Does CVS Sell Walmart Gift Cards In 2026? (Full Guide)

Walmart and CVS are two of the biggest retailers in the United States, offering customers a wide selection of products at affordable prices. However, as major competitors, CVS does not currently sell Walmart gift cards at its store locations or online.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain why CVS doesn’t sell Walmart gift cards, recommend where you can buy official Walmart gift cards, discuss alternative gift card options available for purchase at CVS, and more.

Does CVS Sell Walmart Gift Cards?

The short answer is no, CVS does not sell gift cards for Walmart stores as of 2022.

CVS and Walmart have significant overlap in their target demographics and the products and services offered. As major rivals, CVS does not want to support or enable spending at Walmart, so you won’t find Walmart gift cards at CVS pharmacies.

Instead, Walmart gift cards are primarily sold at Walmart stores, on Walmart.com, and at Sam’s Club locations.

Why Doesn’t CVS Sell Walmart Gift Cards?

There are several key reasons why CVS doesn’t sell gift cards for Walmart:

• Direct competitors – Walmart and CVS have an overlapping target audience and compete across pharmacy, health and wellness, cosmetics, groceries, and other product categories. CVS does not want to aid its competitor by selling Walmart gift cards.

• Avoid promoting competitor – Selling Walmart gift cards would advertise and promote spending at Walmart rather than CVS. CVS wants to encourage shoppers to spend at CVS instead.

• Financial support – Gift card sales would provide a revenue stream for Walmart, CVS‘s major rival. CVS does not want to financially support or benefit Walmart.

• Keep customers loyal – By not offering Walmart gift cards, CVS aims to retain more customer loyalty and spending in its own stores rather than having shoppers defect to Walmart.

In general, you will not find large retailers selling gift cards for their direct competitors in-store or online. Customers should check with customer service if looking for a specific retailer‘s gift card at CVS.

Where To Buy a Walmart Gift Card

While you can’t buy Walmart gift cards at CVS, there are several places you can purchase official Walmart gift cards:

• Walmart stores – Walmart gift cards are sold at customer service desks in all Walmart locations. Both physical and eGift cards are available.

• Walmart.com – You can buy personalized eGift cards directly through Walmart’s website to be delivered to your email or recipient‘s email.

• Sam’s Club – Walmart gift cards can be purchased conveniently at Sam’s Club warehouse locations.

• Reseller marketplaces – Sites like Amazon, eBay, and PayPal sell Walmart gift cards through third-party sellers. Validity cannot be guaranteed on resale sites.

When buying directly from Walmart, you can choose any denomination between $5 to $500 for Walmart gift cards. eGift cards can also be customized with various designs.

Gift Cards Available at CVS Stores

While Walmart gift cards are not an option, CVS offers a huge selection of nearly 100 different gift card brands that you can buy in-store or online.

Some of the most popular gift cards available at CVS include:

• Visa/Mastercard/Amex Open Loop Gift Cards – Can be used anywhere
• Target
• Starbucks
• Amazon
• Netflix
• Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic
• Best Buy
• Home Depot
• Macy‘s
• Marshall‘s
• TJ Maxx

CVS also sells greeting cards and prepaid cards that can be loaded with funds and used like gift cards at most major retailers who accept credit/debit cards. This includes options like:

• Vanilla Visa Gift Card
• Green Dot Prepaid Mastercard
• Netspend Prepaid Visa Card
• OneVanilla Prepaid Visa Card

However, prepaid cards may charge purchase or activation fees. For example, the Vanilla Visa Gift Card has a $4.95 activation fee.

Always check CVS.com or call ahead to your local store to confirm availability of a specific gift card. Inventory can vary by location.

Buying Gift Cards at CVS for Walmart Shoppers

If you need to buy a gift for someone who frequently shops at Walmart, there are some smart alternatives you can purchase at CVS:

For Food/Groceries

• Visa/Amex Open Loop Gift Card – These can be used to buy groceries, food, clothes, or anything else at Walmart.

• Restaurant Gift Cards – Give gift cards for restaurants, coffee shops, fast food chains, etc. if you don‘t want to directly enable Walmart grocery spending.

For Clothes/Home Goods

• Target/Kohl‘s/JCPenney – These competitors sell similar products to Walmart in categories like apparel, home goods, furniture, electronics.

• TJ Maxx/Marshall‘s – Discounter stores like these are alternatives for clothes, shoes, home decor.

• Macy‘s/Gap/Banana Republic – Give gift cards from these apparel brands carried at Walmart.

For Miscellaneous/Variety

• Amazon – With such a vast product selection, an Amazon gift card makes a great catch-all gift.

• Visa/Amex – Open loop cards give maximum flexibility if you don‘t know what the recipient wants.

Should I Buy an Open or Closed Loop Gift Card?

When buying gift cards at retailers like CVS, you‘ll typically choose between:

• Open loop – Cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express that can be used anywhere credit cards are accepted.

• Closed loop – Store-specific gift cards like Gap, Best Buy, etc. that can only be used at that retailer.

Benefits of open loop gift cards:

• Can be used at any store, maximum flexibility
• Never expire
• If unused, you can get your money back

Benefits of closed loop gift cards:

• Allows you to give a gift from a specific store you know the recipient likes
• Encourages them to make a purchase at that retailer
• Often offered at a discount for specific stores

In general, open loop cards provide more flexibility, while closed loop cards are better if you know exactly where the recipient likes to shop.

Buying Gift Cards Online vs In-Store at CVS

Another decision is whether you want to buy gift cards at your local CVS pharmacy or online through CVS.com.

Benefits of buying in-store:

• Immediately able to obtain physical gift card
• Can buy and gift the card in one trip
• Get gift cards not available online

Benefits of buying online

• Wider selection of digital and physical gift cards
• Avoid making a trip to the store
• Can have gift card code emailed on the spot
• Track orders and reprint cards easily

CVS has nearly 100 eGift cards available on CVS.com in addition to physical gift cards sold in-store. Prices are generally the same online and in-store.

Final Take – Walmart vs CVS Gift Cards

While Walmart and CVS have some overlapping product categories and target similar demographics, direct competitors rarely sell gift cards for one another.

If you need a Walmart gift card specifically, your best options are buying directly from Walmart in-store, online, or at Sam‘s Club. For a wider selection of gift cards from other major retailers, CVS offers loads of physical and digital options online and in-store.

Popular alternates to suit Walmart shoppers include open loop Visa/Amex gift cards, Amazon, Target, department stores, restaurants, and other big box stores. Ultimately, buying directly from the merchant is best when giving closed-loop gift cards. For maximum flexibility, open loop cards are preferable.