Love GC cards: Locals say they are struggling to redeem the $100 card at participating venues
Business owners across the Gold Coast are raving at the success of the Love GC program after a bumper Easter - but card holders and staff are still struggling to redeem some of the $100 vouchers.
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Gold Coast-wide business owners are raving about Love GC tourism promotion vouchers but card buyers and staff say they are still struggling to redeem some of the $100 cards.
It comes as the tourism capital racked up a record-breaking Easter long weekend for visitation.
The peak of 85 per cent occupancy for Easter - up 10 per cent on last year and highest since 2019 - coincided with the city council (GCCC) and Experience Gold Coast releasing 50,000 $50 ‘Love GC cards’ which give purchasers a bonus $50 for attractions and outlets.
The launch of the cards - to help operators hampered by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred - was initially plagued by what Experience Gold Coast called a “technical issue” meaning buyers were unable to access gift cards for hours and in some cases days.
“This created a backlog, and for a short period of time, extended wait times for customer service,” an Experience Gold Coast spokesperson said.
Now four weeks after the release, cardholders and some staff where vouchers can be redeemed are still not able to process them.
Burleigh resident Allan Beare, 42 was given a Love GC refund when unable to use the card twice.
“I bought the card in good faith because there were lots of great local businesses taking part but it’s ended up costing us more than the $50 we still haven’t been able to spend,” he said, adding he tried using it twice at Currumbin RSL’s Dune Cafe but it would not process.
“I followed all the steps set out to verify the card but it didn’t work and we just paid for the meal. I tried to use the card for the second time (on Tuesday this week) and it didn’t work.
“The staff were very patient but couldn’t get it to work either and said they’d had constant problems.”
Mr Beare said staff claimed a family were unable to use their $100 card for a $97 bill.
“It’s been a very disappointing and unnecessarily complex process and I’d prefer a refund over another awkward attempt to use it.
“It’s so easy to buy and use a gift card. I don’t know why this had to be so hard.”
Mr Beare’s refund was processed on Wednesday - and Experience Gold Coast spokesperson said their had been an issue with that specific outlet’s eftpos machines that was fixed.
Business feedback has been positive about the promotion impact whilst the bumper occupancy rates include averages of 90 per cent in Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Coolangatta. The looming Anzac weekend is tracking at 76 per cent occupancy citywide.
Currumbin RSL marketing manager Marc Thompson said on Love GC: “We haven’t had any not work on our end.
“It is a great initiative to help boost local businesses that had to close during the cyclone.
“We are grateful.”
Small bar king and Hideaway Kitchen and Bar owner Scott Imlach said his venues had “no problems at all”.
“They are available to use at all my venues and it’s very simple just like using tap and go cards.
“We’ve had well over 250 people use the card and I am unaware of any not working.”
Moo Moo Restaurant and Blowfish Ocean Bar and Grill owner Steven Adams said the cards were “flowing through”.
“Customers seem to be loving them. It’s a brilliant initiative.”
Carafe Wine owner Archie Cox said around 30 people had used the cards at his venue and 90 per cent were new customers.
“The process with working the certificate out of the wallet on your phone has been fantastic. No problems whatsoever,” he said.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said: “The Easter weekend was one of the strongest we’ve seen in years. It’s incredibly encouraging to see visitors return in record numbers, supporting our local businesses.”
Mr Warn said Love GC was the second phase of a three-pronged campaign, with locals and drive-market visitors buying over 70 per cent of the 50,000 cards.
“It’s fantastic to see people using their Love GC cards with thousands of transactions taking place.”
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Originally published as Love GC cards: Locals say they are struggling to redeem the $100 card at participating venues
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