Staples reduces Rewards benefits once again (this time Free Shipping benefit)

This should come as a surprise to no one, since the 3-to-1 long-winded consolidation of the three major office supply chains began. Slowly but steadily all three of them are chipping away at their Rewards and Rebate programs, slowly but steadily perhaps hoping to fly under the regulator’s attention. The latest reduction in benefits is that Staples Rewards members no longer get unconditional free shipping. Starting on Monday March 7 in 2016, free shipping will only be on orders of $14.99 or higher (with the usual exclusions of supersized items). Alternately you can do free store pickup (assuming the item is or can be made available nearby).

This is a partial screenshot of the email they sent earlier in the week informing of this benefit reduction:

staples_reducing_free_shipping_Benefits