• expired

15% off Gift Cards ($20 Max Discount) @ Special.com.au

44817
APPLEPAY

Just received an email from Apple for Mothers Day Apple Pay perks advertising Special.com.au. Save 15% (up to $20) with promo code APPLEPAY.

Looks to be once per customer.

Special cards are digital gift cards locked to a category and you can send to someone via email or sms. Then they can add to their mobile wallet Apple or Google Pay.


Mod: The OP did not declare their association. The account and store is banned, but the deal has been republished (with association added by mods), as it appears to be of interest to the community.

This is part of Mother's Day deals for 2022.

Related Stores

Special Gift Cards
Special Gift Cards

closed Comments

        • It shouldn't. I think people should stop buying these cards for a moment until it gets clear.

          • @truetypezk:

            people should stop buying these cards

            Except no one is listening…

            I bet the sale of starter SIM kits have skyrocketed since this deal launched.

            • -1

              @DoctorCalculon: I think as long as you are paying with a credit card it should be fine. If it goes down badly you can always do a chargeback. Just don't use unusual stuff as the funding source (such as the Coles Mastercard GC or another special GC if that still works) Still it is a bit of a headache if shit happens and I am sure the bank won't be too happy about it. I am not going to buy a single one of these though.
              If you need new numbers, I think the felix FLX1 deal is a better option. All you need is an esim enabled phone and you have unlimited numbers for free.

              • +2

                @truetypezk:

                If you need new numbers, I think the felix FLX1 deal is a better option.

                First month is free. How easy is it to cancel before the honeymoon period is over?

                you have unlimited numbers for free

                I just read the FAQs on the Felix Mobile website. There is no mention of unlimited eSIM numbers.
                Could you please clarify what you meant here?

        • I used Super Shopper at Aldi last night, worked fine.

          Just make sure your Super Shopper has enough money to cover the bill plus 0.5% surcharge.

          • @Alinnia: It definitely did - not sure what went wrong. I'll try again next time.

      • Sounds like a sign of the company going into bankruptcy. I am pretty sure these transactions were all valid on the super shoppers.

        • True. Aldi should be valid on super shopper. The tricky one is, some of provider allow to pay on Gpay but like Body Shop nor Pizza Hut allowed Gpay payment on prepaid card, they only allow prepaid card that linked to your phone

      • +1

        I looked at my bank's credit card transaction for Pizza Hut from earlier April and the category shows "Eating Out".

        This category is based on the Merchant Category Code (MCC) that the business uses. Pizza Hut likely uses the MCC for "Fast Food Restaurant" (the other possible category is "Eating Places and Restaurants")

        So it would appear that Special's Super Shopper does not cover MCCs for restaurants. Looking at the gift cards available under Special's Food & Drink, I would think the Fine Foodie gift card would be the gift card that will needs be purchased to use for restaurants.

        Also similarly, I would think Super Shopper does not cover MCCs under the "Entertainment" category. I didn't think of this when I tried to use it at Hoyts out of habit as I was using it at other places in Westfield, and the transaction was declined obviously.

        Whereas when I look at my credit card transaction for Big W it the category is "Shopping" and for Woolworths the category is "Groceries". Super Shopper works at these business which have different MCCs compared to Pizza Hut's MCC.

        • I had a look too, a recent Shopback transaction is in the 'Entertainment' category, but the previous Shopback transactions are all in the 'Shopping' category.

        • I checked on their list that Pizza Hut, Maccas, KFC is not included

  • +2

    The accounts that you can't login with are disabled. The unhelpful 'Invalid email or password' messages are actually:

    {"__type":"NotAuthorizedException","message":"User is disabled."}

    coming from their account managing service. Still no response from customer service here. What a farce.

    Also, does anyone else have a card sitting in an account they still have access to, that can't be added to Apple Pay (errors) and can't be used with the card number / exp / cvv (declined)?

    • Chargebacks incoming…

      Any reason why tgey are disabling accounts?

    • Just wondering how many gift cards do you have on the account that got disabled? Another commenter said his./her account got blocked because it got flagged as having unusual activities.

      • +1

        Just one which was used to purchase for another account. And so on and so on.

        • I don't think they are specifically blocking accounts containing cards that are funded by another special GC (ApplePay should shield that info with card tokenisation) nor cards that are used to fund another special GC. I have tried some of my accounts they are all working properly. It is probably something else trigging the blocks (IP/multiple cards etc). However, all my cards are cleared out maybe they don't care about empty cards anymore given the scale of the inception crowd.

          • @truetypezk:

            multiple cards etc

            This seems to be common culprit / major red flag.

            that are funded by another special GC (ApplePay should shield that info with card tokenisation)

            You would think so, right!

            So, I tried to fund my Revolut account using a Special GC wrapped under the blanket of Apple Pay.
            It was refused with something similar to a Do Not Honour error code.

            It is quite funny that they left the inception loophole wide open.
            All I can say is they simply rushed their release with a half-baked backend.

            • +1

              @DoctorCalculon:

              half-baked backend

              That was my nickname in high school.

            • @DoctorCalculon: Hi, a bit late to the party. For the inception trick, only works with Apple Pay? Tried with google pay n entering cc but didn't work. Thanks

              • +1

                @Bargain-er: You are too late now, don't do it. Even if you succeed the risk is too high to worth the effort.

              • +1

                @Bargain-er: You may not be able to even add any card to use with Apple Pay now. Several people including myself couldn't get a verification code to successfully add any card.

            • @DoctorCalculon: Card tokenisation only hides the card info from the merchant, not the issuing bank. The bank side can still see where you are spending the money on. However the merchant won't know the real card identity/number. So as long as special gc(the bank here) sees you are trying to use it at revolut which most likely doesn't use a regular MCC it will reject the transaction from their side.

              • @truetypezk: Can confirm that I tried to top up Revolut, directly, via Gpay and via Applepay, none of them was working.

                Also tried to use it directly to make a once off payment to my ZIP account, that failed too.

                • @ja912son: I think only shopback and prezee were accepted. Not sure about suncorp didn't have the chance to try it out.

                  • +1

                    @truetypezk: Did not work now on SB, Prezzee or WW. It was working initially. Looks like done and dusted!

                    • +1

                      @F1ngolf: Yeah good enough for those of us who got in and out early. Giving out $20s like this certainly won't be sustainable even for bigger companies.

                    • @F1ngolf: Are you sure about SB? I even bought $10 Amazon gc from SB last night just trying to minimise the exposure to the risk.

                      But the special gc was added to my SB account beforehand tho.

                      • @ja912son: It did not work for me when I try to use a new Special shopper card. You've already added and used the card, then it may still work.

                        • @F1ngolf: I just successfully added a Special Super Shopper card to my Shopback account with no issues. Today is the first time I've added a Special Super Shopper card to my Shopback account.

                          Maybe the issue lies with that particular Special card you have if it's not working with any vendor? Or if it's only online vendors that you've tried, could try using your Special card instore after adding it to Google Pay/Apple Pay?

                      • +1

                        @ja912son: I used the special card I used once on SB, rejected now.

                    • @F1ngolf: Can confirm I'm still able to buy discounted Woolies gift cards (with SSS cards), bought a few just then through NRMA to clear out my remaining few $134 cards.

                  • @truetypezk:

                    Not sure about suncorp

                    You need to report back the verification code within the pre-auth transaction before you can use the Special GC.

                    Therefore, you won't be able to use it at all until Special.com.au implement real-time transaction history.

                    • @DoctorCalculon: Ah yeah that makes sense. It has been a long time since I previously added a card and totally forgot about that. Btw I noticed suncorp recently started to require one time pin verification on some purchases even if the card has been added for a very long time.

  • +1

    Been away from this thread for a couple of days and just saw the news of account lock outs being enforced. I tried logging in and have the incorrect email or password error indicating account lockout. My last 2 cards were already loaded into Google Pay and I just used them up at Woolworths self checkout to buy Wish GCs and transaction went through fine. Didn't want to try and stuff around with using them online somewhere I should/should not be able to use them. Just wanted to get the credits/money out of Special and Woolies is basically the same as real money anyway. I definitely flew too close to the sun on this deal.

  • I only bought the one card and my account is locked out! Despite this I managed spend the last few dollars buying GCs on Shopback app.

  • Unfortunately I’m in the same boat with purchases from family members all sent to me. I’ve just heard back from their rep saying that account has closed and no refunds! How can they think they can just keep our money like this?

    • Do they also block the card?

      • I don’t think the cards themselves are blocked, but can’t access them if can’t access the account.

        • +1

          add to gpay or copy card details.
          I have done both.

        • +1

          I reckon that the card associated with the account disabled/closure will be blocked even if you have the card details.

          • @F1ngolf: I bought aldi gift card and used all the balance just to be safe. Not going to buy anything from them again if they are blocking account with no refunds.

    • Same same!

    • +12

      Let’s format a group, to fill a case to tribunal to claim our money back!

      • I'm in

        • +4

          guys please open a case to chargeback and lodge a case with fair trading/ACCC
          more people = more chance to get moneyback

          • +1

            @stephencheung609: How to??
            Guide me

            I am in

          • +2

            @stephencheung609: Special is now challenging all the accounts which they have closed unilaterally without refund to lodge the case to ACCC. I would stay away from patronizing them with a ten feet pole.

            • @F1ngolf: Instead of doing that, I think Special can send an email asking for a mailing address and post a crossed cheque issued in the name of the account holder to the said address for account balance refund, which is perfectly reasonable. This would kick the ball back to the inception crowd without breaking any laws.

              • @truetypezk: The gift cards technically belong to the wallet holders as they are now under our names after being gifted. So it makes sense for them to refund to the wallet holders. Minus the discount if that’s what they are concerned about. That would the fair thing to do rather than holding onto both the cards and money themselves.

                • @magster: Well technically speaking they are refunding a purchase so the purchaser should get reimbursed instead. I am just hypothetically suggesting better ways for them to screw around so don't take me seriously lol.

            • @F1ngolf: Source?

          • @stephencheung609: Valid concerns about how Special are mistreating customers.

    • +1

      They are not budging with a refund for me. Maybe because I have already spend some of the gift cards on my account. They told me to complain to ACCC if I want to, which I have done (to fair trading).

      • +1

        Would love to hear what does ACCC says. Please post update when available. Thanks.

  • After conducting an internal investigation on your account activity we wish to advise that we have closed your account. In accordance with clause 25 of our terms and conditions, we have deemed your activity to be outside reasonable use.
    ​Whilst we understand your frustration we need to adhere to our internal policies and procedures to maintain the integrity of our services.

    What a load of sh!t. They are just keeping peoples money?

    Sounds like they want a fight.

  • +4

    Looks like quite a few people have had their accounts locked. Mods should probably expire this deal or move it to forums to prevent more people from jumping in without reading the comments.

  • +2

    Hey guys! New update from them,
    As a gesture of goodwill we will refund you $XXXX,
    which is the balance left on your account.

    I keep fighting with them! I think we all received the same message tomorrow, finally we won!!!

    • That's good 😊

    • wait, so people who bought the GC for $115 and didnt spend a cent will get full refund of $135?

    • +2

      Someone I know also received the same email, look like a good sign. But the refund amount is less the discount per card.

      • +1

        Even if they deduct the discount, it is still a winner since people bought it on card and got the money into bank accounts for free.

    • +1

      Lol
      As a gesture of good will they aren't stealing your money. Right.

  • They just refund what you paid! Just back to the beginning! But as long as get the own money back!!

    • What a bunch of novice. If I were them i will just deduct the $20 discount value from each card and reinstate the account. :)

      • Exactly! I may have used it in the future and some others too. What a strange way to do it. Reinstate all accounts. So many questions so little trust in the future.

    • Did you just send enquiry on their homepage under contact us? I still have giftcards in my account and just noticed that they don't work anymore after trying to use in supermarket.

  • -1

    They can’t locked our accounts and No refund!
    That is under consumer law!

    • You posted this AFTER you said you were getting a refund?

      • +3

        I called the consumer law department to confirm this afternoon

  • +1

    Worked as normal for me just now, bought $135 of Super Shopper voucher for $115 then immediately bought Amazon voucher and loaded to my account. Still a great deal even without the inception

  • +2

    interesting i can log in but unable to access my wallet. is there any contact numbers to call special or is it just through emails?

  • +1

    Today, I tried paying with it at Chemist warehouse and Coles in store. All declined.

    Now, The app crashes when try to open on iPhone.

    • really? from Apple wallet? It was declining couple days ago on Maccas too from Apple Wallet

      • yes from Apple Wallet

        Edit: Just tried the website. Can't login! Can you login?

        • i can login but unable to access my wallet, where my card is stored.

          • +1

            @el8: Edit 2: I can login and see my wallet now. Immediately spent it on gift cards on Shopback as I can't get it working in store.

            • +1

              @Sharp: nah still not working for me. i've emailed them.

        • +1

          I can log in, I have no problem at all. I think you can't use it in some of vendors. I wouldn't be worried too much as I already sync to Googlepay and Applepay(my husb phone).

  • -6

    I would leave the card as it is rather than exchange it to another gift cards, it is too risky. I still have 4 cards left with full balanced on Gpay. Thinking to purchase more in exchange for preeze card, but I won't be bothered! I have too many giftcards now🤪

    • +6

      I am very happy that I exchanged my $135 investment in Special to "real" gift cards from real retailers. I see absolutely no risk in doing that, in fact, the opposite.

      • +1

        Yea but I'd like to use it just as mastercard in the shops, Ive had coles giftcard, woolies giftcard already.

        • Same. I like to use my Super Shopper in shops that I don't have gift cards for, or can't swap for in Shopback/Prezzee/Choice etc.
          I like that the Super Shopper mastercard's usage is less limiting compared to using a normal gift card.

          • +1

            @Alinnia: You are right provided 1. their system is reliable and 2. they are reliable, and the answers to both questions should be pretty clear by now.

        • Was planning on using with Apple Pay myself to buy things like $100 Coles Gift Mastercard for 2k bonus Flybuys points but couldn't get the cards added to my Wallet. Ended up redeeming my remaining $134 cards for 4% discounted Woolies cards instead (already redeemed a $150 card for the recent Prezzee promo).

      • +2

        Agreed. I used up the last leftover $4 yesterday from my first Special card that I originally bought for $134 value (all the subsequent ones I did at $135) on a ShopBack giftcard (and then Coles) just to get it out of Special's control in the light of all the account locking.

        • in the light of all the account locking

          Was worried about this too, and also that Special or Woolies may soon block use of the cards to buy Woolies gift cards (or other gift cards from SB, Prezzee etc.)

    • +4

      i was thinking the same until I went to Jb and the card got rejected. went home and convert all to other gift card.

      • +1

        I think you did the prudent thing.

      • Did you get the super shopper card? JB is not an eligible store for that card so makes sense that it doesn't work. They might have fixed that aspect.

        • Yes. Got the super shopper one.

  • anyone login in using google? I can not login using google from yesterday, send them a email and reply yet. have 6 cards in my account.

    • +3

      You got banned

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