The Complete Guide to Getting Cash Back at Walmart in 2023
Looking to get extra cash back the next time you shop at Walmart? As a leading retailer, Walmart offers customers several options to receive cash back when making in-store purchases.
In this comprehensive 2800+ word guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know as a shopper to maximize cash back rewards at Walmart, including:
- Cash back limits for debit cards, credit cards, and checks
- Step-by-step instructions for getting cash back
- Cash back fees and fine print
- Getting cash back without making a purchase
- Daily cash back limits
- Using Walmart Pay and credit card rewards
- Expert tips to save the most money
Let’s dive in!
Does Walmart Offer Cash Back?
Yes! Walmart allows customers to get cash back when buying items in-store. You can get cash back at both regular checkout lanes or self-checkout registers.
The key is you must make a purchase to get cash back at Walmart. It‘s not possible to get cash back with no purchase, besides using an ATM or Walmart Pay (more details below).
Where Can You Get Cash Back at Walmart?
Cash back is available at any staffed checkout lane. Let the cashier know you need cash back before they start scanning your items. You can get cash back at Walmart anytime during normal store hours.
You can also get cash back of up to $100 at self-checkout registers by selecting the “Cash Back” option on the pin pad.
And if the store has Customer Service registers open, you may be able to get cash back there as well.
Cash Back Limits at Walmart
The amount of cash back you can receive depends on your form of payment:
| Payment Method | Cash Back Limit |
|---|---|
| Debit Card | $100 per transaction |
| Credit Card | $120 for Discover only |
| Check | $20 per transaction |
Next let’s look at the specifics for each payment type when getting cash back at Walmart.
Debit Card Cash Back Limit
Paying with a debit card allows the highest cash back amount of up to $100 per transaction. This is the only payment method that permits getting up to $100 cash back.
In addition, debit card holders can request cash back up to 3 separate times per day at Walmart.
So if you need a quick $100, $200, or even $300 in cash, you can visit Walmart multiple times in one day and get $100 cash back each trip.
Pro Tip: To get the full $100 cash back amount, use a debit card attached to a major bank. Prepaid debit cards may have lower cash back limits.
Credit Card Cash Back Limit
Getting cash back with a credit card is more restrictive at Walmart.
Most credit cards are not eligible for any cash back when making a Walmart purchase.
The only exception is Discover cards, which allow cardholders to get cash over when making a purchase. With a Discover card, you can get up to $120 cash back per transaction.
Just be aware, taking cash back on a credit card acts as a cash advance, not a normal purchase. So depending on your card, fees and interest may apply.
We recommend checking with your credit card provider to understand any fees or terms for cash advances before getting cash back at Walmart.
Check Cash Back Limit
If you prefer to pay by check, Walmart allows up to $20 cash back per transaction when paying by check.
To get cash back with a check, the cashier will scan and verify your check. You‘ll also need to show a valid government-issued photo ID.
Walmart uses Telecheck or a similar verification system to approve checks for cash back. If your check doesn‘t pass, you won‘t be able to get cash back.
Cash Back Limit at Self-Checkout
Good news – Walmart allows cash back at the self-checkout registers with the same limits as regular checkout lanes.
At self-checkout, you can get:
- Up to $100 cash back with a debit card
- Up to $20 cash back with a check
Credit cards are not accepted for cash back at self-checkout stations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Cash Back at Walmart
Here is a simple walkthrough of what to expect when getting cash back on your Walmart purchase:
1. Get in line at any checkout register
Head to a staffed register, self-checkout, or customer service desk. Let the cashier know upfront you‘ll need cash back.
2. Ring up your Walmart purchase
The cashier will ring up your items as normal. If using self-checkout, scan items and select payment.
3. Select "Debit" for payment
When prompted for payment, choose "Debit" – do NOT select credit even if paying with a debit card.
4. Input your cash back amount
Type in the cash back amount you wish to receive, up to $100.
5. Provide your PIN
Enter your debit card PIN to confirm and pay for your purchase plus the cash back amount.
6. Take cash from the cashier
Finally, the cashier will hand you the cash back amount you selected along with your receipt. And you‘re all set!
Cash Back Denominations at Walmart
It‘s important to know that Walmart only dispenses cash back in specific denominations:
- $20
- $40
- $60
- $80
- $100
If your cash back amount doesn‘t align with these denominations, the cashier will round up or down.
For example, if you request $50 cash back, you would receive 1 $20 bill. If you ask for $125 cash back, you would get 1 $100 bill.
Ask for Smaller Bills
You can always request smaller bills from the cashier. So if you ask for $100 cash back in $20s, they can hand you (5) $20 bills instead of a $100 bill.
Just keep in mind the cashier may not always have smaller denominations available. So go with the flow if they can only give larger bills.
Daily Cash Back Limit at Walmart
In addition to per-transaction limits, Walmart also limits cash back to 3 times per day per customer.
This rule prevents fraud and reduces the risk of stores running out of cash on hand.
Here are some examples of Walmart’s daily cash back limit in practice:
You could get $100 cash back in the morning, $60 cash back in the afternoon, and $100 more in the evening.
Or make 3 trips in one day getting $100 cash back each time for a total of $300.
But you couldn’t get cash back more than those 3 transactions in a 24-hour period.
The 24-hour timer starts at midnight based on the store‘s local time zone.
If you try for a 4th cash back transaction, your debit card will likely be declined. It‘s best to stay within the 3 transaction daily limit.
Are There Fees for Cash Back at Walmart?
The good news is Walmart does not charge any fees itself for cash back when using debit or checks. The cash back amount is simply added to your total purchase price.
However, getting cash back with a credit card often incurs fees since it is processed as a cash advance.
Cash advance fees vary depending on your credit card provider. Some common fees include:
- Cash advance fee ($10 or 3% of the amount)
- Higher interest rate (up to 25% APR)
- No grace period for interest
We recommend contacting your credit card issuer to understand the cash advance terms before getting cash back at Walmart with a credit card.
Getting Cash Back Without Making a Purchase
Need cash but don‘t want to buy anything at Walmart today? You still have options to get cash without making a purchase:
Use an In-Store ATM
Most 24-hour Walmart locations have ATMs inside the store. ATM fees are usually around $3 per transaction, and you can withdraw up to your daily ATM limit.
Downside: Paying ATM fees rather than getting cash back for free.
Purchase a Money Order
You can buy a money order for the amount of cash you need, then cash it out immediately at Walmart customer service. No purchase required.
Money orders cost just $0.70 each at Walmart. So minimal fees relative to ATM charges.
Downside: You must complete 2 transactions and have the money order amount in cash or on a card.
Use Walmart Pay
Walmart‘s mobile payment app allows you to cash out up to $40 per day without making a purchase.
First load money to your Walmart Pay balance from a bank account, debit card, etc. Then withdraw that balance in cash from any register.
Downside: Limited to $40 daily max and requires planning ahead.
Tips for Getting Cash Back with Walmart Pay
Walmart Pay can be a handy option for getting smaller amounts of cash without buying anything. Here are some pointers:
You can cash out $20-40 per day from Walmart Pay. Withdrawals in $20 increments.
Load your Walmart Pay balance ahead of time via linked payment sources.
At the register, open Walmart Pay and show the cashier the barcode. No need to pre-order cash out.
Works at staffed registers, service desks, and self-checkout (select “Walmart Pay Cash Out”).
Daily limit resets at 5am local store time.
So if you need $20-40 quick, Walmart Pay is a convenient cash back option with no fees or purchase required.
Maximize Cash Back with Credit Card Rewards
While getting cash back directly from Walmart is convenient, you can maximize savings with the right credit card.
Cards like the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card offer up to 5% cash back on Walmart purchases. That‘s in addition to the up to $120 cash back from Walmart for a total of over 5% back.
Here are some top-rated cash back cards for Walmart shoppers:
| Card | Cash Back Rate | Perks |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Walmart Rewards Card | 5% back at Walmart.com and in-store | No annual fee |
| Discover it Cash Back | 5% back in rotating quarterly categories | Cash back matches 1st year |
| Chase Freedom Flex | 5% back in rotating categories | $200 sign-up bonus |
Be sure to pay off the full statement balance each month to avoid interest and reap the most rewards.
Expert Tips to Save the Most at Walmart
As an ecommerce expert and Walmart shopper, I recommend these best practices to get the most cash back:
Use a debit card – Debit allows up to $100 cash back versus $20 for checks or $120 for credit.
Know the daily limits – You can make 3 cash back transactions per 24-hour period. Space them out to maximize.
Use Walmart Pay – When you need $20-40 cash but aren‘t shopping, Walmart Pay is the easiest no-purchase option.
Pay with a cash back rewards credit card – Earn up to 5% back in rewards on top of the cash back from Walmart.
Watch for cash back promotions – Occasionally Walmart offers bonus promotional cash back for certain events or when using specific payment brands.
Consider cash back at Sam‘s Club – Sam‘s Club (owned by Walmart) offers up to $1000 cash back per visit for members.
The Bottom Line
Getting cash back on Walmart purchases can give your budget a little extra boost. Now that you know the ins and outs of Walmart‘s cash back policy, you can take advantage the next time you shop.
Hopefully this guide provided you with everything you need to know to maximize cash back rewards at Walmart. Let us know if you have any other questions!
