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)
Dec 4, 2019, 10:37 am
#1352
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
Dec 12, 2019, 7:55 pm
#1354
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
Dec 12, 2019, 11:24 pm
#1355
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I know another thread you never bothered to read , yet. How, simple its been covered numerous times and pretty much everyone knows what you posted and thats its a YMMV and in the vast majority of the cases what one will walk out with
Steve in Olympia, wasnt discussing the issue but simply wanted to alert everyone that the VGCs are fee free next week, and for those who are able and wanting to pig out can and to those who cant, to decide if its worth their while to get what they are allowed
Dec 13, 2019, 5:51 am
#1356
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
I know another thread you never bothered to read , yet. How, simple its been covered numerous times and pretty much everyone knows what you posted and thats its a YMMV and in the vast majority of the cases what one will walk out with
Steve in Olympia, wasnt discussing the issue but simply wanted to alert everyone that the VGCs are fee free next week, and for those who are able and wanting to pig out can and to those who cant, to decide if its worth their while to get what they are allowed
Steve in Olympia, wasnt discussing the issue but simply wanted to alert everyone that the VGCs are fee free next week, and for those who are able and wanting to pig out can and to those who cant, to decide if its worth their while to get what they are allowed
Yes, I did read the the posts where it was stated YMMV. That's why I said: Not sure how strictly Staples stores will enforce this.
But I did want to put it out there that the ad specifically says limit one. That's all. I do appreciate Steve alerting everyone. I've got a few Staples stores around me, will try to hopefully get a few from each store. Otherwise I'll stick with one per store.
Dec 13, 2019, 8:21 am
#1357
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
Yes, I did read the the posts where it was stated YMMV. That's why I said: Not sure how strictly Staples stores will enforce this.
But I did want to put it out there that the ad specifically says limit one. That's all. I do appreciate Steve alerting everyone. I've got a few Staples stores around me, will try to hopefully get a few from each store. Otherwise I'll stick with one per store.
But I did want to put it out there that the ad specifically says limit one. That's all. I do appreciate Steve alerting everyone. I've got a few Staples stores around me, will try to hopefully get a few from each store. Otherwise I'll stick with one per store.
I try not to be a hog (you know.. they get slaughtered
). I will not do more than 6 at any one time if multiple card purchases were successful. OTOH, if they say 1, I buy it and leave. I know that it is likely that I will be coming back at the end of the day and doing it again and I don't want a store to limit me to a single card a day 
As @craz said, it is very much a YMMV situation.
Dec 13, 2019, 8:47 am
#1358
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
Yes, I did read the the posts where it was stated YMMV. That's why I said: Not sure how strictly Staples stores will enforce this.
But I did want to put it out there that the ad specifically says limit one. That's all. I do appreciate Steve alerting everyone. I've got a few Staples stores around me, will try to hopefully get a few from each store. Otherwise I'll stick with one per store.
But I did want to put it out there that the ad specifically says limit one. That's all. I do appreciate Steve alerting everyone. I've got a few Staples stores around me, will try to hopefully get a few from each store. Otherwise I'll stick with one per store.
i guess the best way to say how your post came over is , recently I was on a boat and we sailed into a harbor and low and behold I discovered an island and I will make such a post, oh its not important that its been known as Manhattan for 100s of yrs, what is important is I want to let everyone know such an island now exists
Dec 13, 2019, 10:41 am
#1359
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest, Marriott Rewards, Hilton Honors
Posts: 255
Thanks very much! I see where you're coming from. "Poke" them a little and see if you can get away with 2 first and build up bit by bit from there. It makes sense.
Dec 13, 2019, 12:16 pm
#1360
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,257
So you can try large numbers if you want, but honestly if you can slip two by the goalie in a single visit, then I'd consider that a win. Attempting more than two has some downside risk (burning a cooperative cashier), and a very low chance of success.
A year or more ago, I could occasionally buy 4 at a time in some local stores (back then, $1K purchases seemed to trigger the manager call). Now, those places have all gone to lower limits before requiring manager override, and the one-to-a-customer policy is strictly enforced around me. YMMV.
Dec 13, 2019, 2:14 pm
#1361
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: none
Posts: 106
At least where I shop, anything over $500 requires a manager to come and do a manual over-ride at the register (doesn't matter how casual the cashier is, it's programmed into their system), which IME will always result in the manager paying a visit and some on-the-spot training for the (now formerly-friendly) cashier. May result in a short lecture by the manager (to either the cashier, me, or both). Usually results in that cashier being hyper-strict about one-to-a-customer policy after that.
So you can try large numbers if you want, but honestly if you can slip two by the goalie in a single visit, then I'd consider that a win. Attempting more than two has some downside risk (burning a cooperative cashier), and a very low chance of success.
A year or more ago, I could occasionally buy 4 at a time in some local stores (back then, $1K purchases seemed to trigger the manager call). Now, those places have all gone to lower limits before requiring manager override, and the one-to-a-customer policy is strictly enforced around me. YMMV.
So you can try large numbers if you want, but honestly if you can slip two by the goalie in a single visit, then I'd consider that a win. Attempting more than two has some downside risk (burning a cooperative cashier), and a very low chance of success.
A year or more ago, I could occasionally buy 4 at a time in some local stores (back then, $1K purchases seemed to trigger the manager call). Now, those places have all gone to lower limits before requiring manager override, and the one-to-a-customer policy is strictly enforced around me. YMMV.
Dec 14, 2019, 5:56 am
#1362
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
My area Staples super strict, obedient cashier always radios manager when sale VGC even for one, so I know the drill and get one and move on, whenever I knew it's the rebellious cashier on duty, I get 2 and she never cares to radio manager and process my 400$ payment directly and I come back next time near Staples. I never able to pass 2 cards one time, most time just one. So I rarely go there no more.
With 2 cards ($400), most of the shops I deal with just let me buy them without getting an approval from the manager.
When I went to 6 cards ($1200), the CSR did get the manager involved, but he approved the sale. However.....
When I became a little piggy and tried for 8 cards, I was told that the limit on cards was $1200
. Go figure 
So, my basic rule is go with the punches, no matter what they say.
Dec 14, 2019, 11:08 am
#1363
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
To those who are generally restricted to just 1 card: have you ever tried going Saturday night during the last few hours of business to see if you have better luck? Might have just been a different manager on duty than during the week, or they knew they had a rack full and weren't going to run out and have people complain, but it has worked for me. Just something to try.
Dec 14, 2019, 12:21 pm
#1364
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
To those who are generally restricted to just 1 card: have you ever tried going Saturday night during the last few hours of business to see if you have better luck? Might have just been a different manager on duty than during the week, or they knew they had a rack full and weren't going to run out and have people complain, but it has worked for me. Just something to try.
This was the one time I actually asked if they would extend the courtesy and let me buy 2 (within 1 hour of closing on the last day of the sale).
They said nope
Dec 17, 2019, 3:05 pm
#1365
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: SPG Plat, SWA Companion Pass, United Silver
Posts: 186
Both of my SimplyCash cards had been reliably earning 5% rewards at Staples and OD/OM; however, my SimplyCash is no longer showing 5% back at OD/OM for purchases on December 14 and 15. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? And I've not yet reached the $50k cap at office supply stores for rewards, so this isn't the issue.