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 1, 2017, 11:53 am
#91
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
Chase Freedom unlimited does not give you points just 1.5% cash back so the profit here is only $7.5+500 Chase points or I am missing something
Mar 1, 2017, 12:04 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
Mar 1, 2017, 12:07 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 73
Mar 1, 2017, 12:13 pm
#95
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
Can you please correct the calculation below then ?
Thanks
500 points from Ink + $500*1.5%=7.5 points
All profit = 507.5 points
is this correct?
Thanks
500 points from Ink + $500*1.5%=7.5 points
All profit = 507.5 points
is this correct?
Last edited by ChrisFlyer66; Mar 4, 2017 at 9:24 am Reason: thread cleanup
Mar 1, 2017, 2:13 pm
#96
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 59
Cost: $3.95
UR points earned: 755.9
Buy 2X $300 gc from staples w/ simon + ink:
Cost: $17.90
UR Points earned: 589.5
5% Back reload: $25
Cost to you before liquidation: $3.95+$17.90 +$25 = $3.15
So in the end, you're ~$1 to $3 richer (depending on liquidation means) with an additional ~1345 UR points in your account for every two $300 gift cards you buy from staples.
Tedious, yes. But if you do this a million times, you'd accumulate over a billion UR points (think of the trips!) and be a millionaire. If I were you, I quit my job and get on it right now!
Mar 1, 2017, 3:12 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 159
I'm sure there are some MS methods that are very lucrative, but those tend to go away quickly from what I gather (I just started myself 2 weeks ago so I can't say from experience). So I think of these as great ways to hit minimum spends without actually losing any money. But if you're looking to make enough money to make this worth the time that you have to invest, then you need to find a different MS scheme.
Mar 4, 2017, 4:50 pm
#99
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
I realize you are using 2 credit cards to pay for $617.90
Is this doable only in B&M store or can you do the same online as well?
Mar 5, 2017, 6:37 am
#100
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 437
He says he buys the 2x300=617.90 with 5B card which is $500, so I think he pays the 117.90 with Ink?
But you can not do this online, can you? I don't have a store near me.
Mar 5, 2017, 8:37 pm
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
On top of that, even some places the level 3 is not showing online, AMEX can see what the purchases are, this includes cards sourced from Simon and may be grocery stores.
OTOH, AMEX seems only care when the purchases are intended to meet spend requirement of bonus, any bonus, not just limited to sign up bonus, and in particularly on AMEX own cards. AMEX does not seem to care if these are just spend to earn the basic points, especially on the co-branded cards.
So now you have more than enough info to proceed accordingly.
Mar 5, 2017, 9:00 pm
#105
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 46
Yes. On all AMEX cards.
On top of that, even some places the level 3 is not showing online, AMEX can see what the purchases are, this includes cards sourced from Simon and may be grocery stores.
OTOH, AMEX seems only care when the purchases are intended to meet spend requirement of bonus, any bonus, not just limited to sign up bonus, and in particularly on AMEX own cards. AMEX does not seem to care if these are just spend to earn the basic points, especially on the co-branded cards.
So now you have more than enough info to proceed accordingly.
On top of that, even some places the level 3 is not showing online, AMEX can see what the purchases are, this includes cards sourced from Simon and may be grocery stores.
OTOH, AMEX seems only care when the purchases are intended to meet spend requirement of bonus, any bonus, not just limited to sign up bonus, and in particularly on AMEX own cards. AMEX does not seem to care if these are just spend to earn the basic points, especially on the co-branded cards.
So now you have more than enough info to proceed accordingly.
Hate being DP, but it's a fact!