago, the stores that play by the rules are likely out of stock, and it can easily take more than 7 days to restock, particularly during Covid. And for the stores with managers who refuse to play by the rules in the first place, they aren't going to sell them to you anyway unless you call the corporate number an complain. Either way, this week IMO would be scant. I wouldn't bother with the cost this week anyhow, sends a message to corporate that the small fee drives folks away as opposed to the no fee promo.
There’s a third type of store - one that pays no attention to what corporate says. Both the stores in my area fit into that category. The first won’t sell more than one GC at a time no matter what the fee or promo. They don’t even keep them stocked half the time. The second store will sell me $2K at a pop every time. This store looks to have little MS activity, as they’re always in stock. I‘m certainly not complaining, but I know they’re concerned about fraud. By now, I know the managers and they had a significant hit last year from people using stolen credit cards.
Aug 17, 2020, 8:02 pm
#1557
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,303
There’s a third type of store - one that pays no attention to what corporate says. Both the stores in my area fit into that category. The first won’t sell more than one GC at a time no matter what the fee or promo. They don’t even keep them stocked half the time. The second store will sell me $2K at a pop every time. This store looks to have little MS activity, as they’re always in stock. I‘m certainly not complaining, but I know they’re concerned about fraud. By now, I know the managers and they had a significant hit last year from people using stolen credit cards.
Aug 20, 2020, 7:51 am
#1558
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: So.FL
Programs: AA Platinum Jet Blue Mosaic
Posts: 106
Interesting side bonus YMMV @ local Staples
Visited a second Staples this AM. Fully stocked with
VGC. At the register they had a promo on copy paper.
Promo was .99 cents for a ream of copy paper
(with $75 purchase) limit 2 reams.
not sure if this is local or not
VGC. At the register they had a promo on copy paper.
Promo was .99 cents for a ream of copy paper
(with $75 purchase) limit 2 reams.
not sure if this is local or not
Aug 20, 2020, 9:53 am
#1559
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
R.I.P. free after rebate paper. I still have a few years' worth though.