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 9, 2017, 8:28 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
I have never had a problem with my Chase Ink cards. We max out both cards. But honestly, it's such a fragile system we use. We buy the cards online, buy MO's and deposit those to our bank. Having a business is definitely helpful. But anything can happen to our system, and we keep hoping it still all works even five years from now. Chase could get sick and tired of our 5X earnings and cancel our cards. We could get stopped from acquiring MO's at our local grocery store and Wally, and our bank could start limiting our MO deposits. Very fragile.
So you are paying 8.95 for each $300 Visa cards. So for every $8.95 fee you are earning (300+8.95)X5 =1,545 UR points.
Does this worth paying $8.95 to you?
Feb 9, 2017, 8:38 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 740
3 * (200 + 4.95) * 5 = 3074.25 UR for $15
2 * (300 + 8.95) * 5 = 3089.50 UR for $18
This is not accounting for the frequent sales at both places.
PS: you can redeem each UR for a minimum of 1.25 cent and as much as 1.5˘
3074.25 * 1.5c = $46
$46 - $15 (fees) = $31 in profit
Last edited by Java Cool Dude; Feb 9, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Feb 9, 2017, 8:42 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
I'm no expert at MS, still reading as much as I can find to hopefully come up with something that works for me, but 1,545 times thepointsguy values UR points at $0.021 per, so $32.45. At least that's what I've deduced so far.
Feb 9, 2017, 8:55 pm
#34
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Alaska, Shell VC, Wyndham VC, Starwood, RCI, II--I bought it on eBay!
Posts: 159
I am very happy with our MS for now, but as I said, it's very fragile. Our cost is $6/1,000 pts. We get 1.5 through the Sapphire Reserve portal. So a $300 plane ticket is just 20K points. 20K X $6 = $120.
We buy our VGC's online. It's just easier. Going from store to store to see if they have restocked the rack with cards is definitely not worth it to me. I have no idea what a DE is. Maybe someone could spell that out for me?
Feb 9, 2017, 9:00 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Alaska, Shell VC, Wyndham VC, Starwood, RCI, II--I bought it on eBay!
Posts: 159
I think that will end our MS plan. I don't see us finding another MS process. This one has been a hobby with payback.
Feb 9, 2017, 9:05 pm
#36
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 740
Feb 9, 2017, 9:07 pm
#37
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: Alaska, Shell VC, Wyndham VC, Starwood, RCI, II--I bought it on eBay!
Posts: 159
Ah, thanks. That makes sense now. I saw someone posted that buying MO's with those cards works because they work the same as the VGC's. I will check out OM/OD next time. It's a better deal.
Feb 9, 2017, 9:13 pm
#38
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 740
Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Grocery stores that sell MOs.
Super Walmart.
Feb 9, 2017, 9:16 pm
#39
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
It's cheaper to buy DE cards at OD/OM than online VGCs at staples:
3 * (200 + 4.95) * 5 = 3074.25 UR for $15
2 * (300 + 8.95) * 5 = 3089.50 UR for $18
This is not accounting for the frequent sales at both places.
PS: you can redeem each UR for a minimum of 1.25 cent and as much as 1.5˘
3074.25 * 1.5c = $46
$46 - $15 (fees) = $31 in profit
3 * (200 + 4.95) * 5 = 3074.25 UR for $15
2 * (300 + 8.95) * 5 = 3089.50 UR for $18
This is not accounting for the frequent sales at both places.
PS: you can redeem each UR for a minimum of 1.25 cent and as much as 1.5˘
3074.25 * 1.5c = $46
$46 - $15 (fees) = $31 in profit
Also why bother going to OD for $300, the fee is same online. It is $8.95
Feb 9, 2017, 9:21 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 740
I live in LA and we Californians have a crap ton of OM/OD throughout the state that sell DE cards in stores.
JCD
Feb 9, 2017, 9:46 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
And these are available on OD/OM online? I'm having trouble searching for them, but I am tired and admittedly haven't tried too many different search terms. Just GC, DE, and a few permutations of those.
Feb 9, 2017, 10:07 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 740
