Check your balance online or by phone
Stop & Shop lets you look up your gift card balance through their website or by calling customer service. You do not need to be in a store or have made a purchase to check. The fastest way is usually the website — you enter your card number and it shows your balance in seconds.
To check online, go to stopandshop.com and look for the gift card balance checker (often found under "Gift Cards" in the main menu). You will need the 16-digit card number printed on the front of your card. If you have a digital gift card sent by email, the number will be in that email.
If you prefer to call, Stop & Shop customer service can look up your balance over the phone. The number is usually on the back of your physical card or in any email confirmation you received when the card was purchased. Have your card number ready when you call.
Key Takeaways
- Stop & Shop's website gift card checker is the fastest way to see your balance — you only need your 16-digit card number.
- You can also call Stop & Shop customer service and they will tell you your balance over the phone.
- Digital gift cards sent by email contain the card number you need to check the balance online.
- Your balance does not expire as long as there is money on the card, though some states have rules about dormant cards after a set period of no use.
What happens when you use your card in store
When you swipe or scan your Stop & Shop gift card at checkout, the cashier can see your remaining balance on their register. They will tell you how much is left after the transaction. If your balance is lower than your total purchase, you will need to pay the difference with another payment method — the card will not partially decline.
Keep your receipt. It shows the amount spent and your new balance. If you lose your card or think there has been an error, you can use the receipt to prove the balance at that moment.
What to do if your card is lost or damaged
If your physical card is lost or stolen, contact Stop & Shop customer service as soon as you can. They may be able to freeze the card to prevent use and issue a replacement. The sooner you report it, the better your chances of protecting any remaining balance.
If your card is damaged but still readable, you can use it as-is. If the number is worn away or the card is broken, take it to a Stop & Shop customer service desk in any store. They can look up your balance using your ID and issue a new card with the same funds transferred over.
Checking a digital gift card balance
Digital gift cards work the same way as physical ones — you check the balance using the card number from your email. Some people receive digital cards as a link that takes them directly to the balance checker, which is even faster.
If you received a digital gift card but cannot find the email, check your spam or promotions folder. If it is truly gone, contact Stop & Shop with proof of purchase (a receipt or order confirmation from the sender) and they can help you recover the card number.
State rules about gift card expiration
Stop & Shop gift cards do not expire in most states. However, some states have laws that require the company to hold the balance for a certain number of years before they can claim it as unclaimed property. This does not mean your card stops working — it means the state tracks it if you never use it.
A few states have different rules. For example, some require a small monthly fee if the card sits unused for a long time, though this is rare for Stop & Shop specifically. If you have not used your card in several years, check your state's unclaimed property office or contact Stop & Shop directly to confirm your balance is still there.
Troubleshooting a card that will not work
If your card is declined at checkout even though you know there is a balance, the problem is usually one of a few things: the card number was entered wrong, the card is damaged and the reader cannot scan it, or there is a temporary system issue at that store.
Ask the cashier to try swiping instead of scanning, or scanning instead of swiping. If that does not work, check your balance online to confirm the money is still there. If it is, the issue is with the card reader or the store's system, not your card. You can try a different Stop & Shop location or contact customer service to report the problem.
Using your balance across Stop & Shop locations
Your Stop & Shop gift card works at any Stop & Shop store in the United States where the company operates. The balance is the same no matter which location you visit. You can check your balance at one store and spend it at another without any extra steps.
Stop & Shop also owns other grocery chains in some regions, such as Giant and Food Lion. Gift card policies vary by chain — a Stop & Shop card may not work at a Giant store, for example. Check the back of your card or ask in store if you are unsure whether your card works at a particular location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check my balance without the card number?
Not through the website checker. You need the 16-digit number printed on the card or sent in your email. If you have lost both the card and the email, call Stop & Shop customer service with your ID and proof of purchase, and they can look it up for you.
Does my balance expire if I do not use the card?
No, in most states. Stop & Shop gift cards do not have an expiration date as long as there is money on them. Some states require the company to turn over very old unused balances to the state, but this does not happen quickly and you can still claim the money.
What if I spent more than my balance by accident?
The card will decline if you try to spend more than you have. The transaction will not go through unless you provide another payment method for the difference. If you were charged twice or there is an error on your receipt, contact Stop & Shop customer service with your receipt.
Can I transfer my balance to someone else?
Not directly. Gift card balances are tied to the card itself, not to a person. You can give the physical card or the digital card number to someone else and they can use it, but Stop & Shop does not move the balance to a different card without a valid reason like theft or damage.
Is there a fee to check my balance?
No. Checking your balance online or by phone is free. Stop & Shop does not charge for balance inquiries or for customer service calls about your card.