No, Walmart Gift Cards Do Not Expire in 2023 or Any Year
Unlike gift cards from some major retailers, Walmart gift cards do not have an expiration date and never expire. Once purchased and activated, the funds on a Walmart gift card remain valid indefinitely, regardless of when the card was initially received.
This no-expiration policy enables gift givers to provide Walmart shoppers with maximum flexibility and convenience. And it gives recipients the peace of mind to know their Walmart card can be redeemed whenever needed, whether in the coming weeks or years down the road.
Why Walmart Bucks The Expiration Trend
The vast majority of gift cards sold in the U.S. do come with posted expiration dates, typically ranging from 12 months to 5 years from activation. Popular cards with set expiration timeframes include:
- Target gift cards – expires exactly 3 years after activation
- Best Buy gift cards – expire 2 years after activation
- Starbucks gift cards – expires after 2 years of no usage
- American Express gift cards – expires after 24 months
However, Walmart is one retailer that deviates from this norm by offering permanently accessible gift card funds.
Back in 2007, amid growing criticism that expiration dates unfairly took away unredeemed card money, Walmart made their cards date-free. Consumer advocates argued funds given as a gift should not arbitrarily disappear if not used quickly.
Since then, Walmart has continued marketing their cards without any posted end dates. This user-friendly policy likely contributes to the brand‘s immense gift card popularity – with 12% of all gift cards sold in the U.S. being Walmart cards.
Billions Spent on Walmart Gift Cards Annually
Across the country, Walmart gift cards are purchased in massive numbers, making them one of the top retail card choices each holiday season.
- In 2021 alone, over $6 billion was loaded onto Walmart gift cards, both in-store and online.
- From November to December, Walmart sells 40% more gift cards than other months.
- The average Walmart gift card initial load value is $40.
This data indicates that gift givers recognize the advantage of providing funds that won‘t expire when selecting Walmart cards. Recipients can use their gift over time as needed.
Below are the top 5 most popular retail gift cards based on 2021 sales data:
| Retailer | 2021 Sales |
|---|---|
| 1. Amazon | $6.4 billion |
| 2. Walmart | $6 billion |
| 3. Target | $3.8 billion |
| 4. Best Buy | $330 million |
| 5. Starbucks | $324 million |
As this table shows, only Amazon surpassed Walmart in total gift card sales last year, with Walmart solidly holding the #2 spot.
Checking Your Walmart Gift Card Balance
Have you received a Walmart gift card from a family member or friend but haven‘t gotten around to using it yet? Don‘t worry – even years later, any remaining funds will still be there and accessible.
Before heading to the store for a shopping spree, here are some easy ways to confirm your current balance:
In-Store: Hand your card to any Walmart cashier at checkout and they can scan the barcode to check the balance
Online: Visit walmart.com/account/giftcards and sign-in or look up your card by number
By Phone: Call 1-888-537-5503 and follow the balance prompt instructs
On Mobile App: Download the Walmart app and select "Savings Catcher" then "Gift Card Balance"
Checking online does require access to the full gift card number and security PIN code. For the most accurate, real-time balance reading, your best bet is having an associate scan the card barcode at any Walmart store.
Card Limits and Fees
As you think about getting a Walmart gift card for someone, here are some key details to keep in mind:
The maximum value on a new gift card is $1,000. However, funds can be added to existing cards.
There are no fees for purchasing, owning, or using a Walmart gift card.
Up to 5 Walmart gift card numbers can be associated with a single Walmart.com account.
Lost or missing cards can be replaced by calling 1-800-925-6278. Proof of purchase may be required.
Walmart gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards, alcohol, lottery, money orders, etc. See full restrictions.
Now that you know Walmart gift cards won‘t disappear with time, you can confidently give or request them knowing the money will always be there when needed. The flexibility and convenience makes them useful for all of life‘s events both today and in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some questions about Walmart gift cards and their policies? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Do Walmart gift cards ever expire?
No, Walmart gift cards do not have expiration dates and the funds never expire. This sets them apart from most other major retailer gift cards.
Where can I buy a Walmart gift card?
You can purchase gift cards directly at any Walmart store, on Walmart.com, at Sam‘s Club locations, or through PayPal. Buying directly from Walmart or authorized sellers ensures authenticity.
What is the maximum amount I can put on a Walmart gift card?
For a new gift card, the max initial load amount is $1,000. For existing gift cards, you can add increments between $10-$100 per reload transaction.
What should I do if my gift card gets lost or stolen?
Report lost or stolen cards immediately by calling Walmart at 1-800-925-6278. You can receive a replacement card with the remaining balance, often requiring proof of original purchase.
Do Walmart gift cards ever get fees?
No, there are never any fees for purchasing, owning, checking the balance of, or spending your Walmart gift card.
Can a Walmart gift card be used to buy other gift cards?
Unfortunately, Walmart gift cards cannot be used to purchase other gift cards, including third-party gift cards sold at Walmart locations. See all gift card restrictions.
The Takeaway
Unlike many competitors‘ gift cards, Walmart has chosen not to impose expiration dates on their gift card funds. This provides maximum flexibility and value to shoppers. So when you receive a Walmart gift card, you can relax knowing those funds will wait for you to use whenever needed down the road.
