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)
Feb 11, 2023, 10:08 pm
#1936
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
I have always been able to use these VISA or Mastercard Gift Cards on Amazon, either to purchase items or reload my Amazon balance. This is now not working since Feb 2 when I last loaded. And today I find that my Simon Mall debit card will also not work, though this has worked for years (even though it has my name on it).
Amazon says either that this "never worked" (which of course is nonsense) or that it should work.
Amazon says either that this "never worked" (which of course is nonsense) or that it should work.
Feb 11, 2023, 10:21 pm
#1937
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
Does anyone have trouble using Bank of America issued credit cards to purchase these Visa GCs at Staples? I recently got the Alaska Air BOA card for the 70k mile offer and it has been a nightmare to use!
first day, $1600, “use alternative form of payment”. The boa app said to call them. I called from the register and after a 15min call he said he unlocked the card and to try the charge again, but it again failed. I was so frustrated I just used my Chase Ink card for 5x points.
After leaving store I continued to be on phone with him for 15 more mins. He said card was finally unlocked. I tried $27 charge at grocery store 15min later (just groceries). NOPE. Failed.
I called again, got a more helpful woman, she once again said the card was unlocked and I wouldn’t have any more issues.
Back to Staples yesterday, $1600. “Use alternative form of payment”. Once again, I can’t simply approve the transaction via text or app. I need to call. I called and the girl does unlock the card and am able to use the card but the whole process takes 10-12mins while I’m standing at Staples. Luckily the staples is dead.
so, I go back to Staples for the final $1400 for the bonus miles today. Once again, failed. I call, but this time the call lasts over 30min and they WOULD NOT unlock the card and asked me why I’m making large purchases (duh for the bonus miles offer), and she told me I had to go into a BOA branch on Monday with 2 forms of photo ID to get the card unlocked. ...? This is the craziest thing I’ve ever encountered with ANY credit card offer. IT’S YOUR CARD PROMOTION!!!! I need to spend $3k and you’re not letting me!!!!
first day, $1600, “use alternative form of payment”. The boa app said to call them. I called from the register and after a 15min call he said he unlocked the card and to try the charge again, but it again failed. I was so frustrated I just used my Chase Ink card for 5x points.
After leaving store I continued to be on phone with him for 15 more mins. He said card was finally unlocked. I tried $27 charge at grocery store 15min later (just groceries). NOPE. Failed.
I called again, got a more helpful woman, she once again said the card was unlocked and I wouldn’t have any more issues.
Back to Staples yesterday, $1600. “Use alternative form of payment”. Once again, I can’t simply approve the transaction via text or app. I need to call. I called and the girl does unlock the card and am able to use the card but the whole process takes 10-12mins while I’m standing at Staples. Luckily the staples is dead.
so, I go back to Staples for the final $1400 for the bonus miles today. Once again, failed. I call, but this time the call lasts over 30min and they WOULD NOT unlock the card and asked me why I’m making large purchases (duh for the bonus miles offer), and she told me I had to go into a BOA branch on Monday with 2 forms of photo ID to get the card unlocked. ...? This is the craziest thing I’ve ever encountered with ANY credit card offer. IT’S YOUR CARD PROMOTION!!!! I need to spend $3k and you’re not letting me!!!!
Feb 12, 2023, 9:07 am
#1939
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 2,263
Does anyone have trouble using Bank of America issued credit cards to purchase these Visa GCs at Staples? I recently got the Alaska Air BOA card for the 70k mile offer and it has been a nightmare to use!
first day, $1600, “use alternative form of payment”. The boa app said to call them. I called from the register and after a 15min call he said he unlocked the card and to try the charge again, but it again failed. I was so frustrated I just used my Chase Ink card for 5x points.
After leaving store I continued to be on phone with him for 15 more mins. He said card was finally unlocked. I tried $27 charge at grocery store 15min later (just groceries). NOPE. Failed.
I called again, got a more helpful woman, she once again said the card was unlocked and I wouldn’t have any more issues.
Back to Staples yesterday, $1600. “Use alternative form of payment”. Once again, I can’t simply approve the transaction via text or app. I need to call. I called and the girl does unlock the card and am able to use the card but the whole process takes 10-12mins while I’m standing at Staples. Luckily the staples is dead.
so, I go back to Staples for the final $1400 for the bonus miles today. Once again, failed. I call, but this time the call lasts over 30min and they WOULD NOT unlock the card and asked me why I’m making large purchases (duh for the bonus miles offer), and she told me I had to go into a BOA branch on Monday with 2 forms of photo ID to get the card unlocked. ...? This is the craziest thing I’ve ever encountered with ANY credit card offer. IT’S YOUR CARD PROMOTION!!!! I need to spend $3k and you’re not letting me!!!!
first day, $1600, “use alternative form of payment”. The boa app said to call them. I called from the register and after a 15min call he said he unlocked the card and to try the charge again, but it again failed. I was so frustrated I just used my Chase Ink card for 5x points.
After leaving store I continued to be on phone with him for 15 more mins. He said card was finally unlocked. I tried $27 charge at grocery store 15min later (just groceries). NOPE. Failed.
I called again, got a more helpful woman, she once again said the card was unlocked and I wouldn’t have any more issues.
Back to Staples yesterday, $1600. “Use alternative form of payment”. Once again, I can’t simply approve the transaction via text or app. I need to call. I called and the girl does unlock the card and am able to use the card but the whole process takes 10-12mins while I’m standing at Staples. Luckily the staples is dead.
so, I go back to Staples for the final $1400 for the bonus miles today. Once again, failed. I call, but this time the call lasts over 30min and they WOULD NOT unlock the card and asked me why I’m making large purchases (duh for the bonus miles offer), and she told me I had to go into a BOA branch on Monday with 2 forms of photo ID to get the card unlocked. ...? This is the craziest thing I’ve ever encountered with ANY credit card offer. IT’S YOUR CARD PROMOTION!!!! I need to spend $3k and you’re not letting me!!!!
Feb 21, 2023, 6:00 am
#1941
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
Feb 21, 2023, 1:14 pm
#1942
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: S.E. Pennsylvania
Programs: SPG, SW Air, AA, all of'em!
Posts: 239
Liquidating Meta VGCs at Giant in PA to buy MO?
Has anyone in PA noticed an issue with liquidating Meta VGCs to buy MOs at Giant Supermarkets recently?
It seems Vanilla VGCs still work at Giant for MO.
I have been using this method to liquidate the Staples $200 VGCs.
It seems Vanilla VGCs still work at Giant for MO.
I have been using this method to liquidate the Staples $200 VGCs.
Feb 21, 2023, 3:46 pm
#1943
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
Well discussed in this thread as well as others for the past 1-2 weeks. Just go back and start reading. Many DPs on Meta/Pathway VGC liquidation issues.
Mar 1, 2023, 9:27 pm
#1945
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2
Mar 2, 2023, 7:32 am
#1946
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29691546-post679.html
You have to hit the cancel, change payment to switch from credit to debit. This has been discussed many times in this and other threads and if you look, you can find more specific instructions if necessary.
Mar 2, 2023, 10:45 am
#1947
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 84
You need to use the search tab for this thread. However, here is a link
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29691546-post679.html
You have to hit the cancel, change payment to switch from credit to debit. This has been discussed many times in this and other threads and if you look, you can find more specific instructions if necessary.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29691546-post679.html
You have to hit the cancel, change payment to switch from credit to debit. This has been discussed many times in this and other threads and if you look, you can find more specific instructions if necessary.
Mar 9, 2023, 12:31 pm
#1949
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 122
For the yellow color $200 visa gift card from staple, I was able to swipe 2 to get $400 MO at Meijer and do 2 more so total $1200 per visit.
Last week, it only allowed me to swipe 1 card for one transaction, and total 3 transactions, the 4th one didn't work.
Today only 2 transactions with 1 swipe each, the 3rd one didn't work.
Last week, it only allowed me to swipe 1 card for one transaction, and total 3 transactions, the 4th one didn't work.
Today only 2 transactions with 1 swipe each, the 3rd one didn't work.
Last edited by fei3030; Mar 9, 2023 at 2:25 pm