Learn About Walmart Visa Gift Cards

What Walmart Visa Gift Cards Are and How They Work

Walmart Visa Gift Cards are prepaid card products sold at Walmart stores and online. They function as standard Visa cards that you can use anywhere Visa is accepted, both in-store and online. These cards come preloaded with a specific dollar amount that you choose at the time of purchase. The card itself is a plastic card with a Visa logo, chip, and magnetic stripe, making it look similar to a regular credit card.

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When you purchase a Walmart Visa Gift Card, you're buying a card with a set balance. For example, you might buy a $25 card, a $50 card, or a $100 card, depending on what amounts Walmart currently offers. Once you have the card, you can use it to make purchases until the balance runs out. The card does not require a credit check, Social Security number, or bank account to use.

These cards are issued by MetaBank, a financial institution that handles the backend processing. This means the cards operate under standard Visa rules and protections. The card comes with a 16-digit card number, expiration date, and CVV security code printed on it, just like a traditional Visa card would have.

One important distinction: Walmart Visa Gift Cards are different from Walmart Gift Cards. Walmart Gift Cards can only be used at Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations. Visa Gift Cards, by contrast, can be used at millions of merchants worldwide wherever Visa is accepted. This makes them more flexible if you want to give someone a gift or if you want to use the card at various retailers.

Practical takeaway: Understand that Walmart Visa Gift Cards are prepaid Visa products that work like regular credit cards but with a fixed balance you choose, and they can be used virtually anywhere Visa cards are accepted, not just at Walmart.

Where to Buy Walmart Visa Gift Cards and Pricing Information

You can purchase Walmart Visa Gift Cards at any Walmart store location in the United States. They're typically found in the customer service area or near the checkout lanes. You can also buy them through Walmart's website at walmart.com. Online orders can be shipped to your home or picked up at a local Walmart store, depending on your preference.

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Walmart Visa Gift Cards come in various denominations. Common amounts include $25, $50, and $100 cards. Some locations may offer cards in other amounts between $15 and $500. The exact denominations available may vary slightly by location or time period, so it's worth checking what's currently in stock at your nearest store or on the website.

There is a purchase fee associated with these cards. Typically, Walmart charges a fee ranging from $2.50 to $5.95 depending on the card amount. This fee is added to your purchase price. For example, if you buy a $50 card, you might pay between $52.50 and $55.95 total. The fee structure generally means that smaller denomination cards have a higher percentage fee, while larger denomination cards have a lower percentage fee relative to the card value.

When purchasing in-store, you pay for the card at checkout like any other item. You'll receive the physical card immediately. For online purchases, physical cards are typically delivered within 7-10 business days if shipped, or within a few hours if you choose in-store pickup. Digital Walmart Visa Gift Cards are also available online for people who want immediate delivery via email, though these may have different fee structures.

Practical takeaway: Purchase Walmart Visa Gift Cards at stores or online, expect to pay a fee of $2.50 to $5.95 on top of the card value, and choose between physical delivery or digital delivery depending on when you need the card.

Understanding Fees and Balance Management

Beyond the initial purchase fee, there are other fees you should know about. Walmart Visa Gift Cards do not charge monthly maintenance fees or inactivity fees, which is a feature that makes them different from some other prepaid card products. This means you can hold onto the card without worrying about the balance decreasing due to account keeping costs.

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However, there are specific situations where fees might apply. If you attempt to make a purchase and don't have enough balance on the card, you may be charged a declined transaction fee. Some merchants may also charge their own fees if they process the card as a credit transaction rather than a debit transaction, though this is not a Walmart or Visa fee.

ATM withdrawals can incur fees. If you try to withdraw cash from an ATM using your Walmart Visa Gift Card, you may face ATM operator fees. Walmart Visa Gift Cards are not primarily designed for cash withdrawal, so this fee may be substantial. Additionally, some ATMs may not accept prepaid cards at all, so it's not a reliable way to access cash.

Checking your balance is straightforward and free. You can check your remaining balance by visiting the official Walmart Visa Gift Card website, calling the customer service number on the back of the card, or visiting any retail location where Visa cards are accepted and asking the cashier to check your balance. Some retailers may charge a small fee for balance checks at their register, though Walmart stores typically check balances at no charge.

If you lose your card or suspect fraudulent activity, you should contact the customer service number on the back of the card immediately. Walmart Visa Gift Cards offer fraud protection similar to regular Visa cards. If you report the card lost or stolen before any unauthorized charges are made, you can typically receive a replacement card. This service may involve a replacement fee in some cases.

Practical takeaway: Be aware that while there are no monthly fees, declined transactions and ATM withdrawals may carry charges, so it's best to use the card for regular purchases at merchants rather than cash withdrawal.

Using Your Card: Where It's Accepted and How Transactions Work

Walmart Visa Gift Cards can be used anywhere in the world that accepts Visa. This includes millions of locations: grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, subscription services, and more. The card functions identically to a regular Visa credit card from a merchant's perspective, so you shouldn't encounter problems using it at most places that accept credit cards.

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When making a purchase with your Walmart Visa Gift Card, you present the card at checkout. The cashier will swipe, insert, or tap the card depending on the payment technology available at that location. You may be asked to sign a receipt or enter your PIN, depending on the transaction amount and the merchant's system. For online purchases, you enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV in the payment field just like you would with any other Visa card.

One important thing to understand: your card does have a billing address associated with it. When you purchase the card, this address is typically set as your address or the store's address where you bought it. When making online purchases, the billing address you provide during checkout must match the billing address on file with your Walmart Visa Gift Card, or the transaction may be declined. This is a fraud prevention measure that all credit and prepaid card companies use.

If your card balance is less than the purchase amount, the transaction will typically be declined. Some merchants allow split payments where you could use multiple payment methods, but this varies by retailer. It's a good idea to check your balance before making large purchases to ensure you have sufficient funds available.

Subscription services like Netflix, Spotify, or magazine subscriptions can be charged to your Walmart Visa Gift Card. However, when a subscription renewal comes due and your card has expired or been replaced, the charge will fail. If you plan to use the card for subscriptions, be aware that you'll need to update your payment method before the card expires.

Practical takeaway: Your Walmart Visa Gift Card works at any Visa-accepting merchant worldwide, but you need sufficient balance for the purchase and a matching billing address for online transactions to prevent declined payments.

Expiration, Card Replacement, and What Happens to Unused Balances

Walmart Visa Gift Cards have an expiration date printed on the front of the card, typically four years from the date of issuance. This is the same expiration period as most traditional Visa cards. Once the card reaches its expiration date, you cannot use it for any further purchases, even if there is remaining balance on the card.

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If your card is expiring soon but you still have balance remaining, Walmart and Met