Does Walmart Accept Visa & MasterCard Gift Cards In 2022?

The short answer is yes, Walmart accepts both Visa and Mastercard gift cards as payment methods for purchases online and in their stores as of 2022.

With a Visa or Mastercard gift card, you can buy almost anything at Walmart, except for other gift cards. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through exactly how and where you can use Visa and Mastercard gift cards at Walmart.

Gift Card Usage Statistics

First, let’s look at some stats on gift card usage to understand their popularity:

• According to the National Retail Federation, gift cards were the most requested holiday gift in 2021 with 61% of respondents wanting gift cards.

• Per Blackhawk Network, 86% of consumers have shopped with a gift card in the past year.

• A poll by TTPM found that 72% of gift card recipients spent 38% over the face value of the card – they tend to encourage more spending!

• Blackhawk Network found that shoppers prefer open-loop gift cards (usable anywhere) over closed-loop (single merchant), with Visa and Mastercard topping the list.

So gift cards, especially open-loop Visa and Mastercard versions, are a sought-after gift that sees heavy usage and spending. This makes them a great option for Walmart purchases.

Who Shops at Walmart?

When writing this guide, it’s helpful to keep in mind who the average Walmart shopper is:

• According to Numerator, Walmart’s highest demographic is lower-middle income households earning $30,000 – $50,000 per year.

• Numerator found 67% of Walmart shoppers are age 45 or older.

• Walmart has a focus on budget-conscious shoppers looking for everyday low prices.

• Per 2021 data, grocery makes up 56% of Walmart’s annual sales at $141 billion.

So when explaining how to use gift cards at Walmart, we can tailor the information to older, lower-middle income shoppers buying primarily grocery and household essentials.

How Walmart Accepts Gift Cards

• According to Walmart, they allow customers to use Visa and Mastercard gift cards both in stores and online for purchases.

• This is because Walmart accepts regular Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards, so their systems are set up to take the gift card versions as well.

• At checkout, the gift card is processed as a regular Visa/Mastercard prepaid debit transaction.

• The purchase amount is deducted from the balance and no cash is returned if there is money left on the card.

So knowing Walmart’s payment processing capabilities helps explain why gift cards are seamlessly accepted.

Now let‘s dive into step-by-step guides for using Visa and Mastercard gift cards at Walmart in-store and online.

How To Use a Visa Gift Card at Walmart

Paying with a Visa gift card at Walmart is quick and easy:

In Walmart Stores

First, double check that your Visa gift card is activated – most are ready to use immediately when purchased.

Then, when checking out at a Walmart store:

• Let the cashier know you’ll be paying with a Visa gift card.

• They will scan or swipe the card through their payment terminal.

• If you’re using a self-checkout register, simply swipe the gift card yourself when it’s time to pay.

• The gift card balance will cover some or all of your purchase total.

• If the balance doesn’t cover the full amount, pay the difference with another payment method.

It’s that simple to use a Visa gift card in-store at Walmart! The cashier processes it just like any other Visa debit or credit card.

At Walmart.com

Using a Visa gift card on Walmart’s website is also easy:

• Shop on Walmart.com and add items to your cart as normal.

• Proceed to checkout and select “Pay with a debit or credit card” for payment.

• Type in the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and security code from your Visa gift card when prompted.

• Enter the rest of the requested billing details.

• The gift card balance will be applied to your order total.

• Use another payment method if the balance doesn’t cover the full amount.

And you‘re done! The process is the same as paying with a regular Visa credit or debit card online.

So use your Visa gift card hassle-free both in Walmart stores and at Walmart.com!

How To Use a Mastercard Gift Card at Walmart

Mastercard gift cards also let you seamlessly shop at Walmart:

In Walmart Stores

• Activate the Mastercard gift card first if required. Most are ready out of the box.

• When checking out, tell the cashier you’ll pay with a Mastercard gift card.

• They’ll scan or swipe the card through the payment terminal.

• If using self-checkout, swipe the gift card yourself when prompted.

• The card balance goes toward the transaction total.

• Pay any remaining balance with another payment type if needed.

Just like Visa, paying with a Mastercard gift card in-store is quick and easy thanks to Walmart’s payment systems accepting Mastercard.

At Walmart.com

Using a Mastercard gift card on Walmart’s website only takes a few steps:

• Shop on Walmart.com and proceed to checkout when ready.

• Choose “Pay with a debit or credit card” and enter the 16-digit number, expiration date, and security code from the gift card when prompted.

• Finish filling out the billing details.

• The gift card balance will apply towards your order total.

• Use another payment method if the balance doesn’t cover the full amount.

• Mastercard gift cards work just like regular Mastercard debit/credit cards online.

So you can seamlessly use your Mastercard gift card for shopping in-store or on Walmart.com!

Where Can You Use Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards at Walmart?

Visa and Mastercard gift cards are widely accepted at Walmart locations including:

• Walmart supercenters – Walmart’s large-format general merchandise stores with groceries, clothing, home goods, auto services, etc. This is where most people shop with gift cards.

• Walmart Neighborhood Markets – Walmart’s smaller-format grocery stores. Accepts gift cards at checkout.

• Sam’s Club – Walmart’s membership warehouse chain. Scan gift cards at checkout or enter details online.

• Murphy USA and Murphy Express – Gas station chains owned by Walmart located near many stores. Pay at the counter inside with gift cards.

So anywhere regular Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted, the gift card versions can be used too!

What You Can Buy With Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards at Walmart

Gift cards allow you to purchase almost anything at Walmart in-store and online, with one exception:

You cannot buy other gift cards with a Visa or Mastercard gift card at Walmart.

This means you can’t purchase:

• Walmart gift cards
• Other Visa or Mastercard gift cards
• Closed-loop gift cards like Starbucks, Target, Amazon, etc.

Walmart does not allow you to buy any gift cards using a gift card – it must be a regular form of payment like cash, debit, or credit card.

Aside from that, you can buy almost anything else at Walmart with a Visa or Mastercard gift card, such as:

• Groceries
• Pharmacy prescriptions
• Electronics
• Toys
• Apparel
• Home goods
• Beauty items
• Furniture
• Sporting goods
• Auto accessories
• Gasoline at Murphy USA/Express
• And more!

So feel free to use your Visa or Mastercard gift card balance for any normal Walmart purchases except buying other gift cards.

Statistics on Gift Card Usage at Walmart

Here are some interesting stats on how gift cards are used at Walmart specifically:

• According to Blackhawk Network, Walmart was the most popular retailer for gift card purchases in 2021 – so lots of gift cards end up being redeemed there!

• Blackhawk’s data shows Walmart ranked 3rd for gift card usage among all retailers in 2021 as well.

• Per stats from GiftCards.com, the average Walmart gift card balance is $43 – so being able to combine a Visa/Mastercard gift card with a Walmart one is helpful.

• Gift card usage peaks in December with the holidays, and Walmart sees a 40% increase in gift card redemptions this month according to GiftCards.com data.

So Walmart is a top choice for both buying and using gift cards, especially Visa and Mastercard versions that can be spent almost anywhere.

Buying Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards at Walmart

While we’ve focused on using Visa and Mastercard gift cards at Walmart, it’s good to know Walmart also sells a variety of these gift cards directly:

Physical Gift Cards

Walmart stores and their website sell physical Visa and Mastercard branded gift cards in set amounts:

• $25 – $3.44 purchase fee
• $50 – $4.94 purchase fee
• $100 – $6.88 purchase fee
• $200 – $6.88 purchase fee

eGift Cards

Walmart also offers emailable Visa and Mastercard eGift cards you can send online. These can be loaded from $25 to $200 with purchase fees from $3.44 to $6.88 based on the amount.

So if you’re shopping for a gift card at Walmart, you’ll find plenty of Visa and Mastercard options in-store or online to give family and friends.

Tips for Using Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards at Walmart

Here are some top tips for smoothly using your Visa or Mastercard gift card for shopping at Walmart:

• Check the balance by looking at the back of the physical card or calling the number listed in the terms and conditions.

• Bring the activation receipt in case you need to verify details of the gift card.

• Track your balance as you spend to know how much is left on the card and if you need another form of payment.

• Sign the back if there is a signature strip to help protect against theft or loss.

• Treat it like cash since lost or stolen gift cards generally can‘t be replaced.

• Grab a paper gift receipt if purchasing one from Walmart to check any fees.

• Use wallet apps like Apple Wallet or Google Pay to easily store digital versions of the card.

• Set email alerts if the gift card provider offers them so you can monitor the balance and transactions.

Following these tips will help you get the most out of paying with gift cards!

Can You Get Cash Back?

One limitation of Visa and Mastercard gift cards at Walmart is that any leftover balance stays on the card:

• Walmart does not offer cash back or change when using a gift card for purchases.

• Any remaining funds stay on the card to be used for future shopping.

So make sure to track your gift card balance and use it until the funds are depleted. You can’t convert unused funds to cash.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of ground on using Visa and Mastercard gift cards at Walmart! To recap:

• Yes, Walmart accepts Visa and Mastercard gift cards as payment both in stores and online.

• You can buy almost anything with the gift card balance except for other gift cards.

• To use a gift card at Walmart, just swipe or scan it at checkout in-store. Enter the details online like a normal Visa/Mastercard.

• Walmart also sells a variety of Visa and Mastercard gift cards in-store and on their website.

• With a few tips, you can easily maximize gift cards for purchases at Walmart.

So next time you receive a Visa or Mastercard gift card, enjoy seamlessly using it for shopping at Walmart for the holidays, groceries, gas, or any other everyday needs!