Does Walmart Make Car Keys In 2022? (Key Types + Price)

Losing your car keys is one of life‘s minor crises. Trust me, I‘ve been there! When you suddenly realize your keys are missing, you probably panic and think, "What am I going to do? I‘ve got to get to work and pick up the kids!"

Not having a spare key can turn your whole day upside down. But before you completely freak out, let me walk you through whether Walmart can help you out in a jam by making a replacement car key.

Can You Get Car Keys Made at Walmart?

The short answer is yes, Walmart does offer key duplication services through MinuteKey kiosks located inside most stores. But these kiosks can only copy basic metal keys – they aren‘t able to duplicate modern transponder or RFID chip keys.

To give you the long, detailed answer, here is a comprehensive overview of Walmart‘s car key copying services:

• Does Walmart have key copying kiosks?
• What types of car keys can be duplicated?
• How much does Walmart charge for car keys?
• What payment methods does Walmart accept?
• Are there any keys Walmart can’t copy?
• Step-by-step guide to using Walmart‘s key kiosks

I‘ll walk you through what to expect if you need a car key made at Walmart, including prices, key types they can handle, and exactly how to use the MinuteKey kiosks. Let‘s dig in!

Which Walmarts Have Key Copying Kiosks?

With over 10,000 Walmart stores across all 50 states, your first question is probably “Does the Walmart near me offer key duplication?”

The good news is that most Walmarts do have a MinuteKey kiosk, but not every single location. To confirm your nearby stores, use the MinuteKey Kiosk Locator and enter your zip code.

For example, I checked my hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and 17 of the 19 Walmarts in the area showed up as having MinuteKey kiosks. So odds are good your local store provides the service, but calling ahead or using the locator saves you a wasted trip if yours happens to be one without it.

Once you’ve confirmed your Walmart has a kiosk, you can typically find it near the front of the store in the checkout area. Look for the bright green MinuteKey branding. If you have trouble locating it, any employee can point you in the right direction.

What Kind of Car Keys Can Be Copied at Walmart?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Walmart does have some limitations on what types of car keys they can duplicate.

The MinuteKey kiosks can copy basic metal keys – like the kind used in older cars or basic models without remote fobs or keyless entry. This covers most vehicles from the 1990s and earlier.

However, they cannot duplicate modern transponder or RFID chip keys that are common in cars made after 2000. These "smart" keys have electronic chips inside that must be programmed by the dealer with codes specific to your car‘s computer system.

According to industry data, about 67% of cars on the road today use chip keys for added security, meaning Walmart won’t be able to copy them.

As for key fobs with remote entry buttons, Walmart sells replacement fobs starting around $15-$30. But you’ll still need to get it programmed by the dealership or locksmith, which usually costs another $50 or more.

So if you drive an older car from the 90s or earlier, Walmart can copy your metal key no problem. But anything newer with a chip key or fob is beyond their capabilities.

How Much Does Walmart Charge to Copy a Car Key?

One big benefit of using Walmart over a locksmith is that their key prices are super cheap! Copying a basic metal car key at a MinuteKey kiosk costs:

• $2 to $6 per key – for basic metal blank keys
• $15 to $30 for replacement fob – plus ~$50 programming fee at dealer

Prices vary slightly depending on the specific key blank needed for your car make and model, but rarely exceed $6 per key.

And remember – the kiosks can’t duplicate chip keys at all, so you’ll have to go to the dealership for those. A replacement smart key through the dealer will run you anywhere from $100 to $400!

So while Walmart can save you a ton of money on metal keys, they don’t offer much help for the more expensive electronic keys. But $6 sure beats paying $400 if you’ve just got an old-school key!

What Payment Methods Does Walmart Accept for Key Copying?

One convenience of using the MinuteKey kiosks is that Walmart accepts a variety of payment methods:

• Credit/Debit Cards – Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express
• Cash – Bills up to $20
• Apple Pay – For mobile contactless payment

The kiosks make paying for your car key quick and easy. The whole transaction only takes 2 to 5 minutes from start to finish.

Just be aware that keys made at the kiosk come with no warranty. If your duplicate doesn’t work in your car‘s ignition, Walmart will refund your money, but you’ll have to go elsewhere to get a working key made.

Are There Any Car Keys Walmart Can’t Copy?

While Walmart‘s key kiosks are great for basic duplicates, there are certain types of keys they can’t make due to technological limitations or legal restrictions. These include:

• Transponder/RFID chip keys – The kiosks lack the ability to program these electronic keys that are common in modern cars.

• High-security keys – Some luxury or high-end brands use patented blanks that are heavily restricted and cannot be duplicated by MinuteKey.

• "Do Not Duplicate" keys – These are special keys made for restricted access properties like government buildings, schools, etc. Duplicating them is illegal.

So if you need a basic metal key blank made for an older car, Walmart has got you covered. But anything more high-tech or secure will require a professional locksmith or dealership.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Walmart’s Key Kiosks

If you’ve never used a MinuteKey kiosk before, don’t worry – I’ll walk you through the simple steps:

1. Find the Kiosk – Head to the front of the store and locate the bright green MinuteKey kiosk. Ask an employee for help if you need to.

2. Begin Transaction – Press the start button on the touch screen and follow the prompts. Insert your original key when it asks.

3. Select Key Type – Browse through the key types and pick the one that matches your car key.

4. Pay – Choose your payment method and pay the $2-$6 copying fee.

5. Retrieve Keys – Take both your new copy and original key from the dispenser slot.

6. Get Refund (if needed) – If the duplicate doesn‘t work, return within 30 days with your receipt for a full refund.

See, I told you it was easy! The whole thing takes just a few minutes from start to finish. The kiosk basically walks you through each step.

And don‘t forget to take your original key – I can‘t tell you how many times I‘ve duplicated keys and left without the original!

The Bottom Line – Can Walmart Copy Your Car Key?

Let me sum it all up for you:

Yes, Walmart can duplicate metal keys without chips for older model cars. This is done through MinuteKey kiosks located in most stores and costs just $2-$6 per key.

However, they cannot copy modern transponder or RFID chip keys that are required for newer cars with keyless entry and security. Those must be obtained through the dealership to be properly programmed.

So if you‘ve lost the metal key to your 1994 Toyota, Walmart has you covered for a few bucks! But if you just bought a new 2022 model with fancy smart key tech, you‘ll have to go to the dealer.

I hope this detailed overview gives you exactly what you need to know about getting duplicate car keys made at Walmart. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help! Stay safe out there and don‘t lose those keys!