Coles gift card offers

[Chicken]

Good luck to head office, mine are on the same phone number and the same email address (using the plus addressing trick) paid for with the same card for a decade now. They must have some list of people to "flag".

I don't work at Coles so I am not sure, but having worked in FMCG, more specific grocery, both at a vendor and also at one of the major supermarket chains, I doubt anyone in the office would have any interest on this. As long as there is enough stock, as long as allocations are done right, the promotion bucket money is used, the sales is meeting budget, there are more important things to do and bigger fish to fry.

 

[Kerrodt]

I don't work at Coles so I am not sure, but having worked in FMCG, more specific grocery, both at a vendor and also at one of the major supermarket chains, I doubt anyone in the office would have any interest on this. As long as there is enough stock, as long as allocations are done right, the promotion bucket money is used, the sales is meeting budget, there are more important things to do and bigger fish to fry.

Yep I'd agree.

Apart from the scam prevention aspect (which is terrible) I'm always staggered why any retail staff member at any level would consider it a great idea to create/enforce some real or imagined policy that requires a customer to buy less rather than more of a product that they have on their shelves on the same terms as the next customer behind them. It's a nonsense.

I think with these gift card issues, it is actually a staff training and awareness issue. Management want to do the right thing to prevent customers being scammed, but the training and messaging to the front line staff is either inadequate or misunderstood and therefore leads to nonsense claims from staff member to customer on the shop floor..

 

[lovestotravel]

The only time I've been flagged buying gift cards was with the Wesfield XS cards. Buying them and then paying my credit card with them at the PO. I was buying about $30K a month and eventually ended up on a banned list at Westfield for gift cards along with several other people lol


As for Coles

Lol and lol

 

[wombatcountry]

Still no bonus points over here, for both of us. Does it take this long because they have to send them by courier out to the regions now?

 

[FlyingFiona]

Still no bonus points over here, for both of us. Does it take this long because they have to send them by courier out to the regions now?

Mine have come through. Have yours now?

 

[Chicken]

From Wed 6 Aug 2025:

Got my bonus points now. I bought my cards on Thursday.

 

[Rich]

I'm always staggered why any retail staff member at any level would consider it a great idea to create/enforce some real or imagined policy that requires a customer to buy less rather than more of a product that they have on their shelves on the same terms as the next customer behind them. It's a nonsense.

It's about looking after all their customers, not just a lucky few. It's similar to limiting egg or toilet paper purchases. You don't want the majority of your customers to be disgruntled due to the actions of just a few.

 

[VantageXL]

From Wed 13 Aug 2025:

Restaurant Choice gift cards can be used at:

• 5811: Caterers
• 5812: Eating Places, Restaurants
• 5813: Bars, coughtail Lounges, Discotheques, Nightclubs, and Taverns: Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages)
• 5814: Fast Food Restaurants
• 7011: Lodging: Hotels, Motels, Resorts: not elsewhere classified
• 7996: Amusement Parks, Carnivals, Circuses, Fortune Tellers

 

[Ktan89]

How did the restaurant one work? Is it tap and go at bars too?

 

[Chicken]

How did the restaurant one work? Is it tap and go at bars too?

These are paper cards, hence no chip, so you need to swipe. Web site says you can add to mobile but I have never done this.

 

[Ktan89]

These are paper cards, hence no chip, so you need to swipe. Web site says you can add to mobile but I have never done this.

Thank you. A bit annoying but will try one and give it ago

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thank you. A bit annoying but will try one and give it ago

To add to the annoyance (and assuming you bought a restaurant gift card that has a value of $100):

1. If your restaurant bill is more than the value of the card you will have to get them to enter $100 into the machine, swipe and enter the PIN, then pay the remainder with another or alternative card;
2. If the restaurant charges a surcharge for using cards, you will have to factor this in; for a 1% surcharge they will need to enter $99.01 as the surcharge will bring it up to $100;
3. If your restaurant bill is less than $100, you will have a balance remaining on your card which you will need to remember so you can use it at a later date (again allowing for any surcharge);
4. You have to use the funds before the card expires in 3 years.

Despite these annoyances, gift cards are a great way to earn lots of points.

 

[Ktan89]

To add to the annoyance (and assuming you bought a restaurant gift card that has a value of $100):

1. If your restaurant bill is more than the value of the card you will have to get them to enter $100 into the machine, swipe and enter the PIN, then pay the remainder with another or alternative card;
2. If the restaurant charges a surcharge for using cards, you will have to factor this in; for a 1% surcharge they will need to enter $99.01 as the surcharge will bring it up to $100;
3. If your restaurant bill is less than $100, you will have a balance remaining on your card which you will need to remember so you can use it at a later date (again allowing for any surcharge);
4. You have to use the funds before the card expires in 3 years.

Despite these annoyances, gift cards are a great way to earn lots of points.

Omg, now it is a headache. is it really worth the 52,000 velocity points..

I spend atleast $100 a week at bars.. but how to make sure i do exactly $100 and throw the card away.

Also, is there a list of restaurant and bars one can use the card?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Also, is there a list of restaurant and bars one can use the card?

No.

This card is a nightmare. I wont buy again.

 

[Ktan89]

No.

This card is a nightmare. I wont buy again.

Can you share your experience please

 

[Dr Ralph]

Can you share your experience please

These are well detailed already.

Problems include, inter alia:

1) You never know if the card will be accepted.
2) Wont work at many terminals, including Square.
3) Surcharges are common and mathematically problematic and cut into your discount.
4) Getting rid of residual amounts/split payments are problematic and often impossible.

 

[DejaBrew]

All valid points @Dr Ralph.

@Ktan89 - If you have somewhere you can reliably use these cards where their POS terminal accepts/supports them, they're happy to do split payments and they don't charge a card surcharge, then go for it. Otherwise, more hassle than they're worth.

 

[Jacques Vert]

All valid points @Dr Ralph.

@Ktan89 - If you have somewhere you can reliably use these cards where their POS terminal accepts/supports them, they're happy to do split payments and they don't charge a card surcharge, then go for it. Otherwise, more hassle than they're worth.

Fortunately I have managed to train a couple of local establishments in how to accept them.

 

[burmans]

Fortunately I have managed to train a couple of local establishments in how to accept them.

I’d agree these are totally worth it if you can find such establishments. On a side note I did have one establishment tell me to leave it with us and we’ll work it out.
Some time later I discovered the charge had never gone through.

 

[L2.]

I haven't had much trouble with either the Restaurant Choice or TCN Restaurant cards not being accepted.

If it helps anybody with remaining balances, two fast food chains where I have had no problems with doing split payments at multiple locations have been Hungry Jacks and Grill'd.

I tend to spend the balance down to around ~$10 then wait for an opportunity to do a split payment with the remainder, as otherwise people think you're insane if you're asking to do split payments for say $1.20.