BWS (Beer, Wine & Spirits) is an Australian chain of liquor stores offering a wide range of beer, wine, spirits, and related products through both physical bottle shops and online ordering.
BWS (Beer, Wine & Spirits) is a major Australian liquor retail chain owned by Woolworths Group and headquartered in Bella Vista, New South Wales. BWS operates hundreds of bottle shops across Australia, often located near or adjacent to Woolworths supermarkets, and also runs a full online store at bws.com.au. They sell packaged beer, cider, wine, champagne, premixed drinks, and spirits, as well as accessories like coolers, glassware, and gifts. Customers can shop in-store, use Click & Collect, or order home delivery, including on-demand delivery in many metro areas.
A BWS charge may appear on your bank or card statement when you purchase liquor or related products in-store or online through bws.com.au or the BWS app. This can include one-off purchases, online orders (delivery or Click & Collect), purchases made via digital wallets, or orders placed through partner delivery platforms that process payment under the BWS or Woolworths/BWS name. You may also see multiple smaller charges or reversals related to payment authorisation holds when you place or modify an online order, or when BWS adjusts your order due to out-of-stock items, substitutions, or age-verification issues.
If you’re unsure about a BWS charge, start by checking your recent in-store receipts, your email inbox for order confirmations from BWS, and your account order history at bws.com.au or in the BWS app (if you shopped while logged in). Compare the transaction date and amount with any recent liquor purchases, including last-minute or late-night orders and deliveries. For help, you can contact BWS Customer Care via the help section at bws.com.au (online form or live chat) or through Woolworths Group customer service; have your order number, Everyday Rewards card (if used), and the exact transaction date and amount ready. If you still can’t identify the charge, ask your bank for more detailed merchant information and, if necessary, dispute the transaction as potential fraud.
Bank Statement Variations
6 known variations
These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to BWS.
Why is there a BWS or BWS BELLA VISTA charge on my bank statement?
A BWS charge typically appears when you purchase alcohol or related products at a BWS store, or when you place an online order at bws.com.au or in the BWS app. The descriptor may show as “BWS,” “BWS LIQUOR,” “BWS ONLINE,” or may include a suburb or store code. It can also reflect orders placed for delivery or Click & Collect, including same-day or on-demand deliveries that you may have placed via your phone. If you recently shopped at or ordered from a BWS store, this is likely the corresponding payment.
What are common BWS transaction amounts and billing patterns?
BWS transactions are usually one-time charges and can range from small amounts (around AUD $10–$20 for a single bottle) to larger totals over $100 for mixed cases, cartons, or bulk purchases. Online orders may show as a single total that includes products, applicable delivery fees, and discounts or promo codes applied at checkout. If you use Everyday Rewards or BWS promotions, you may see non-rounded amounts (e.g., $47.23) after discounts. BWS does not typically bill as a subscription, so recurring identical monthly charges are uncommon and should be checked carefully.
Why do I see a small pending or temporary BWS charge that later disappears?
When you place or modify an online BWS order, your bank may show a temporary authorisation hold to verify your card and secure funds, often matching the estimated order total. If items are unavailable, substituted, or if the final amount changes (for example, due to specials or weight-based items in mixed orders with partner retailers), the original authorisation may be reversed and a new one applied. These pending holds are controlled by your bank and usually drop off within a few business days. Only the final settled amount should remain as the completed BWS transaction.
Can BWS charges be recurring or part of a subscription?
BWS primarily operates on a one-off purchase model and does not widely offer traditional recurring subscriptions like monthly liquor clubs under the standard BWS brand. However, you might place repeat orders using saved payment methods or reorder past purchases via your online account, which can make charges appear regularly around the same time if you shop on a schedule. If you see repeated charges you don’t recognise, log into your BWS account and check the “My Orders” section for corresponding orders. If there are no matching orders, contact BWS Customer Care and your bank to investigate potential unauthorised use.
How do I find receipts or order details for a BWS charge I don’t recognise?
If you shopped in-store, check any paper receipts you kept around the transaction date and match the total and time. For online orders, sign in at bws.com.au or in the BWS app and go to your account’s order history to see past orders, totals, and payment methods used; you can also search your email for confirmation messages from BWS or Woolworths Group. Each online order confirmation includes an order number, itemised list, and the amount charged, which should match the statement entry. If you can’t locate the details, contact BWS support with the exact transaction amount, date, and last four digits of your card so they can look up the transaction.
How do I cancel or change a BWS online order and what happens to the charge?
To cancel or amend an online order, log into your BWS account or use the link in your confirmation email and check whether the order is still in a modifiable status (for example, not yet picked or dispatched). If changes or cancellations are allowed, adjust or cancel the order there, or contact BWS Customer Care via the help section on bws.com.au or in-app support as soon as possible. When an order is cancelled, the authorisation hold or charge is either reversed or refunded, depending on when the payment was captured. Your bank may take a few business days to display the refund or release the held funds back to your available balance.
How can I request a refund or dispute a BWS charge for incorrect or faulty items?
If you believe you were overcharged, charged twice, or received incorrect or damaged items, first locate your receipt or online order confirmation. Visit your local BWS store with the goods and proof of purchase, or contact BWS Customer Care via the support options on bws.com.au (online form, chat, or phone, depending on availability) and explain the issue. BWS will generally review quality issues, incorrect items, or failed deliveries and may offer a refund, credit, or replacement according to their returns and refunds policy and Australian consumer law. If you suspect fraud or can’t resolve it with BWS, contact your bank to raise a chargeback or dispute.
How can I contact BWS about an unfamiliar charge on my statement?
Go to bws.com.au and navigate to the “Help” or “Contact Us” section to access live chat, online enquiry forms, and customer service information. Provide the date, exact amount, and how the charge appears on your statement, along with any possible order numbers or store locations you may have visited. You can also visit a nearby BWS store with your statement (with sensitive details concealed) and ask staff to direct you to the appropriate support channel. If BWS cannot locate a matching transaction under your details, notify your bank immediately in case your card has been used without authorisation.