Besides credit card sign-up bonuses, the easiest way to earn lots of miles and points is by purchasing gift cards with a credit card that offers a bonus

By using my Chase Ink card I earn 5X miles & points by pre-purchasing gift cards for future use on things like gas (Shell & BP), groceries (Whole Foods) and general shopping (Amazon and Target). We can also buy gift card for our travels (Airbnb, Delta, Hotels.com and Southwest).

I needed to replenish the gift card balance in our Amazon.com account but I couldn’t find the cards at a Staples in Brooklyn and New Jersey over the weekend.

Yesterday I stopped into a Staples in Queens and ran into a different kind of problem. The store had plenty of $25 and $25 Amazon.com gift cards. I picked up four $50 cards and headed to the register.

After waiting a couple of minutes for my turn, I handed over the cards to purchase. I was then told “you know that you can only buy these with cash”. I quickly asked something like since when?

I was told to look at the sign on the door. I left, a bit annoyed but not at the cashier, he was just doing his job.

I then went outside to look at the sign.

According to the sign, “Due to fraudulent activity, gift cards can be purchased with cash only“.

I haven’t had a problem buying gift cards at Staples in a very long time. The cashier might call to let a manager know about the purchase, but I always get my cards.

So what’s going on here in Queens? Is this the policy of the one store or will Staples stop allowing gift card purchases with credit cards at all of the stores?

Let us know what your experience has been like when buying gift cards at Staples.

I’m going to try another store (if time permits) this week. Hopefully they will have Amazon cards in stock and I will be allowed to make the purchase with a credit card.