Does Walmart Buy Gift Cards in 2026? (Must Know Hack…)
Hey there! Have you ever gotten a gift card that you just know you‘ll never use? Maybe it‘s for a store you don‘t shop at or a restaurant that‘s not your taste. Or perhaps you‘d rather just have the cash to spend on something else. I‘ve totally been there! Gift cards can feel like getting a homework assignment instead of a gift.
If this sounds familiar, I‘ve got great news for you. Walmart offers an easy online program to exchange unwanted gift cards for Walmart eGift cards. This lets you get value from old gift cards and spend the money at Walmart stores or on Walmart.com.
In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about trading in gift cards to Walmart in 2022. I‘ll cover:
- How much cash or credit you can get for trading in gift cards
- What types of gift cards Walmart buys
- Step-by-step details on Walmart‘s gift card exchange process
- How you‘ll receive your Walmart eGift card
- If you can use a digital Walmart gift card in stores
- Whether you can swap gift cards directly at Walmart locations
- Plus lots more details as an avid Walmart shopper myself!
Let‘s get started.
Can I Exchange Gift Cards at Walmart in 2022?
The short answer is yes! In 2022, Walmart continues to buy back unwanted gift cards through their partnership with CardCash.
This program allows you to securely trade-in gift cards from over 200 popular merchants, including Target, Starbucks, Amazon, and more. In return, you‘ll receive a Walmart eGift card at up to 95% of the card‘s original value.
Walmart‘s gift card exchange is entirely online through CardCash. You can‘t currently swap gift cards directly at Walmart stores. But the online process is quick and convenient without any mail-in hassle.
Now, let‘s look at exactly how much you can get and the step-by-step exchange process details.
How Much Money Can I Get for Trading In Gift Cards to Walmart?
When you exchange gift cards through the Walmart and CardCash program, you can choose to get cash back or a Walmart eGift card. Here‘s an overview of how much value you can expect to recover:
Cash Back Option
If you select cash as your payout method, you‘ll generally receive 70-80% of the original gift card value.
For example:
- $100 Home Depot gift card = $70-$80 cash back
- $50 Bath & Body Works gift card = $35-$40 cash back
The rate depends on the brand of the gift card along with current supply and demand. But you can typically expect around 75% cash back.
Walmart eGift Card Option
Choosing a Walmart eGift card instead allows you to get 80-95% of the unused gift card‘s face value.
Walmart intentionally offers higher value for their own gift cards to incentivize consumers to spend at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com.
Here are some examples:
- $75 Starbucks gift card = $60-$65 Walmart eGift card
- $100 Amazon gift card = $85-$95 Walmart eGift card
- $50 Olive Garden gift card = $45 Walmart eGift card
As you can see, the Walmart eGift card return rate is noticeably higher, so you‘ll get more benefit going this route.
Average Return Rate
Based on current rates across the most popular gift card brands, here is the average value you can expect to recover:
| Payout Method | Average Return Rate |
|---|---|
| Cash Back | 70-80% |
| Walmart eGift Card | 85-90% |
The Walmart gift card ends up being the better deal with an average of 87.5% compared to 75% cash back.
So if maximizing the value from your unwanted gift card is the goal, go for the Walmart eGift card option whenever possible!
What Gift Cards Does Walmart Buy Back Through CardCash?
Walmart partners with CardCash to handle the gift card exchange program. CardCash buys and sells gift cards from over 200 of the top brands and merchants.
Some of the most in-demand gift cards you can currently trade in for Walmart credit include:
- Target
- Starbucks
- Amazon
- Olive Garden
- Chipotle
- Home Depot
- Best Buy
- Lowe‘s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- PetSmart
- Bass Pro Shops
- Xbox
- PlayStation
- Sephora
- Lululemon
- Nike
- adidas
- Nordstrom
- American Eagle
- Foot Locker
And many more – see the full list of eligible gift cards here.
The inventory of gift cards available is constantly updated based on supply and demand. Make sure to check back frequently if you don‘t see a particular brand, as new options are added regularly.
You can also try reaching out to CardCash customer support to request brands you‘d like to see added. They are constantly expanding the selection.
Step-By-Step Guide to Exchanging Gift Cards at Walmart
Trading in your unwanted gift cards through the Walmart and CardCash program is really simple. Here is the full process step-by-step:
Step 1: Visit CardCash.com
Go to the CardCash website and click on "Sell a Gift Card" at the top of the page. This will take you to the gift card exchange portal.
Step 2: Enter Your Gift Card Details
On the gift card exchange page, you‘ll need to enter the following details about the gift card you want to trade in:
- Gift card merchant (e.g. Target, Starbucks, etc.)
- Gift card number
- Gift card PIN or security code
- Remaining gift card balance
For physical plastic gift cards, you may need to upload a picture showing the card details as well.
Step 3: Review Offer Quote
Once you provide the necessary gift card specifics, CardCash will give you a guaranteed offer showing:
- Cash value if you want payout via PayPal or check
- Walmart eGift card value (typically higher)
Be sure to pay attention to any expiration dates as well.
Step 4: Accept the Offer
If you‘re satisfied with the quoted Walmart eGift card amount, accept the offer to move forward.
Step 5: Complete Transaction
Finish the checkout process by providing your email address along with any other contact or payment details required.
And that‘s it – the gift card exchange is complete!
The whole process takes just a few minutes from start to finish. Much faster than having to mail anything in.
How Do I Receive My Walmart eGift Card?
Once your gift card trade-in is complete, you‘ll receive the Walmart eGift card directly to the email you provided at checkout.
In most cases, the eGift card is delivered within minutes after the transaction is processed. But it may take up to one business day.
The eGift card will come as a digital code along with a link to access your gift card balance and redemption instructions.
You can print or save the Walmart eGift card in your email to use online or in-store. The convenient digital delivery means no waiting around for a plastic card in the mail.
One thing to note is that Walmart eGift cards cannot be redeemed for cash. The funds must be spent on Walmart merchandise or groceries in-store or online.
Can I Use a Walmart eGift Card In Stores?
Yes, you can absolutely use your Walmart eGift card to shop in-store at any Walmart location. Here are two easy ways to redeem it:
1. Print the eGift Card
Open up the Walmart eGift card email on your computer or phone and print out the attached gift card. Take this paper copy to the store and give it to the cashier when checking out.
2. Display on Your Phone
Save or take a screenshot of the eGift card email on your smartphone. When you go to checkout, show the cashier the gift card barcode on your phone screen for them to scan.
As long as the barcode is legible, the funds will be applied just like a regular plastic gift card.
The ability to redeem eGift cards in-store makes the digital card extremely convenient. You don‘t have to stick to online shopping only.
Can I Exchange Gift Cards at Walmart Stores?
At this time, Walmart does not offer in-store gift card exchanges. The buy back program through CardCash is only available online.
If you have a physical plastic gift card, you‘ll need to manually enter the card details like the number and PIN on the CardCash website.
The process is secure without requiring you to mail in the actual card. But if you prefer swapping gift cards in person, Target does have kiosks at select locations to exchange cards on the spot.
Unfortunately exchanging gift cards at Walmart store customer service desks is not possible currently. But the online process through CardCash is quick and easy.
Do I Need to Mail In My Gift Cards to Exchange at Walmart?
Nope! One of the great conveniences of Walmart‘s gift card program is that there is no mailing required.
You don‘t have to package up your physical gift cards and ship them out to complete the exchange process.
Instead, you simply enter all the important gift card details like the number, PIN, balance, etc on the CardCash website. No need to mail the actual plastic cards.
Once your Walmart eGift card is delivered via email, you can safely discard your old gift cards knowing they hold no value anymore. It‘s a hassle-free exchange!
Pro Tips for Getting Maximum Value
If you want to get the best return when exchanging gift cards to Walmart, keep these tips in mind:
- Pick Walmart eGift Card over cash – You‘ll recoup 80-95% rather than just 70-80% of the value
- Sell quickly – Exchange gift cards within 6 months for optimal value
- Take advantage of promotions – CardCash periodically offers deals like 5-15% bonus trade-in value
- Trade gift cards with at least $25 balance – Minimum amount required by most retailers
- Know the expiration – Use gift cards before they expire to maximize the exchange value
Following this advice can help ensure you squeeze every last cent out of those unwanted gift cards!
The Bottom Line
Trading in gift cards through Walmart‘s online exchange program is an excellent way to clear out old unused cards and get maximum value from them.
Rather than letting gift cards go to waste or losing them in a drawer, you can easily exchange them for Walmart eGift cards to spend on anything in their stores and online.
The top takeaways about Walmart‘s gift card buyback program are:
- Exchange is done securely online through CardCash – no mailing in cards
- Can trade gift cards from over 200 top brands
- Receive 70-80% value for cash back or 80-95% in Walmart eGift cards
- Funds can be spent in-store or online at Walmart
- Entire process is quick, convenient, and hassle-free!
No more stressing about what to do with unwanted gift cards. Walmart offers a flexible solution to get money you can actually use rather than credits for a store you‘ll never shop at.
So next time you get a gift card that makes you think "Ugh, I‘m never going to use this," think again! Take 2 minutes to exchange it for free spendable cash at Walmart. It‘s a game changer.
I hope this guide gave you all the details on how Walmart‘s gift card exchange program works as a loyal Walmart shopper myself. Let me know if you have any other questions!