Tesco Gift Cards: Where to Buy, How to Use, and Balance Check
Tesco gift cards have become one of the most flexible ways to pay for groceries, fuel, and essentials across the UK. Whether you’re treating someone to a gift or using one to budget your weekly shop, the process is simple — and Tesco makes it easy to buy, use, and manage both physical and digital cards.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Tesco gift cards, including where to buy them, how to spend them, and how to check your remaining balance.
Where to Buy Tesco Gift Cards
Tesco offers two main types of gift cards: physical and digital (e-gift cards).
In-Store Gift Cards
You can buy physical cards at any Tesco Express, Superstore, or Extra branch. They’re usually displayed near the tills or customer service desk. Load any amount between £5 and £250, and the card is ready to use immediately.
Tesco also stocks multi-brand gift cards — such as Spotify, Netflix, and Deliveroo — but the Tesco-branded card works exclusively across Tesco stores, petrol stations, and Tesco.com.
Online and Digital Gift Cards
If you prefer a faster, paper-free option, Tesco’s e-gift cards can be purchased directly from giftcards.tesco.com. These are delivered instantly by email and can include a personalised message — ideal for last-minute gifts.
Digital cards carry the same balance options as physical ones, and they can be printed or scanned directly from your phone at checkout.
How to Use Tesco Gift Cards
Once activated, Tesco gift cards work like cash. You can:
- Present a physical card at checkout.
- Scan your e-gift card barcode from your phone.
- Enter the card number and PIN during online checkout.
If your total spend exceeds the balance, you can combine it with another payment method — such as a debit card or Clubcard Pay+.
Where You Can Use Them
Tesco gift cards can be used across:
- All Tesco supermarkets and Express stores.
- Tesco petrol stations (attached to stores).
- Tesco.com for grocery orders.
You can’t currently use Tesco gift cards for Tesco Bank products, lottery tickets, tobacco, or Tesco Mobile top-ups.
Checking Your Tesco Gift Card Balance
Keeping track of your remaining balance is simple. You can check it in three ways:
- Online: Visit giftcards.tesco.com/balance and enter your 16-digit card number and PIN (found under the scratch panel on the back of physical cards, or in your email for e-gift cards).
- In-store: Ask at the customer service desk or scan your card at a self-service till.
- Digital link: For e-gift cards, click the “Check balance” button in your original confirmation email.
Balances update instantly after every transaction, so it’s easy to see how much remains.
Lost or Stolen Cards
If you lose your Tesco gift card, Tesco can’t usually replace it unless you have proof of purchase. For digital cards, however, you can resend or reprint them from your email or Tesco account if they haven’t been redeemed.
Always keep your original receipt or order confirmation until the balance has been used.
Expiry and Validity
Tesco gift cards remain active as long as they’re used at least once every 24 months. Each transaction resets the expiry date.
If no activity occurs for two years, the card may expire — but you can contact Tesco customer support to confirm or request help reinstating funds if it’s still within a reasonable window.
Using Gift Cards with Clubcard
When paying with a Tesco gift card, you can still collect Clubcard points on eligible purchases. Just scan your Clubcard before completing payment.
This means you earn rewards on groceries, fuel, and other products even when using a gift card instead of cash or debit.
Tesco Gift Cards for Budgeting
Many customers use Tesco gift cards as a weekly or monthly budget tool. By loading a set amount onto a card, you can track your grocery spending easily and avoid overspending.
Parents often use this method to help students manage food budgets while studying — simply reload the same card in-store or online each week.
Corporate and Bulk Gift Cards
Tesco also runs a Corporate Gift Card programme for businesses and organisations. Companies can buy cards in bulk for staff rewards, seasonal bonuses, or customer promotions.
Through Tesco for Business, corporate buyers can:
- Order branded or bulk cards.
- Download invoices.
- Track balances for multiple recipients.
Corporate cards can be physical or digital and come with optional branding for larger orders.
Environmental Update: Paper Gift Cards
In line with its sustainability goals, Tesco has replaced most plastic cards with recyclable paper versions. These work exactly the same way but reduce single-use plastic waste.
It’s a small change, but it aligns with Tesco’s wider commitment to reach 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2025.
International Use
Tesco gift cards are denominated in pounds sterling and can be used only in the UK. You can purchase them from abroad and email them to a UK recipient, but they can’t be redeemed in Tesco Ireland or any other international stores.
Tips for Using Tesco Gift Cards Online
If you use your card for online grocery orders, keep these in mind:
- You can combine multiple cards for one order.
- Remaining balances stay on the card for future use.
- Refunds from canceled orders are credited back to the same card.
- Always keep your confirmation email until the balance is zero.
Final Thoughts
Tesco gift cards are simple, practical, and widely accepted. Whether you’re buying a quick gift, managing a weekly food budget, or rewarding staff, they offer convenience and flexibility across all major Tesco services.
You can buy them in-store, online, or even through partner retailers, use them seamlessly alongside your Clubcard, and check your balance anytime with a few clicks. With no hidden fees, clear validity, and now recyclable materials, Tesco gift cards remain one of the easiest and most useful ways to shop smarter in the UK.
