Buying Gift Cards With Your Walmart Credit Card
Yes, you can buy gift cards with a Walmart credit card at checkout
You can purchase gift cards using the Walmart credit card — either the Walmart Mastercard or the Walmart Store Card — just like you would with any other payment method. At the register or online, simply select your Walmart credit card as payment when you buy a gift card. The transaction processes the same way as any other purchase.
The main thing to understand is that buying a gift card with a credit card is treated as a regular purchase, not a cash advance. This matters because cash advances typically carry higher interest rates and fees, while regular purchases use your standard credit card rate. When you swipe your Walmart card to buy a gift card, it counts as a purchase.
One practical consideration: if you're carrying a balance on your Walmart credit card, the new gift card purchase will accrue interest at your regular purchase rate unless you pay it off before the next billing cycle. This is true whether you're buying a Walmart gift card or a third-party gift card like Target or Amazon.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart credit cards treat gift card purchases as regular transactions, not cash advances, so you pay your standard purchase interest rate if you carry a balance.
- You can buy Walmart gift cards and third-party gift cards (Target, Amazon, etc.) at Walmart registers and online using either Walmart Mastercard or Walmart Store Card.
- Gift card purchases count toward your credit card rewards if your card earns cash back or points on all purchases or on shopping categories.
- Some people use gift cards to manage spending or give as gifts, but buying them with credit should only happen if you plan to pay off the card balance quickly.
How rewards work when you buy gift cards
If your Walmart credit card earns rewards, a gift card purchase typically counts toward those rewards just like any other purchase. The Walmart Mastercard earns cash back on all purchases, so buying a gift card would earn you that cash back. The Walmart Store Card earns discounts on Walmart purchases, which would apply to the gift card transaction itself.
However, the rewards you earn on the gift card purchase are separate from any rewards the recipient might earn when they use the card. If you buy a $50 Walmart gift card and earn 1% cash back, you get $0.50 back. The person who receives the gift card then uses it to shop and earns their own rewards (if they have a Walmart card) on their purchases.
This is why some people strategically buy gift cards with rewards-earning credit cards — they get the rewards benefit without changing their spending habits. But this only makes financial sense if you were going to spend that money anyway and you pay off your credit card balance in full each month.
The difference between Walmart gift cards and third-party cards
Walmart sells both Walmart gift cards and gift cards for other retailers — Target, Amazon, Best Buy, and many others. You can pay for either type with your Walmart credit card. The transaction works identically from a payment perspective.
The practical difference is where you can use the card afterward. A Walmart gift card works only at Walmart stores and Walmart.com. A Target gift card works only at Target. An Amazon gift card works only on Amazon. When you're at the register buying the gift card, the cashier will ask which one you want, and you pay for whichever you choose with your Walmart credit card.
Some people buy third-party gift cards at Walmart as a way to consolidate their shopping in one place — they can pick up a Target gift card while they're already at Walmart. From a credit card perspective, it makes no difference which type of gift card you buy.
When buying gift cards with credit makes sense
Buying a gift card with your Walmart credit card works best when you're giving the card as a gift and you can pay off your credit card balance before interest kicks in. In this scenario, you get the rewards benefit (if your card earns them) without paying any interest, and the recipient gets a gift they can use.
Another situation where it makes sense is if you're using a gift card as a spending management tool for yourself. Some people buy a gift card with a set dollar amount to limit how much they'll spend in a category. If you do this and pay off your credit card immediately, you've essentially converted a credit limit into a spending limit without any financial penalty.
The key in both cases is paying off your credit card balance quickly. If you carry the balance forward, you're paying interest on the gift card purchase, which erases any rewards benefit and costs you money.
When buying gift cards with credit doesn't make sense
Avoid buying gift cards with your Walmart credit card if you're already carrying a balance on the card. Adding a gift card purchase to an existing balance just increases the amount of money you're paying interest on. Even if you earn rewards on the purchase, the interest charges will likely exceed the rewards value.
It also doesn't make sense if you're buying a gift card because you don't have cash available right now. This is a sign that you're spending money you don't have, which is what credit cards enable but shouldn't encourage. If you can't afford to pay off the purchase within a billing cycle, the gift card isn't affordable.
Similarly, don't buy gift cards with a credit card as a way to increase your available spending. This is a common trap — people think buying a gift card "uses up" their credit limit in a controlled way, but it actually just moves the debt around. You still owe the money to the credit card company.
How to buy gift cards online with your Walmart card
On Walmart.com, you can buy digital gift cards and physical gift cards using your Walmart credit card. Navigate to the gift cards section, choose the card you want (Walmart or third-party), select the dollar amount, and proceed to checkout. You'll enter your Walmart credit card information just as you would for any other online purchase.
Digital gift cards arrive via email almost immediately, usually within minutes. Physical gift cards ship to your address and take several business days to arrive, depending on your location. Both payment methods work the same way — you're charged to your credit card right away, regardless of when the recipient receives the card.
If you're buying a gift card for someone else online, make sure you have their email address (for digital cards) or your shipping address (for physical cards). You can also add a message to most digital gift cards before checkout.
What happens if you lose or damage a gift card
If you buy a gift card with your Walmart credit card and then lose it or it gets damaged before use, contact Walmart customer service with your receipt or order number. Walmart can sometimes replace lost or damaged gift cards if you have proof of purchase, though policies vary by situation.
This is one reason to keep your receipt when you buy a gift card — it's your proof that you purchased it. For online purchases, your order confirmation email serves as your receipt. If you're giving the card as a gift and lose it before handing it over, you'll need to contact Walmart to replace it before you can give it to the recipient.
The credit card charge itself won't be reversed just because the gift card was lost. You'll need to work with Walmart on the gift card replacement, not with your credit card company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying a gift card count as a cash advance on my Walmart credit card?
No. Gift card purchases are treated as regular purchases, not cash advances. You pay your standard purchase interest rate if you carry a balance, not the higher cash advance rate. Cash advances are when you withdraw actual money from your credit line, which is different from buying a gift card.
Can I use a Walmart gift card to pay my Walmart credit card bill?
No. A Walmart gift card can only be used to buy merchandise at Walmart or on Walmart.com. You cannot use it to make a payment on your credit card account. You'll need to pay your credit card bill using a bank account, another credit card, or a check.
What if I buy a gift card and then return it — do I get my money back?
Walmart's policy on gift card returns varies. Some gift cards can be returned for a refund within a certain period if unused, while others cannot be returned at all. Check the specific terms for the gift card you're buying, or ask the cashier at the register. If you do get a refund, it will be credited back to your Walmart credit card.
Do I earn rewards on gift card purchases with the Walmart Store Card?
Yes. The Walmart Store Card earns discounts on Walmart purchases, and a gift card purchase at Walmart counts as a Walmart purchase. You'll earn the discount on the gift card transaction itself. The Walmart Mastercard earns cash back on all purchases, including gift cards.
Can I buy a gift card with my Walmart credit card online and pick it up in the store?
Digital gift cards are delivered via email and cannot be picked up in store. Physical gift cards ordered online are shipped to your address. If you want a gift card immediately, you'll need to buy it in person at a Walmart store using your credit card at the register.