Deal has ended, view more Staples deals by clicking here.
Update 5/18/21: Deal is back and valid 5/21 – 5/27
The Offer
- Staples stores will be selling $200 Mastercard gift cards with the $6.95 activation fee waived.
The Fine Print
- Limit 8 per customer per day; check with your local store to see their rules
- In-store only
Our Verdict
As always remember to use a card that earns at a high rate on office supply store purchases.
Update History:
- Update 4/20/23: Deal is back and valid 4/23 – 4/29.
- Update 3/23/23: Deal is back and valid until 3/26 – 4/1.
- Update 2/23/23: Back until 2/26 – 3/4.
- Update 1/26/23: Deal will be back and valid until 1/29 – 2/4 with a max of 8 this time. (ht kawnipi)
- Update 7/14/22: Deal is back, valid from 7/17 until 7/23
- Update 12/1/22: Deal is back and valid until 12/4 – 12/10. Hat tip to GC Galore
Didn’t work at wally for Discover May 25
The standard activation fee is $7.95 now
Wow, two of my local Staples uncharacteristically had a lot of them in stock this morning.
My staples doesn’t sell any mastercard gift cards. Seems like it will vary depending on store to store.
Is there issue to use Amex card to buy this gift card for MSR?
Yes, you will have the Amex RAT all over you. Do not attempt.
Never, ever, ever buy gift cards for Amex MSR!!!!!
I’m new to this. Would buying these prepaid cards count towards my bonus? Wouldn’t the system flag it and remove the points? Can I use sapphire preferred to buy these mastercards? Someone, please explain?
Yes, No, Yes.
Afterwards, Could I deposit the Mastercard gift card into my checking account?
No. The prepaid cards work like a regular Mastercard, you spend it.
Buy these only if you know how you’ll use them. There is always a risk holding on to them for any length of time.
There are many reasons people buy these, from paying utilities to less fees using a debit vs credit card. There are avenues that some use to “liquidate” the cards via other means. But you won’t find those means anywhere. Any avenues that are still open are usually held close to the chest.
Correct. I have a way to liquidate a basically unlimited amount of MasterCard only gift cards for no fee from my couch, and because if this I can’t tell anyone.
Is there an inactivity fee on these?
The GC will be stolen before any inactivity fee kicks in.
How so?
There are tons of reports of GCs being stolen. If you don’t know the risks involved, you shouldn’t play with fire. Most of the Visa/MC GCs I purchase are spent within hours, not days/weeks.
There is risk on these cash equivalent cards being hacked, and the balance stolen. If you plan to hold these cards (whether Visa or Mastercard) you should REGISTER them online right after you purchase them. This way if the card is hacked, it is much easier to claim your loss.
When I went earlier in the week, the guy in front of me bought 8 cards. They only had 9 so at least I got 1 and it wasn’t a total waste of a trip.
These can sometimes be found in multiple spots near the registers. I check the carousel first, then the static displays closer to and facing the registers, and if I still strike out, I ask an employee to open up the carousel and look for more inside. Some stores even have a gift card end cap down some random aisle. Not convenient, but better than leaving empty-handed.
Anyone else had any issues using these for normal purchases at walmart? Not Money orders just normal purchases. Used these all the time, had to use the exact amount function, then run as credit. Now cant get them to work as either debit or credit
No.
Does not work for purchases between $1-$99 at your WM? When did it last work for normal purchases at your WM?
mastercard don’t work for me at walmart, only visa and even then only up to $100 per transaction
Luckily in my location I appear to be the only one buying.