Is gift cards sold in grocery stores?

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Both Coles and Woolworths offer gift cards that can be used in participating supermarkets and with a wide range of other retailers, such as Bunnings, JB Hi-Fi and Village Cinemas. These cards can be a convenient and thoughtful alternative to giving someone cash, while still offering a lot of flexibility.

What gift cards can I buy at the supermarket?

Coles and Woolworths sell a mix of gift cards you can buy when you're in the supermarket or online. These can be grouped into 2 main categories:

Supermarket gift cards
These cards are designed to be used for spending at Coles, Woolworths and other partner brands. For a Coles gift card, this could include Coles Express fuel outlets, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor, while a Woolworths gift card could also be accepted at Big W and Caltex-Woolworths co-branded service stations.

Just keep in mind that some of these gift cards offer wider acceptance than others, with Coles Group & Myer and Woolworths WISH gift cards giving you the most flexibility.

Store and experience gift cards
Coles and Woolworths supermarkets stock a variety of gift cards for other retailers and brands, including Bunnings Warehouse, JB Hi-Fi, iTunes, Westfield and Uber.

These photos were taken at Coles Edgecliff in Sydney in December 2020.

Comparison: Woolworths WISH Gift Card vs Coles Group & Myer Gift Card

As the 2 biggest supermarkets in Australia, you'll often find Woolworths and Coles supermarkets nearby. So if you're trying to decide which is better for a gift card, here's a side-by-side look at the Woolworths WISH and Coles Group & Myer gift cards.

Key details	Woolworths WISH Gift Cards	Coles Group & Myer Gift Cards
Participating stores	BWS Big W Participating Caltex-Woolworths service stations Dan Murphy’s Woolworths supermarkets	Coles and Coles Central Coles Express service stations Kmart Liquorland Myer Officeworks Target Vintage Cellars First Choice Liquor superstores
Expiry	None	4 years from the date of issue
Minimum and maximum value	$5 to $500	$10 to $500
Use online	Yes, except at service stations	Only at Myer or Target

One of the biggest factors this table shows is that you can use Coles Group & Myer gift cards at more stores than Woolworths WISH gift cards. But WISH gift cards don't have an expiry and can be used online with participating stores – just not for fuel or anything else at a service station.

If you're trying to decide between these 2 gift cards, the main factor will be how many of the participating stores are nearby.

What other details should I consider when comparing Woolworths and Coles gift cards?

As well as where you can use these cards, the expiry date, load values and online shopping options, make sure you consider the following factors:

• Purchasing options. Both Woolworths and Coles gift cards can be purchased in-store or online, although the availability and terms and conditions may vary depending on the type of card you want to purchase. If you have a rewards credit card, you may also be able to redeem your reward points for gift cards from Coles or Woolworths, along with other retailers.
• Fees. While these cards can be purchased in-store at no extra cost (other than the value loaded onto the card), there may be other fees for purchasing physical cards online.
• Card theft or loss. These gift cards are treated as cash. This means that if they are lost or stolen, there is little chance of reclaiming the value of the card.
• Cash equivalent purchase. Woolworths and Coles gift cards are typically classified as "cash equivalent purchases", so if you use a credit card to buy them, the transaction will be treated as a cash advance. This means you'll have to pay a cash advance fee and the cash advance interest rate. The payment also won't be eligible to earn points through a credit card rewards program.

Pros and cons of using a supermarket gift card

Pros

• Choice. A gift card is more personal than giving cash but still allows the recipient to choose what they want to buy.
• Online facilities. It’s easy to manage your gift card and check your remaining balance. Simply visit the card issuer’s website to access the online tools.
• Customisable cards. Woolworths and Coles gift cards offer a range of design options to suit different occasions.

Cons

• Potential for expiry. A gift card may expire after a period of time and any remaining value on the card will be lost.
• Limited acceptance. A gift card can only be used at certain shops and merchants.
• Limited use. Most gift cards can only be loaded with money once and used until that balance is cleared or the card expires (whichever happens first).

Woolworths and Coles gift cards are subject to a range of terms and conditions. So before buying one, make sure you compare the features and acceptance of these cards so that you can choose a gift that offers the greatest value to you and the person you're buying it for.

Compare supermarket credit cards

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an egift card and a regular gift card?

An "egift card" is a digital or virtual gift card, rather than a physical card. While you swipe a regular gift card at the checkout, with an egift card you simply enter the details from the virtual card to make a purchase. Some egift cards are designed specifically for online purchases, while others are accepted in-store as well.

Why doesn’t my gift card work?

If your gift card doesn’t work, check to see whether the card is still valid. If you’re trying to use the product in-store and you get a bad read message, check to see whether or not the magnetic strip on the back or card is damaged. If it is damaged, you may need to arrange for a replacement. This can be organised by contacting the card issuer's customer service.

What if I want to return goods purchased with the gift card?

You should be able to return goods you’ve purchased with your gift card. However, refund policies can vary depending on the store where the items were purchased. So instead of money being refunded onto the gift card, you may be refunded in cash or have the option of getting the funds reimbursed onto your debit or credit card. Contact the store directly to enquire about your refund options for any purchases made with a gift card.

How do I find out about the balance of my gift card?

Most gift card issuers allow you to check the balance of your gift card online. You will need to visit the gift card website and look for the option that lets you log in to your gift card account.

Will I get change from my gift card?

While most supermarket gift cards won't allow you to get cash if there is a balance remaining after your purchase, you can usually continue using the card until you have spent the full amount loaded onto it.

Pictures: Shutterstock

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