Events
Seoul Love Gift Certificates: How to Buy, Discount vs Cashback and the Limits (September 2026 Release)
AT A GLANCE
- What
- Prepaid credit for participating local shops, bought in the Seoul Pay+ app
- Types
- Citywide (₩80 billion in Sept 2026) and district (₩185 billion)
- Discount
- 5% at purchase; cashback 2% (citywide), 2–5% (district, varies)
- Limits
- ₩500,000 monthly purchase limit, ₩1.5 million holding limit
- Latest release
- Sept 14–18, 2026 (ended); watch Seoul's announcements for the next one
Seoul Love Gift Certificates are prepaid spending credit for participating local businesses, bought through the Seoul Pay+ app. Despite the name, you can buy them for your own everyday spending. This guide explains the types, the difference between a purchase discount and cashback, the limits and what the September 14–18, 2026 release looked like. The sale has ended, so use this to prepare for the next release. Checked on 2026-10-12.
The hero image is AI-generated and is not a photo of a real store or the Seoul Pay+ app.
Citywide and district certificates
A citywide certificate works at participating merchants across Seoul. A district certificate works within the issuing district, called a gu in Korean. Think about where you normally shop before choosing.
In September 2026, Seoul announced a ₩265 billion release for September 14–18: ₩80 billion in citywide certificates and ₩185 billion in district certificates (Seoul’s September 11 announcement).
How the September 2026 sale was organized
| Certificate and buyers | Sale dates |
|---|---|
| Citywide, older buyers born in 1961 or earlier | September 14–17 |
| District certificates | September 15–18, at different times by district |
| Citywide, general sale | September 18 |
The September 18 citywide sale was split by birth year: noon–2 pm for even years, then 3–5 pm for odd years, with any remainder open to everyone from 6 pm. The city set aside ₩8 billion for older buyers. Releases like this sell out quickly, so check the dates and times in each announcement.
A purchase discount and cashback are different
The 5% purchase discount means paying ₩95,000 for ₩100,000 of spending credit. Cashback arrives later, after eligible spending, and is not another instant price cut.
For this release, the city announced 2% cashback for citywide certificates. For district certificates, Jung-gu offered 2%, while Gangseo-gu, Guro-gu, Geumcheon-gu and Gangnam-gu offered 5% (discount and cashback details). So spending ₩100,000 with an eligible citywide certificate would return ₩2,000 in credit, separate from the ₩5,000 saved at purchase. Calling every purchase “10% off” would miss the different rates.
Check these before paying
- Your account: Finish app registration and check that identity verification and your payment method work. Do not assume a foreign phone number or card is enough.
- Your shops: Confirm the exact branch participates and accepts the certificate type you chose. Being in Seoul is not enough.
- Your limits: Seoul lists a monthly purchase limit of ₩500,000 and a holding limit of ₩1.5 million. Check the app’s remaining allowance.
- The terms: Check cashback eligibility, its spending period and payment date, expiry and refund rules.
- App limits during a sale: Seoul warned that some app functions, including merchant search, are restricted from 8:30 am to 7 pm during the sale period. Look up your shops in advance.
Good for / not for
Good for
- Seoul residents who already shop at local stores and markets
- Anyone who can finish app setup before a release
Not for
FAQ
Is there a sale now? The September 14–18, 2026 release has ended. Watch Seoul’s announcements for the next one.
Is it a 10% discount? No. It is a 5% discount at purchase plus a cashback that varies by type.
What are the limits? ₩500,000 per month in purchases and ₩1.5 million held, per Seoul’s listing.
Sources
- Seoul, September 11 announcement https://www.seoul.go.kr/news/news_report.do?nttNo=466162&srchCtgry=464
- Seoul Media Hub, discount and cashback details https://mediahub.seoul.go.kr/archives/2019354
Checked on 2026-10-12. This guide covers the September 2026 release. Live stock and account-specific eligibility must be checked in Seoul Pay+.