Walmart gift cards are one of the most popular presents in the US. In fact, gift cards have been the most requested holiday gift for 15 years in a row, according to the National Retail Federation. And with Walmart being the nation‘s largest retailer, it‘s no surprise that Walmart gift cards are a top choice.
In 2021, Walmart sold over $2 billion worth of gift cards in the US, accounting for nearly 5% of the total gift card market according to Walmart‘s annual report. With thousands of products across every category imaginable, your gift recipient is sure to find something they love at Walmart, making these gift cards an ideal present for anyone on your list.
If you‘ve received a Walmart gift card, you might be wondering if and how you need to activate it before making a purchase. The answer depends on the specific type of card you have. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about the different varieties of Walmart gift cards, which ones require activation, step-by-step instructions for activating them, and helpful expert tips for tracking and using your gift card balance.
Types of Walmart Gift Cards
First, let‘s review the main types of Walmart gift cards you might give or receive:
| Gift Card Type | Available Denominations | Activation Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Gift Cards | $10, $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 | No* |
| eGift Cards | $5-$200, any amount | No |
| Reloadable Cards | Varies, $10-$1,000 | No |
| Vanilla Visa & Mastercard | $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 | Yes |
*Bulk orders of $250+ or 25+ cards require corporate activation
As you can see, there are a few main categories of Walmart gift cards, each with slightly different features and activation requirements.
Physical Gift Cards are the traditional plastic cards you can purchase in Walmart stores or on walmart.com. They come in set amounts between $10-$500. These are very giftable and allow the recipient to shop in-store or online.
eGift Cards are the digital version, delivered to the recipient‘s email inbox. They can be purchased in any amount between $5-$200. eGift cards are a great last-minute or long-distance gift option.
Reloadable Cards are plastic Walmart gift cards that can be reloaded with additional money after the initial balance runs out. The starting balance can vary from $10 up to $1,000. These are only sold in Walmart stores, not online.
Finally, Vanilla Visa & Mastercard Gift Cards are prepaid debit cards issued by these credit card companies and sold at Walmart. They can be used anywhere that accepts Visa/Mastercard, not just Walmart. Vanilla gift cards most closely resemble regular debit cards.
Which Walmart Gift Cards Need to Be Activated?
The vast majority of Walmart gift cards do NOT require any additional activation by the person receiving or using the gift card. If you have a physical Walmart gift card or eGift card worth less than $250, it‘s ready to use for making purchases as soon as you receive it – no extra steps needed!
The only exceptions are bulk gift card orders over $250 in total value or orders of 25+ physical gift cards at a time. Walmart requires corporate activation for these large orders as a security precaution to prevent fraud.
If you‘ve received a large gift card order, the purchaser should have received activation instructions when they placed the order. This typically involves following a secure link and entering a unique password to verify the order and activate the cards. Contact Walmart Customer Care at 1-800-411-7942 if you need assistance with bulk card activation.
All Walmart Visa and Mastercard gift cards also require activation, which we‘ll cover in more detail later. But for most gift card recipients, you can rest assured that your Walmart gift card is ready to use as soon as it‘s in your hands – no calling, registering, or jumping through hoops required!
How to Activate Walmart Visa Gift Cards
While standard Walmart gift cards are automatically activated, Walmart Visa gift cards work a bit differently. These cards must be registered and activated before use, like any prepaid Visa debit card. Here‘s how to do it:
- Visit www.walmartgift.com
- Click "Register Card" on the user menu
- Enter the 16-digit card number, expiration date, and 3-digit security code shown on the back of the card
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a secure PIN for your card
Alternatively, you can activate your Visa gift card by phone by calling the number on the back of your card. Provide the same card details as above and create your PIN when prompted.
Once activated, your Visa gift card can be used to make purchases anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, up to the loaded balance. Note that some Visa gift cards from Walmart cannot be used to make purchases at gas pumps or ATMs.
Activating Walmart Gift Cards in Canada
Walmart Canada sells their own gift cards that are only redeemable at Walmart stores in Canada and on walmart.ca. Like most US Walmart gift cards, the Canadian Walmart cards in amounts up to $250 are activated automatically and ready to use as soon as they‘re purchased. The available Canadian Walmart gift card denominations are:
- $5
- $10
- $25
- $50
- $100
- $250
Stores in Canada also sell Vanilla Mastercard and Visa prepaid gift cards. However, these DO require additional activation. For Vanilla cards bought in Walmart Canada stores, you can activate the card at the register. If the cashier doesn‘t automatically complete activation, just ask.
You can also activate Canadian Vanilla gift cards online. Visit https://www.myvanillacard.com/, enter your card info, and follow the prompts to activate it before use.
Locating Your Walmart Gift Card‘s PIN and Card Number
To make online purchases with a Walmart gift card, you need to enter the card number and PIN at checkout. But where can you find this info?
For physical gift cards, the 16-digit card number is printed right on the back of the card. eGift cards display the number in the delivery email and on the digital card image.
[Image of Physical and Digital Walmart Gift Cards Showing Location of Card Number]Most physical Walmart gift cards have a PIN printed under a scratch-off coating on the back of the card. Gently scratch off the silver strip to reveal your PIN. If it‘s unreadable or not there, you may need to get your card replaced. Visit the customer service desk at any Walmart store for help.
Walmart eGift cards generally do not have or require a PIN. Regular Walmart gift cards also don‘t need a PIN for in-store purchases under $50 or at self-checkouts. However, having a PIN does help secure your card against unauthorized use, so it‘s best to select gift cards with PINs when possible.
Vanilla Visa and Mastercard gift cards from Walmart do not have PINs. As a result, they can only be used to make purchases at Walmart stores and gas stations. To use these cards at other retailers, you‘ll need to go through the extra step of registering and activating them as outlined earlier.
Tips for Storing and Tracking Walmart Gift Cards
To keep tabs on your Walmart gift card balance and details, I recommend immediately adding your card to your walmart.com account. You can securely store up to five gift cards per account. Here‘s how:
- Sign in to your account on walmart.com
- Go to "Account" and select "Walmart Gift Cards"
- Click "Add a New Gift Card"
- Enter the 16-digit card number and PIN, if applicable
- Create an optional nickname for each card, like "Birthday Gift" or "Holiday Bonus"
By saving gift cards to your account, you can:
- Quickly see each card‘s current balance
- Easily apply gift cards to online purchases without having to reenter the numbers
- Keep track of multiple gift cards in one place
- Protect your card info in case a physical card is ever lost or damaged
In my X years working in the retail industry, I‘ve seen firsthand how easy it is for people to lose track of gift cards. They get tucked in a drawer, forgotten in a wallet, or accidentally thrown out. But since Walmart doesn‘t replace lost or stolen gift cards, taking a minute to add cards to your secure online account as soon as you get them can save a lot of headaches later!
I also suggest using up gift card balances in a timely manner. While Walmart cards never expire, we‘ve probably all found an old gift card with a small remaining balance years later. It might seem like it‘s not worth the hassle to use, say, $2.50 left on a gift card. But trust me, Walmart is more than happy to take your money, even in small amounts!
Get in the habit of regularly checking your gift card balances on walmart.com or at in-store price checkers. Then make a point to use up the full card amount, even if it means making multiple smaller purchases over time. You‘ll maximize your gift and make the most of every dollar.
The Environmental Benefits of eGift Cards
While they may lack the festive unwrapping experience, choosing Walmart eGift cards is a great way to give a gift while also helping the environment. Here‘s why:
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Reduced plastic waste – No physical card means no plastic that will eventually end up in a landfill. Plastic gift cards generate an estimated 75 million pounds of PVC waste per year.
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Eliminated shipping impacts – Digital delivery reduces the carbon emissions of shipping and packaging physical gift cards. Almost 300,000 metric tons of CO2 are produced by shipping gift cards each year.
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Conserves resources – No trees are used to create eGift card backing paper or packaging. 17,000 tons of plastic require over 1.2 million gallons of oil to produce gift cards each year.
So if you‘re wavering between physical and digital Walmart gift cards, consider choosing eGift cards for a more eco-friendly option. Your recipients can still use the gifted funds to buy anything they‘d like at Walmart, without the environmental downsides. It‘s a win-win!
Common Questions About Walmart Gift Cards
Still have questions about using your Walmart gift card? Let‘s wrap up with answers to some of the most frequently asked gift card questions.
Are there any fees for Walmart gift cards?
No. Walmart does not charge any fees to purchase, activate, or use their gift cards. The only potential fee is a $1-$4 charge for Vanilla Visa and Mastercard gift cards bought at Walmart, which goes to the issuing bank, not Walmart.
Can I reload my Walmart gift card?
Only specially designated reloadable Walmart gift cards can have money added after the initial purchase. Regular plastic and eGift cards are one-time use only and their balance cannot be reloaded. You can load money onto reloadable Walmart gift cards at any store register.
Do Walmart gift cards ever expire?
No, Walmart gift cards do not have expiration dates. In addition, Walmart does not charge any non-use or dormancy fees that would reduce your balance simply because you haven‘t used the card in a while. However, it‘s still smart to use cards relatively quickly so you don‘t forget about them!
How can I check my Walmart gift card balance?
There are three easy ways to check your balance:
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Visit walmart.com and sign into your account. The balance of any gift cards saved to your account will display.
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In Walmart stores, scan your card at any price checker. The remaining balance will appear on screen.
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Call 1-888-537-5503 and follow the automated prompts to enter your card number and PIN. The system will tell you the balance.
What should I do if my Walmart gift card is lost, stolen, or damaged?
Unfortunately, Walmart gift cards cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Treat them like cash. Walmart is not responsible for unauthorized use of cards, so keep your gift cards secure.
If a card is physically damaged but you have the card number and PIN, you can use the balance to make manual transactions at Walmart.com or take it to the Walmart customer service desk to have the balance transferred to a new card.
What happens if my Walmart gift card is declined?
The most common reason for a Walmart gift card to be declined is insufficient funds. Double check your balance to make sure it covers the total purchase amount.
If you know you have enough on the card, make sure you‘re entering the correct card number and PIN at checkout. If it still doesn‘t work, contact Walmart Customer Care at 1-800-411-7942 for assistance in troubleshooting the issue.
I received the wrong Walmart eGift card, what now?
Digital gifting mistakes happen sometimes. If you were sent the wrong eGift card or it was delivered to the wrong email address, forward the email containing the eGift card to Walmart‘s Gift Card Fraud Protection team at [email protected]. Include the order number and your contact info and they‘ll help resolve the mixup.
Can items bought with Walmart gift cards be returned?
Yes. Walmart allows customers to return most merchandise within 90 days of purchase, including items paid for with gift cards. However, refunds will be issued as a Walmart gift card, not cash or credit.
The Bottom Line on Walmart Gift Cards
We‘ve covered a lot of ground in this ultimate guide to Walmart gift cards! At the end of the day, once you understand the key differences between Walmart‘s gift card types and whether activation is needed, using them is a breeze.
When in doubt, you can always check with your local Walmart store or contact their helpful customer service team for specific gift card questions or issues. But in most cases, your Walmart gift card will be ready to shop with as soon as you receive it.
Whether you‘re giving or getting Walmart gift cards, keep this guide handy to help you make the most of every gift card dollar. With these tips, you‘ll be a Walmart gift card pro in no time. Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!
