Yes, you can buy gift cards with a Walmart credit card, but the rules depend on which card you have and what kind of gift card you're buying
The Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card both let you purchase gift cards at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. However, some gift cards earn rewards and some don't — and a few categories are off-limits entirely. The main restriction: you cannot use a Walmart credit card to buy gift cards for other retailers, only Walmart gift cards and cards sold at Walmart (like iTunes or Google Play). If you're thinking about buying gift cards as a way to manufacture spending or move money around, the card issuer may flag the transaction, so it's worth understanding the actual rules before you check out.
Understanding these boundaries matters because gift card purchases sit in a gray zone between regular shopping and financial maneuvering. The card issuer allows them, but watches for patterns that suggest you're using credit in ways the card wasn't designed for. Knowing what counts toward rewards, what doesn't, and what might trigger a fraud alert will help you use your card the way it's meant to work.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart gift cards purchased with a Walmart credit card count as regular Walmart purchases and earn the standard cash back or rewards for that card.
- Third-party gift cards sold at Walmart (iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation Network) can be bought with your Walmart card, but they typically do not earn bonus rewards.
- Buying gift cards as a way to move money or avoid spending limits may trigger fraud detection, and the card issuer can decline or reverse the transaction.
- Gift card purchases do not count toward sign-up bonus spending requirements on either the Walmart Credit Card or Walmart Rewards Card.
How rewards work when you buy Walmart gift cards
When you buy a Walmart gift card at a Walmart store or on Walmart.com using your Walmart credit card, the purchase counts as a regular Walmart transaction. On the Walmart Credit Card, that means you earn cash back at the standard rate for Walmart purchases. On the Walmart Rewards Card, you earn points at the standard rate.
The key detail: you earn rewards on the gift card itself, not on what you later spend with that gift card. So if you buy a $100 Walmart gift card with your Walmart Rewards Card, you earn points on that $100 purchase. When you later use the gift card to buy groceries, you earn no additional rewards — the gift card is just a payment method at that point, like cash.
This matters if you're thinking about buying gift cards as a way to earn extra rewards. You won't. You'll earn the same rewards you would have earned if you'd just bought the items directly with your card. The only time gift card purchases make sense from a rewards angle is if you're buying them for someone else and want to earn rewards on money you were going to spend anyway.
Third-party gift cards and the limits on what you can buy
Walmart sells gift cards for other companies — iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation Network, Amazon, and others — at its registers and online. You can buy these with your Walmart credit card. However, they typically do not earn bonus rewards, even if your card offers bonus categories. They usually post as a general merchandise purchase at the base rate, which is lower than the Walmart-specific rate.
What you cannot do: use your Walmart credit card to buy gift cards for competing retailers like Target, Best Buy, or Home Depot if you're trying to use the Walmart card's rewards structure to earn on those purchases. Walmart's card is designed to work at Walmart, and the issuer (Capital One) has terms that restrict what you can purchase. Attempting to use the card for gift cards at other retailers may result in a declined transaction. The card will work at Walmart's registers, but the transaction may not go through if the system detects you're buying a competitor's gift card.
Gift card purchases and sign-up bonuses
If you recently opened a Walmart credit card and are working toward a sign-up bonus, gift card purchases do not count toward the spending requirement. The card issuer excludes gift cards from bonus-may have access to purchases specifically to prevent people from manufacturing spending without actually buying goods or services. This is a standard rule across most credit card programs.
This applies to both the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card. If your bonus requires you to spend $500 in the first three months, buying a $500 gift card will not help you reach that threshold. You'll need to make actual purchases of merchandise or services. The issuer tracks this by looking at the merchant category code of the transaction, and gift card sales are coded differently than regular retail purchases.
When the card issuer may decline or reverse a gift card purchase
Buying large amounts of gift cards in a short period, or buying gift cards repeatedly without other purchases, can trigger fraud detection. Capital One (the issuer of Walmart credit cards) monitors for patterns that suggest you're trying to move money around or convert credit into cash equivalents. If the system flags your account, the transaction may be declined, or a completed purchase may be reversed.
This is not a punishment — it's a fraud prevention measure. If it happens, call the number on the back of your card and explain the purchase. In most cases, the issuer will clear it and let the transaction go through. But if you're buying gift cards as part of a larger strategy to work around credit limits or move money, understand that the card issuer can see the pattern and may not allow it. The system is designed to catch people who are using credit cards as a way to access cash or move balances, not to punish legitimate gift-giving.
Walmart gift cards versus Walmart+ membership cards
Do not confuse a Walmart gift card with a Walmart+ membership card. Walmart+ is a paid subscription service ($98 per year or $12.98 per month) that gives you free shipping, fuel discounts, and other perks. You cannot buy a Walmart+ membership with a gift card — you have to pay for it directly with a credit card, debit card, or other payment method.
However, you can use a Walmart gift card to make purchases once you're a Walmart+ member. The membership is separate from the gift card, and the two work together but are not interchangeable. If you're trying to use a gift card to cover a Walmart+ subscription, that won't work — you'll need to set up the membership with a direct payment method first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Walmart gift card with a Walmart credit card and then use that gift card to pay off my credit card balance?
No. A gift card is a prepaid card, not a payment method for your credit card bill. You cannot use a Walmart gift card to make a payment on your Walmart credit card account. You would need to use a bank account, another credit card, or a debit card to pay your bill.
Do Walmart gift cards purchased online earn the same rewards as ones bought in the store?
Yes. Whether you buy a Walmart gift card in a physical store or on Walmart.com, the purchase earns the same rewards rate as any other Walmart purchase on your card. The rewards are based on the purchase itself, not the method or location.
What happens if I buy a gift card and then return it?
Walmart does not allow returns of gift cards once they have been purchased. If you buy a gift card and change your mind, you cannot return it for a refund. However, if the gift card is defective or was damaged before you opened it, Walmart may replace it. Check your receipt and Walmart's return policy for details on what qualifies.
Can I use a Walmart gift card to buy another Walmart gift card?
Yes. You can use a Walmart gift card to purchase another Walmart gift card at any Walmart store or on Walmart.com. However, you will not earn any rewards on this purchase because the gift card itself is not being paid for with your credit card — it's being paid for with the prepaid balance on the first gift card.
Does buying gift cards hurt my credit score?
No. Buying a gift card is a regular purchase and does not affect your credit score. Your credit score is based on payment history, credit utilization, and other factors — not on what you buy. As long as you pay your credit card bill on time, the purchase itself has no impact on your credit.