Looking for an easy Christmas present? Gift cards can be a convenient and thoughtful alternative to giving someone cash, while still offering a lot of flexibility. 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.
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 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. With Woolworths gift card, it could include Big W, Dan Murphy's and participating EG/Ampol fuel outlets.
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.
One of the biggest factors this table shows is that you can use Coles Group & Myer gift cards at more stores than 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 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.
Paying with a credit card. Gift cards are a type of "stored value card", which some providers include in their definition of transactions that are treated as cash advances. But it does depend on other factors, including details from the business and payment processing system. As Woolworths and Coles are supermarkets, you may want to check first before spending a lot on gift cards with a credit card. Or pay off the transaction straight away just in case cash advance rates and fees are applied.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Hi Sara,
Unfortunately the maximum amount may vary based on factors including the store, type of gift card and how you pay for them. In some cases, it can also be limited if there is a promotion. For example, a previous Coles promotion offered 15% off gift cards purchased in-store and had a limit of 5 gift cards per customer. As another example, some banks have transaction limits so you would not be able purchase gift cards worth more than that limit without contacting the bank to request it first. It’s also worth noting that gift cards are typically non-refundable and have an expiry (e.g. 3-4 years after the purchase date). I hope this helps.
According to their terms and conditons, this card is redeemable in-store at Coles, Coles Express, First Choice Liquor Market, Liquorland, Kmart, Myer, Officeworks, Target and Vintage Cellars. It can not be redeemed at Bunnings.
1. Use at POS. Coles you scan simply scan a barcode, and enter pin at the card machine. If you don’t have enough balance you get the option to pay with remaining credit and then use another payment option for the rest (including another gift card. Woollies, you have pre-nominate the amount to pay and type in the card number and pin. Takes more time. In this regard Coles win.
2. Check balance. Coles you have to go to website, punch in the whole number, pin, AND recaptcha images (sometimes multiple times). Woollies, you load the card in the “Money” app on your phone and can instantly see balance. In this regard, Woollies win.
I was given a Australia Post Load and Go Gift card for Xmas for $200.
When I went to use it to purchase some goods it would not allow me to have the $200 so I used $190. Next day I phoned Aust Post and they said there was a balance remaining of $9-10? (not sure why) so I said I would like to close it…OK THAT WILL COST YOU $15… Is this legal. What a rip off. It cost my family member $6.95 to purchase it.ME THINKS ….BE WARY OF AUSTRALIA POST LOAD AND GO CARDS . Have others had this experience
As per the product disclosure statement of the Australia Post Load&Go Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card the cancellation cost is $15.00. To further inquire into the cancellation fee and your current account balance you can contact Australia Post on 13 POST (13 7678) available Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.
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Woolworths WISH Gift Cards
What is the maximum amount of cards allowed to be purchased per person
Hi Sara,
Unfortunately the maximum amount may vary based on factors including the store, type of gift card and how you pay for them. In some cases, it can also be limited if there is a promotion. For example, a previous Coles promotion offered 15% off gift cards purchased in-store and had a limit of 5 gift cards per customer. As another example, some banks have transaction limits so you would not be able purchase gift cards worth more than that limit without contacting the bank to request it first. It’s also worth noting that gift cards are typically non-refundable and have an expiry (e.g. 3-4 years after the purchase date). I hope this helps.
Can I use a Myer/Coles gift card in Bunnings? The card does not display the Bunnings logo.
Hi Benny,
According to their terms and conditons, this card is redeemable in-store at Coles, Coles Express, First Choice Liquor Market, Liquorland, Kmart, Myer, Officeworks, Target and Vintage Cellars. It can not be redeemed at Bunnings.
Hope this helps!
I want to order a gift card online, how long would the delivery take?
Hello Anna,
Thank you for your comment.
Upon checking, the delivery of the Woolworths Gift Card ordered online is within 6 business days by courier or 10 business days by registered post.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
comment.
Two areas where these card differ is:
1. Use at POS. Coles you scan simply scan a barcode, and enter pin at the card machine. If you don’t have enough balance you get the option to pay with remaining credit and then use another payment option for the rest (including another gift card. Woollies, you have pre-nominate the amount to pay and type in the card number and pin. Takes more time. In this regard Coles win.
2. Check balance. Coles you have to go to website, punch in the whole number, pin, AND recaptcha images (sometimes multiple times). Woollies, you load the card in the “Money” app on your phone and can instantly see balance. In this regard, Woollies win.
Hi James,
Thanks for that adding your comment. :)
Cheers,
Joshua
I was given a Australia Post Load and Go Gift card for Xmas for $200.
When I went to use it to purchase some goods it would not allow me to have the $200 so I used $190. Next day I phoned Aust Post and they said there was a balance remaining of $9-10? (not sure why) so I said I would like to close it…OK THAT WILL COST YOU $15… Is this legal. What a rip off. It cost my family member $6.95 to purchase it.ME THINKS ….BE WARY OF AUSTRALIA POST LOAD AND GO CARDS . Have others had this experience
Hi Diane, thanks for your inquiry!
As per the product disclosure statement of the Australia Post Load&Go Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card the cancellation cost is $15.00. To further inquire into the cancellation fee and your current account balance you can contact Australia Post on 13 POST (13 7678) available Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm.
Cheers,
Jonathan