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)
Sep 26, 2019, 9:11 am
#1264
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,753
For me, no. Do the math as to what gas will cost for the drive. Then do the math for the value of the points you will earn purchasing the cards. I have a card where I earn 5x points at office supply stores. That means for a $200 card, I will earn 1000 points. Let's say I value those points at 1.5 cent each. I earn $15 worth of points. I'd earn 1 cents using the card directly on however I use the gift card. Thus, the office supply purchase is really worth a 4x delta, or $12 of points. I wouldn't drive 2 hours, spending however much the gas costs, for that amount. You can play with my numbers as you like and make them your own - but it is the process I'd use to analyze the drive.
Sep 26, 2019, 10:10 am
#1265
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
For me, no. Do the math as to what gas will cost for the drive. Then do the math for the value of the points you will earn purchasing the cards. I have a card where I earn 5x points at office supply stores. That means for a $200 card, I will earn 1000 points. Let's say I value those points at 1.5 cent each. I earn $15 worth of points. I'd earn 1 cents using the card directly on however I use the gift card. Thus, the office supply purchase is really worth a 4x delta, or $12 of points. I wouldn't drive 2 hours, spending however much the gas costs, for that amount. You can play with my numbers as you like and make them your own - but it is the process I'd use to analyze the drive.
However if that Staples store that ToastedSi is talking about will sell more then 1 card to each person then it may be worthwhile going. But its getting very rare to find such a store and I found stores that 2 or 3 promos ago sold me 10X went down to just 1 the last promo, while a couple that were 1x sold me 10x. Then if on the way back home you unload them as well, it can be worthwhile if earning 5x on the pts.
Also I would plan to do stuff besides unloading my cards so that I could go back hours later and with a shift change get some more
Again its YMMV on how things will workout and w/o knowing if I will be restricted to just 1 card , I wouldnt travel 1 hr to find out Im SOL, unless I plan to do other things while out there
Sep 26, 2019, 7:44 pm
#1266
Moderator: Travel Buzz
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunny San Diego
Posts: 3,099
I live a long way (25-35 minutes) from Office Supply stores in any direction. It's always been a factor in my MS activities. I used to try to hit every sale, and did more running around. Not so much anymore, for a couple of reasons. First, it seems like there are more sales then ever, so if I miss one sale, another will happen soon. Liquidation hasn't gotten any easier. I've got a nice UR balance and no immediate plans to use them- that is a factor, also. If the drive were a sure bet for $2000 worth of 5x, I'd be in. But some days, like today, the MC's are sold out at OD, so I consoled myself with a $500 Amazon card. I only did it because I was already in the door and the $500 Amazons are so easy to load. I can get Amazon cards at my grocery store- 3 minutes away- for 4x Amex points. There's no way I'd make any drive for an extra 1x point.
Sep 27, 2019, 4:51 pm
#1267
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 262
However if that Staples store that ToastedSi is talking about will sell more then 1 card to each person then it may be worthwhile going. But its getting very rare to find such a store and I found stores that 2 or 3 promos ago sold me 10X went down to just 1 the last promo, while a couple that were 1x sold me 10x. Then if on the way back home you unload them as well, it can be worthwhile if earning 5x on the pts.
Also I would plan to do stuff besides unloading my cards so that I could go back hours later and with a shift change get some more
Again its YMMV on how things will workout and w/o knowing if I will be restricted to just 1 card , I wouldnt travel 1 hr to find out Im SOL, unless I plan to do other things while out there
Also I would plan to do stuff besides unloading my cards so that I could go back hours later and with a shift change get some more
Again its YMMV on how things will workout and w/o knowing if I will be restricted to just 1 card , I wouldnt travel 1 hr to find out Im SOL, unless I plan to do other things while out there
Sep 30, 2019, 12:57 pm
#1271
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CMH
Programs: w/+1: AS MVPG; IHG/Marriott Plat; Hilton/BW Diamond; Hertz Prez; SG Silver
Posts: 1,188
Sep 30, 2019, 3:38 pm
#1272
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
Oct 1, 2019, 6:48 am
#1273
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
Oct 1, 2019, 2:44 pm
#1275
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Hey Guys,
I have1 sunrise VGC from Staples and 1 metabank VGC from Staples and 1 one-vanilla MCGC from sams club, I had a hard time converting them to MO's , the CSR at WM did not let me buy MO's and other stores i know only accept cash for MO, Can you guys tell me how you liquidate GC's ?
I have1 sunrise VGC from Staples and 1 metabank VGC from Staples and 1 one-vanilla MCGC from sams club, I had a hard time converting them to MO's , the CSR at WM did not let me buy MO's and other stores i know only accept cash for MO, Can you guys tell me how you liquidate GC's ?