You just found a plastic rectangle in your junk drawer or maybe your grandma sent you an email with a 16-digit code. Now you're wondering: where can I use a Walmart gift card? Most people think the answer is just "Walmart." Simple, right? Well, sort of.
The truth is actually a bit more expansive than that. You aren't just stuck buying bulk cereal and tube socks at a Supercenter. You’ve got options—ranging from warehouse clubs to specific gas station pumps—but there are also some annoying "gotchas" that can leave you standing awkwardly at a register if you don't know the rules.
The Short List: Where It Definitely Works
Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way first. You can use your balance at:
- Any Walmart Store: This includes Supercenters, the smaller Neighborhood Markets, and those tiny "Walmart on Campus" spots.
- Walmart.com: Just punch in the card number and PIN during checkout.
- Sam’s Club: This is the big one people miss. Since Walmart owns Sam’s, they play nice together. You can use the card at physical Sam’s Club locations or on their website.
- Walmart Fuel Stations: If you see a pump that literally says "Walmart," you’re golden.
- Murphy USA: Most of these stations are located in the same parking lot as a Walmart, and they generally accept the cards.
Honestly, the Sam's Club connection is probably the most underutilized perk. Even if you aren't a member, you can technically use the card there, though non-members usually get hit with a 10% surcharge on most items. If you are a member, it’s a seamless swap.
The Gas Station Confusion
Gas is where things get kinda tricky. Not every station with a "gas" sign near a Walmart is actually a Walmart station.
If you’re at a Murphy USA station, you can usually swipe that Walmart gift card right at the pump or hand it to the attendant inside. However, there’s a cousin called Murphy Express. These look identical to Murphy USA, but they are often independent. Most Murphy Express locations do not accept Walmart gift cards. It’s a weird distinction that has caused many a frustrated sigh at the pump.
What about Sam's Club Gas? You can use your Walmart gift card there, but there is a massive catch: you generally have to be a Sam’s Club member to even activate the pump. If you’ve got the membership, the Walmart card is a great way to pay for a tank of gas. If you don't, you're better off sticking to the Murphy USA stations.
Why You Can't Use It for Everything
Just because you have $50 on a card doesn't mean Walmart will let you buy whatever you want. There are "hard" blocks in the system for certain items.
You cannot use a Walmart gift card to buy other gift cards. If you were hoping to trade your Walmart credit for an App Store card or a Starbucks voucher, you’re out of luck. The system is designed to prevent "gift card churning," which is a common tactic used in fraud.
Also, forget about using it for:
- Lottery tickets (The state wants "real" money).
- Money orders or wire transfers at the MoneyCenter.
- Alcohol and Tobacco (This varies slightly by state law and store policy, but usually, it's a no-go to prevent underage use).
- Walmart+ Memberships. This is the height of irony. You can't use a Walmart gift card to pay for Walmart's own subscription service. They require a credit or debit card on file for the recurring billing.
Digital vs. Physical Cards
If you have a physical card, life is easy. You swipe it. If you have an eGift card—the kind that lives in your email—you have to be a bit more strategic.
For in-store shopping with a digital card, the best move is to load it into the Walmart Pay section of the Walmart app. You just scan a QR code at the register, and it drains the gift card balance before hitting your backup credit card. It’s way faster than trying to get the cashier to scan a cracked phone screen with a barcode that won't load.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to use a digital card at a gas pump, it almost never works. Most pumps don't have barcode scanners. You’d have to go inside to the attendant, and even then, some stations are weirdly restrictive about digital codes.
💡 You might also like: US Dollar to Guatemalan Quetzal: What Most People Get Wrong
The Marketplace Trap
When you’re shopping on Walmart.com, keep an eye on who is actually selling the item.
Walmart has a massive "Marketplace" where third-party sellers list everything from refurbished iPhones to obscure car parts. While you can use your gift card to pay for these items, returns are a nightmare. If you return a Marketplace item, you often don't get the money back on your gift card immediately. It can get tied up in a refund process that takes weeks.
What About Vudu and Streaming?
A few years ago, you could use Walmart gift cards to buy movies on Vudu (now called Fandango at Home). Since Walmart sold Vudu, that bridge has been burned.
As of 2026, you cannot use a Walmart gift card for Fandango at Home, Netflix, or any other streaming service, even if you see those apps mentioned in the Walmart ecosystem. If you had a balance on Vudu from an old gift card, it’s likely been converted back into a Walmart eGift card by now.
Pro Tips for the Savvy Shopper
If you find yourself with a pile of these cards, don't just let them sit. They don't expire, which is great, but they also don't have "loss protection" like a credit card. If you lose that plastic, the money is gone.
🔗 Read more: Virginia Sales Tax Rate Explained (Simply): What You’ll Actually Pay in 2026
Register your card. Go to the Walmart website and add the card to your account. This "locks" the balance to your profile. If the physical card gets stolen or lost, you can still spend the balance through the app or online.
Also, check your balance before you hit the checkout line. There is nothing more awkward than trying to buy $200 worth of groceries and realizing your gift card only has $12.43 on it. You can check the balance at any register, at a Price Checker kiosk, or on the Walmart app.
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Consolidate: If you have multiple cards with small balances, add them all to your Walmart app. It combines them into one digital "wallet" so you aren't fumbling with five different cards.
- Check the Sign: Look for the Murphy USA logo if you’re buying gas; avoid Murphy Express if you only have a Walmart gift card.
- Use at Sam's: Use your Walmart gift card at Sam's Club for high-ticket items like tires or electronics where the savings beat the 10% non-member fee (if you aren't a member).
- Scan with Walmart Pay: Save yourself the headache and use the app's QR code system for in-store purchases to ensure your digital gift cards actually work.
Your next move is to open the Walmart app and scan any physical cards you have into your account. This ensures you won't lose the balance and makes it a lot easier to track your spending the next time you're at the register.