How to Buy a Walmart Gift Card With a Credit Card
Yes, you can buy a Walmart gift card with a credit card — in-store or online
Walmart accepts all major credit cards when you buy a gift card at a physical store or through their website. You can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. The process is straightforward: at checkout, you pay for the gift card with your credit card just like any other purchase. The gift card itself then holds the dollar amount you paid, and whoever receives it can spend that balance at Walmart or Sam's Club locations.
The main thing to understand is that buying a gift card with a credit card creates two separate transactions. Your credit card company charges you for the gift card purchase (and may report it as a purchase or cash advance, depending on your card's terms). Then the gift card itself is a separate payment method that the recipient uses later. This matters if you're trying to track spending or if you're concerned about credit card fees.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover when you buy gift cards in stores or online.
- Buying a gift card with a credit card counts as a purchase on your credit card statement, so it will show up on your bill.
- Physical Walmart stores and Walmart.com both sell gift cards in amounts ranging from $15 to $500.
- Some credit cards offer bonus rewards or cash back on gift card purchases, so check your card's terms before buying.
- If you use a credit card to buy a gift card, you are responsible for the credit card charge — the gift card recipient is not.
Where to buy Walmart gift cards with a credit card
You have two main options: buy in person at a Walmart store or order online through Walmart.com. At a physical store, you can walk to the customer service desk or the front registers and ask for a gift card. You hand over your credit card, and the cashier processes the transaction. The gift card is activated immediately and ready to use or give away.
Online, you go to Walmart.com, search for "gift cards," and select the amount you want. You enter your credit card information at checkout, and Walmart emails the gift card code to the recipient or to you, depending on what you choose. Digital gift cards arrive within minutes. Physical gift cards ordered online ship to your address and typically arrive within a few business days.
How credit card rewards and fees affect your purchase
Some credit cards earn rewards or cash back on all purchases, including gift card buys. If your card offers 1% cash back on everything, buying a $100 Walmart gift card would earn you $1. Other cards offer bonus rewards in specific categories like shopping or groceries, and gift cards might fall into one of those categories — but not always. Check your card's rewards terms before you buy.
A few credit cards treat gift card purchases differently. Some cards classify them as cash advances rather than regular purchases, which means you might pay a higher interest rate and a cash advance fee. This is less common now, but it's worth checking your card's terms if you plan to carry a balance. If you pay off your credit card in full each month, this does not affect you.
Walmart gift card amounts and denominations
Walmart gift cards come in fixed amounts from $15 to $500. You choose the amount that works for your budget. There is no fee to buy a Walmart gift card — you pay only the face value. If you want to give someone $47, you would buy a $50 card and accept that the recipient will have $3 left over, or you could buy a $25 card and a $25 card to get closer. Walmart does not sell custom amounts.
Digital gift cards and physical cards have the same denominations and no difference in how they work. The only difference is delivery: digital arrives by email, and physical arrives in your hands or by mail.
What happens if your credit card is declined
If your credit card is declined when you try to buy a gift card, the transaction does not go through. At a store, the cashier will tell you immediately, and you can try a different payment method. Online, Walmart will show you an error message and ask you to update your card information or use a different card.
Common reasons for a decline include insufficient funds, an expired card, or fraud protection triggered by an unusual purchase. If you think your card was declined by mistake, contact your credit card company to ask why. They can tell you whether the decline came from them or from Walmart's payment system. Once you resolve it, you can try the purchase again.
Using the gift card after you buy it
Once you own the gift card, you or the recipient can use it at any Walmart store or on Walmart.com. At a store, hand the card to the cashier at checkout, and they scan it like a regular payment card. Online, enter the gift card number and PIN during checkout. The balance decreases by the amount of your purchase. If the purchase is larger than the card's balance, you can pay the difference with another payment method.
Gift cards do not expire, so there is no rush to spend the balance. Walmart will hold the balance indefinitely. If the card is lost or stolen, contact Walmart customer service with your card number, and they can help you recover the balance if you have proof of purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Walmart charge a fee to buy a gift card with a credit card?
No. Walmart does not charge a fee for buying a gift card. You pay only the face value of the card. Your credit card company may charge you interest if you carry a balance, but that is between you and your card issuer, not Walmart.
Can I buy a Walmart gift card with a credit card that is not in my name?
Technically, yes — the cashier or website will process it. However, if the cardholder disputes the charge later, Walmart may cancel the gift card. For your protection and the cardholder's, use only a credit card that belongs to you or someone who has given you permission to use it.
What if I want to buy a gift card for someone but do not want them to know the amount?
If you buy a physical card in person, you can give it to them without showing the receipt. If you order online, choose the option to email the gift card to yourself rather than to the recipient, and then you control when and how they find out about it. Digital gift cards do not come with a receipt showing the amount.
Can I use a prepaid credit card to buy a Walmart gift card?
Yes. Prepaid credit cards work the same way as regular credit cards at checkout. As long as the prepaid card is a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, Walmart will accept it. Make sure the prepaid card has enough balance to cover the gift card amount you want to buy.
Do I earn credit card points if I buy a Walmart gift card?
Most credit cards do earn rewards on gift card purchases, but it depends on your specific card. Check your rewards terms or call your credit card company to confirm. Some cards earn the same rate on all purchases; others earn bonus rates in certain categories. A few older cards may exclude gift cards, so it is worth verifying before you buy.