Check your balance online or by phone

Total Wine & More lets you check your gift card balance through their website or by calling customer service. The online method is fastest: go to totalwine.com, find the gift card balance checker (usually in the footer or under "Gift Cards"), enter your card number and PIN, and you'll see your remaining balance instantly.

If you prefer to call, dial Total Wine's customer service number and have your card number ready. A representative will look up your balance and tell you the amount. This route takes longer but works if you don't have internet access or prefer speaking to someone directly.

Keep your gift card number and PIN in a safe place. You'll need both to check the balance or make purchases. If you've lost the PIN, customer service can help you retrieve it using your card number and other identifying information.

Key Takeaways

  • The Total Wine website has a dedicated balance checker tool that shows your remaining amount in seconds.
  • You can also call Total Wine customer service with your card number to hear your balance over the phone.
  • Your gift card PIN is required to check your balance online, so keep it stored safely with your card number.
  • If your balance is low or zero, you can still use the card in-store or online — it will simply decline if you don't have enough funds for your purchase.
  • Total Wine gift cards do not expire, so you can use your balance whenever you're ready to shop.

What happens when your balance runs low

If your balance is less than the cost of your purchase, Total Wine will decline the transaction. You cannot split a payment between your gift card and another payment method in most cases — the system requires the full purchase amount to be covered by one payment source.

The workaround is to make two separate transactions: use your gift card to buy items up to your remaining balance, then pay for additional items with a credit card, debit card, or another gift card. This approach works both in-store and online.

Checking balance at the register

If you're already in a Total Wine store, you can ask a cashier to check your balance before you shop. They can swipe or scan your card and tell you how much you have to spend. This saves you from loading items into your cart only to find out you don't have enough funds.

The in-store balance check is immediate and requires no PIN — the cashier simply needs your physical card. This is useful if you're unsure whether your balance covers what you want to buy.

Keeping track of multiple gift cards

If you have more than one Total Wine gift card, check each one separately using its own card number and PIN. Write down the balances and card numbers in a notebook or password manager so you know which card has funds and which is depleted.

Some people photograph the back of their gift cards (where the number and PIN are printed) and store the images in a secure location. This way you have a backup if you lose the physical card or forget the numbers.

What to do if your balance doesn't match your records

If the balance you see online or at the register doesn't match what you expected, there may be a delay in the system updating after a recent purchase. Wait a few hours and check again — most transactions post within 24 hours.

If the balance is still wrong after a full day, contact Total Wine customer service with your card number and the date of the transaction in question. They can look up your purchase history and investigate whether a charge was applied incorrectly or if there's a system error.

Replacing a lost or damaged gift card

If your gift card is lost, stolen, or damaged, call Total Wine customer service immediately. They can freeze the card to prevent unauthorized use and issue a replacement card with the same balance transferred to it. You'll need your original card number to start this process.

Total Wine cannot replace a lost card if you don't have the card number or any record of it. This is why keeping your card number written down or photographed is important — it's your proof of the balance you own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Total Wine gift cards expire?

No, Total Wine gift cards do not have an expiration date. You can use your balance whenever you want, even if years pass between when you receive the card and when you spend it.

Can I use my gift card balance online and in stores?

Yes, your Total Wine gift card works both online at totalwine.com and at physical store locations. The balance is shared across both channels, so spending part of it online reduces the amount available in-store and vice versa.

What if I check my balance and it shows zero?

A zero balance means the card has been fully spent. You can still keep the card, but it cannot be used for purchases. If you believe the balance should not be zero, contact customer service with your card number and recent purchase dates so they can review your account.

Can I transfer my gift card balance to another person?

Total Wine does not allow balance transfers between gift cards. If you want to give your remaining balance to someone else, you would need to give them the physical card or the card number and PIN so they can use it themselves.

How long does it take for a purchase to show up in my balance?

Most purchases appear in your balance within 24 hours. In-store purchases sometimes post faster than online orders. If a transaction doesn't show up after a full day, contact customer service to confirm the charge went through.