Heads up, deal hunters! Office Depot/Max is running a promotion where you can snag an instant $15 discount when you buy $300 in Visa gift cards. This deal is running from September 28th to October 4th, so don't delay. It's an in-store only deal.

Here's why this matters to us award travelers: You can effectively buy these gift cards at a discount, which you can then use for everyday spending or to meet minimum spending requirements on new credit cards to earn those valuable signup bonuses. The sweet spot seems to be buying three $200 Visa gift cards to get the maximum discount of $30 (or more!) in a single transaction.

Don't forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points at office supply stores, like the Chase Ink Cash or Ink Plus, to stack your rewards. Some people might also have targeted Chase Offers or Bank Amerideals for extra savings at Office Depot, so be sure to check your accounts! Even with the activation fees on the gift cards (around $5-$8 each), the instant discount should more than offset them. Happy spending!