Office Depot and OffixeMax have a new gift cards deal this week. The promotion, which is being advertised in stores, will give you an instant discount of $15 when you purchase $300 or more in fixed value MasterCard gift cards. These offers are a good opportunity to earn Ultimate Rewards points if you have any of their locations nearby. MasterCard gift cards have an activation fee, but during these promotions, they become a moneymaker. There’s a limit of 1 discounted offer per transaction, but in most locations you should be able to do multiple transactions.

Offer Terms

• Offer valid from September 9 till September 15, 2018
• Limit 1 discounted offer per transaction.
• Discount applied at register.
• Offer valid in-store only on Mastercard® Gift Cards.
• Product not available in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
• Mastercard® Gift Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard® International.

Maximizing The Offer

Office Depot and OfficeMax sell $200 MasterCard gift cards that have an activation fee of $6.95. To get the $15 instant discount, you need to spend at least $300. To maximize credit card rewards, it’s best to purchase two $200 MasterCard gift cards, which will cost you $413.90. Take off $15 at the register and you’re paying just $398.90. You’re making a small profit of $1.10 but let’s look at the possible rewards and other deals you can stack.

If you have a Chase Ink Plus or Chase Ink Cash card, you would earn 1,970 Ultimate Rewards points. You can also use a Amex SimplyCash Plus Business Card which earns 5% cashback at office supply stores as well. That would give you $19.70 in cashback. However Chase Ink Plus/Cash would be my choices as UR points are more valuable than cash and Amex has been cracking down on gift card purchases.

Guru’s Wrap-Up

A pretty good deal from Office Depot and OfficeMax. It could be worth it if you have a location nearby. It’s a rare opportunity to earn more Ultimate Rewards as many 5X avenues have been drying up. Keep in mind that variable load cards are not triggering the discount.

HT: MtM