Buying Walmart Gift Cards With Your Walmart Credit Card

Yes, you can buy Walmart gift cards with a Walmart credit card

You can purchase Walmart gift cards using the Walmart credit card — either the Walmart Rewards Card or the Walmart Rewards Card from Capital One — just as you would with any other payment method. The transaction works the same way: you pay at checkout, and the purchase posts to your credit card account. The main thing to understand is how this purchase affects your rewards and your credit card balance.

Buying gift cards with a credit card is a straightforward transaction, but it does carry one important difference from buying regular merchandise: the purchase counts as a cash advance or a regular purchase depending on how Walmart's system categorizes it. Most of the time, gift card purchases are treated as regular purchases, which means they earn rewards and don't trigger cash advance fees. However, this can vary, so it's worth confirming with your card issuer before you buy.

Key Takeaways

• Walmart gift cards purchased with a Walmart credit card are usually treated as regular purchases, not cash advances, so you won't pay extra fees.
• The purchase will earn rewards points if your card offers them, though the rewards rate may differ from other Walmart purchases depending on your specific card.
• The full purchase amount posts to your credit card balance immediately, just like any other transaction.
• Buying gift cards with credit increases your card balance, so only purchase what you can pay back to avoid carrying high interest charges.

How rewards work when you buy gift cards

The Walmart Rewards Card earns cash back on Walmart purchases. When you buy a Walmart gift card at a Walmart store or on Walmart.com, the purchase typically earns the same cash back rate as other Walmart transactions — usually 3% cash back on Walmart purchases if you use the card in-store, or lower rates online depending on your card version. The exact rate depends on which Walmart credit card you hold, so check your card's terms.

The cash back posts to your account the same way it does for any other purchase. You can use it as a statement credit, redeem it, or let it accumulate. The gift card itself is separate from the rewards — once you own the card, any purchases you make with that gift card won't earn additional rewards through your credit card, since you're not using the credit card to pay.

The difference between buying gift cards and using them

When you buy a Walmart gift card with your credit card, you're making a purchase on your credit card account. That amount becomes part of your credit card balance and accrues interest if you don't pay it off. When you later use that gift card to buy items at Walmart, you're spending the gift card balance, not your credit card — so that second transaction doesn't affect your credit card at all.

This matters because it means buying a $100 gift card with your credit card puts $100 on your credit card bill immediately. If you don't pay that $100 when your statement is due, you'll owe interest on it. The gift card itself doesn't accrue interest — it's just a stored balance at Walmart — but the credit card charge does.

When buying gift cards with credit makes sense

Buying a Walmart gift card with your credit card makes sense if you plan to pay off the credit card charge right away and you want to earn the rewards. For example, if you're buying a $50 gift card for someone else and you have $50 available to pay toward your credit card balance, you can earn 3% cash back (or whatever your rate is) on that $50 purchase. That's a small but real benefit.

It also makes sense if you're trying to reach a spending threshold for a promotional offer on your credit card. Some Walmart credit card promotions offer bonus cash back if you spend a certain amount in the first few months. Buying gift cards counts toward that spending, so it's a way to reach the threshold if you were going to buy them anyway.

When buying gift cards with credit doesn't make sense

Buying gift cards with credit doesn't make sense if you can't pay off the charge right away. The interest you'll owe on an unpaid credit card balance will quickly outweigh any rewards you earned. For example, if you buy a $100 gift card and earn $3 in cash back but then carry a balance and pay $15 in interest charges, you've lost money overall.

It also doesn't make sense if you're buying gift cards as a way to spend money you don't actually have. Using credit to buy gift cards doesn't change the underlying problem — you're still spending money you haven't earned yet, and you'll owe it back with interest. If your budget is tight, it's better to buy gift cards with cash or a debit card instead.

How to buy Walmart gift cards with your credit card

In a Walmart store, go to the gift card section (usually near the front or customer service desk), select the card you want, and take it to checkout. Tell the cashier you're paying with your Walmart credit card, and they'll ring it up like any other purchase. The transaction posts to your credit card account within a day or two.

On Walmart.com, add the gift card to your cart, go to checkout, and select your Walmart credit card as the payment method. You can buy digital gift cards (which arrive by email) or physical cards (which ship to you). Digital cards are faster if you need the gift card right away. The charge appears on your credit card statement within one business day.

You can also buy Walmart gift cards at other retailers like grocery stores or pharmacies, but those purchases won't earn Walmart-specific rewards — they'll earn whatever rewards your credit card offers for general retail purchases, which is usually lower. Buying directly from Walmart ensures you get the full rewards rate.

What happens if you return a gift card purchase

If you buy a Walmart gift card with your credit card and then return it (or if Walmart processes a return for any reason), the refund goes back to your credit card as a credit. This reverses the charge and also reverses any rewards you earned on that purchase. The process typically takes three to five business days.

Physical gift cards can usually be returned within 90 days if they haven't been used. Digital gift cards are generally non-returnable once delivered, so make sure you're buying the right amount and sending it to the right person before you complete the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does buying a gift card with a credit card count as a cash advance?

No, in most cases Walmart treats gift card purchases as regular purchases, not cash advances. This means you won't pay a cash advance fee, and the purchase earns regular rewards. However, if you're unsure, contact your card issuer before buying to confirm how they categorize the transaction.

Can I use a Walmart credit card to buy gift cards for other stores?

Yes, you can use your Walmart credit card to buy gift cards for other retailers. However, you'll only earn rewards if Walmart sells those gift cards. Walmart carries gift cards for many popular stores, but the rewards rate may be lower than it is for Walmart gift cards — check your card's terms for the exact rate.

What if I buy a gift card but don't use it right away?

The credit card charge posts to your account immediately, regardless of when you use the gift card. If you don't pay off the credit card charge by your due date, you'll owe interest on it. The gift card itself doesn't expire (Walmart gift cards have no expiration date), but your credit card balance does accrue interest if unpaid.

Do I earn rewards twice — once when I buy the card and again when I use it?

No, you only earn rewards once, when you buy the gift card with your credit card. When you later use the gift card to make purchases at Walmart, you're not using your credit card, so no additional rewards are earned on those items.

Can I buy a gift card with a Walmart credit card if I'm at my credit limit?

No, the purchase will be declined if you've reached your credit limit. The gift card purchase counts as a regular transaction and requires available credit. If you're near your limit, you can pay down your balance first or use a different payment method.