Staples is again offering a rebate on in-store Visa gift card purchases this week.  The rebate is valid for Visa gift card purchases from March 15 through March 21.

If you buy $250 or more of Visa gift cards at Staples stores you will receive a $20 Visa Prepaid card after easy rebate.  $20 is more than the fees you would incur for purchasing $250 of Visa gift cards so you would be earning some extra profit.

How Much Can You Earn?

How much points you earn depends on the credit card you will use.  The best cards to use are 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 your purchase.   Staples offers visa gift cards in $50, $100 and $200 denominations, with fees of $4.95, $5.95 and $6.95 respectively.

To minimize fees it would be best to buy the highest denomination Visa gift cards you can find.  Ideally Staples 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 miles/points.

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

• 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: One (1) $200 Visa gift card + one (1) $50 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 $11.90 so you would net a profit of $8.10 after rebate.
• If you use a card that earns 5% at office supply stores you will earn 1,309 points, if you use a typical 1% credit card you will earn 262 points.

If Staples is not carrying $200 denomination Visa gift cards, the fees are a bit higher but the numbers still work:

Option 1: Three (3) $100 Visa 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.

Option 2: Two (2) $100 Visa gift cards + one (1) $50 Visa gift card

• Fees equal $16.85 so you would net a profit of $3.15 after rebate.
• If you use a card that earns 5% at office supply stores you will earn 1,334 points, if you use a typical 1% credit card you will earn 267 points.

How Do Staples Rebates Work?

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

1. Buy at least $250 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 so you could use the 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 gift card by mail.

Will you be heading to Staples to pick up some Visa cards?