Commissary gift cards help spread holiday 'cheer'

  • Published
  • By Jessica Rouse
  • DeCA public affairs specialist
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The holiday season is right around the corner, and the Commissary Gift Card is a quick and easy way to help give the gift of groceries to military service members and their families around the world.

"The Commissary Gift Card is a great way for non-authorized shoppers to help spread a little extra holiday cheer," said Joseph H. Jeu, DeCA director and CEO. "The gift card can be sent to any service member or their families to help out during the holidays. Military units can purchase the gift cards to be given to unit members as well."

The gift cards come in denominations of $25 and $50, and as of Sept. 8, a total of nearly $11 million worth of gift cards have been purchased since June 2011. Anyone can purchase the gift card online through DeCA's website, http://www.commissaries.com, or at a local commissary. Only authorized shoppers can use the gift card in a commissary.

The gift card can be used as a form of payment for all in-store purchases as long as it has a balance. The cards may not be redeemed for cash, and customers will not be able to receive change for any unused amount left on the card. However, customers can use multiple forms of payments and coupons along with the gift card at the time of checkout.

"Sending this gift card to your loved ones helps make the holidays a little brighter -- and that's a great feeling," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. John M. Gaines Jr., senior enlisted advisor to the DeCA director. "It could help them feel as if home isn't as far away. Units or family support agencies purchasing these cards can ensure that every member of their team gets a chance at a home-cooked meal during the holidays."

Here are some quick facts about the Commissary Gift Card:
  • The cards are available at all commissaries worldwide - on a rack at full service, front-end registers - as well as through the DeCA website, http://www.commissaries.com. Click on "Shopping," then "Gift Cards" and then the "Place your order" box.
  • The cards expire five years from the date of purchase.
  • Commissary Gift Cards purchased online will incur a shipping and handling fee. However, these fees are not assessed when the card is purchased in a store.
  • There is no limit to the number of gifts cards that a purchaser can buy. However, DeCA officials recommend organizations and activities consider purchasing their gifts cards online if they plan to purchase more than $500.
  • Commissary Gift Cards can be shipped anywhere in the United States. When shipping outside the United States, an APO, FPO or DPO address must be used.
  • To check the gift card balance, visit http://www.commissaries.com, click on "Shopping," then "Gift Cards" and then the "Check your balance" box.
  • For customer service questions, please call (877) 988-4438, which is also found on the back of the gift card. Customers can also use this number to check the balance on their card.
  • Customers who still have unused gift vouchers, the precursor to the gift card, may still redeem them through Aug. 31, 2016, regardless of the expiration date printed on it. After this date, DeCA will no longer accept gift vouchers as a form of payment.
"Commissary Gift Cards are great because not only can they help struggling families, ensuring that their paychecks go a little further, but during this time of year, they spread happiness and good will to others," Gaines said.