Can You Get Cash Back From A Walmart Gift Card In 2026?
The short answer is yes, you typically can get cash back from a Walmart gift card, but it requires some creative workarounds.
Walmart‘s official policy is to not provide cash redemptions for gift card balances. However, with a mix of persistence, following certain state laws, and exploring gift card exchange options, you can convert your Walmart gift card to cash.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through all the ins and outs of getting cash back from Walmart gift cards in 2022. I‘ve done the research so you have the latest information to cash out your unwanted cards.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- Walmart‘s cash back rules and policies
- Clever hacks and loopholes
- Step-by-step guides for each cash back method
- State laws requiring gift card cash redemption
- Where to sell gift cards for the best rates
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Let‘s start by looking at Walmart‘s official stance on gift cards and cash back.
Walmart‘s Policy – No Direct Cash Back On Gift Cards
According to Walmart‘s website and customer service, it is not possible to directly exchange a Walmart gift card for cash at their stores.
When using a gift card to shop, any remaining balance stays on the card. You also cannot get cash back as part of a gift card purchase. This is Walmart‘s firm corporate policy across all locations.
There are no exceptions for getting cash directly from gift cards at Walmart customer service desks. The only way to extract cash is to carefully purchase an item for the exact remaining card balance.
However, this policy only applies to direct cash back from Walmart itself. There are still various creative workarounds that can successfully convert your unwanted gift cards to cash.
I‘ll explain cash back hacks and loopholes shortly. But first, let‘s look at which states require Walmart to redeem gift cards for cash by law.
States Where Walmart Must Provide Gift Card Cash Back
While Walmart‘s own policy is no cash back for gift cards, the laws in several U.S. states actually require retailers to provide cash redemptions upon request for cards under certain balances.
Here are the states where Walmart must legally give cash for gift card remainders, either due to state statutes or court rulings:
California
- Cash back required for gift cards with balance under $10
Colorado
- Retailers must redeem gift cards for cash when asked
Maine
- Gift cards under $5 balance are redeemable for cash
Massachusetts
- Cash redemption mandated for gift card remainders $5 and under
Montana
- Requires cash payment for gift card balances below $5
New Jersey
- Gift cards are redeemable for cash without any minimum balance
Oregon
- Cash back mandatory if gift card balance is less than $5
Rhode Island
- Gift cards can be redeemed for cash without restrictions
Vermont
- No limits on cashing out gift cards with remaining balances
Washington
- Gift cards are redeemable for cash without restrictions
The most common cash back threshold is a balance under $5 or $10. But some states like Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington have no minimum limits at all.
If you are denied cash back on a gift card in any of these states, politely ask to speak to a manager. Reference the specific law requiring gift card cash redemption in your state. Print it out to show if needed.
Now let‘s explore all the sneaky hacks and workarounds for getting cash back from Walmart gift cards, even outside of these mandated states.
Hack #1: Buy/Return Trick For Cash Refund
This is the clever hack for converting a Walmart gift card to cash that many savvy shoppers recommend…
Step 1: Buy a Walmart item slightly more expensive than your gift card balance. Pay the extra cost beyond the gift card in cash/debit/credit.
For example, use a $50 gift card to buy a $55 item.
Step 2: Keep the item unopened with original packaging and receipt.
Step 3: Return the item within the return period (usually 14-90 days at Walmart).
Step 4: You‘ll receive the full purchase price back, including the gift card portion in cash!
Essentially, you temporarily convert your gift card to a cash purchase by pairing it with cash to buy an item. Then return and voila – you get the gift card value back in cash.
The key is buying something slightly more than the card, so there‘s a cash portion to get refunded. I‘d recommend going $5-10 over the card maximum.
Make sure to keep everything unopened with original packaging and gift receipt. This allows returning for a full value refund rather than just store credit.
While not officially promoted by Walmart, this loophole works for many shoppers to cash out gift cards. Give it a try next time you have a card with unused funds!
Hack #2: Forgotten Funds On Walmart+
Longtime Walmart shoppers may have some forgotten cash on their old Walmart+ (formerly Walmart Grocery) accounts if they haven‘t used the service in a while.
When Walmart Grocery launched in 2019, shoppers could place orders online and pay upon curbside pickup. If you never picked up an order, the funds were held in your Walmart Grocery account.
Many customers have reported finally using these old accounts and discovering leftover balances of $20, $50 or even over $100! This money can be used to shop Walmart+ or cashed out if you request a refund.
So if you signed up for Walmart‘s delivery/pickup when it first came out but stopped using it, check your old account balance. You might find a nice chunk of change you can now redeem for cash!
Hack #3: Buy Prepaid Visa Card
Some shoppers have had success buying Walmart Visa prepaid cards with their gift card, then later cashing out the prepaid card.
Here is the step-by-step:
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Purchase a reloadable prepaid Visa card with your Walmart gift card balance
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Register the Visa card and activate it
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Use the Visa to buy a 50 cent item, or add a small amount from another card
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Then withdraw cash from an ATM using the Visa
This allows you to convert the Walmart gift balance to a prepaid debit card, then take out cash from ATM machines.
Be aware of any monthly fees with the prepaid Visa. And know your ATM withdrawal limits. But overall it‘s a clever route for getting cash in hand from a gift card.
Reselling Your Walmart Gift Card
If you don‘t want to mess with tricky hacks and workarounds, reselling your unwanted Walmart gift card is usually the quickest and easiest way to cash it out.
You can sell gift cards at:
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Gift card exchange sites – CardCash, Raise, Cardpool, GiftCardSpread, etc.
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P2P sites – Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, etc.
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Buyback programs – Coinstar, CardFrenzy, GiftCardGranny, etc.
Gift card reseller sites typically pay the highest rates, often 70-92% of the card‘s value depending on demand. For a $50 card, expect around $35 – $46 back.
P2P and buyback programs may be more convenient but have lower rates like 60-85% value.
I recommend comparing rates across the top gift card sites to find the best price:
| Site | Payout Rate | $50 Card Value |
|---|---|---|
| Raise | 90% | $45 |
| CardCash | 87% | $43.50 |
| GiftCardSpread | 85% | $42.50 |
| Cardpool | 80% | $40 |
*Rates are estimated and will vary based on market conditions
The process is simple – answer a few questions, submit gift card details, then accept the offer or request a different quote. Payment is sent via check, direct deposit or PayPal once they receive the card.
I‘d recommend Raise or CardCash as consistently reliable places to sell Walmart cards, based on my research. But shop around for the best current rates.
Using Gift Card Exchange Kiosks
Another option is using Coinstar gift card exchange kiosks commonly found inside grocery stores. These machines allow you to insert old gift cards and redeem for cash.
However, Walmart gift cards may not always be eligible brands at some Coinstar kiosks. Be sure to call your local grocery store ahead to check.
The rates and fees vary depending on location but are generally lower than reselling online. Expect around 60-70% of the Walmart card‘s value turned into cash.
But if there is a Coinstar near you that accepts Walmart cards, it provides a quick way to convert your card into cash on the spot.
Trading for an Amazon Gift Card
While not cash, trading your Walmart gift card for an Amazon e-gift card can be useful if you prefer shopping on Amazon.
Walmart allows you to exchange unwanted gift cards from other retailers for a Walmart e-gift card under its card exchange program. You can get up to 95% of the card‘s value in Walmart credit.
You can then use the Walmart e-gift card to buy an Amazon e-card on Walmart.com. This lets you extract almost full value into spendable cash on Amazon.
Note this only works for exchanging physical gift cards – you cannot trade a Walmart e-card for an Amazon one. But it provides a way to gain more flexibility if you don‘t want to shop at Walmart.
Getting a Money Order with a Walmart Gift Card
At Walmart customer service desks, you can use gift cards to purchase money orders up to $500. The money order amount will be deducted from your gift card balance.
While not cash, money orders function similarly to cashier‘s checks and are accepted as payment by many institutions. This can be handy if you need to pay bills or debts with your gift card.
Just note money order fees at Walmart are up to $1 for amounts under $1,000. So factor that into the cost if going this route.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walmart Gift Cards and Cash Back
Here are answers to some common questions about getting cash back from Walmart gift cards:
Can you get cash back when using a gift card for a Walmart purchase?
No, Walmart registers do not allow getting cash back when paying partly via gift card. The card balance remains for future use.
What‘s the best way to get the full cash value from a gift card?
Your options are the buy/return trick, reselling to a gift card site, exchanging at a Coinstar kiosk, or requesting cash in mandated states.
Can you sell a Walmart gift card privately to someone else?
Yes you can sell to individuals on Craigslist, Facebook etc. But public resale sites are safer and may offer better rates.
How much cash can I get for a $100 Walmart gift card?
Expect $70 – $95 when reselling a $100 Walmart card on sites like Raise or CardCash. Rates vary daily based on supply and demand.
What are the limits on redeeming Walmart gift cards for cash?
State laws set minimums like under $5 or $10 balances. Otherwise there are no limits, but you‘ll need to use workarounds since Walmart itself won‘t cash out.
Can I trade my Walmart card for an Amazon card?
Indirectly yes – trade it for a Walmart e-card through their exchange program, then use that card to buy an Amazon e-gift card.
Can I buy a Visa prepaid card to cash out a Walmart gift card?
In theory yes, but beaware of fees. Register the Visa, use for a small purchase, then withdraw cash from ATMs.
Are there any legitimate ways to hack or glitch Walmart gift cards?
No, "free money" or duplication glitches are always scams. Your best bet is to resell or exchange unwanted cards responsibly.
What should I do if Walmart refuses cash back on a gift card in a mandated state?
Politely ask for a manager and show them the law requiring cash back for gift cards in your state. They must comply or risk legal issues.
I hope this guide has given you lots of options on how to handle Walmart gift cards you can‘t or don‘t want to use for shopping. While Walmart itself won‘t exchange cards for cash, with a little creativity you can successfully convert your unwanted cards into money.
The best approach depends on how much effort you want to spend, your state‘s laws, and how quickly you need the cash.
In summary, here are your best options:
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Fast & Easy: Resell gift card online at highest rate
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Convenient: Use a gift card exchange kiosk if available
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No Fees: Do a buy/return hack to cash out
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Guaranteed: Request cash in states requiring redemption
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Universal: Trade for Amazon credit or money order if needed
With gift cards being a popular gift item, learning how to best utilize ones you can‘t use is a great skill. I hope this guide gives you all the details to easily cash out your Walmart gift cards. Let me know if you have any other tips or tricks!