Staples Introduces 5% Back in Rewards on Everything

My good friend Mark, who writes the blog Mile Collector, just sent a valuable email my way. Starting March 15, Staples Rewards is adding a 5% back in rewards benefit to their program in addition to free shipping. This is great news for those who use their Chase Ink Bold and/or Chase Ink Plus card for purchases to get 5 points per dollar.

The way I like to make purchases at Staples.com is:

• Shop through TopCashBack for a 5.5% rebate from Staples
• Pay with my Chase Ink Plus to earn 5 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar
• Use a coupon if/when available

Now don’t get too excited – the fine print explicitly states that the 5% back is not valid on gift cards; so the best way to leverage this deal is to be on the lookout for Free After Rebate offers, if those are worth your time pursuing. In the past I have purchase some free after rebate products (primarily software) in order to meet minimum spend.

The fine print:

As of 3/15/13 Staples Rewards® members receive 5% back in rewards on all items excluding taxes, postage, prepaid phone cards, delivery charges, coupons, gift cards and purchases made on third-party Web sites. Staples Rewards for Plus members are issued online monthly when the value of the Reward is at least $5. Rewards expire no less than 60 days after issuance. Monthly balances of less than $5 will roll over each month until the minimum is met for that calendar quarter. If the $5 minimum for the quarter has not been met, the balance will expire at the end of the quarter. Staples Rewards® for Premier members are issued online monthly, but only if the value of the Reward is at least $5. Rewards expire no less than 150 days after issuance. Balances of less than $5 expire at the end of the calendar year. Rewards members receive free shipping on all orders placed on staples.com® or by phone at 1-800-333-3330 for which a membership account is identified, excluding orders made at staplescopycenter.com, print.staples.com,staplespromotionalproducts.com and third-party Web sites linked to staples.com. Standard Staples delivery policies apply. Recycle any ink or toner cartridge, up to 10 per calendar month per Plus customer or up to 20 per calendar month per Premier customer, and, if the member has spent at least $30 in ink and/or toner purchases at Staples over the previous 180 days, the member will receive $2 back in Staples Rewards per cartridge. Ink and/or toner purchases made on the date of recycling are calculated toward minimum purchase requirement. Minimum purchase requirement net of coupons, taxes and shipping charges. We will recycle additional cartridges but rewards will only be issued for 10 per calendar month per Plus customer and 20 per calendar month per Premier customer. Ink Recycling Rewards are issued online monthly, separately from your standard Staples Rewards statement. Ink resellers and remanufacturers are strictly prohibited from earning Ink Recycling Rewards. Staples Rewards membership is FREE. Limit one Staples Rewards account per person or at any mailing address. For full program details, visit staplesrewards.com.