Are Walmart Gift Cards Reloadable In 2022? (Your Full Guide!)
No, Walmart gift cards are not reloadable in 2022. The only way to add funds is through refunds for returned items. You‘ll need to buy a new gift card when the balance runs out.
But why did Walmart make this change? And how do other Walmart cards like MoneyCards and eGift cards work?
As an experienced ecommerce seller, I‘ll provide a detailed guide on Walmart‘s reloadable gift card policy. I‘ll also share tips to maximize non-reloadable gift cards.
Why Walmart Stopped Allowing Gift Card Reloads
Walmart gift cards used to be reloadable. But concerns over fraud led Walmart to disable reloads in recent years.
According to the FBI, gift card fraud has been steadily rising. Scammers exploit reloadable gift cards to launder money. The Federal Trade Commission reports over $245 million lost to gift card scams in 2021.
By making their gift cards non-reloadable, Walmart aimed to deter criminals. This shifts more fraud risk back to gift card issuers.
However, the policy also inconveniences customers who want to reuse gift cards. Most retailers like Target and Amazon still allow gift card reloads.
How Walmart MoneyCards and eGift Cards Work
It‘s easy to confuse Walmart‘s prepaid cards and digital gift cards with the traditional plastic gift cards. But there are some key differences:
Walmart MoneyCards are prepaid debit cards, with funds stored in an account managed by a bank. This allows customers to conveniently reload money.
Whereas with gift cards, the balance is encoded on the card itself. Once it‘s used up, the card is done.
Walmart eGift cards are digital rather than physical. They‘re emailed to recipients and can be printed or displayed on a mobile device.
But both MoneyCards and eGift cards still share the same non-reloadable policy as plastic gift cards. They also have to be purchased with an initial value.
| Card Type | Reloadable? | Physical or Digital? |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Gift Card | No | Physical |
| MoneyCard | Yes | Physical |
| eGift Card | No | Digital |
Expert Tips to Maximize Non-Reloadable Gift Cards
Here are my top tips for avoiding waste with non-reloadable Walmart gift cards:
- Only buy gift cards for the exact amount you‘ll use. Don‘t risk losing leftover funds.
- Use for larger or higher-value purchases to maximize the card.
- Check the balance periodically and use up remaining funds.
- Combine with another payment when the balance is low to finish using it.
- Register the gift card with Walmart to protect any lost or stolen cards.
- Use for online shopping to get free Walmart shipping.
I also advise checking the gift card policy whenever buying retailer-specific cards. Most grocers like Kroger and gas stations still allow reloads. But clothing and department stores are shifting away from reloadable cards.
As an ecommerce seller, I rely heavily on data. Here are some statistics around gift card usage and fraud:
- Consumers spend over $200 billion on gift cards annually. (Source: Mercator Advisory Group)
- 41% of gift cards go unused. The remaining balance gets wasted. (Source: Bankrate)
- Fraudsters launder tens of billions through gift cards each year. (Source: ABA Banking Journal)
The bottom line? Walmart gift cards remain popular gifts. But the inability to reload makes managing the balance tricky. Follow my tips above to avoid losing any unused funds!
Conclusion: The End of Reloadable Walmart Gift Cards
Walmart gift cards used to be reloadable. But growing concerns over fraud led Walmart to disable reloading. Now plastic, eGift cards and MoneyCards can only be purchased with an initial set amount.
This inconveniences customers looking to reuse cards. But Walmart prioritized security. Billions are lost to gift card scams each year. Eliminating reloads helps deter criminals.
While you can no longer reload Walmart gift cards, they can still make great gifts. Just be thoughtful about the amount you choose. And take steps to use up the full balance.
I hope this insider guide from an ecommerce expert helps explain Walmart‘s policy change. Let me know if you have any other gift card questions!
