Walmart Gift Card Policy: No Expiration, Balance Checks & Lost Cards

A Walmart gift card works like store credit: it's simple to spend but hard to undo. This guide covers where you can use one, how to check the balance, what happens if it's lost, and how gift cards fit into Walmart returns – all from Walmart's own Gift Card Terms and Conditions (last updated August 24, 2026) and its return policy ¹².

Do Walmart gift cards expire?

No. Walmart's terms state plainly that gift cards do not expire ¹. The same terms apply to both Walmart and Sam's Club gift cards ¹.

Can you return or refund a Walmart gift card?

No. Walmart gift cards are not returnable or refundable ¹. Gift cards also appear on Walmart's final-sale list – items Walmart won't replace, accept returns for or refund – alongside prepaid phone and gaming cards ². Branded Visa, Mastercard and American Express gift cards sold at Walmart are final sale too ².

Cashing out a small balance

Walmart says cash redemption of a low balance is legally required only in certain jurisdictions: CA, CO, CT, HI, MA, ME, MO, NJ, NY, OR, PR, RI, VT and WA ¹. The terms don't state the dollar threshold, so ask Gift Card Customer Service if you live in one of those places ¹.

Where you can use a Walmart gift card

Unless other restrictions apply, you can use a gift card ¹:

• At any Walmart or Sam's Club location in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
• In the app
• Online at Walmart.com, SamsClub.com and Walmart Business

Gift cards can be used for eligible goods and services, and Walmart can change what's eligible without notice ¹. Ineligible purchases include precious metals, financial products or services, and other gift cards ¹. Walmart also won't combine several gift cards into a new one ¹.

How to check your balance

• By phone: call 1-888-537-5503 ¹.
• Online: use Walmart's online balance check ¹.
• In your account: saving a gift card to your account shows its balance and transaction history ¹. Saving it enables online use without restricting the physical card or removing the balance ¹.

The balance you see is an estimate. It usually updates right after a purchase, but there can be delays ¹. For help, Gift Card Customer Service is at 888-537-5503, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, excluding major holidays ¹.

Lost or stolen gift cards

Walmart does not replace lost or stolen gift cards ¹. It also isn't liable for use of your card by others through your account, or if you share the card number and PIN with someone ¹. You're responsible for activity under your account and for keeping the card details and your password secure ¹.

Refunds that come back as a gift card

Gift cards show up a lot in Walmart's return policy:

• You paid with a Walmart gift card: with a receipt, your refund goes to a Walmart gift card or Walmart Balance, in up to 3 hours ².
• Refund can't go back to your debit or credit card: store purchases are refunded as store credit on a Walmart Gift Card or Walmart Balance ².
• No receipt: a valid ID is required, and an approved refund is issued as a Walmart gift card ².
• Gift receipt: items can be exchanged, refunded to a Walmart Gift Card, or credited to the sender's original payment method ².

A Walmart Gift Card issued this way is store credit you can spend in a Walmart store or on Walmart.com, and the funds may take up to 3 hours to process ². For the full return rules, see the Walmart return policy guide.

Buying gift cards and avoiding problems

You can buy Walmart gift cards in Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs, in the app, online through Walmart Business and from other authorized Walmart resellers ¹. Ordering more than $1,000 in gift cards requires applying for a Bulk Gift Card Account ¹.

Walmart's terms list prohibited uses, including selling a gift card for cash, buying one from an unauthorized third party, using it to pay for business purposes such as paying employees, and redeeming a card if you aren't the buyer or intended recipient ¹. Walmart can refuse a gift card without notice and take further action, including forfeiting the balance ¹. Manufacturer coupons can't be used toward buying gift cards ² – see the Walmart coupon policy guide.

The terms include a mandatory individual arbitration provision, and Walmart can update them at any time without notice ¹.

Quick tips

• Treat a gift card like cash: lost or stolen cards aren't replaced ¹.
• Save the card to your account so you can see the balance and transaction history ¹.
• Buy gift cards only from Walmart, Sam's Club or authorized resellers ¹.
• Don't plan to return a gift card you no longer want – it's not returnable or refundable ¹.
• Compare rules at other stores in our gift card guides.