Walmart Discount Card In 2024: Everything You Need to Know to Use It and Maximize the Benefits
As a Walmart employee, getting an associate discount card is one of the best perks you can receive. With this card in hand, you can save big on groceries, general merchandise, and extra perks through the Associate Discount Center.
But how exactly can you get and use this valuable card to maximize your employee benefits? This detailed guide will walk you through everything there is to know!
An Overview of the Walmart Associate Discount Card
The Walmart associate discount card provides you with 10% off fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery items, general merchandise, and more at Walmart stores. According to Walmart, this adds up to around $500 in annual savings for the average full-time associate.
You become eligible after 90 days of employment. Then, you can activate and use your card both in-store and online for exclusive employee pricing.
Here’s a quick rundown of the key perks and features:
- 10% discount on eligible purchases at Walmart stores & Walmart.com
- Access to the Associate Discount Center with special deals and offers
- Can be used by your spouse and dependents also
- Lifetime discount eligibility after 20 years of service
- Valid at any Walmart location nationwide
Keep reading for a full guide on how to get your card, activate it, use it, and learn insider tips to maximize the value.
When Do You Get Your Walmart Associate Discount Card?
Walmart issues associate discount cards on the 91st day of employment.
So around 3 months after your start date, you become eligible and can obtain your discount card through your store’s personnel office. Make sure to ask about it once you hit that 91 day mark!
This waiting period gives new associates time to complete training before gaining access to the card’s perks.
You can use your discount card at any Walmart or Sam’s Club. It gives you exclusive employee pricing on thousands of grocery and general merchandise items site-wide.
Activating Your New Card
Once you have your physical discount card in hand, you need to activate it online to link it to your Walmart account.
Here are step-by-step instructions to activate your card:
- Log into your Walmart account at walmart.com or via the app.
- Click “Associate” and select “Associate Discount Card”.
- Input your 9-digit Walmart WIN number, found on your paystub.
- Enter your 19-digit card number printed on the front.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
Once activated, your card will automatically apply your employee discount to eligible Walmart.com purchases and in-store purchases when scanned.
You should also add your card to your Walmart Pay account if you use that digital payment service. This lets you apply your discount by scanning the Walmart Pay QR code from your phone when you checkout in-store.
Using Your Card In Walmart Stores
Using your associate discount card at Walmart stores is very easy.
When you’re ready to checkout, simply hand your card to the cashier. They will scan it with your other items, and the 10% discount will automatically be applied to everything eligible in your cart.
The discount will show on your printed and digital receipt, so you can clearly see the savings you scored.
A few quick tips for seamless in-store use:
- Keep your card handy by attaching it to your keychain or storing it in your wallet. Don’t let yourself leave home without it!
- Get in the habit of handing your card to the cashier immediately. This prevents forgetting to use it.
- If you forget your card, you can provide your WIN and photo ID to still get the discount. But having your card makes things much easier.
- The card works at ANY Walmart location nationwide, plus Sam’s Clubs.
Using Your Card Online
One great perk of the associate discount card is that it also applies to Walmart.com purchases.
Follow these steps when shopping online to automatically apply your employee discount:
- Go to www.walmart.com
- Click “Account” and select “Associate Login”
- Enter your Associate ID number
- Click “Continue” to sign in to your associate account
Once logged in, your 10% discount will be applied at checkout on all eligible items in your cart. It‘s that easy!
One tip is to make sure you are logged into your Associate account anytime you shop on Walmart.com. It’s easy to forget you have special pricing if you checkout as a regular customer.
Discounts on Groceries, General Merchandise, and More
Your associate discount card provides 10% off the regular price of eligible purchases storewide. This includes:
Grocery
- Fresh produce
- Meat and seafood
- Dairy products
- Bakery items
- Pantry staples
- Frozen foods
- And more!
General Merchandise
- Electronics – TVs, laptops, tablets, etc.
- Home goods – Furniture, kitchenware, bedding, decor
- Toys and video games
- Sporting goods
- Health and beauty items
- Office supplies
- And any other general merchandise at regular price
The everyday discount ranges from a few dollars on cheaper items to hundreds off bigger purchases. For example, 10% off a $500 TV is $50 in savings!
A few categories that are NOT eligible include alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery tickets, prescriptions, and services like auto care or grocery pickup.
But overall, you can save substantially on the vast majority of merchandise that Walmart carries.
Special Discount Categories to Know
In addition to your everyday 10% discount, there are a few extra categories that offer special discounted pricing with your associate card:
Electronics
Electronics purchases typically only qualify for the standard 10% off. However, during major holiday sales events, you can sometimes stack your employee discount on top of sale prices to maximize savings!
For example, on Black Friday you may get a special 25% off electronics, plus an extra 10% with your card.
So check weekly ad scans online during big sale events and look for “associate appreciation” discounts.
Tires
You can get 15% off tires year-round when you use your associate discount card. All tire brands and packages that Walmart sells qualify for this special pricing.
Cell Phones and Wireless
Walmart offers associates 25-30% off monthly plans with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. You need to verify your employment to enroll.
You can also save up to $150 on new cell phones when using your discount card with an eligible plan.
Hotels
Through the Associate Discount Center, you can save up to 25% off hotel rates at thousands of locations worldwide. Brands include Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Wyndham, and more.
So next time you book a trip, don’t forget to check the exclusive employee rates available!
Who Else Can Use Your Discount Card?
One great benefit of the associate discount card is that you can share it with immediate family members too.
According to Walmart‘s policy, the following people are eligible to use your card:
- Your legal spouse or domestic partner
- Dependents under age 19 who are unmarried
- Full-time college students aged 19-22 who are unmarried dependents
- Parents over 65 who you claim as dependents
To add family members to your card, log into your Walmart account and access your Associate profile. Under “My Family”, you can manage and approve eligible members.
When family uses your card, make sure they present a photo ID at checkout to verify the relationship.
Associate Shopping Days
Twice a year, Walmart designates special Associate Shopping Days where you can share your discount card with friends and extended family.
On these days, anyone you give your card to can shop with your exclusive employee pricing. It’s a great perk around the holidays to share your discount!
The Associate Shopping Days typically fall in:
- July
- November/December
So be sure to take advantage of these special days and spread the savings around.
Getting the Most from the Associate Discount Center
One extra perk of the associate discount card is access to Walmart’s Associate Discount Center.
This members-only site offers exclusive discounts and special offers for Walmart employees on products and services from hundreds of top brands.
The deals featured on the Associate Discount Center go above and beyond the everyday 10% in-store discount. You can save big on categories like:
- Hotels and travel
- Cell phone plans
- Event tickets
- Gym memberships
- Computers and electronics
- Financial services
- And more!
For example, you can get 25% off hotel bookings through Priceline, up to 70% off laptops and printers at Dell, 40% off family cell phone plans with Verizon, $15 movie tickets at AMC, and 25% off at hundreds of retailers.
The Associate Discount Center is updated frequently, so check back often to discover new ways to save as an employee!
Downsides and Exclusions to Know
While the Walmart associate discount card provides excellent savings across the store, there are a few downsides and exclusions to be aware of:
- No discount on services: Services like auto care, vision exams, hair salons, nail salons, restaurants, etc. do not qualify for the 10% discount.
- Variable markdowns: If an item already has special markdown pricing applied, your discount may not stack on top of that. For example, clearance merchandise or Rollback Specials.
- No discount on marketplace sellers: Only items sold directly by Walmart qualify, not third-party Marketplace Retailers.
- Card sharing limits: You can only share your discount card with legal family members, not friends or extended family (except on special Associate Shopping Days twice a year).
- Must wait 90 days: You have to be employed for three months before getting access to the associate card and its perks.
So while the Walmart employee discount is excellent, it does come with some caveats. Make sure you understand the limitations before counting on using your card.
Getting the Most Value from Your Card
To maximize the value you get from the associate discount card, here are some smart tips:
- Buy generics: Opt for Walmart‘s in-house grocery brands like Great Value instead of name brands. You’ll stack extra savings on top of already low prices.
- Stock up during sales: When items you purchase regularly go on sale, stock up your pantry and freezer to get the discounted price, plus 10% off.
- Use for bigger purchases: Use your card for any big-ticket shopping like electronics, furniture, or appliances to maximize the 10% discount.
- Combine with coupons: Pair manufacturer‘s coupons with your 10% discount to lower prices even further.
- Don‘t forget online shopping: Place your grocery pickup and Walmart.com orders while logged into your associate account so the discount applies automatically.
Following these tips can help you strategically leverage your employee discount for maximum savings!
Lifetime Discount Eligibility
Walmart offers loyal long-term employees an awesome lifetime perk – the Lifetime Discount Card.
With this special card, you can continue receiving your 10% associate discount even after retiring from Walmart. The lifetime discount privilege is Walmart’s way of thanking its most dedicated associates.
You become eligible once you meet one of the following requirements:
- 20 consecutive years working at Walmart
- 15 consecutive years at Walmart AND age 55+ at retirement
Once eligible, you can continue using your Lifetime Discount Card at any Walmart store nationwide. It provides 10% savings on eligible purchases for life.
This perk allows retirees to continue benefiting from the discount they depended on throughout their Walmart career. Make sure to take advantage if you qualify!
Replacing a Lost or Damaged Card
If your associate discount card is ever lost, stolen or damaged, you need to take quick action to get a replacement.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Report your card lost/stolen to your personnel manager.
- Update your Associate Discount Card profile online to indicate you need a replacement.
- Call 1-800-421-1362 to contact Walmart Benefits Customer Care.
- Visit your store’s personnel office to get issued a new card.
Until you receive the new card, you can still get your discount by providing your WIN and photo ID at checkout. But it‘s smart to request a replacement right away so you don‘t miss out on any savings.
Making the Most of This Valuable Employee Perk
Walmart‘s associate discount card provides you with a powerful perk that can save your family hundreds of dollars annually on groceries, shopping trips, and more.
Make sure to maximize this discount by:
- Activating your card promptly at 91 days
- Using it religiously anytime you shop at Walmart in-store and online
- Sharing with family to extend the savings
- Replacing it immediately if lost or damaged
- Taking advantage of Associate Shopping Days
- Checking the Associate Discount Center for extra deals
With rising food and retail prices, this employee discount is more valuable than ever for cutting costs. Now you have all the information needed to put your associate card to work and enjoy exclusive savings!
