Staples is offering a $20 Visa prepaid card after easy rebate for the purchase of Visa gift cards this week.  $20 is more than the fees you would incur for purchasing $300 of Visa gift cards so you would be earning some extra profit on top of points for using a credit card.

Here are the details of the rebate:

•  Make a single purchase of $300 or more of Visa gift cards at Staples stores between January 3 through January  9, 2016.
•  There is a limit of one rebate per household.
•  Receive a $20 Visa prepaid card by mail after easy rebate.

How Much Can You Earn?

How much points you earn depends on the credit card you use. The best cards to use those that earn 5% in office supply stores but you come ahead even if you use another credit card.

The amount of money you earn will depend on what gift card denominations you purchase. Staples stores sell Visa gift cards in $100 and $200 denominations with fees of $5.95 and $6.95 respectively.  To minimize fees it would be best to buy the highest denomination gift cards you can find.  Ideally, your local Staples store will carry $200 Visa gift cards (which is not always the case).

Here is a breakdown of how much money and how many points you can earn depending on which denominations you choose:

Option 1: Two (2) $200 Visa gift cards

• In my opinion this is the best option and would earn the maximum number of points.
• Fees equal $13.90 so you would net a profit of $6.10 after rebate.
• If you use a card that earns 5% at office supply stores you will earn 2,069 points, if you use a typical 1% credit card you will earn 414 points.

Option 2: One (1) $200 Visa gift card + one (1) $100 Visa gift card

• This would be the best option if you want to earn most profit. You will earn slightly less points than option number 1.
• Fees equal $12.90 so you would net a profit of $7.10 after rebate.
• If you use a card that earns 5% at office supply stores you will earn 1,564 points, if you use a typical 1% credit card you will earn 313 points.

Option 3: Three (3) $100 Visa Gift cards

• This option has the highest amount of fees and lower profit margin but might be your only choice if your Staples store does not stock or has run out of $200 gift cards.
• Fees equal $17.85 so you would net a profit of $2.15 after rebate.
• If you use a card that earns 5% at office supply stores you will earn 1,589 points, if you use a typical 1% credit card you will earn 318 points.

How Do Staples Rebates Work?

For anyone unfamiliar with the Staples Easy Rebates process here is how it works:

1. Buy at least $300 in Visa gift cards using your credit card at a Staples store. The cashier will hand you a rebate form with your receipt. There is only one rebate per household (you could use the email and home address of a friend or family member to earn more than one rebate).
2. Complete and submit your rebate form. I like to do mine online at stapleseasyrebates.com and it only takes a minute or two.
3. A few weeks later you will receive your $20 Visa prepaid card by mail.