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The Offer
Direct link to offer (“see upcoming ad” page 11)
- Staples is offering no purchase fees on $200 Visa gift cards at Staples stores.
The Fine Print
- Valid 12/15-12/21
- Limit one per customer
Our Verdict
Been a lot of good office supply store gift card promotions lately, but it’s always like this in the busy shopping season. Use a card that earns at a high rate on office supply stores. There is also an amex offer for 35% back at office supply stores.
Hat tip to GC Galore
It would be great if somebody can point to a old/archive post where info regarding Amex Bluebird / Serve is posted and how these cards can be loaded onto them. With Plastiq route shutting down and MO route becoming increasingly difficult, this would serve many folks who may not be aware of all the related info (i am in this camp). Is there a way to find out which Walmart location has kiosk where u can load this GC onto Bluebird? That way rather not deal with people who may not know about this or can reject loading using GC. Thanks
New data point? First time it happened to me today buying VGC at Staples. All the cards were charged on credit card but NONE were activated. Manager had no clue why and refunded the charge. Here’s my guess: I bought one VGC couple days ago with Staples Rewards number so Staples knew I bought one. This time the cashier insisted that I input my SR number so knowing that I already bought one, Staples didn’t allow anymore, as in “one card per customer” policy, being enforced at the corporate level. I’m planning to try buying them again but will pretend I don’t have SR and see what would happen. Did this ever happen to anyone before? I really hope it was only a system glitch at the store today.
How did u find out the cards were not activated? It printed out on the receipt that cards were not activated after the transaction was complete? I am going to buy a few today and will report back if I run into the same issue.
Yes, the receipt showed “not activated” so there was no money on the VGC. I bought them again w/o SR number at the same store today and everything went smoothly. It definitely was a system glitch as proven by Celia below.
I bought several cards today. No issue. So the assumption u made is not correct. A similar thing happened to me at Lowes for Ebay Gift Card. The transaction went through and then it gave an error at the end that the card was not activated and talk to customer service. They refunded the money and i bought the same amt of Ebay Gift cards but with different denominations and it went through. That’s what I think happened to you and not any corporate restrictions. The only restriction is 2k per order.
I bought a couple on Sunday using my SR number and a few more yesterday using the same SR number. No issues on any of them.
I’d guess it was a glitch in the system when your cards weren’t activated, don’t think it has anything to do with the corporate level.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.com/office-depot-officemax-buy-300-visa-gift-cards-save-15-instantly/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Frequent%20Miler%20%28Instant%29
Posted now, thanks
Heads up – Payce is offering 5% in-store cashback at Staples again through 12/31. Office Depot too. Don’t forget to re-activate each time you use it. Gift cards are excluded according to the T&C; I can’t remember if that’s always been there but I’ve had multiple purchase track & pay out.
can Payce be stacked with Dosh, eBates etc.?
If i pay medical bills with these GCs, can i then ask for reimbursement from my HSA acct?
yes
I don’t see why not – my HSA administrator usually just needs to see the bill along with the payment receipt and doesn’t seem to care how I paid it.
Oops, Celia’s comment below reminded me that I was talking about a Flexible Spending Account, not an HSA so please disregard.
Yes, that is different and with that, since you have to use it every year, it’s a good way to utilize these cards. I do use them for my co pays and such. Or even use them for medical expenses, I just don’t reimburse myself.
Sure you can. Personally though I do that. HSAs can grow tax free year over year. If you can afford to not take it out, best to leave it in place. It’s a triple tax advantage. Tip: You can keep the receipts and a spreadsheet of all medical expenses and take it out of the HSA tax free if you ever need it, even years later. You just need to make sure to keep the documentation. Do some research if you choose that route, not a tax advisor, only pointing out personal situation.
Hope OD will have the promotion for visa too.
Thank you! I happened to be in the store today and saw the sign. : )
DoC just posted a warning with an update from a user who used these deals to MS with Chase cards. Maybe the WM bill pay was the issue, but still seems worth mentioning.
William Charles
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/chase-sends-out-letter-about-misuse-of-rewards-program-will-close-accounts-if-it-continues-referral-related/
That was more of an issue with Walmart BP rather than msing these
What do you all consider a decent risk/reward level on number of MO’s deposited monthly into a single bank account?
If anyone is willing to share their personal DP’s, I would greatly appreciate it… 🙂
My Background:
as I’m getting better at MS, and having a Staples which allows 2k limits as well as easy access to 1k Simon cards obv helps, I accumulate more and more MO’s (after maxing out monthly BB/Serve/Gobank limits).
So far I have not opened any bank accounts just to deposit these MO’s, so rely on my accounts I have from bank bonusses.
Since most of those are being churnable (and connected to my CC’s), I’d hate to get shut down on any of them.
So, what’s my play here…?
Your play is to open a bank account for a bonus at a bank you aren’t particularly tied to and through which you do not wish to have a CC relationship. Deposit there, pay your CCs with other banks from that account. In that case, perhaps the bank shuts you down, but very little is lost. I selected a bank at which I can deposit MOs through the ATM as checks – even the awkward WMMO. I find it very easy.
Burner accounts at banks or credit unions that don’t have CC rewards you’re interested in and you have no other accounts with. IME credit unions have let me do this much more than banks, but YMMV.
Very interesting and helpful thread. What’s an IME credit union? Is there a per deposit limit or a monthly limit on your m.o. deposits to avoid any reports being issued by your bank?
I think IME means “in my experience”
Thanks.
Sorry, it just hit me. In My Experience. 😂
hello all – can someone point me to the some great CC promos going on for high number or points/cash ? Havent opened a cc in 2 years , used to more frequently earlier but got too busy with work and life for past 2 years
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60K UR points for 4K spend, $95 AF
Business card: Chase Ink Biz Preferred: 80K UR points for 5K spend, $95 AF
main problem for me is finding a Staples that still allow 10 cards per trip. Had 3 that did that..down to 1 now, but did make multiple trips during the week. So far..so good.
Ugh, I feel your pain… During the previous promo my favorite location suddenly flipped from allowing 10 cards every time with every clerk to being very strict on just allowing one per trip. It’s a significant loss for our area. =(