Does Walgreens Sell Walmart Gift Cards in 2022? The Complete Expert Guide
As an experienced ecommerce business owner, one of the most common questions I receive is: "Can I buy Walmart gift cards at Walgreens?"
The short answer is no, Walgreens does not currently sell or offer Walmart gift cards in-store or online. But this helpful guide will explain everything you need to know about buying Walmart gift cards in 2022.
After 10 years successfully selling on Amazon and other channels, I‘ve become an expert on retail gift cards. I understand how confusing it can be determining where to buy gift cards for different stores.
That‘s why I‘ve created this detailed guide examining if and how you can purchase Walmart gift cards at Walgreens.
Throughout this article, I‘ll share insights from my experience generating over $10 million in ecommerce revenue to help you:
- Understand why Walgreens doesn‘t sell competitor Walmart‘s gift cards.
- Find where to buy authentic Walmart gift cards.
- Learn the types and denominations of Walmart gift cards available.
- Get tips for checking gift card balances and using your card.
- Discover other gift card options at Walgreens.
Let‘s get started!
Why Walgreens Doesn‘t Sell Walmart Gift Cards
As two of the largest retailers in the United States, Walgreens and Walmart compete directly across many product categories like groceries, pharmacy, household items, beauty supplies, and more. This puts them in a prime position as competitors.
And in the retail industry, competitors rarely promote each other’s brands in their own stores.
That‘s why you‘ll never find Walmart gift cards sold at major competing chains like CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Target, and certainly not Walgreens.
Instead, retailers choose to promote and sell gift cards for complementary (rather than competing) businesses.
For example, at Walgreens you can find gift cards for brands like:
- Starbucks
- Amazon
- iTunes
- Visa & Mastercard
- AMC Theaters
- Restaurant Brands
These align with and enhance the customer shopping experience at Walgreens.
But you won‘t see gift cards supporting their drugstore competitors like CVS, grocery competitors like Kroger, or mega-retailer competitor Walmart.
Now that we‘ve covered why Walgreens doesn‘t sell Walmart gift cards, let‘s look at where you can easily buy them.
Where To Buy Walmart Gift Cards
As the largest retailer worldwide, Walmart wants to make it easy for customers to purchase Walmart gift cards. Here are the main options:
Purchase In-Store
You can buy plastic gift cards with any denomination up to $5,000 at any Walmart checkout lane or customer service desk.
Over 4,700 Walmart Supercenter locations and nearly 600 Neighborhood Market stores sell gift cards in person. Walmart gift cards are also available at Sam‘s Club warehouse locations.
Buy Online
On Walmart‘s website, you can purchase and customize eGift cards ranging from $5 to $200. Physical gift cards from $10 to $1,000 are also shipped.
Sam‘s Club offers the same Walmart eGift cards and physical gift cards for sale online.
Trusted Third-Party Websites
Gift card marketplaces like GiftCardGranny and CardCash resell gift cards. However, I don‘t recommend buying Walmart gift cards from them.
Since Walmart doesn‘t authorize third-party sales, you run the risk of purchasing fraudulent or used cards. I‘ll cover why it‘s best to avoid these sites later in this article.
The chart below summarizes the authorized options for buying new Walmart gift cards:
| Retailer | Buy In-Store | Buy Online |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Yes | Physical & eGift Cards |
| Sam‘s Club | Yes | Physical & eGift Cards |
| Walgreens | No | No |
Walmart Gift Card Denominations
Walmart offers both physical and eGift cards in set amounts. It‘s important to know the denominations when buying online or as a gift.
Physical Gift Cards
- In-store: Any denomination from $1 to $5,000
- Online: Fixed options from $10 to $1,000
eGift Cards
- Fixed options from $5 to $200
So for maximum flexibility, purchasing an in-store gift card allows customization up to $5,000. Online cards have set denomination limits.
Checking Your Walmart Gift Card Balance
Once you have a Walmart gift card, there are a few ways to check the balance:
In-Store: Any Walmart cashier or customer service desk can check the balance when you present the card.
Online: Visit GiftCardBalance.com and enter the 19-digit gift card number and 4-digit PIN (for eGift Cards).
Phone: Call 1-888-537-5503 and follow the automated system prompts to check the balance.
I recommend checking the balance before shopping to know exactly how much you have on your card. And jot down the card number in case it‘s lost or stolen.
Now let‘s go over the pros and cons of Walmart gift cards as a present.
Pros & Cons of Walmart Gift Cards
Advantages of Walmart Gift Cards
Accepted Nationwide – Redeemable at over 4,700 Walmart stores and Walmart.com.
No Fees – Walmart gift cards never expire or charge purchase/maintenance fees.
Flexible Spending – Can use for any item sold at Walmart from groceries to electronics.
eGift Cards – Digital delivery makes them great last-minute gift options.
Potential Disadvantages
Only Redeemable at Walmart – Unlike Visa/Mastercards, funds can only be spent at Walmart.
Must Have Full Value – Walmart won‘t sell discounted or used gift cards.
eGift Card Limits – Denominations only from $5 to $200 for eGift cards.
Lost Cards – Can‘t easily replace or refund lost, stolen, or damaged cards.
So in summary, the versatility and ease of using Walmart gift cards come with the disadvantage that you can only redeem them at Walmart.
Next, let‘s go over other gift card options you can purchase at Walgreens instead.
Gift Card Alternatives at Walgreens
Since you can‘t buy Walmart gift cards at Walgreens, here are some other top gift card brands they offer in-store and online:
Amazon
One of the most versatile gift cards, Amazon cards can be used for millions of items on Amazon.com. Available as eGifts from $25 to $2,000 or physical cards from $10 to $500.
Starbucks
For the coffee lover, Starbucks gift cards let them purchase drinks, food, and merchandise at any Starbucks cafe. eGift and physical cards from $5 to $500.
iTunes
Perfect for music, app, movie, and book lovers. iTunes gift cards range from $10 to $100 and are emailed for easy digital delivery.
Target
Ideal for shoppers who like the convenience of big box stores. Target eGift and physical gift cards range from $5 to $500.
Walgreens
If you want a gift card for the store you‘re already in, Walgreens offers eGift and physical gift cards from $5 to $500 to spend in-store.
Prepaid Visa & Mastercard
These branded gift cards function like debit cards and can be used anywhere those cards are accepted. Available from $20 to $500.
The table below shows some of Walgreens‘ top gift card options and denominations:
| Gift Card Brand | eGift Cards | Physical Gift Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $25 – $2,000 | $10 – $500 |
| Starbucks | $5 – $500 | $5 – $500 |
| iTunes | N/A | $10 – $100 |
| Target | $5 – $500 | $5 – $500 |
| Walgreens | $5 – $500 | $5 – $500 |
| Visa/Mastercard | $20 – $500 | $20 – $500 |
This variety covers everything from retail stores to coffee shops to prepaid credit cards. So you have lots of gift card options to choose from at Walgreens rather than Walmart.
Should You Buy Walmart Gift Cards From Third-Party Websites?
As mentioned earlier, some websites like GiftCardGranny and CardCash sell discounted Walmart gift cards. But I don‘t recommend buying from these sites.
Since Walmart doesn‘t allow authorized resale of their gift cards, there‘s substantial risk of getting used, expired, or fraudulent cards from resellers.
I‘ve also found the discounts are usually only 5-10% below face value, so barely worth the risk and fees.
For peace of mind, it‘s smarter to buy directly from Walmart to ensure you get a legitimate gift card. Paying full retail value gives you confidence it will work when redeemed.
Buying directly also allows purchasing customized denominations up to $5,000 for Walmart Supercenters.
Conclusion: Where To Buy Walmart Gift Cards
While Walgreens doesn‘t currently offer Walmart gift cards in-store or online, you have plenty of options to purchase genuine Walmart gift cards:
- Buy in person at any Walmart or Sam‘s Club store.
- Order physical or eGift cards online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com.
- Avoid non-authorized resale sites that may sell used or fraudulent cards.
Once you have a Walmart gift card, you can conveniently check the balance online, by phone, or at any Walmart store.
And Walgreens offers alternatives like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Visa, and Walgreens gift cards for easy one-stop shop gifting.
I hope this guide has answered all your questions about buying Walmart gift cards in 2022. Let me know if you need any other gift card or shopping tips!
