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 22, 2020, 8:03 am
#1441
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 42
Staples is offering in-store fee-free $200 MCGC from today 3/22-3/28.
With all the past issues regarding MCGC's, does anyone have any DP's on issues with organic spend? Thinking of paying individual people for services but don't want them to have issues using as cash equivalent.
With all the past issues regarding MCGC's, does anyone have any DP's on issues with organic spend? Thinking of paying individual people for services but don't want them to have issues using as cash equivalent.
Mar 22, 2020, 8:13 am
#1442
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,425
Staples is offering in-store fee-free $200 MCGC from today 3/22-3/28.
With all the past issues regarding MCGC's, does anyone have any DP's on issues with organic spend? Thinking of paying individual people for services but don't want them to have issues using as cash equivalent.
With all the past issues regarding MCGC's, does anyone have any DP's on issues with organic spend? Thinking of paying individual people for services but don't want them to have issues using as cash equivalent.
Mar 22, 2020, 10:20 am
#1443
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
something tells me demand for these will be tepid. Many people probably don't want to go to the store to buy them, much less go to a different store to liquidate them (i grabbed some disposable plastic gloves from a gas station to use when i need to punch in numbers on a supermarket keypad). And, realistically, how many people are thinking about accumulating points for travel right now?
🖐️
Mar 22, 2020, 8:40 pm
#1445
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 369
Me.
My go to store only sold 1 per person today. (I have never seen the cashier or any of the staff before) My city is on lockdown effective tonight so its likely my last purchase for a while.
This environment we are in will be around for a long time. I cant wait to be traveling again and hopefully will have a healthy balance when the world is ready for travel.
My go to store only sold 1 per person today. (I have never seen the cashier or any of the staff before) My city is on lockdown effective tonight so its likely my last purchase for a while.
This environment we are in will be around for a long time. I cant wait to be traveling again and hopefully will have a healthy balance when the world is ready for travel.
Mar 23, 2020, 2:37 pm
#1446
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
Furthermore, I never have heard a successful resolution of the cards being drained for MOs that were never issued.
Have those people gotten their money back, yet?
Mar 24, 2020, 7:50 pm
#1448
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,425
I guess it varies by state, but for those states in lockdown, Staples seems to have somehow gotten themselves classified as an "essential business."
That said, dealing with $200 gift cards is kind of a bridge too far in the current virus crisis. Some of us have access to supermarket gift card deals that involve buying $500s for free gas, and if you're going to do any of this MS, that probably makes more sense now. That said, most of us are also not going to use a lot of gas in the next month. These promos seem to be scheduled months in advance and kind of run on autopilot, but I do wonder if any of them will now be pulled. Of course, what's really the downside of running the promos, even if they're barely used?
That said, dealing with $200 gift cards is kind of a bridge too far in the current virus crisis. Some of us have access to supermarket gift card deals that involve buying $500s for free gas, and if you're going to do any of this MS, that probably makes more sense now. That said, most of us are also not going to use a lot of gas in the next month. These promos seem to be scheduled months in advance and kind of run on autopilot, but I do wonder if any of them will now be pulled. Of course, what's really the downside of running the promos, even if they're barely used?
Mar 24, 2020, 8:07 pm
#1449
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I guess it varies by state, but for those states in lockdown, Staples seems to have somehow gotten themselves classified as an "essential business."
That said, dealing with $200 gift cards is kind of a bridge too far in the current virus crisis. Some of us have access to supermarket gift card deals that involve buying $500s for free gas, and if you're going to do any of this MS, that probably makes more sense now. That said, most of us are also not going to use a lot of gas in the next month. These promos seem to be scheduled months in advance and kind of run on autopilot, but I do wonder if any of them will now be pulled. Of course, what's really the downside of running the promos, even if they're barely used?
That said, dealing with $200 gift cards is kind of a bridge too far in the current virus crisis. Some of us have access to supermarket gift card deals that involve buying $500s for free gas, and if you're going to do any of this MS, that probably makes more sense now. That said, most of us are also not going to use a lot of gas in the next month. These promos seem to be scheduled months in advance and kind of run on autopilot, but I do wonder if any of them will now be pulled. Of course, what's really the downside of running the promos, even if they're barely used?
Mar 25, 2020, 12:27 am
#1450
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,524
My guess is an office supply store sells things that those business that can still be open will need to do business, thats besides having some household items as well and being able to supply things folks need to keep busy while at home. So its not like essentials as food but its alot more then being shoe store or furniture store.They do sell items that people do need and if a person isnt going into their office or place of work, how do they up getting those items they need to work from home
Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
Not sure yet if I’ll get in on the MC deal. Depends on how close I am to the spending target on a CC retention offer that I’m working on.
Mar 25, 2020, 8:19 am
#1451
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,980
My guess is an office supply store sells things that those business that can still be open will need to do business, thats besides having some household items as well and being able to supply things folks need to keep busy while at home. So its not like essentials as food but its alot more then being shoe store or furniture store.They do sell items that people do need and if a person isnt going into their office or place of work, how do they up getting those items they need to work from home
I've been to the local CU, the lobby was closed, but I was able to deposit MO at drive through lane via pneumatic mail system.
Mar 25, 2020, 10:56 am
#1452
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
I received an email from OD today which says that you need to order online and then pickup at a store. I've seen nearby BestBuy is doing drive-through pickups and not allowing anybody to enter the store.
I've been to the local CU, the lobby was closed, but I was able to deposit MO at drive through lane via pneumatic mail system.
I've been to the local CU, the lobby was closed, but I was able to deposit MO at drive through lane via pneumatic mail system.
Rather be safe then sorry and for what some miles,pts or 2% back NOT WORTH IT
Mar 25, 2020, 11:12 am
#1453
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,443
Im on vacation at least MS wise, since I earn miles and pts and they cant be used at the present and I dont want to hold onto cards that may be compromised nor MOs that I cant deposit. I decided to simply sit it out and stay away from alot of folks that most likely arent taking this in aserious manner. At least in the Wallys Ive been to when I last unloaded over a week ago
Rather be safe then sorry and for what some miles,pts or 2% back NOT WORTH IT
Rather be safe then sorry and for what some miles,pts or 2% back NOT WORTH IT
That still doesn't entice me to risk my money on MCGCs when people were short changed last time and I never heard how the problem got resolved.
Mar 25, 2020, 1:13 pm
#1454
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EWR
Posts: 884
My local Staples had Clorox wipes in stock, so I figured that was an acceptable enough reason to stop in. Limit was 1 on the wipes, but was allowed 10 MGC.
They had a sign on the front door limiting occupancy to 25 people.. Not sure they even had 25 people in the store on Black Friday.
They had a sign on the front door limiting occupancy to 25 people.. Not sure they even had 25 people in the store on Black Friday.
Mar 25, 2020, 5:01 pm
#1455
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,980
Im on vacation at least MS wise, since I earn miles and pts and they cant be used at the present and I dont want to hold onto cards that may be compromised nor MOs that I cant deposit. I decided to simply sit it out and stay away from alot of folks that most likely arent taking this in aserious manner. At least in the Wallys Ive been to when I last unloaded over a week ago
Rather be safe then sorry and for what some miles,pts or 2% back NOT WORTH IT
Rather be safe then sorry and for what some miles,pts or 2% back NOT WORTH IT
Chase also had a few offers ranging from $20 to $34 back. And you can cash UR at 1c each.