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)
Mar 24, 2023, 12:09 pm
#1967
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TPA
Programs: spg gold
Posts: 406
As reported several times before, it is not the bank that is causing the problem but the servicer. BHN is the servicer for many different banks including Meta/Pathward, Sutton, etc. If the servicer in InComm, then we appear to not have a problem to date.
However, there is some question as to whether one can still do 4 everywhere card swipes at WM, since these cards are serviced by BHN.
I will be trying again next week and report back.
However, there is some question as to whether one can still do 4 everywhere card swipes at WM, since these cards are serviced by BHN.
I will be trying again next week and report back.
Meta,Pathward.Sutton etc. Are Banks? Right
Mar 24, 2023, 1:08 pm
#1968
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 51
Hi, just recently got alaska personal boa card for 70k miles. To meet the minimum 3000 spend can I buy 8 qty of 200 dollars staples mastercard gift cards to meet 1600/3000 requirement. Do I need to buy anything else at staples to make it count? Would I get clawback? Thanks
Mar 24, 2023, 5:00 pm
#1969
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
Hi, just recently got alaska personal boa card for 70k miles. To meet the minimum 3000 spend can I buy 8 qty of 200 dollars staples mastercard gift cards to meet 1600/3000 requirement. Do I need to buy anything else at staples to make it count? Would I get clawback? Thanks
Mar 24, 2023, 5:21 pm
#1970
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,295
If this is brand new, then someone at Chase might get their nose out of joint with the sudden purchase of $3000 of gift cards, which technically by the T&C's of Chase cards should not qualify for the minimum spend requirement. You have three months to qualify. Put some real spend on this card, and use the GCs for filling in the missing spend in the third month.
Apr 3, 2023, 7:54 am
#1971
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 48
Are the Staples MC GC's serviced by different banks or typically all the same? Noticed I had more luck with a couple cards and not much luck with one - I wanted to check the issuer and already threw away the ones that worked better for me.
May 26, 2023, 7:21 am
#1974
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
May 26, 2023, 10:03 am
#1976
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: B6 M4, AA Plat Pro, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,476
I tried $20, $50, $100. Here's my post from the Discover thread.
1. Put Discover Debit Card into the reader with the chip.
2. Input zip code then take Discover card.
3. Confirm with cashier about how much to reload (I tried $20, $50, $100)
4. Confirm the amount on terminal then swipe your GC (I was using the Staples MGC).
5. "TENDER NOT ALLOWED"
Any suggestions?
May 26, 2023, 1:48 pm
#1977
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,447
Should clarify that I did it at a cashier and not MoneyCenter. They used action code 70 and it didn't work.
I tried $20, $50, $100. Here's my post from the Discover thread.
1. Put Discover Debit Card into the reader with the chip.
2. Input zip code then take Discover card.
3. Confirm with cashier about how much to reload (I tried $20, $50, $100)
4. Confirm the amount on terminal then swipe your GC (I was using the Staples MGC).
5. "TENDER NOT ALLOWED"
Any suggestions?
I tried $20, $50, $100. Here's my post from the Discover thread.
1. Put Discover Debit Card into the reader with the chip.
2. Input zip code then take Discover card.
3. Confirm with cashier about how much to reload (I tried $20, $50, $100)
4. Confirm the amount on terminal then swipe your GC (I was using the Staples MGC).
5. "TENDER NOT ALLOWED"
Any suggestions?
If that didn't work, I would be in contact with Discover to find out why you couldn't deposit cash into your account.
Again, let us know how you did. Thanks
May 26, 2023, 2:11 pm
#1978
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: B6 M4, AA Plat Pro, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,476
Can confirm cash works, I have done that before. I also have the contactless debit card.
May 26, 2023, 4:58 pm
#1979
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 3,693
After that you still have the 99 limit since thats on all BHN cards
Personally I would just use them (Staples MCGC) for organic spend and move on.
May 27, 2023, 2:37 pm
#1980
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA
Programs: B6 M4, AA Plat Pro, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,476
In the steps I posted above, there was no option to do that.