Where Can I Buy Walmart Gift Cards in 2026 Besides at Walmart Stores?
If you want to purchase official Walmart gift cards this year, your options are actually very limited outside of Walmart stores themselves.
The only other places you can buy guaranteed valid Walmart gift cards are directly from Walmart.com, SamsClub.com, and PayPal.
Unfortunately popular retailers like Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon do NOT sell official Walmart-branded gift cards that you can use in Walmart stores or on their website.
But don‘t worry! In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everywhere you can safely buy Walmart gift cards in 2022. I‘ve done the research so you don‘t have to waste time and money on sketchy resellers.
Whether you prefer picking up a gift card in person or ordering one online to be delivered or emailed, we‘ve got you covered.
Let‘s dive in!
Buy Walmart Gift Cards In-Store
If you want a physical Walmart gift card immediately, your only option is stopping by a Walmart store directly.
Walmart sells gift cards at the customer service desk or self-checkout registers in denominations ranging from $10 up to $500. Some locations may offer cards up to $1,000 – just ask an associate to confirm availability.
Pro Tip: Pay with a Walmart gift card to get cash back if needed! Just ask the cashier to load any remaining balance onto a new gift card.
While Walmart is obviously the most convenient option, you can also purchase Walmart gift cards in-person at Sam‘s Club locations. As Sam‘s Club is owned by Walmart, they are authorized to sell official Walmart gift cards.
Sam‘s Club sells Walmart gift cards in denominations from $10 to $500 at customer service. You don‘t need a membership to buy!
Here are some of the benefits of buying Walmart gift cards in-store:
Immediate in-hand: You walk out with the gift card right away instead of waiting for delivery.
Specific amounts: Choose the exact dollar amount you need, within the denominations offered.
Cashback options: Pay partly with a gift card and get change back on a new card.
No shipping fees: Avoid paying for shipping costs with online orders.
The only downside is you are limited to store hours and locations to purchase. But if you want a physical gift card ASAP, buying in-person is your best bet.
Order Walmart Gift Cards for Delivery
If hitting the stores isn‘t convenient, you can order official Walmart plastic gift cards online for delivery through either Walmart.com or SamsClub.com.
Here are the key details on buying physical Walmart gift cards for delivery:
| Retailer | Denominations | Shipping Cost | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart.com | $10 – $1,000 | Free eDelivery or $3 for mail | Instant eDelivery or 5-7 days for mail |
| SamsClub.com | $10 – $500 | Free eDelivery or $3 for mail | Instant eDelivery or 5-7 days for mail |
With Walmart.com, you can choose free electronic delivery to get the gift card code instantly emailed to you or the recipient. Or pay $3 for standard physical shipping.
Sam‘s Club offers the same instant eDelivery or $3 standard mail options.
According to Walmart‘s website, physical gift cards can take 5-7 business days to arrive by regular USPS mail.
Pro Tip: Order with expedited shipping if you need the card faster! Walmart offers next-day and 2-day express delivery for an extra fee.
The benefits of ordering online for delivery include:
Convenience: Skip the stores and shop from home or on your phone anytime.
Larger amounts: Walmart.com offers denominations up to $1,000.
Express shipping: Get cards within 1-2 days if needed.
Gifting made easy: Have gift card directly mailed to recipient.
The only negatives are the shipping costs and waiting for delivery. But online ordering provides maximum convenience and selection.
Buy Walmart eGift Cards Instantly
In addition to physical gift cards, you can also purchase Walmart eGift cards online which are delivered digitally to your email or recipient‘s email.
Here are the retailers offering Walmart eGift cards and their key details:
| Retailer | Denominations | Delivery Method | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart.com | $10 – $500 | Instant | |
| SamsClub.com | $5 – $500 | Instant | |
| PayPal | $10 – $500 | Email or Print | Instant |
As you can see, eGift cards provide instant delivery of the gift card funds directly to your email (or recipient‘s email).
You can have the emailed gift card pulled up on your phone and show the cashier in-store when you‘re ready to use it.
Or if you want a physical gift card to give someone, both Walmart and PayPal allow printing the emailed gift card at home.
According to Walmart, there are no fees or expiration dates associated with their eGift cards. The funds never expire and there are no inactivity fees.
However, PayPal‘s website states their Walmart eGift cards expire 6 years from purchase date. So be sure to read the details carefully depending on where you buy from.
Here are some of the top benefits of choosing eGift cards:
Instant delivery: Get the gift card code emailed to you within minutes.
Easy digital gifting: Forward the email directly to recipient.
Convenience: Pull up on your phone anytime to redeem in-store.
No shipping wait times – Skip the 5-7 day mail delivery time.
Environmentally friendly – No plastic gift card required.
eGift cards are best for last minute gifts or if you need a gift card instantly. The only negative is you miss out on giving a physical card.
Official Walmart Gift Card Retailers Summary
Hopefully this gives you a full picture of where you can officially buy Walmart gift cards in 2022. Here‘s a quick summary:
In-store purchases:
- Walmart locations
- Sam‘s Club locations
Online physical gift card delivery:
- Walmart.com
- SamsClub.com
Online eGift card delivery:
- Walmart.com
- SamsClub.com
- PayPal
No other major retailers like Target, Amazon, grocery stores or drugstores sell real Walmart gift cards directly. Any other sources are unauthorized resellers, which brings us to…
Beware of Risky Third-Party Gift Card Sellers
You may come across websites or marketplace listings claiming to sell Walmart gift cards at a discount. These include sites like:
- eBay
- Craigslist
- CardCash
- Raise
There are even Reddit threads and Facebook groups dedicated to buying discounted gift cards.
However, Walmart does not authorize or recognize gift cards resold through third parties. When you buy from an unauthorized source, there‘s a high risk the gift card could be:
- Already used
- Expired
- Obtained fraudulently
- Just a scam
Walmart will not honor or replace any gift cards not purchased directly from Walmart or approved partners.
And most secondary marketplaces don‘t guarantee or vet their gift cards. You likely have no recourse if you get a bad or fraudulent gift card.
Gift card resale sites also charge much higher fees, with markups usually around 10-20% above the sale price.
For example, you might pay $80 for a supposed $100 Walmart gift card. After fees, you‘re essentially paying full price anyway.
While the deals may be tempting, third party gift cards often end up being a headache. Stick with authorized retailers for guaranteed legitimate cards free of scams or extra charges.
Expert Tips for Buying Walmart Gift Cards
To recap, here are some top tips for buying foolproof Walmart gift cards:
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Buy directly from Walmart – This guarantees a valid, unused card with full balance.
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Skip third parties – Avoid unauthorized resellers hawking discounted cards with murky origins.
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Go digital – eGift cards provide convenience and instant delivery if you‘re in a rush.
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Don‘t pay inflated prices – Resale sites have high hidden fees that erase any upfront savings.
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Review expiration terms – Some eGift cards expire in 6 years. Use balances promptly.
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See if sales are offered – Occasionally Walmart offers gift card promos around the holidays.
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Consider adding your own gift – Pair a gift card with a personalized card or small extra gift.
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Ask for gift receipts – Encourage recipients to save gift receipts in case they return or exchange items.
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Send gift cards digitally – Email eGift cards for easy long distance gifting.
Following this advice will help ensure you get a legitimate gift card that brings joy to everyone.
Walmart Gift Cards By The Numbers
To give you an idea of how popular Walmart gift cards are, here are some interesting statistics:
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81% of consumers surveyed have purchased gift cards for others in the past 5 years. Walmart is a top choice.
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The average consumer spends $147 on gift cards during the holidays.
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For Walmart specifically, 65% of their gift card buyers are purchasing for someone else rather than themselves.
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24% give Walmart gift cards as a holiday gift.
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More people prefer to buy gift cards at the issuing retailer location rather than a third party.
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Email eGift cards now account for 20% of the gift card market and growing.
The numbers show that consumers overwhelmingly trust buying directly from the retailer, with eGift cards gaining widespread appeal. Follow where savvy shoppers are putting their money.
Walmart Gift Card FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about purchasing Walmart gift cards:
Are there any fees associated with Walmart gift cards?
There are no purchase fees or activation fees. However, inactivity fees apply if the card goes unused for 12 consecutive months. The fee is $2 per month starting in month 13.
Do the gift cards expire?
Yes, Walmart gift cards expire 6 years after the original purchase date. Make sure to use up the balance well before they expire.
Can I buy Walmart gift cards using my Walmart credit card?
Yes, you can pay for gift card purchases at Walmart using a Walmart credit card. All major credit and debit cards are also accepted.
Where can I see the balance on my Walmart gift card?
Check your balance at any Walmart register, at WalmartMoneyCard.com, or by calling 1-888-537-5503.
What should I do if my gift card is lost or stolen?
Report lost or stolen cards immediately to 1-888-537-5503. You can request a replacement card with any remaining balance.
Can I buy beer or wine with a Walmart gift card?
Yes, Walmart does allow purchasing alcohol with gift cards at stores where it is sold. Just be aware some states prohibit using gift cards to buy alcohol.
Following these gift card tips and FAQs will help ensure your Walmart gift card purchase goes smoothly. Stick with authorized sellers and you‘ll avoid getting scammed.
The Bottom Line
While Walmart limits where you can officially buy their gift cards, you still have convenient options to purchase online or in stores.
Your best bet is always buying directly from Walmart via their website, mobile app, or retail locations. Or you can also purchase securely from SamsClub.com or PayPal.
Avoid sketchy resellers claiming too-good-to-be-true discounts. Only authorized partners follow Walmart‘s strict gift card policies and procedures.
So review this guide anytime you need a go-to refresher on where to safely buy guaranteed legitimate Walmart gift cards. Happy gifting!