There’s something about pulling out my iPhone or Apple Watch to pay at the grocery store that makes me feel like Inspector Gadget. But yet I forget most of the time and end up swiping my credit card like a complete caveman. So when I was in Safeway recently, I made the conscious effort to pay with Apple Pay and the whole process was about the easiest thing I’ve ever done. Here’s everything you need to know concerning using Apple Pay at Safeway including a few payment hacks and tips that you NEED to be aware of if you shop at Safeway regularly.

Does Safeway Take Apple Pay?

Yes.

Safeway actually introduced Apple Pay to all in-store shoppers back in 2017 when they updated all of their contactless card readers.

So…How Do I Use Apple Pay at Checkout?

When it comes time to pay for your groceries, just Double Tap the Side Button on your iPhone to prompt Apple Pay.

Make sure the card you want to use is chosen and that your phone is unlocked.

Swipe the screen if you need to pull up a different card.

Then just hold your phone directly above the Payment Reader (towards the top of it) and wait for it to beep, or get the Done notification, or Green Check mark on your iPhone and you’re good to go.

Important note that confuses some folks…you do NOT need to open your Wallet app to use Apple Pay.

See Also: The Safeway Return Policy is Confusing But We Make Sense Of It

How Do I Add a Card to Apple Pay?

I actually just used Apple Pay at my local Safeway this past weekend, and it made me think that I should use this article as a tutorial for those unfamiliar with how to set up Apple Pay on their iPhone.

Here are the 5 easy steps to make it happen:

1. Go to the Wallet app on your iPhone and tap the Add (+) button.

2. Next, tap Debit or Credit Card.

3. Then you can either select a card you’ve previously setup or enter a new card, then tap Continue.

4. Next you can snap a pic of your card’s info and it’ll be added automatically, or you’re given the option of enter the information manually.

5. Last, verify that your information is correct before your card is officially added.

Note: Apple lets you add up to 12 cards to your digital wallet.

Can I Use Apple Pay Online at Safeway.com?

No.

When I tried to use Apple Pay to setup a home delivery with Safeway, I was unfortunately only given two forms of payment.

As you can see in the screenshot above, the only accepted payment methods are credit card or EBT card.

See Also: Here’s a Clever Workaround to Use Apple Pay at Walmart

What About Using Apple Pay with Instacart?

No.

You can’t currently use Apply Pay with Instacart or any other grocery delivery service.

They typically only accept credit card, debit card, EBT Snap, and PayPal.

Can I Use Apple Pay for Curbside Pickup?

No.

The same goes with Curbside Pickup, you CANNOT currently use Apple Pay to complete your purchase.

They only accept credit, debit, EBT cards.

What Are the 3 Benefits of Using Apple Pay?

1. Privacy – By using Apple Pay, you’ll never have to pull out a credit card and risk someone taking a picture of the number on it.

Plus, Safeway themselves will not get any of your important information like your credit card number and name/address.

2. Convenience – The fact that you don’t need to bring your purse or wallet into the store is a nice little perk.

But more importantly, you’ll never have to do the “walk of shame” out to your car if you accidentally forget your purse or wallet at home.

3. Security – The ABSOLUTE best part about using Apple Pay is the security aspect.

Apple Pay uses a unique device account number which is encrypted and stored as a secured element within the phone so your card number and personal information is VERY safe and can’t be stolen.

See Also: Kroger Doesn’t Take Apple Pay…But There Are Workarounds

Can I Use My Apple Watch to Pay?

Yes.

When you add a new card to your Apple Wallet, you’ll be given the option of adding the card to your watch as well.

You can also add new cards to your watch within the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.

Then when you reach the checkout reader at Safeway, just position your wrist by the card reader, followed by waking up your Apple Watch by turning it towards you.

The option to pay with your watch will automatically pop-up on your watch, if it does NOT for some reason just double tap the side button on your watch to prompt Apple Pay.

Then you can choose the card you want to use by swiping left or right on your watch, then hold your wrist near the reader to pay.

You’ll see a green check mark on your watch screen, or feel a small watch vibration when your payment is accepted by Safeway.

Can I Use Google Pay If I Have an Android?

Yes.

I’m not an Android guy, but yes you absolutely can use Google Pay at Safeway.

Here are some detailed instructions from PC World on how to get it set up and running.

What Payment Methods Does Safeway Accept?

Other than Apple Pay, Safeway accepts the following payment methods:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Discover
• American Express
• Debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo
• SNAP EBT
• Cash
• Gift cards
• Fast Forward
• Personal check
• Google Pay

I’ll keep this list updated as new payment methods are added in the future.

Can I Use Apple Pay at Safeway Gas Stations?

Yes.

Using Apple Pay at gas stations is by far the easiest way to pay and that holds true at Safeway filling stations as well.

You pay the same way as you would in-store, but you hold your phone over the contactless pay part of the pump (see red arrow in pic above).

Can I Use Apple Pay in Canada at Safeway?

Yes.

You absolutely can use Apple Pay in all Safeway locations in Canada.

I couldn’t find this information anywhere on Safeway.ca so I called the corporate office and was assured that Apple Pay also works north of the border.

3 Things To Be Aware of When Paying at Safeway…

1. Safeway “Tap to Pay” Alert – Some Safeway shoppers have been complaining that their credit cars are being charged via the “Tap to Pay” feature without them even getting the cards out of their purse.

The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen to you is to make sure your wallet has RFID blocking capabilities so your card will NEVER be charged without you knowing it.

2. You’ll Still Get Reward Points on Credit Cards – Most credit cards these days come with reward points for every dollar spent, making your credit card a better option than paying with your debit card or writing a check.

Rest assured that you’ll STILL get the same reward points when you use Apple Pay at Safeway, nothing changes in the eyes of your credit card company.

3. Using Self-Checkout – Some folks are wondering if you can use self-checkout at Safeway and STILL use Apple Pay, and I’m here to say you absolutely CAN.

To make it happen, select “Card”  when prompted, the reader will activate, at which point you just hold your iPhone near the top of reader and you’ll get a ping when the transaction is complete.

Ask the Reader: Do you use Apple Pay often at grocery stores like Safeway? What tidbits am I missing that could be helpful to others?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

Call me strange (and many do) but I love digging around the web, making phone calls, and asking employees about their own store’s return policy. So when it came to figuring out the return policy at Safeway, I knew I had my work cut out for me. This is because Safeway posts very little about it online, and they make it a very confusing policy on purpose so they have wiggle room. Here’s everything I discovered, I hope it helps.

The Scenario…

I brought home a dozen eggs from my local Safeway and 5 of them were rotten, so of course it made me wonder if they were returnable.

Typically I would just throw the eggs away, but I figured this would be a great way to see what the ACTUAL return policy is at Safeway because I’ve read many varying accounts of their policy online.

Also, you CANNOT find anything on the Safeway website about their return policy, so I figured my eggs were a great case study to get some actual answers for all of us.

See Also: Here Are the 14 Cheapest Grocery Stores Near You

How Many Return Days Does Safeway Allow?

7 business days.

This information is nowhere to be found.

I searched their website, press releases, and I even looked at the back of their receipt with a magnifying glass.

I actually had to call Safeway customer support and ask what the heck their return policy was.

I was told that I have 7 business days to return my eggs for a full refund or exchange.

Do I Need My Receipt to Make a Return?

Yes.

Even though Safeway was able to lookup my purchase using my Safeway for U information, I was told I definitely needed to bring my receipt with the eggs.

If I didn’t have my receipt, OR waited longer than 7 business days it would be LEFT UP TO the manager if they would accept my return.

Note: If you lose you’re receipt, and you’re a Safeway for U member (it’s free to join) they can lookup your order history and get you your receipt.

See Also: The Trader Joe’s Return Policy is Fantastic…Here are 4 Reasons Why

Where In The Store Do I Take My Returns?

When you enter Safeway to make your return, you can head for any open register, or better yet go to the customer service desk in the front of the store.

They’ll check the item(s), examine your receipt, and help you make the return or exchange.

Returns will go back to your original form of payment -OR- they’ll give you cash back if you wrote a check or used your debit card.

If you used EBT benefits, they will return the amount of the purchase back to your EBT card.

Are There Any Exceptions to the 7 Days?

Potentially.

I was told that all returns, with a receipt, after 7 business days, are handled on a case-by-case basis with the manager on duty.

I think it’s safe to assume that if you do NOT have a history of abusing their return policy, and have a legitimate reasons for making the return, you stand a good chance of having your return approved.

Legitimate reasons include a prematurely spoiled item, something foreign in the product, and potentially if you simply don’t like the taste of the product.

Can I Returned Opened or Unopened Food?

Yes.

A perfect example is my dozen eggs that was clearly opened as I’d already used a couple of them before I found the rotten ones.

If you’re trying to return a box of cereal that’s almost empty and you’re reason for the return is “you don’t like the taste” the manager on shift is probably gonna deny your return.

But if you just opened the cereal and it’s smells weird, there is a 95% chance Safeway will accept your return or exchange if you bring it back within a few days.

See Also: How to Use Apple Pay at Safeway + Insider Tips

Can I Return Alcohol?

No.

Actually, I should probably say, “Probably, no.”

Most states prohibit the return of alcohol, opened or unopened but NOT all states.

Do a quick Google search for “does my state allow me return alcohol” to see what you find.

Also, it’s worth noting that you might be able to exchange unopened alcohol, but it will be at discretion of the Safeway manager.

Do I Have to Make My Return to the Safeway Where Purchase was Made?

Yes.

Safeway definitely wants you to bring the item back to where you bought it.

I think this is so they can determine if the food item is bad or rancid, and that way they can remove the item from the shelf for health reasons.

What About Fresh Fruits and Veggies?

You CAN return them.

As long as you have your receipt are in return window you should be good to go.

See Also: The ALDI Return Policy Might Be Better Than Safeway’s Policy

Can I Return Meats Past Their “Best By” Date?

Yes.

It’s my understanding that Safeway will take back meats that are past their “Best By” date, but still within the 7-day return window.

I’ve been told this is typically handled on a case-by-case basis and the manager has the authority to not accept the return.

If you work at Safeway and have more information on this, PLEASE let me know in the comments.

Can I Return “Heat to Eat” Meals That Are Terrible?

Yes.

I found examples online of people being able to return these premade meals at Safeway.

Do Safeway Members Get a Better Return Policy?

No.

Whether you’re part of their rewards program or not, you get the same exact 7-day return policy.

Any Other Items That CANNOT Be Returned?

Yes.

Besides alcohol, you cannot return the following items:

– Baby Formula and Baby Food

– Tobacco Products

What’s the Policy on Grocery Delivery and Pickup?

Really quite good actually. 

For some reason, Safeway does a nice job of breaking down their return policy when it comes to grocery delivery.

Safeway offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on your grocery delivery orders.

You can either have the driver return the item for you, or you can bring items back yourself.

Safeway asks you to call them at (877) 505-4040 to let them know that you want to return item(s) in your order and they’ll tell you how to proceed.

Ask the Reader: While I did a deep dive on the Safeway return policy, I feel I still might be missing some unpublished information…if you work at Safeway or have some insider info, PLEASE let me know in the comments.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.