The Offer
Starting Sunday, Office Depot is offering a discount on Amex gift cards. Looks like Office Max will have the same deal as well.
- Buy $150 in Amex gift cards and get an instant $10 discount
The Fine Print
- Valid 6/19 – 6/25, starts this coming Sunday
- Limit 2 offers per household/business
Our Verdict
Variable-load Amex gift cards can not be purchased with a credit card, but fixed-value cards can. Use a card that earns bonus points at office supply stores like the Chase INK card.
At this time last year Office Depot/Max had the same deal but they excluded the $200 denomination and limited us to just 1 per customer. This time, they allow two per customer, and I don’t see any exclusion on the $200 cards. You should be able to buy $400 in one shot and pay $413.90 – $20 = $393.90. Or you can buy one $200 and one $100 for $312.95 – $20 = $292.95.
You do have to spend down the Amex gift cards, but the $6-$7 profit almost offsets the opportunity cost of spending down the Amex gift cards, and the 5x will be netted as a total gain. Of course, the hassle is still there.
The limit is two per household/business so you may be able to convince them to let you checkout two for your personal use and another two in a separate transaction for your business. You also should be able to get back another day and get another two if they let.
