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)
May 27, 2023 | 7:29 pm
#1981
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: DUB-BOS
Programs: various
Posts: 4,252
However there are some terminals that do not show this, so you might be unlucky at your particular WM
May 27, 2023 | 8:04 pm
#1982
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA, SFO
Programs: AA EXP, B6 M4, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,914
Just to make sure here, can you tell me at which step it's supposed to come up and what this yellow button is supposed to do?
1. Put Discover Debit Card into the reader with the chip.
2. Input zip code then take Discover card.
3. Confirm with cashier about how much to reload
4. Confirm the amount on terminal then swipe your GC
May 28, 2023 | 1:36 am
#1983
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,209
Is there any way in Florida to get rid of a couple Staples Visa gift cards via a money order purchase? Would they work at a Publix or WD -- or maybe a WM -- perhaps with a velocity limit? I have a family member who has a couple of them. Thanks.
May 29, 2023 | 6:21 am
#1985
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 7,369
Loading a BB card at the cashier with a Staples VGC is not restricted, so you can do $200 swipes. I only do one at a time so I cannot tell you if there is a limit to number of loads at a single visit, maybe someone else can.
OTOH, using MC or CS will limit your load to $99/swipe.
Have no idea why you get an occasional $100 to go through, but given the giltchiness (sic) of WM, it doesn't surprise me.
May 29, 2023 | 10:34 am
#1986
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: LAX, SNA, SFO
Programs: AA EXP, B6 M4, WoH Globalist, IHG Diamond Amb, MB Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 1,914
Depends on where you do the swiping and what you are swiping it to.
Loading a BB card at the cashier with a Staples VGC is not restricted, so you can do $200 swipes. I only do one at a time so I cannot tell you if there is a limit to number of loads at a single visit, maybe someone else can.
OTOH, using MC or CS will limit your load to $99/swipe.
Have no idea why you get an occasional $100 to go through, but given the giltchiness (sic) of WM, it doesn't surprise me.
Loading a BB card at the cashier with a Staples VGC is not restricted, so you can do $200 swipes. I only do one at a time so I cannot tell you if there is a limit to number of loads at a single visit, maybe someone else can.
OTOH, using MC or CS will limit your load to $99/swipe.
Have no idea why you get an occasional $100 to go through, but given the giltchiness (sic) of WM, it doesn't surprise me.
I thought $99 was a hard limit but I got $100 to go through
Jun 24, 2023 | 3:32 pm
#1987
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 2
MetaBank VGC register online failed
Hey all, not sure it has been discussed before, but I'm having trouble registering VGC (bought from Staples) online at giftcardmall
I have used this function before, but it hasn't been working for the past few days, which always shows "We are unable to process your request at this time. If you continue to receive this error, please contact Cardholder services by calling the number on the back of your card."
The card itself is fine and balance check is working fine as well. Have you guys had the same issue? Calling the number doesn't help as it never connects me to a rep..
I have used this function before, but it hasn't been working for the past few days, which always shows "We are unable to process your request at this time. If you continue to receive this error, please contact Cardholder services by calling the number on the back of your card."
The card itself is fine and balance check is working fine as well. Have you guys had the same issue? Calling the number doesn't help as it never connects me to a rep..
Jun 25, 2023 | 2:09 pm
#1988
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
Yes, you're right.
There's a VGC sale (no card fee) at Staples this week starting today, so I purchased a bunch of cards. I can't connect to the giftcardmall website to change the PIN and register my cards.
Tried 2 different browsers without success. All I get is "502 Bad Gateway."
I was hoping to report this. In the past, you could get a human on the phone by calling the 800 number and pressing the key for "dispute a transaction." That didn't work this time.
There's a VGC sale (no card fee) at Staples this week starting today, so I purchased a bunch of cards. I can't connect to the giftcardmall website to change the PIN and register my cards.
Tried 2 different browsers without success. All I get is "502 Bad Gateway."
I was hoping to report this. In the past, you could get a human on the phone by calling the 800 number and pressing the key for "dispute a transaction." That didn't work this time.
Last edited by GetawaysRus; Jun 25, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Jun 25, 2023 | 8:24 pm
#1989
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
The mystery continues. I tried again. Now I can connect to the giftcardmall/mygift page (to change PIN, register card, and check balance). The page seems to look slightly different than I remember.
My preferred browser is Brave. If I enter my card info and click the Submit button, nothing happens.
So I switched to Edge. With Edge, things are working, with a few odd twists.
1. If I try to enter my email address using a capital letter as the starting letter of the address, the website thinks it's an invalid email address.
2. On the registration page, there are now two check boxes, but I am able to successfully register my cards without checking these. They are:
My preferred browser is Brave. If I enter my card info and click the Submit button, nothing happens.
So I switched to Edge. With Edge, things are working, with a few odd twists.
1. If I try to enter my email address using a capital letter as the starting letter of the address, the website thinks it's an invalid email address.
2. On the registration page, there are now two check boxes, but I am able to successfully register my cards without checking these. They are:
- I understand and agree to the Cardholder Agreement
- By registering my Card, I agree to receive information about promotions and new products or services offered by Blackhawk Network Canada Ltd. Please refer to our Privacy Policy or Contact Us for more details.
Jun 26, 2023 | 6:09 pm
#1991
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: S Cal
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, United Silver, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,142
I returned to Staples today to pick up more VGCs.
1. Brave: still not working - unable to change card PIN or register the card. Brave is dead in the water.
2. Edge: working for me, but I have to type my email address in lower case characters
3. Firefox: working for me, but I have to type my email address in lower case characters
4. Chrome: able to change PIN, unable to register the VGC
I tried all these browsers on a Windows 10 desktop PC. I haven't tried my phone.
I'll add one more thing. I decided to use Edge, but the Giftcardmall page is still very cranky. After changing the PIN and registering a few cards, it will suddenly give me this error message: We are unable to process your request at this time. If you continue to receive this error, please contact Cardholder services by calling the number on the back of your card. If I close the browser and restart it, the Giftcardmall page resumes working.
1. Brave: still not working - unable to change card PIN or register the card. Brave is dead in the water.
2. Edge: working for me, but I have to type my email address in lower case characters
3. Firefox: working for me, but I have to type my email address in lower case characters
4. Chrome: able to change PIN, unable to register the VGC
I tried all these browsers on a Windows 10 desktop PC. I haven't tried my phone.
I'll add one more thing. I decided to use Edge, but the Giftcardmall page is still very cranky. After changing the PIN and registering a few cards, it will suddenly give me this error message: We are unable to process your request at this time. If you continue to receive this error, please contact Cardholder services by calling the number on the back of your card. If I close the browser and restart it, the Giftcardmall page resumes working.
Last edited by GetawaysRus; Jun 26, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Jun 26, 2023 | 6:58 pm
#1992
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 30,341
I believe their system is having some issues. I was trying to check the remaining balance on a VGC - the site gave me a black top half screen, while at the bottom it showed the register screen by itself... The screen tried to redirect but failed.
I then click the Visa symbol on the top left corner - that brings back the old screen with Registration / Check Balance / Change PIN. I was able to check the balance of the card in hand.
I always register the cards bought but never bother to change PIN - your card can be used as a credit card therefore change PIN means nothing if that is what you think it would protect the card not being hacked...
I then click the Visa symbol on the top left corner - that brings back the old screen with Registration / Check Balance / Change PIN. I was able to check the balance of the card in hand.
I always register the cards bought but never bother to change PIN - your card can be used as a credit card therefore change PIN means nothing if that is what you think it would protect the card not being hacked...
Jun 29, 2023 | 4:29 pm
#1993
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,815
Blech. I have a new car lender and it takes debit cards for a small fee. I bought at test visa at the grocery store and it worked, so I figured I was good and bought 8x$200 at Staples, and they don't work!!!
This game can be exhausting.
This game can be exhausting.
Jun 29, 2023 | 5:58 pm
#1994
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 448
which car lender may I ask. I'm in market for a new car and loan. 😀