No cash to tip the car guard? Pick n Pay now sells R5 to R20 vouchers
Pick n Pay now sells R5, R10 and R20 Appreciation Vouchers at its tills so you can tip car guards without cash. Here's how they work, how long they last and the catch for whoever receives one.
Pick n Pay now sells R5, R10 and R20 "Appreciation Vouchers" at its tills nationwide, so you can tip a car guard, packer or anyone else when you have no cash on you. The person you give it to can swap it for groceries at any Pick n Pay store (Pick n Pay).
The retailer announced the national rollout on 22 October 2026 (Pick n Pay).
How do you buy a Pick n Pay Appreciation Voucher?
Ask for one at the till when you pay for your shopping. They're sold at till points in Pick n Pay stores across the country, and you can buy several in one transaction, for example a few R5 vouchers to hand out over the week (Pick n Pay).
| Voucher | What the recipient can do with it |
|---|---|
| R5 | Put it towards groceries worth R5 or more |
| R10 | Put it towards groceries worth R10 or more |
| R20 | Put it towards groceries worth R20 or more |
Source: Pick n Pay media release, 22 October 2026
What are the rules for using the voucher?
The fine print matters for the person receiving it, so it's worth explaining when you hand one over (Pick n Pay):
- It's valid for three years.
- It works at any Pick n Pay store in the country, not only the one where it was bought.
- It can only buy groceries and can't be swapped for cash.
- It must be used in full in one transaction, and the basket must be worth at least the voucher's value. No change is given.
- A lost voucher can't be reprinted.
So a car guard holding a R20 voucher needs to buy at least R20 of groceries in one go to use it. Two R10 vouchers give more flexibility than one R20.
Why is Pick n Pay doing this?
Fewer shoppers carry cash, and many car guards and informal workers can't take card or QR code payments. Pick n Pay said the vouchers are meant for exactly that gap (Pick n Pay).
The idea started at Pick n Pay Steenberg Village in Cape Town, a franchised store that sold R5 food stamps customers could give to the car guards at the centre. The guards collected the stamps and used them for groceries when they needed to. After positive feedback, the group took a broader version nationwide (Pick n Pay).
The shift away from cash is real. A South African Reserve Bank study found that 29% of South Africans prefer to pay electronically only, while 19% prefer cash only (BusinessTech).
Is it the end of cash tips for car guards?
No. The voucher is an extra option for when you don't have coins, not a replacement, and nothing stops you tipping in cash. Pick n Pay describes it as "a practical alternative to cash" (Pick n Pay). The catch for the recipient is that a voucher can only be spent on groceries at Pick n Pay, while cash can also cover things like taxi fare (Pick n Pay).
FAQ
How much are Pick n Pay Appreciation Vouchers?
They come in R5, R10 and R20 denominations and are sold at till points in Pick n Pay stores nationwide.
Can a car guard exchange the voucher for cash?
No. The vouchers can only be redeemed for groceries at Pick n Pay and can't be exchanged for cash.
How long are the vouchers valid?
Three years, and they can be used at any Pick n Pay store in South Africa.
Do you get change if you spend less than the voucher value?
No. Each voucher must be used in full in one transaction, with a basket worth at least the voucher amount.