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. See full bio
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I brought a woolworths visa gift card and says pretty much use anywhere visa is accepted why can’t i use it at Kmart
Finder
YsaDecember 28, 2015Finder
Hi Natashia,
Woolworths WISH Gift Cards can be used in any Woolworths Group participating stores, including Home Timber & Hardware, Masters Home Improvement, CellarMasters, Woolworths Supermarkets, BWS, Dick Smith, Dan Murphy’s, Thomas Dux, and branded Caltex Woolworths and Caltex Safeway petrol stations.
However, if your gift card still doesn’t work with the above participating stores, 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 the magnetic strip on the back or card is damaged or not. If it is damaged, you may need to arrange for a replacement. This can be organised by contacting the Woolworth’s customer service.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ysa
ElaineDecember 23, 2015
I have recently found a gift card in my old purse, it is for Dan Murphy’s it is for 100 dollars the girl at the check out says I would be able to get the expired card changed to new one do you have a number I can call them please
Finder
DebbieDecember 23, 2015Finder
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Please refer to the contact numbers I have sent to your email.
To understand more about cashback and gift cards, kindly check our guide to Coles Gift Cards.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Debbie
mattDecember 21, 2015
can you clarify if Dick smith still accepts wish gift cards? i thought woolies sold them?
Finder
SallyDecember 22, 2015Finder
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your question. While you can purchase Woolworths WISH Gift Cards at Woolworths, you can still use the cards at Dick Smith.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
MaryApril 1, 2015
How do I get a balance left on my gift card. Shop won’t tell me what I have left?
Finder
JonathanApril 2, 2015Finder
Hi Mary, thanks for your inquiry!
Please refer to the link I have sent to your email which will allow you to check your gift card balance.
Cheers,
Jonathan
MaryApril 1, 2015
how can I find out the balance left on my Woolworths gift card?
Finder
JonathanApril 2, 2015Finder
Hi Mary, thanks for your inquiry!
Please refer to the link (Woolworths Gift card website) I have sent to your email.
Cheers,
Jonathan
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Woolworths WISH Gift Cards
I brought a woolworths visa gift card and says pretty much use anywhere visa is accepted why can’t i use it at Kmart
Hi Natashia,
Woolworths WISH Gift Cards can be used in any Woolworths Group participating stores, including Home Timber & Hardware, Masters Home Improvement, CellarMasters, Woolworths Supermarkets, BWS, Dick Smith, Dan Murphy’s, Thomas Dux, and branded Caltex Woolworths and Caltex Safeway petrol stations.
However, if your gift card still doesn’t work with the above participating stores, 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 the magnetic strip on the back or card is damaged or not. If it is damaged, you may need to arrange for a replacement. This can be organised by contacting the Woolworth’s customer service.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ysa
I have recently found a gift card in my old purse, it is for Dan Murphy’s it is for 100 dollars the girl at the check out says I would be able to get the expired card changed to new one do you have a number I can call them please
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Please refer to the contact numbers I have sent to your email.
To understand more about cashback and gift cards, kindly check our guide to Coles Gift Cards.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Debbie
can you clarify if Dick smith still accepts wish gift cards? i thought woolies sold them?
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your question. While you can purchase Woolworths WISH Gift Cards at Woolworths, you can still use the cards at Dick Smith.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
How do I get a balance left on my gift card. Shop won’t tell me what I have left?
Hi Mary, thanks for your inquiry!
Please refer to the link I have sent to your email which will allow you to check your gift card balance.
Cheers,
Jonathan
how can I find out the balance left on my Woolworths gift card?
Hi Mary, thanks for your inquiry!
Please refer to the link (Woolworths Gift card website) I have sent to your email.
Cheers,
Jonathan