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)
Aug 1, 2019, 12:56 pm
#1216
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Aug 1, 2019, 2:58 pm
#1218
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
With the GCC and GCM, the only benefit shopping at Staples is the earning with CCs w/ office supply bonus. This is at the cost of having to deal with $200 vs $500 cards. DOSH is another incentive, but I do not see it is current now. So there is the balance of cost vs benefits.
Aug 2, 2019, 7:42 am
#1219
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
I live in a big city. Its really your YMMV. I can walk to 3 staples and each one with their own rules. It pays to be friendly because long time cashiers and/or mangers will just let you buy the max. One store here takes the cards off the shelf when they are on sale. The manager hates how it slows down the cashiers. But she will hand me a sealed 10 pack when I ask. I hear so many different reasons as to why the limit but if corporate really cared, I imagine it would be coded into the register.
Aug 2, 2019, 9:19 am
#1220
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
I live in a big city. Its really your YMMV. I can walk to 3 staples and each one with their own rules. It pays to be friendly because long time cashiers and/or mangers will just let you buy the max. One store here takes the cards off the shelf when they are on sale. The manager hates how it slows down the cashiers. But she will hand me a sealed 10 pack when I ask. I hear so many different reasons as to why the limit but if corporate really cared, I imagine it would be coded into the register.
Aug 2, 2019, 10:22 am
#1221
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
I think a lot is "fear" factor. If the manager or cashier see the same person (or people) buying $2k everyday for 7 consecutive days. And the same people doing it each promotion period, then naturally they would question as to what is going on. Fraud, taken advantage of? Just raised some questions or curiosity.
Aug 4, 2019, 1:37 pm
#1222
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: American Airlaines, Delta SkyMiles, United, BA, HH, Marriott, SPG, Priority Club
Posts: 160
Anybody still having any luck in the past week with getting credit on Dosh for Staples on gift card purchase? I’ve been using this forever but suddenly in the last few days I’m not getting anything.
Aug 4, 2019, 1:42 pm
#1224
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
I suspect that they were concerned that since back to school sales are starting in August, that rewrds were going to spike, so adieu to Staples.
Dosh is a 4 letter word that means "worthless".
Aug 5, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1225
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: SPG Plat, SWA Companion Pass, United Silver
Posts: 186
Ugh, my go-to store finally got nuked by a whale. I found a pack of $200 VGCs, but then was told by the store manager that he has to enforce to 1 per household rule. Never been an issue before, but with Dosh eliminating Staples I'm going to sit tight on this promo and wait for the fee-free MCGC promo to return.
Aug 5, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1226
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Ugh, my go-to store finally got nuked by a whale. I found a pack of $200 VGCs, but then was told by the store manager that he has to enforce to 1 per household rule. Never been an issue before, but with Dosh eliminating Staples I'm going to sit tight on this promo and wait for the fee-free MCGC promo to return.
Aug 5, 2019, 6:14 pm
#1227
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BOS
Posts: 827
Have visited 3 Wally's with these $200 MasterCard GCs and a no go to get money orders. These same locations I have been able to use Visa for money orders. Basically they are showing up as credit cards and no work around seem to go through.. Going through supermarket purchases seems an annoying way to close out these cards.
Aug 5, 2019, 6:33 pm
#1228
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Ugh, my go-to store finally got nuked by a whale. I found a pack of $200 VGCs, but then was told by the store manager that he has to enforce to 1 per household rule. Never been an issue before, but with Dosh eliminating Staples I'm going to sit tight on this promo and wait for the fee-free MCGC promo to return.
I do have stores which allow me to buy 8 at a time but I don't push the envelope. I am a slow and steady MSer.
Aug 5, 2019, 6:47 pm
#1229
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,440
Have visited 3 Wally's with these $200 MasterCard GCs and a no go to get money orders. These same locations I have been able to use Visa for money orders. Basically they are showing up as credit cards and no work around seem to go through.. Going through supermarket purchases seems an annoying way to close out these cards.
The next time I did multiple swipes without issue. So I think that I can do either MC or VGCs.
Aug 5, 2019, 8:53 pm
#1230
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BOS
Posts: 827
I was very concerned about using the MCGC so I started out doing just 1 card for $200. I explained the procedure to the CSR and she let me change the mode of payment prior to entering the amount of money. Since it was only one swipe, I figured that it was the least complicated MO purchase possible. It took a few swipes to get it right but I got the hang of it.
The next time I did multiple swipes without issue. So I think that I can do either MC or VGCs.
The next time I did multiple swipes without issue. So I think that I can do either MC or VGCs.
Your approach of "change the mode of payment" could you elaborate on this?
Thanks in advance for your patience on this matter.