If you‘re the lucky recipient of a Walmart gift card, you might be eager to start shopping. But before you head to the store or browse Walmart.com, you‘ll want to check your gift card balance. After all, it‘s hard to stick to a budget if you don‘t know how much you have to spend!
Fortunately, checking your Walmart gift card balance is a simple process with several options to fit your needs. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know, including:
- How to check your balance online, in-store, by phone, or on the app
- What information you‘ll need to provide
- Tips for keeping your gift card secure
- How to troubleshoot common issues
Whether you have a regular Walmart gift card, a Walmart eGift card, or a Walmart Visa gift card, we‘ve got you covered. We‘ll also highlight a few key differences for our Canadian readers. Let‘s get started!
Checking Your Walmart Gift Card Balance: The Basics
Unlike some other gift cards, Walmart gift cards don‘t come with the balance printed on the card itself. This is because Walmart gift cards are reloadable, meaning you can add more funds to the card even after the initial purchase. So how can you find out how much money is on your card? You have a few options:
Check Your Balance Online
To check your balance online, you‘ll need to have your 16-digit card number and PIN handy. You can find this information on the back of your physical gift card. Here‘s how to check your balance on Walmart.com:
- Visit walmart.com/account/giftcards/balance
- Enter your 16-digit card number and PIN
- Click "Get Card Balance"
- Your current balance will be displayed on the screen
If you have an eGift card, you should have received the card number and PIN in the email or text message that delivered the card. Just enter that information the same way you would for a physical card.
Check Your Balance In-Store
If you‘re already out shopping, you can easily check your gift card balance at any Walmart store. Just take your card to the customer service desk or any register, and ask the associate to check the balance for you. They can scan your card with their register or hand-held device and tell you how much money is remaining.
This method works even if you don‘t have your PIN or the PIN is scratched off. However, for your security, you may be asked to show a valid photo ID to verify that you are the rightful owner of the card.
Check Your Balance by Phone
Walmart also offers an automated phone system that allows you to check your gift card balance 24/7. Here‘s how it works:
- Call 1-888-537-5503
- When prompted, enter your 16-digit card number followed by the "#" key
- Enter your PIN followed by the "#" key
- The system will read out your current card balance and offer additional options, such as reloading the card or speaking to a customer service representative
Keep in mind that you will need to have your PIN to use the automated phone system. If you don‘t have your PIN or it‘s not working, you may need to call Walmart Customer Care for assistance (see the Troubleshooting section below for more details).
Check Your Balance on the Walmart App
If you have a Walmart.com account and the Walmart app on your smartphone, you can easily keep track of your gift card balance right in the app. Here‘s how:
- Open the Walmart app and sign in to your account
- Tap the "Account" tab at the bottom of the screen
- Scroll down and tap "Gift Cards"
- You‘ll see a list of all the gift cards associated with your account, along with the balance of each card
To add a new gift card to your account, just tap "Add Gift Card" and enter the card number and PIN. Once the card is added, you can easily keep tabs on the balance and even set up automatic reloads.
What You‘ll Need to Check Your Balance
As you can see, checking your Walmart gift card balance is a breeze – as long as you have the right information. For most balance-checking methods, you‘ll need two key pieces of info:
Your 16-Digit Card Number
This is the long number printed on the back of your physical gift card, or included in the email or text message for an eGift card. It typically starts with "60" for Walmart gift cards.
Your PIN
Your PIN is a 4-digit code found on the back of your gift card, usually under a scratch-off area. This code is essential for checking your balance online or by phone, as well as making online purchases.
If your gift card is new, be sure to gently scratch off the coating to reveal the PIN. If the PIN doesn‘t work or you can‘t read it, see the Troubleshooting section below for what to do.
Walmart Visa Gift Cards: A Few Key Differences
In addition to regular Walmart gift cards that can only be used at Walmart, you may also have a Walmart Visa gift card that can be used almost anywhere Visa is accepted. These cards have a few key differences when it comes to checking the balance:
- Visa gift cards have a separate website for balance inquiries: www.walmartgift.com
- The automated phone number for Visa gift card balances is 1-866-633-9096
- For Visa gift cards purchased after April 1, 2013, the PIN is the last four digits of the card number. Older cards may not have a PIN at all.
Otherwise, you can still check the balance of your Walmart Visa gift card in-store or on the Walmart app just like a regular gift card.
Tips for Securing Your Walmart Gift Card
Now that you know how to check your gift card balance, it‘s important to keep your card safe and secure. After all, a gift card is just like cash – if you lose it, anyone who finds it can use the remaining balance. Here are a few tips to protect your card:
- As soon as you receive a new gift card, scratch off the PIN and write it down somewhere secure. Don‘t store the PIN with the gift card itself.
- Consider adding the card to your Walmart app right away. That way, even if you lose the physical card, you can still access the funds from your account.
- If you‘re mailing a gift card, use a trackable shipping method and send it in a nondescript envelope. Don‘t write "Gift Card" on the outside of the envelope.
- When making a purchase, try to use up the entire balance in one transaction. Having a small balance remaining makes the card more vulnerable to theft.
- Check your gift card balance regularly so you‘ll quickly notice any unauthorized purchases.
Troubleshooting Gift Card Issues
What if you run into an issue when trying to check your balance or use your card? Don‘t panic – Walmart‘s customer service team is there to help. Here are some common gift card issues and what to do:
What if I can‘t read the PIN?
If the PIN on your card is scratched off, illegible, or not working when you enter it online or by phone, contact Walmart Customer Care at 1-800-411-7942. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and may be able to issue you a replacement card.
What if I lose my gift card?
Unfortunately, Walmart gift cards are not registered to a specific person, so they cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. However, if you have the original receipt or gift card number, Walmart may be able to help you track down the remaining balance. Contact Customer Care for assistance.
What if my card is declined?
If your Walmart gift card is declined when making a purchase, first check the balance to ensure there are sufficient funds on the card. If the balance is $0, the card will be declined. If you believe there should be funds available, contact Customer Care to troubleshoot the issue.
Checking Walmart Gift Card Balances in Canada
Our Canadian readers will be glad to know that checking a Walmart Canada gift card balance is just as easy as in the US. You can check your balance online at walmart.ca/en/gift-cards, in-store at any Walmart Canada location, or by calling 1-888-537-5503.
For Walmart Canada Visa gift cards, you can check the balance at www.walmartgift.ca or by calling 1-888-925-4227.
Conclusion
Checking your Walmart gift card balance is an essential step in being a savvy shopper. By knowing how much you have to spend, you can make the most of your gift card and stick to your budget. And with so many easy ways to check your balance – online, in-store, by phone, or on the app – there‘s no excuse not to stay informed.
We hope this comprehensive guide has answered all your questions about checking your Walmart gift card balance. Remember, if you do run into any issues, don‘t hesitate to reach out to Walmart Customer Care for assistance. Happy shopping!
