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One of the Best Credit Card Hacks Still Works
And it starts at Staples or Office Depot
Wuhoo Group
May 06, 2026
One of the most powerful “credit card hacks” in the points & miles world has nothing to do with luxury travel or complicated award bookings.
It starts at Staples or Office Depot.
If you have the Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card, you can earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points at office supply stores. Most people think that means buying printer paper, notebooks, or maybe a desk chair.
But experienced points enthusiasts know the real value comes from gift card promotions.
How this strategy works
Staples and Office Depot regularly run promotions on Visa and Mastercard gift cards. Common promotions include:
No activation fee
$15 off when purchasing $300 worth of gift cards
When these sales happen, you purchase the gift cards using your Chase Ink Cash at an office supply store. Since office supply stores are a 5x category on the card, you earn 5x Ultimate Rewards points on the purchase. Then instead of using your normal credit card for everyday expenses, you use the gift cards instead.
So instead of earning:
1x on tuition
1x on insurance
1x on taxes
1x on utilities
You’ve effectively converted those purchases into 5x earning opportunities.
That’s why this strategy is so popular among serious points enthusiasts. By getting these cash-equivalent gift cards during sales, you’re effectively earning 5% back on purchases that normally wouldn’t qualify for bonus categories.
Many people in the points community:
Check the weekly ads every Sunday (or set alerts on DoctorofCredit.com)
Watch Staples and Office Depot alternate promotions between Visa and Mastercard gift cards
Buy gift cards in batches during sales
Stock up before large planned expenses
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Unlike points programs, rebates can be redeemed as statement credits, ACH deposits, or even loaded onto a Mastercard rebate card. If you want to learn more, just reply to this email and I can connect you.
Important warnings before trying this
This strategy works well, but there are still risks and best practices to understand.
Gift card tampering has become increasingly common.
Scammers may:
Open and reseal packaging
Replace barcodes
Record card numbers and PINs
Drain the funds after activation
So before purchasing:
Inspect the packaging carefully
Avoid damaged or loose seals
Check for mismatched numbers
Skip any card that looks tampered with
If something feels off, trust your instincts and grab another card.
Then once you receive the cards, if you’re not using them immediately, register them online using the exact website printed on the card itself.
There are scam sites that look almost identical to the legitimate ones, sometimes with only one letter changed in the URL.
If you plan to hold the cards for a while:
Register them online
Save your receipts
Track balances carefully
Registering can help establish ownership and make disputes easier if fraud occurs.
Weekly Credit Card Tip #61
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About WuhooPoints
WuhooPoints focuses on the credit card consultation side of Wuhoo Group. We help you unlock the power of your credits cards for free luxury travel.