FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

USING AN EFTPOS CARD

How does my Eftpos Gift Card work?

Eftpos Gift Cards are prepaid cards loaded with a set dollar amount, and work similarly to a bank card. The card allows you to spend in-store across thousands of Australian retailers where EFTPOS is accepted.

How It Works:
  1. Preloaded Value
    • The card is loaded with a fixed amount (e.g., $50, $100) and can be spent until the balance reaches $0.
  2. Use In-Store at EFTPOS Terminals
    • Swipe or tap the card at checkout.
    • Select “SAVINGS” when prompted.
    • Enter the PIN, which is usually on the back of the card or provided separately.
  3. Spend Anywhere EFTPOS is Accepted
    • Works at most in-store merchants in Australia, including supermarkets, retail stores, petrol stations, cafes, and more.
    • If your purchase exceeds the balance, ask the retailer if they can split the payment between the card and another method.
  4. No Reloads or Withdrawals
    • It’s a single-load card: once the funds are spent, it cannot be reloaded.
    • Cash withdrawals at ATMs or EFTPOS terminals are not allowed.
  5. No Online Use
    • Unlike Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards, EFTPOS cards typically cannot be used online.

How do I activate or redeem my Eftpos Gift Card?

Check the back of your Eftpos Gift Card (and the gift card wallet if you received one) for information on how to activate and use the card, along with information on how to get in touch with us if you require more details.

  1. Visit the Activation Portal
    Go to activ8card.com.au.
  2. Enter Your Card Details
    Input your 19-digit card number and the 4-digit PIN, which are typically found on the back of your card.
  3. Complete the Activation Process
    Follow the on-screen prompts to finalise activation.
  4. Wait for Activation to Process
    Your card will be ready to use by the next business day after activation.

Where can I use my Eftpos gift card?

You can use EFTPOS Gift Cards anywhere in Australia where EFTPOS is accepted and the retailer allows in-person swipe/tap transactions.

Where You Can Use EFTPOS Gift Cards:

1. In-Store Purchases

  • Most Australian retailers that have EFTPOS terminals, including:
    • Supermarkets (e.g., Woolworths, Coles)
    • Clothing stores (e.g., Myer, Cotton On, Kmart)
    • Department stores (e.g., Big W, Target)
    • Restaurants, cafes, petrol stations
    • Pharmacies and convenience stores

2. Anywhere EFTPOS is accepted (physically swiped or tapped)

  • Look for terminals that support "Savings" or "CHQ" transactions
Where You Can’t Use EFTPOS Gift Cards:
  • Online shopping: EFTPOS Gift Cards typically do not work online (unless it’s a digital Mastercard/Visa gift card instead).
  • Overseas: EFTPOS is an Australian system; the cards can only be used within Australia.
  • ATMs: You cannot withdraw cash using an EFTPOS gift card.
  • Recurring or subscription payments (e.g., Netflix, Spotify)
  • Certain restricted merchants, depending on issuer (e.g., gambling, adult entertainment)

Can I use my Eftpos gift card at ATMs?

In short, no. The card can only be used to make a purchase at an eftpos terminal and cannot be used for taking cash out either at an ATM or as an addition to an in-store purchase. For example, if the value of the purchase is $20 and the card is valued at $50, you cannot make the purchase and request the remaining $30 as cash back. Any attempts to withdraw cash will incur a fee.

I'm still having issues with my Eftpos Gift Card. Troubleshooting your common issues and fixes.

Running into issues with your Eftpos Gift Card? Here's how to fix the most common problems and get back to spending smoothly.

1. Card Not Working / Declined Transaction

Possible Causes:

  • Insufficient balance for the transaction amount
  • Trying to use it online or internationally
  • Selecting the wrong card type at checkout
  • Card not yet activated

Quick Fixes:

  • Confirm your available balance (see below)
  • Make sure you're using the card in-store only, and selecting ‘SAVINGS’ at the terminal
  • Re-enter the correct 4-digit PIN
  • Ensure your card has been activated via activ8card.com.au
2. How to Check Your Balance

You can check your remaining balance by:

  • Visiting activ8card.com.au
  • Entering your Card Number and PIN
  • Viewing your current balance and recent transactions

Tip: Always check your balance before making a purchase to avoid declines.


3. Card Not Activated or Expired
  • Make sure your card is activated at activ8card.com.au

  • Check the “Valid Thru” date on the front—after this date, the card can no longer be used
  • Activation must occur before the “Activation End Date” (usually printed on the card carrier)
4. Need More Help? Contact Support

If your issue isn’t resolved, contact the support team:

Have your Card Number ready when contacting support for quicker service.

How do I know how much money is on my Eftpos Gift Card?

To check the balance of your card, you can go to activ8card.com.au. to view the balance online at any time or call our Card Services team on 1800 446 347 Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm AEST/AEDST.

Do Eftpos Gift Cards expire?

Yes, Eftpos gift cards will have an Expiry Date printed on the back of your card. However, you must also ACTIVATE YOUR CARD before use by visiting www.activ8card.com.au. Once activated, the card will be ready to use within 1 business day.

If you fail to activate your card before the Activation End Date, all funds on the card will be forfeited without exception. You can find both the Activation End Date and Expiry Date (see below for where to locate these dates on a typical card, and a typical card wallet).

Once activated, your card can be used until all funds are spent or the card's expiry date has passed.

Are there any fees on purchases made with my Eftpos Gift Card

None! Activation and balance checks are fee-free and we cover all fees associated with purchases so you can get the most out of your reward amount.

Is an Eftpos Gift Card a Credit or Debit card?

An eftpos Gift Card is neither a Credit nor a Debit card. Eftpos gift cards are similar to gift vouchers or store cards whereby they are issued with a fixed, pre-paid, stored value amount as determined at the time of purchase. Eftpos gift cards differ from store cards in that they can be used anywhere eftpos is accepted, which is about 650,000 locations across Australia. The value of any purchases made is deducted from the available amount until the card reaches a $0 balance.

Can my Eftpos Gift Card be used for online purchases?

At this point in time, unfortunately, it is not possible to make online purchases with eftpos gift cards.

Can my Eftpos Gift Card go into a negative balance?

No, eftpos gift cards can only be spent up to the value issued on the card. If you try to spend more than the available amount on the card, the transaction will be declined and a fee may be issued. See question 9 for more information on how to use the card on transactions greater than the stored value of the card.

What if the purchase transaction is more than the balance of the funds on the card?

If the purchase value is more than the value of the eftpos gift card, you simply need to ask the cashier to split the payment and pay the difference first, either with cash or another card. For example, if your gift card is valued at $50 but you want to use it towards a transaction amount of $70, you would ask to pay the difference ($20) first and then pay the remaining amount ($50) with the eftpos gift card.

Can funds be transferred from one card to another?

Funds are fixed to the specified eftpos gift card and cannot be transferred.

Can more funds be added to my Eftpos Gift Card?

No, your eftpos gift card is what’s known as a ‘single load’ card, meaning the card can be loaded once and can only be used while within the expiry dates or until the loaded funds are depleted. See Question 6 for further information.

Does my Eftpos Gift Card have a PIN?

It certainly does. The PIN is printed on the back of the card alongside the card number and the expiry date.

What happens when my Eftpos Gift Card expires?

The funds on a prepaid eftpos or visa gift card are only valid until the Expiry Date as printed on the back of the card (see below). The card must also be activated before the Activation End Date. Any remaining funds at the time of expiration of either of these dates are forfeited. So we strongly encourage recipients to spend all available funds before expiration.

What happens if an Eftpos Gift Card is lost or stolen?

If a card is lost or stolen, this should be reported to Card Services on 1800 446 347 as immediately as possible. A replacement card may be reissued but fees and conditions apply.

What happens if an item was purchased with my Eftpos Gift Card and needs to be returned?

Each merchant will handle returns as per their own policies and may issue a cash refund or store credit. Please be aware that Rewards Come True is not responsible for returns or credits off of purchases.

Can my Eftpos Gift Card be used at restaurants?

If the restaurant accepts eftpos payments, then the card can absolutely be used there. We’d recommend checking with the restaurant either before being seated or at the time of booking. If the dining bill exceeds the amount on the card, the payment will need to be split (see question 9 for more information). Again, it is a good idea to check with the restaurant if split payment is possible.

Can my Eftpos Gift Card be used for direct debit bill paying, like a phone or internet bill?

No, eftpos gift cards cannot be used for recurring payments or direct debit bills. However, if it is a once-off payment and is made in person, for example, at the post office, where the store accepts eftpos payments, you may then be able to use the card for this.

How do I know where and how to use the Eftpos Gift Card I’ve received?

The back of the eftpos gift card (and the gift card wallet if you received one) have information on how to activate and use the card along with information on how to get in touch with us if you require more details.

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