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)
Apr 11, 2022, 10:56 am
#1861
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
..
Multiple swipes is money laundering? I assume that was a joke. If swipes were in any way, shape, or form related to potential for money laundering, any algorithm would point to large denominations rather then small ones as being the most likely to be fraudulent. The same reason no one checks $1 bills while $100 bills are scrutinized.
Multiple swipes is money laundering? I assume that was a joke. If swipes were in any way, shape, or form related to potential for money laundering, any algorithm would point to large denominations rather then small ones as being the most likely to be fraudulent. The same reason no one checks $1 bills while $100 bills are scrutinized.
The algorithm that is being used is human experience. The CS person knows that normal people who buy MOs either use cash frequently or a single debit card more rarely. When they ask to see the DC that a multi-swipe person is using, it almost always is a gift card.
Apr 11, 2022, 2:28 pm
#1862
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 269
Yes, multiple swipes was a joke (check the emoji), but more importantly, as pointed out numerous times by craz , doing multiple swipes with debit cards gives the seller of MOs a huge tell that the person buying the MO is a MSer and not a legitimate MO purchaser.
The algorithm that is being used is human experience. The CS person knows that normal people who buy MOs either use cash frequently or a single debit card more rarely. When they ask to see the DC that a multi-swipe person is using, it almost always is a gift card.
The algorithm that is being used is human experience. The CS person knows that normal people who buy MOs either use cash frequently or a single debit card more rarely. When they ask to see the DC that a multi-swipe person is using, it almost always is a gift card.
If multiple swipes were an issue no one should be doing the Fee Free Staples deals either... they never offer anything above $200.
Apr 22, 2022, 8:00 pm
#1865
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
I doubt that they have had enough time to evaluate the sales of their VGCs with the $5 off sale.
However, MCGCs traditionally don't sell nearly as well as VGCs so I am not surprised that the fee free for these cards exists.
Let's wait and see what happens at the next VGC sale.
However, MCGCs traditionally don't sell nearly as well as VGCs so I am not surprised that the fee free for these cards exists.
Let's wait and see what happens at the next VGC sale.
Aug 8, 2022, 1:26 pm
#1872
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 32
New Visa debit card design/pin default
Went to Staples to buy my usual Visa debit cards by Metabank. Rack now has Gold Visa cards and packaging is now sealed with hologram security on back. Does anyone know if default pin is still last 4 digits of card?
Aug 8, 2022, 2:14 pm
#1873
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
I have a trick to expose the barcode of a VGC at checkout. I use the corner of my credit card to lift up the tab..Pops right up.
Last edited by tcook052; Aug 9, 2022 at 5:22 am
Aug 11, 2022, 11:14 am
#1874
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 24
I purchased a number of these new gold colored Visa cards with the hologram from Staples this week. When I tried to use them as a debit to buy a money order at my local supermarket it would not go through. I tried changing the PIN but then it got an error again. I was able to use a Vanilla Visa Gift Card I purchased at 7-11 and that still worked fine. Not sure if these new cards are somehow blocking the money order purchases?
Aug 11, 2022, 12:19 pm
#1875
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
I purchased a number of these new gold colored Visa cards with the hologram from Staples this week. When I tried to use them as a debit to buy a money order at my local supermarket it would not go through. I tried changing the PIN but then it got an error again. I was able to use a Vanilla Visa Gift Card I purchased at 7-11 and that still worked fine. Not sure if these new cards are somehow blocking the money order purchases?