How to Use Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) in Korea: Where & How in 2025

The Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) program is active in 2025, offering monthly refunds through Digital Onnuri Gift Certificates (디지털 온누리상품권). I recently shared how to apply.

Now, let’s say you actually received it — nice!
Maybe you got a text message from your card provider, or you checked the app and saw a Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권) balance waiting for you.

But now comes the tricky part:

Where can you actually use it?

Can you spend it at your local convenience store?
Is it like Apple Pay, or does it work completely differently?
And what happens if you don’t spend the whole amount?

If you’re confused — you’re not alone. Even many Koreans find the system a bit confusing at first. But don’t worry, this post is your practical guide to using Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) without the headache.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Where you can (and can’t) use your Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권)
How to find affiliated merchants (가맹점)
How payment actually works — QR codes, apps, and linked cards
What to watch out for, like expiration dates and transaction issues

Let’s make sure your government rebate doesn’t go to waste — and support some awesome local businesses while we’re at it.

What is Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) and why is it digital?

Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) is a Korean government program that gives you cashback — but with a twist.

If you spend more this year than last year using your registered card, the government gives you a monthly rebate of up to ₩100,000. But instead of getting cash or points, you receive a Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권).

This special gift certificate is designed to support small businesses and traditional markets (전통시장), not big-name supermarkets or online giants. That’s why it’s digital — so you can use it at approved local shops via QR code or app payments.

It's part of Korea’s effort to boost local economies while rewarding you for spending.

How to Check Your Refund Balance (환급금 확인 방법)

Unlike cashback that goes straight to your bank account, Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) arrives as a digital voucher — so you need to check it a bit differently.

Here’s how to confirm if your refund has arrived:

1️⃣ Check your SMS (문자)

You’ll usually get a message from your card company or the program’s operation center.
It will say something like “지급 완료” (payment completed), and include a link or app instructions.

2️⃣ Install the Digital Onnuri app (디지털 온누리상품권 앱)

Search for “디지털 온누리상품권” in the App Store or Google Play.
It’s managed by Korea’s official Zero Pay (제로페이) system.

3️⃣ Log in and check your balance

Open the app and go to ‘알림함 (notifications)’ or ‘선물함 (gift inbox)’.
You should see your voucher balance there.

Didn’t receive anything?
Don’t panic. You can:

Make sure you actually completed your Win-Win Payback application
Contact your card company’s customer service
Visit the Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) official website to troubleshoot

Where Can You Use It? Understanding Affiliated Merchants (가맹점)

This is where most people get stuck — where can you actually spend your Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권)?

Let’s break it down:

Offline: Traditional Markets & Local Businesses

Your best bet is to shop at registered local merchants (가맹점) like:

Traditional market stalls (meat, seafood, fruits, banchan)
Small restaurants, bakeries, clothing stores, beauty salons
Some smaller neighborhood convenience stores may accept it in certain regions, though most major chains like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven do not participate.

Look for signs!
Participating stores usually have a sticker or poster that says:
“온누리상품권 가맹점 (Onnuri Gift Certificate Accepted)”
If you don’t see it, ask before you shop.

🚫 Where you usually can’t use it:

CU, GS25, 7-Eleven
Emart, Homeplus, Lotte Mart
Starbucks, large chain stores

These are not affiliated merchants and won’t accept the digital certificate.

Online: Limited Platforms Only

Yes, you can shop online — but only on approved platforms that accept Digital Onnuri (디지털 온누리).

Here are some that currently support it:

온누리공공몰 (Onnuri Public Mall)
온누리전통시장몰 (Onnuri Traditional Market Mall)
보물마켓 (Treasure Market)
인더마켓, 온누리마켓
Some regional delivery apps like 먹깨비, 땡겨요, 배달의명수 (varies by city)

❗Note: Coupang, Gmarket, Naver Shopping do NOT accept this payment.
Only platforms that directly support small businesses and are connected to Zero Pay (제로페이) can process it.

See Online Usage Options ➡︎

How to Check If a Store Accepts It (가맹점 조회 방법)

Before you head out to spend your Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권), make sure the store actually accepts it.

There are three easy ways to check if a place is an official affiliated merchant (가맹점):

Onnuri Merchant Finder (온누리상품권 가맹점 찾기)

Visit the official Onnuri website.
Search by location (지역) and industry (업종), and filter for digital certificates (모바일/디지털).

👉 You’ll get detailed info like address, phone number, and accepted types of gift certificates.

전통시장통통 (Traditional Market Portal)

Go to the 전통시장통통 (jeontong-sijang-tongtong) website.
Use the 온누리상품권 > 가맹점 찾기 menu, and select your 지역 (region) and 업종 (business type).

Great for browsing all stores inside a specific market.

Zero Pay App or Website (제로페이)

Zero Pay (제로페이) is the main digital platform behind the gift certificate system.
You can use their website or apps like 비플제로페이 (B플 ZeroPay) or 체크페이 to:

Search for 가맹점 by location
Use GPS to find nearby stores in real-time
Filter by type (Onnuri / QR / franchise, etc.)

Tip: When you’re walking around a neighborhood or market, open the Zero Pay app and check for nearby affiliated stores on the map — super helpful!

How to Pay with the Digital Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권 결제 방법)

There are two main ways to pay with your digital gift certificate: QR payment or a linked card.

Let’s break it down:

Option 1: QR Code Payment (QR 결제)

This is the most common method in traditional markets.

How it works:

Merchant shows you a printed QR code at the counter.
You open the Digital Onnuri app, scan the code, and enter the amount.
Done! Your balance is updated in real time.

🧾 Some stores may scan your QR code instead — always ask first.

Option 2: Linked Card Payment (등록카드 결제)

If your Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) balance is less than the amount you’re trying to pay, you can register your personal card in the app to cover the rest.

How it works:

When you pay at a 가맹점 with your registered card, the system checks if you have Onnuri balance.
The amount is automatically deducted from your digital gift certificate.
If your balance is too low, the payment may fail — no split payment at most stores!

Tips to Avoid Issues

Ask first: Say “디지털 온누리상품권으로 결제 가능해요?” (“Can I pay with digital Onnuri?”) before checkout.
Check your balance: Some stores don’t support split payments (e.g., ₩5,000 from gift + ₩5,000 card).
Always have a backup: In case the QR system or POS is down, carry a card or cash just in case.

Rules, Expiration & Must-Know Warnings (유효기간 및 유의사항)

Before you go on a spending spree, there are a few important things you should know.

Expiration Date: 5 Years from Issue (지급일로부터 5년)

Yes — your Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권) does expire.
You get exactly 5 years from the date it’s issued to use it.

Inside the app, you can check:

Remaining balance (잔액)
Days left before expiration (잔여일수)

No extensions, no refunds — once it expires, it’s gone.

Refunds & Transfers Not Allowed

No cash refund
No account refund
No transferring to friends/family

It's strictly tied to your account and your phone. Treat it like a single-use digital coupon.

Some Stores May Still Say "No"

Even if a store is listed as a 가맹점, their QR reader or POS system may not work properly.
In that case:

Try a different method (like linked card)
Or use the gift certificate at another store

This happens occasionally, so don’t be too surprised.

FAQ: Questions Foreign Residents Actually Ask

Q1. Can I use the Digital Onnuri Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권) at convenience stores like CU or GS25?

Usually no. Most major convenience store chains like CU, GS25, and 7-Eleven are not affiliated merchants (가맹점) and do not accept digital Onnuri payments.

However, some smaller independent or regional convenience stores may support it, depending on the area.

Q2. Can I split my payment — part from Onnuri, part from my card?

Usually not — especially at small local shops.

Most affiliated merchants (가맹점) only accept one payment method per transaction, so you can’t count on using both Digital Onnuri (디지털 온누리상품권) and your card or cash together.

Some stores might allow split payments — like part Onnuri, part credit card or cash — but don’t expect it.

👉 If your Onnuri balance isn’t enough, the best option is to register your card in the app ahead of time, so the remaining amount can be automatically charged if supported.

Q3. Do I have to spend the entire Win-Win Payback refund all at once?

Not at all. You can use just as much as you need — there’s no requirement to spend it all in one go.
Any remaining balance will stay safely in your app wallet.
Just don’t forget: the unused balance also expires after 5 years from the date of issue.

Q4. Can I get a refund if I don’t want to use it?

Nope. There are no refunds, no conversions to cash, and no transfers to other people.
The gift certificate is strictly for use at affiliated stores (가맹점).

Q5. Can I use the Digital Onnuri Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권) on Coupang or Gmarket?

No. Popular e-commerce platforms like Coupang, Gmarket, or Naver Shopping do not accept this payment. Only designated small business platforms like Onnuri Market or regional delivery apps support it.

Final Thoughts: Using Your Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) with Confidence

Navigating the Digital Onnuri Gift Certificate (디지털 온누리상품권) system might feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you’re new to Korea’s fintech ecosystem. But once you understand where it works and how to use it, it becomes a practical tool for daily life — and a great excuse to explore your local neighborhood.

Whether you’re picking up fresh produce at a traditional market or grabbing lunch at a small mom-and-pop shop, this isn’t just about saving money. It’s also about supporting the small businesses that give each neighborhood its charm.

Ready to put your Win-Win Payback (상생페이백) to use?

👇 Start by checking which stores near you accept it.

Find Nearby Stores ➡︎

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