Yes, you can buy gift cards with a Walmart credit card, but the terms depend on which card you hold and which gift cards you're buying
The Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card (both issued by Capital One) allow you to purchase gift cards at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com. However, most rewards credit cards, including Walmart's, do not earn cash back or points on gift card purchases. This is a deliberate restriction built into the card's rewards structure.
If you're buying a Walmart gift card with a Walmart credit card, you'll complete the transaction normally, but you won't receive rewards on that purchase. If you're buying a third-party gift card (Amazon, Target, restaurant chains) at Walmart, the same rule applies — no rewards earned. The card will still work as a payment method; you straightforward won't get the benefit you'd receive on other purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart credit cards process gift card purchases without blocking them, but the purchase typically earns zero cash back or rewards points.
- This restriction applies to both Walmart gift cards and third-party gift cards sold at Walmart locations and online.
- Some issuers code gift card purchases differently than regular retail purchases, which can trigger the rewards exclusion automatically.
- If you want to earn rewards on gift card purchases, a general cash back card or a card without gift card restrictions may be a better choice for that specific transaction.
Why Walmart credit cards don't reward gift card purchases
Credit card issuers exclude gift cards from rewards programs because gift cards are considered a form of cash equivalent. When you buy a gift card, you're not purchasing a physical good or service — you're buying stored value that can be spent later. Issuers view this as a way to prevent rewards arbitrage, where cardholders would buy gift cards, earn rewards, and then sell them or use them in ways that generate rewards without genuine spending.
Capital One, which issues the Walmart Credit Card and Walmart Rewards Card, enforces this restriction across most of its consumer cards. The merchant category code assigned to gift card transactions flags them as ineligible for rewards, regardless of where you buy them or what brand of card you're using.
How to check if a purchase will earn rewards
Before you buy a gift card with your Walmart credit card, you can contact Capital One customer service to confirm whether a specific purchase will earn rewards. Call the number on the back of your card and describe the transaction — for example, "I'm buying a $50 Walmart gift card at a Walmart store" or "I'm purchasing an Amazon gift card online at Walmart.com."
You can also check your card's terms and conditions on Capital One's website or in your account dashboard. The rewards terms will list categories that earn cash back or points, and they will typically note that gift cards are excluded. If you're unsure whether a particular item qualifies as a gift card for rewards purposes, ask before you check out.
What happens if you buy a gift card by accident
If you purchase a gift card and later realize it didn't earn rewards, you cannot retroactively earn points or cash back on that transaction. The rewards information is made at the time of purchase based on the merchant category code. Contacting Capital One after the fact to request rewards on a gift card purchase is unlikely to result in an exception.
However, if you believe the transaction was coded incorrectly — for example, if you bought a physical item that was mistakenly flagged as a gift card — you can dispute this with Capital One. Keep your receipt and explain what you actually purchased. If the merchant coded it wrong, Capital One may be able to correct it and add the rewards retroactively.
Alternatives if you want to earn rewards on gift cards
If earning rewards on gift card purchases is important to you, consider using a different payment method for those transactions. A general cash back credit card from another issuer may not exclude gift cards from rewards, though you should verify this before explore. Some cards from American Express, Chase, or Discover have different restrictions than Capital One cards.
Another option is to buy gift cards using a debit card or cash, then use your Walmart credit card for other purchases where you will earn rewards. This way, you're not leaving rewards on the table. You could also check whether your bank or credit union offers a rewards card with fewer restrictions on gift card purchases.
Gift cards purchased as gifts versus for personal use
The rewards exclusion applies regardless of whether you're buying a gift card as a present for someone else or for your own future use. The card issuer doesn't distinguish between these two scenarios — both are coded as gift card purchases and both are excluded from rewards. Your intent doesn't change how the transaction is classified.
If you're buying multiple gift cards at once, each one will be treated separately. Buying five $10 gift cards instead of one $50 gift card won't change the outcome — none of them will earn rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn Walmart rewards on a Walmart gift card if I buy it with cash instead of my credit card?
No. Walmart's rewards program (separate from the credit card rewards) also excludes gift card purchases. Whether you pay with cash, debit, or credit, buying a gift card at Walmart won't earn Walmart rewards points. The exclusion is based on the item purchased, not the payment method.
What if I buy a gift card at a different store using my Walmart credit card?
The same rule applies. If you buy a Walmart gift card at Target, or an Amazon gift card at CVS, using your Walmart credit card, the purchase typically won't earn rewards. The restriction is tied to the merchant category code for gift cards, not to where you shop.
Do Walmart credit cards block gift card purchases entirely?
No. Your Walmart credit card will process the transaction normally. You can buy gift cards without any problem — you straightforward won't earn cash back or points on that specific purchase. The card won't decline the transaction or flag it as suspicious.
If I buy a physical Walmart gift card in-store, will it earn rewards?
No. Physical gift cards sold at Walmart registers are coded the same way as digital gift cards purchased online. Neither earns rewards on a Walmart credit card. The format of the gift card doesn't change the rewards outcome.
Can I use my Walmart credit card to reload a gift card I already own?
Yes, you can reload an existing gift card with your Walmart credit card, but the reload amount also won't earn rewards. Reloads are treated as gift card purchases for rewards purposes.