1,000 reviews
AI reviews summary
The Card Network (TCN) presents a highly polarised user experience. While many customers praise the service for its speed and convenience as a last-minute gifting solution, a significant volume of critical feedback highlights systemic failures in card security, redemption, and customer support.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The Card Network is a high-risk service that offers high convenience when it works but provides little recourse when it fails. Consumers should be aware of significant security concerns regarding balance theft and the high difficulty of redeeming cards at physical or online retailers.
I lost $50 _ my dad is in another state and he can't use it he is computer illerete _ i thought it would be attached to his email to print off like every other e card I have bought for him
Ordered a digital card and am waiting days for it to be fulfilled - [Content Removed]? Very poor service which is slow re enquiries - am now trying to cancel the order - still waiting, waiting, waiting - DO Not BUY from The Card Network
Reviews with attachments
Fast, and very effective , great help and very easy to find I’m Show reply
Easy to order quickly delivery time and super quick activation Show reply
I've been using TCN gift cards for years now. So easy to convert the physical gift card to a digital gift card and add to the e-wallet. I love the TCN app that allows me to easily track my gift cards' balances. I don't think there are other mobile apps out there currently doing the same. TCN gift cards now make up 90% of the gift cards that I buy. Very convenient to use! Show reply
Best gift cards ever that I have found so far Show reply
Outstanding – I've never found a company so helpful. They helped me through so much as I didn't quite no what I was doing and without and drama bang they fixed my problem as I didn't no what I was doing. It was pretty simple really but thanks heaps guys use made my son so happy after having so much stolen over Christmas and helping my son get him gift card back. Much love to use all x Show reply
I would strongly recommend choosing a standard prepaid Mastercard or similar alternative that offers genuine flexibility and transparency. I am writing this review to raise serious concerns about how the “HER” gift card issued by The Card Network is marketed versus how it actually functions in practice. The packaging states that the card can be… Read more
used at “over 4500 stores.” For any reasonable consumer, especially someone purchasing this as a gift, this strongly implies broad usability across a wide range of retailers. The packaging also states "runs on Australia's eftpos. This coupled with the 4500 stores, creates a clear expectation that the card could be used in a flexible way. The card itself states "How to Use Online: Head to www.card.gift/her to swap your card for a digital option", alluding to conversion to a digital payment method for wider acceptance.
In reality, this is not the case.
Upon attempting to use the card, I discovered that it is effectively restricted to a list of approximately 76 participating retailers shown on the website. The “4500 stores” claim refers not to individual retailers, but to the total number of physical store locations operated by those limited brands. This distinction is not made clear on the packaging and is, in my view, misleading.
After repeated failed attempts to contact support through the website (which consistently returned a “Sorry, something went wrong with our server. Please try again later” error over several hours), I contacted customer service by phone. I specifically requested to have the card converted into a digital format so it could be used more broadly, consistent with what the packaging suggests.
During this call, the representative acknowledged that this issue has been raised previously and discussed with management. Despite this awareness, no solution was offered beyond selecting from the limited retailer list. It was also confirmed during this conversation that the “4500 stores” refers to store locations, not a wide network of independent retailers.
My son purchased this card in good faith based on the statement “use at over 4500 stores.” I find it difficult to believe he would be the first person to be misled by this wording.
While this product may suit consumers who already intend to shop at one of the listed retailers, it does not align with the expectations created by its marketing. Consumers should be aware that this is not a widely accepted prepaid card, nor can it be freely converted into one.
Given this experience, I can't recommend purchasing this product as a gift option. I would strongly recommend instead,choosing a standard prepaid Mastercard or similar alternative that offers genuine flexibility and transparency.
Hi there, thanks for taking the time to share… Read more
Cannot use card on line. Tried 2 different sites. Card number invalid. Does have enough money loaded on card.Sent 2 emails. No reply. One email requesting photo of card. Sent photo.
I ordered an Uber eats gift card for a friend in NSW .My friend has been going through Chemo I'm in WA and wanted to do something practical for her . The money was pending in my bank account and that afternoon 5 hours after placing my order .The order was cancelled and I was issued with a notice that my gift card purchase was flagged as… Read more
suspicious or fraudulent .I was really upset as I had sent my friend the order to tell her I was thinking about her and sending her some support to ease her load . I will never use card.gift again that was a completely insulting experience . Zero stars
Hi Ann, we're really sorry to hear about your… Read more
Couldn't use my card in a participating store. Had to use cash. Activated card online, checked the balance and expiry, shopped at a listed retailer, still no luck. Customer service could not be any worse....phone calls are automatically terminated at 15 minutes forcing you to contact via email. They don't respond to emails either so no chance of resolving your issue. Avoid at all costs.
Hi Derek, thank you for your review. We're sorry… Read more
Got a gift card for Christmas. Went to convert to JB card. Pulled the bit off that covers the PIN, and it ripped half the pin number off too. Unbelievable. Then when I go the website to raise the issue, they actually have a drop down box with "pin scratched off" to choose from - indicating this must happen so often, they are prepared for it. Why… Read more
have you not fixed this then?? Had plans to download a game from xbox store - won't be today though. Tried to submit the online report on their website, which kept timing out the Captcha as it got stuck on "submitting". Writing reviews for rubbish products on Christmas day. Winning. Do better TCN!
Hi John, thanks for sharing your experience, and… Read more
Find out how The Card Network compares to other Flowers & Gift Shops
Know better, choose better.
Received a “Treat Yourself “ TCN gift card as a gift and unfortunately I haven’t been able to find any retailer that accepts it. When I show the card at the counter, the sales person just says that they don’t accept them. Not a very good experience so I wouldn’t recommend this card
Hi Leanne, we appreciate your feedback. We're… Read more
Latest follow-ups
Redeemed my gift card on the Thursday, website states will be emailed within 24hrs. Waited the 24 hrs, and more, followed up with customer support, radio silence. I called the following Monday to be told they had issues with emails being sent to… Read more
outlook and Gmail, but could send straight away now I was on the phone. I already made my purchase over the weekend whilst they failed to respond to my follow up. Refuse to re-allocate my gift card to a store I will be able to use at. Apparently the fact that their system (I still received plenty of other emails over the weekend with no issue) was not working, it is my problem and I’m sat with a gift card I cannot use. Terrible customer service.
Follow-up · No follow up given from The Card Network. They sent a response with the same repeated excuse that I was now stuck with a gift card I won’t use.
Hi Rhian, thank you for taking the time to share… Read more (+2 replies)
I would not buy a gift card from The Card Network. My daughter brought a cinema gift card, and during that 36mths I tried to use it but it was rejected by the local cinema. Shortly after that, I was diagnosed with major health issues over the rest… Read more
of that period. When checking the balance of course it has expired. So, this company The Card Network makes another $100 clear profit, from unforeseen circumstances. I sent an email to their site explaining the situation I received only a automatic response back with no understanding or satisfaction. I also understand a number of other customers from the reviews, are also discussed with the Card Network.
Follow-up · Nothing from the card network to fix the problem
Hi Lorraine, thank you for your feedback. We're… Read more (+2 replies)
Avoid This Company – Faulty Gift Cards & No Support!!! Do not buy gift cards from this company. They appear convenient but are a high-risk and unreliable product with zero accountability. I was gifted a card that stopped working for no reason.… Read more
When I tried to check the expiry online the card appeared blocked. When I contacted support, they refused to help unless I provided the original receipt—something most recipients of gift cards don’t have, especially if received as a present. Their policy essentially means if anything goes wrong, you’re on your own.
There is no way to verify or use a faulty card, and unless you still have access to the original purchaser and their receipt (possibly years later), you’re out of luck. The company hides behind this policy to avoid responsibility for faulty or unusable cards.
This business model shifts all risk onto the consumer (or receiver of what is supposed to be a happy birthday gift no less) while taking your money up front, for nothing in return. The purchaser loses money, there is no support. I will never purchase or accept a TCN gift card again. I’ll also be warning family, friends, and colleagues to do the same.
Spend your money elsewhere or just give cash… as a recipient, who likes being forced to use a card at a limited number of stores anyway!?
Follow-up · After I emailed as requested. No follow up was made.
Hi Dani, thanks for your review and we are sorry… Read more (+7 replies)
Positive reviews
I have found the card network to be really easy to use and super handy. There are a variety of gift cards to choose from and one for every occasion. Checkout options are shopper friendly, its my go to shopping app for sure! Show reply
This service is invaluable to me. I am in charge of team birthdays at work(at least one per month) I can collect the funds from the team and purchase and have it back in no more than an hour tops(great for emergency gifts too) There is a wide range to choose from to suit demographics across the team or just Visa to purchase what they would like.… Read more · 2
My team all get approx $70 each to spend on their choosing, we make a big deal and ask them what they bought. We get the digital so in their inbox ready to go! I have used others personally and at work and this one is the best and quickest! I don't know what I would do without it! Today its happy Birthday to Kyle, we made him a card so all done and dusted! in one swoop!
This was a really easy way to purchase a gift for an interstate relative. Delivery was almost instant to the recipient. I would definitely use the card network again Show reply
Negative reviews
The card was difficult to use and Customer Service completely unhelpful. Honestly, just give cash. This is a huge waste of money, time and energy. Make it easier and just give cash. I had a HER Giftcard and would honestly have just preferred the cash. Never ever again will I buy one of these for someone else, I'll just give them cash.
Hi Tam, we’re sorry to hear about your… Read more
I am so disappointed with this product. I bought a gift card for my daughter and she was not able to access the money on it. Very confusing system, where she had to buy another card with the gift card. I bought a $70 gift card for her and she attempted to buy a $50 Visa card with it, she couldn't use the full $70 because of a fee for the card she… Read more
tried to buy. When we tried to use the app and access the (now) $50, it repeatedly came up with an error message. I have called the TCN support number and it hung up on me after 15 mins of being on hold. I have sent 4 emails to the support email and have not had a response. Feels like a scam and we will never get that money back. I see that TCN responds to these reviews asking customers to ring or email but I have done both numerous times and get nothing back. I would never buy a gift card through TCN again.
Hi Karen, we’re sorry to hear about your… Read more (+2 replies)
Find out how The Card Network compares to other Flowers & Gift Shops
Know better, choose better.
I received a Pub & Bar gift card for my birthday and have unfortunately had a very frustrating experience trying to use it. I attempted to redeem it at several venues listed on the website, but none of them accepted the card. I contacted TCN for assistance and was told that a pamper card could be used anywhere, and that their website doesn’t… Read more
specify participating locations. This was confusing for two reasons — firstly, my card is not a pamper card, it’s a Pub & Bar card. Secondly, their website does in fact list participating venues.
It was disappointing that customer service seemed unclear about their own product, and I’m still unable to use the card.
Based on my experience, I would be cautious about purchasing this gift card, as it may not be as widely accepted as advertised,
Hi April, we’re sorry to hear about your… Read more
Recent reviews
I love love LOVE the convenience and reliability of the card network! It’s so much easier than other sites I have used in the past and they have great customer service if you do need some help!! It’s great!!! Show reply
I purchased the E Visa Card for my Mum for Mothers Day. The process was super easy and fast, so much simpler than the Apple Gift card I purchased my dad for his birthday. Apple could learn a thing or two about ease of transaction from TCN. Thanks heaps, mum got the card straight away. Show reply
Choosing the card and having it sent to my daughter who lives interstate on her birthday was the perfect present. The whole process was seamless and to hear the joy in her voice was priceless. Definitely be buying again plus the service fee is cheaper than the store bought ones Show reply
Absolutely fantastic service. I have purchased quite a few cards and one of the cards I was having trouble with rand customer service and they were very quick and very helpful. Can’t fault anything about TCN Show reply
Was good to find a fuel gift card that can be used at multiple locations. Yet it was a bit confusing as the recipient email address showing on the receipt was not exactly what I entered. However it did reach my daughter & not a stranger with the same name. It also took about 5 hours to receive confirmation. Show reply
Purchasing a digital gift card is very easy. You can choose from a range of designs and can attach a message too. Super simple for the buyer and digital gift cards are delivered instantly to the recipient. Show reply
Great gift cards- soo easy to join and download guys plus best thing is you never need to check your balance- As each time you make a purchase you are emailed your balance- great also for security as this way you can see how the card is being used- top gift card and soo easy to use . Show reply
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Hi Cat, thank you for your feedback. We're… Read more (+4 replies)