For many people, staying on top of monthly bills is a constant challenge. Between rent, utilities, credit card payments, and other recurring expenses, it can be tough to keep everything straight. Fortunately, Walmart offers a convenient bill payment service that allows customers to take care of many common bills in one place.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk through everything you need to know about paying bills at Walmart. We‘ll cover what types of bills are eligible, how the process works both in-store and online, typical fees you can expect, and how Walmart stacks up to other bill payment options. Whether you‘re a loyal Walmart shopper or just looking to streamline your monthly financial tasks, read on to learn if paying bills at Walmart is right for you.
What Bills Can You Pay at Walmart?
Walmart partners with several major bill-payment providers to offer an extensive assortment of eligible billers. Here are some of the most common bills you can pay at Walmart Money Centers or customer service desks:
- Utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewage, trash)
- Credit card bills
- Auto loans and leases
- Insurance premiums
- Cable and satellite TV
- Phone and internet
- Rent and mortgage payments
- Child support and alimony
- Federal, state and local taxes
- Court-ordered fines and fees
All in all, Walmart says they accept bill payments to over 15,000 billers nationwide. So unless you have a very obscure or local service provider, chances are good that Walmart can process your payment. Some other bills you may be able to pay include:
- Tuition and education expenses
- Medical and dental bills
- Subscription services
- Storage unit rental fees
- HOA and condo fees
- Parking tickets
How to Pay Bills at Walmart
Walmart makes the bill-paying process straightforward, with both in-store and online options available. Here‘s how it works:
Paying Bills at Walmart Stores
To pay a bill in person, simply head to the customer service desk or Money Center at your local Walmart (usually located near the front of the store). Bring a copy of your most recent bill or statement that includes your account number, the biller name, and the amount due.
You‘ll also need to provide a valid photo ID, especially for payments over a certain amount (typically $900). Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Driver‘s license
- State-issued ID card
- Passport
- Military ID
- Tribal ID
- Matrícula Consular ID
Walmart accepts cash or debit cards for in-store bill payments – no credit cards or checks allowed. Once the associate processes your payment, you‘ll receive a receipt confirming that the transaction went through. Be sure to hang onto this until the payment posts with your biller.
One helpful tip: you can start an in-store bill payment on your phone using the Walmart app. Simply choose the "Services" tab, select "Money Services," and fill in your payment details. Then head to the Walmart Money Center express lane and show the associate your barcode to complete the transaction – no need to wait in the regular line!
Paying Bills Through Walmart.com or the App
If you‘d rather skip the trip to the store, Walmart also accepts bill payments online through their partnership with MoneyGram. Here‘s how to pay bills via Walmart online:
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Go to https://www.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/paybills and click the "Sign In/Register" button. If it‘s your first time, you‘ll need to create an account with a username and password.
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Search for your biller by typing in the company name, city and state, or ZIP code. You can also browse by category to find services like auto loans, utilities, cable/satellite, and insurance.
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Enter your account number, the payment amount, and your bank account or debit card information. Note that Walmart online bill pay does not accept credit cards.
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Review and submit your payment. The funds will be deducted from your account immediately and delivered to the biller electronically or by check.
Delivery speed depends on how quickly your biller processes payments, but funds are typically received within 3 business days. For an extra fee, you can expedite your payment to arrive the same day or next day.
Walmart Bill Pay Fees
While some billers may charge their own fees for accepting certain payment types, Walmart‘s fees for their bill pay service are pretty straightforward:
- Payments by cash or debit card: 88¢ per payment
- Same-day bill payments: $4.50 per payment
- Next-day bill payments: $1.50 per payment
These fees are in addition to the actual amount you‘re paying toward your bill. Also note that if you‘re using a non-Walmart/non-MoneyGram debit card, your bank may charge its own fees.
Compared to some other convenient bill-paying options, Walmart‘s fees are quite reasonable. For example, going through your bank‘s online bill pay might be free, but it can often take 5 business days or longer for payments to post. MoneyGram also partners with retailers like CVS and 7-Eleven to process bill payments, but fees there start at $1.99.
Is Paying Bills at Walmart the Right Choice?
Depending on your specific financial situation and preferences, paying bills at Walmart may or may not make sense. Here‘s a quick look at some of the major pros and cons:
Advantages of Walmart Bill Pay
- Convenient one-stop-shop, especially if you‘re already a regular Walmart customer
- Extensive biller network covers most major national and regional companies
- Reasonable fees compared to other retail bill-payment services
- Cash payments accepted (many online bill pays are bank account/debit card only)
- Can pay multiple bills in a single transaction
- Instant payment confirmation
Disadvantages of Walmart Bill Pay
- Requires a trip to the store unless you use the app/website
- Fees can add up, especially for expedited payments
- Not all billers accept payments through third-party retailers
- Some very small or local billers may not be eligible
- No option to set up recurring or automatic payments
- Can take 3 business days for payments to post with billers
Ultimately, if you value the convenience of handling bills while you take care of other shopping, or if you regularly use cash for budgeting purposes, Walmart bill pay can be a useful tool. But if you‘re looking to automate your finances as much as possible (and avoid paying fees), setting up bill pay directly through your bank account or biller‘s website is probably a better bet.
The Bottom Line on Paying Bills at Walmart
For millions of customers, Walmart is much more than a place to stock up on groceries and household essentials. With their extensive bill pay services, the retail giant also functions almost like a virtual bank branch or post office, allowing folks to securely transfer money and knock out those monthly financial to-dos.
While everyone‘s money management system is a bit different, there‘s no denying that being able to pay rent, utilities, and other bills while you grab milk and toilet paper is a major time-saver. And with 90% of Americans living within 15 minutes of a Walmart store, it‘s never been more convenient to check off those tedious bills in a matter of minutes. Just remember to bring your account info and preferred payment method (cash or debit card only).
For tech-savvy shoppers, Walmart‘s app and online bill pay are also solid options that allow you to handle bills from your phone or computer in a few quick clicks. Fees are comparable to in-store payments, though you‘ll likely have to wait a few days for payments to fully process (up to 3 business days).
Of course, paying bills at Walmart does come with a few downsides – namely, the inability to schedule automatic recurring payments and a lack of credit card compatibility. For some, it may also feel a bit strange to handle sensitive financial business at a place primarily known for selling cheaply-priced consumer goods.
At the end of the day, choosing how and where to pay your bills is a highly personal decision that depends on your unique needs, preferences and financial habits. If you‘re a frequent Walmart shopper and prefer the ease of centralizing errands, it may be the perfect addition to your money management routine. But if you prefer a totally hands-off, set-it-and-forget-it approach, you‘re likely better off enrolling in autopay or bill pay through your bank or credit union.
