No, Walmart Does Not Sell Amazon Gift Cards – Here‘s Your Best Alternative
As an experienced Amazon seller, one of the most common questions I receive around the holidays is "Can I buy Amazon gift cards at Walmart?"
The short answer is no, you cannot currently purchase Amazon gift cards at any Walmart retail locations or on Walmart.com. I know – it‘s surprising given Walmart‘s immense selection of gift cards from other major brands.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll explain why Walmart doesn‘t sell gift cards for its biggest competitor, where you can buy Amazon cards, and insider tips to save.
Why Walmart Doesn‘t Sell Amazon Gift Cards
As an online shopping pioneer, Amazon dominates the US ecommerce market, commanding 41.4% of retail ecommerce sales according to eMarketer data. Walmart comes in second with just 7.1% market share.
Simply put, as direct competitors, it makes little sense for Walmart to sell gift cards that fund their biggest rival Amazon‘s enormous revenue stream.
In 2021, Amazon reported a staggering $469 billion in net sales. Meanwhile, Walmart hit $566 billion in total revenue, but this includes brick-and-mortar sales. For Walmart to willingly give up any portion of sales to Amazon goes against their own business interests.
Selling competitor gift cards can also send mixed signals to consumers about brand relationships and loyalty. Retailers aim to incentivize customers to keep spending within their own ecosystem.
That‘s why you‘ll only find gift cards supporting Walmart‘s strategic partnerships in-stores, like:
- Apple
- Starbucks
- Chick-fil-A
- PlayStation
Occasionally retailers do cross certain competitive boundaries. For example, Target sells a select variety of Starbucks branded products despite operating its own in-store cafes.
However, Amazon and Walmart sit firmly on opposite sides of the ring when it comes to retail, so Amazon gift cards are off the table.
Where You Can Buy Amazon Gift Cards
Now just because you can‘t buy Amazon gift cards at Walmart doesn‘t mean there aren‘t plenty of other convenient places to get them!
Here are the top 10 retailers that offer physical and digital Amazon gift cards for all of your gifting needs:
Physical Gift Card Retailers
- Whole Foods – Owned by Amazon, pickup while grocery shopping!
- Safeway – Many grocery and delivery options
- Best Buy – Frequently find great gift card deals here
- Staples – Amazon cards stocked year round
- GameStop – Perfect for the gamer gift recipient
- CVS – Easy access at over 9,900 locations
- Rite Aid
- Kroger – Often has purchase promotions for cardholders
Digital Gift Card Retailers
- Amazon.com – Delivered via email or printable at home
- GiftCardMall.com – Great selection of digital cards
Beyond the major chains, you can find a wide assortment of Amazon gift card options at gas stations, convenience stores, office supply shops, and pharmacies. Don‘t limit your search to big box stores!
I recommend calling ahead to verify availability at your local retailers. As a seller, I‘ve found hidden gift card gems at surprising small businesses in my community too.
Amazon Products Not Sold at Walmart
Gift cards aren‘t the only popular Amazon items you won‘t find on Walmart shelves. Amazon proprietary products like Kindle e-readers, Fire tablets, Echo smart devices, and Ring doorbells are also nowhere to be found for the same competitive reasons.
You‘ll have to purchase these directly from Amazon or at another retailer like Target or Best Buy if you want to see them in person before buying.
But here‘s the upside for deal-seeking shoppers like you…
Walmart Price Matches Amazon
Walmart offers in-store price matching against many top retailers including Amazon and Target. So if you find a better price on Amazon for an identical item, Walmart will match it at checkout when you show proof of the competitor‘s price.
This makes Walmart a great option for picking up the exact products carried on Amazon – just at lower matched prices. Walmart‘s price match policy helps you as a shopper avoid paying the Amazon retail markup.
So don‘t fear, with a few extra steps you can still purchase Amazon‘s full lineup of products and gift cards at other major retailers. It just takes a little more searching than being able to conveniently buy them at Walmart.
Which brings me to my next point…
Expert Tips to Save on Amazon Gift Cards
Take it from me, an experienced ecommerce seller – buying gift cards at full price is rarely necessary if you know where and how to shop. Here are my top insider tips for scoring deals on Amazon gift cards:
1. Buy discounted gift cards from resellers
Sites like CardCash and Raise sell new and used gift cards at lowered prices. You can often save up to 20% buying discounted Amazon cards.
2. Use a rewards credit card
Maximize the points, miles, or cash back your credit card offers for gift card purchases. The right card can help offset the cost.
3. Watch for gift card promotions
Retailers will often run promotions like "Spend $50, get a $10 gift card" or "Buy a $25 gift card, get 10% off your total purchase."
4. Shop during optimal times of year
Gift card sales tend to occur around the holidays and as retailers clear out inventory in January.
5. Check warehouse clubs
Costco, Sam‘s Club, and BJ‘s sell gift card multi-packs at reduced per-card rates.
6. Sign up for retail loyalty programs
Cardholders will receive exclusive gift card offers and discounted pricing.
7. Use cash back apps
Apps like Rakuten, Drop, and Ibotta offer cash back on qualifying gift card purchases. All those little rebates add up!
8. Buy open-box gift cards
If you don‘t mind a card in used condition,buy open-box cards on sites like eBay to save. Ensure proper balance when purchasing.
Follow these tips and with a little strategic shopping, you can find great deals on Amazon gift cards beyond what Walmart offers.
Creative Ways to Gift Amazon Gift Cards
Rather than just handing off a gift card, I like to get creative with how I gift them to make it more fun and personalized. Here are some of my favorite presentation ideas:
Place the gift card in a small box filled with the recipient‘s favorite candy or snacks.
Create a DIY movie gift basket with gift cards, microwave popcorn, DVDs and candy.
Stuff the gift card into a small holiday decoration like a mini stocking or ornament.
Present it with a personalized card listing some of their favorite Amazon products for inspiration.
For a tech lover, pair the gift card with fun accessories like Bluetooth speakers or charging cables.
Surprise them by virtually sending an Amazon e-gift card to their inbox when they least expect it.
With a little thought, you can turn an ordinary gift card into a memorable gift experience. And these ideas work for any occasion, not just the holidays.
The bottom line is don‘t let Walmart‘s lack of Amazon gift cards stop you from shopping. With abundant other retailers carrying Amazon cards, and savvy shopping strategies, you can easily purchase gift cards for less. Hopefully this guide gave you some helpful insights and creative inspiration. Happy gifting, friends! Please reach out if you ever have any other Amazon-related questions.
