Restricting coupon usage based on the payment gateway in WooCommerce can help you control promotions and prevent abuse of certain payment methods. For example, you might want to allow coupons for credit card payments but restrict them for cash on delivery (COD).
In this guide, we’ll show you how to restrict coupon usage based on the payment gateway, ensuring that only specific gateways can process certain coupons. We’ll achieve this without using a plugin, and you’ll have full control over which payment methods apply to each coupon.
Step 1: Add a Custom Field for Payment Restrictions
To restrict coupon usage, you’ll first need to add a custom field on the WooCommerce coupon edit page where you can select which payment gateways are allowed for that coupon.
Code to Add a Custom Field on the Coupon Edit Page
Add this code to your theme’s functions.php file or your child theme:
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function adds a custom field on the coupon edit page for restricted payment gateways"
*/
function wcsuccess_add_payment_gateway_restriction_field( $coupon_id, $coupon ) {
woocommerce_wp_multiselect( array(
'id' => 'wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways',
'label' => __( 'Allowed Payment Gateways', 'woocommerce' ),
'description' => __( 'Select which payment gateways are allowed to be used with this coupon.', 'woocommerce' ),
'options' => wc_get_payment_gateway_titles(),
'desc_tip' => true,
'value' => get_post_meta( $coupon_id, 'wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways', true )
));
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_coupon_options', 'wcsuccess_add_payment_gateway_restriction_field', 10, 2 );
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function saves the custom payment gateway field for coupons"
*/
function wcsuccess_save_payment_gateway_restriction_field( $post_id ) {
$allowed_gateways = isset( $_POST['wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways'] ) ? array_map( 'sanitize_text_field', $_POST['wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways'] ) : array();
update_post_meta( $post_id, 'wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways', $allowed_gateways );
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_coupon_options_save', 'wcsuccess_save_payment_gateway_restriction_field' );
Explanation:
- Custom Field: Adds a multi-select field in the WooCommerce coupon editor.
- Payment Gateway List: Populates the field with available payment gateways.
- Data Saving: Saves the selected gateways to the coupon metadata.
Step 2: Restrict Coupons Based on the Payment Gateway
Once you’ve added the custom field, you can now restrict coupon usage based on the payment gateway selected at checkout.
Code to Restrict Coupon Usage
Add this to your functions.php file:
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function restricts coupon usage based on the selected payment gateway"
*/
function wcsuccess_restrict_coupon_based_on_gateway( $valid, $coupon, $discount ) {
if ( is_admin() && ! defined( 'DOING_AJAX' ) ) {
return $valid;
}
$allowed_gateways = get_post_meta( $coupon->get_id(), 'wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways', true );
$chosen_payment_method = WC()->session->get( 'chosen_payment_method' );
if ( ! empty( $allowed_gateways ) && ! in_array( $chosen_payment_method, $allowed_gateways ) ) {
wc_add_notice( __( 'This coupon is not valid with the selected payment method.', 'woocommerce' ), 'error' );
return false;
}
return $valid;
}
add_filter( 'woocommerce_coupon_is_valid', 'wcsuccess_restrict_coupon_based_on_gateway', 10, 3 );
Explanation:
- Validation Check: Checks the payment gateway against the list of allowed gateways.
- Dynamic Restriction: Prevents the coupon from being applied if the payment gateway does not match.
- Error Message: Displays an error message to the customer if the coupon is restricted.
Step 3: Save the Chosen Payment Method
To ensure the payment gateway is correctly captured during checkout, you need to save it in WooCommerce’s session. This guarantees that the payment method can be accessed for coupon validation.
Code to Store Chosen Payment Method in WooCommerce Session
Add this to your functions.php file:
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function stores the chosen payment method in the WooCommerce session"
*/
function wcsuccess_store_chosen_payment_gateway() {
if ( isset( $_POST['payment_method'] ) ) {
WC()->session->set( 'chosen_payment_method', sanitize_text_field( $_POST['payment_method'] ) );
}
}
add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_review', 'wcsuccess_store_chosen_payment_gateway' );
Explanation:
- Payment Method Tracking: Stores the selected payment method in the WooCommerce session.
- Data Sanitisation: Ensures the payment method is secure and clean before storage.
Step 4: Display the Restricted Payment Gateways in the Coupon List
For better transparency, you can display the restricted payment gateways in the WooCommerce coupon list.
Code to Display Payment Restrictions on the Coupons List
Add this to your functions.php file:
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function displays the restricted payment gateways in the coupons list"
*/
function wcsuccess_add_coupon_column( $columns ) {
$columns['allowed_payment_gateways'] = __( 'Allowed Payment Gateways', 'woocommerce' );
return $columns;
}
add_filter( 'manage_edit-shop_coupon_columns', 'wcsuccess_add_coupon_column' );
/*
* Snippet: How to Restrict Coupon Usage Based on Payment Gateway in WooCommerce – 2026
* Author: John Cook
* URL: https://wcsuccessacademy.com/?p=1771
* Tested with WooCommerce 10.7.0
* "This function populates the allowed payment gateways column in the coupons list"
*/
function wcsuccess_display_coupon_column( $column, $post_id ) {
if ( 'allowed_payment_gateways' === $column ) {
$allowed_gateways = get_post_meta( $post_id, 'wcsuccess_restricted_payment_gateways', true );
if ( ! empty( $allowed_gateways ) ) {
echo implode( ', ', $allowed_gateways );
} else {
echo __( 'No restrictions', 'woocommerce' );
}
}
}
add_action( 'manage_shop_coupon_posts_custom_column', 'wcsuccess_display_coupon_column', 10, 2 );
Explanation:
- New Column: Adds a column to the WooCommerce coupon list showing allowed payment gateways.
- Column Data: Populates the new column with the gateways assigned to each coupon.
Example Workflow
- Create a Coupon:
- Go to WooCommerce > Coupons and create a new coupon.
- In the Allowed Payment Gateways field, select payment methods like Direct Bank Transfer or PayPal.
- Apply Coupon:
- Customers can apply the coupon at checkout.
- Validation:
- If the payment method is restricted, an error message will display.
Use Case
| Coupon | Allowed Payment Gateway | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 20OFF | PayPal only | Only works with PayPal |
| 15BANKDEAL | Bank Transfer only | Only works with Bank Transfer |
| FREESHIP50 | All gateways allowed | Works with all payment methods |
Conclusion
By following this guide, you can restrict coupon usage in WooCommerce based on the selected payment gateway. This gives you more control over promotions and ensures that specific payment methods are incentivised.
Test these changes in a staging environment before applying them to your live site. For more WooCommerce customisation tips, check out our WooCommerce Visual Hooks Guide or use our wp-config generator for advanced configurations.
I have been working with WordPress and WooCommerce since 2012 and have developed a deep knowledge of the content management system. Since 2012, I have developed several plugins and designed dozens of websites utilising different frameworks, CMS’s and programming languages. I am proficient in PHP, Python, Java, C, C++, R and JavaScript with limited experience in Go, Kotlin and Swift.
Educationally, I have a Master’s degree in cyber security a Bachelor’s (Hons, First Class) in Applied Research and a Graduate Certificate in Data Science. I’m currently undertaking PhD studies investigating IoT cybersecurity. I recently graduated with First Class Honours and Masters of Information Technology, receiving the Executive Dean’s Award for studies undertaken in the 2021 and 2022 academic years. I have worked in the information technology industry for the past 11 years primarily as a software/web developer specific to design, optimisation, network management and security. My research interests are in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT), 5G and Beyond Networks, information security for wireless networks and software development.
Stay In Touch
