It‘s the age-old question for American Express cardholders – can I use my Amex card at Walmart? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can use American Express credit cards for purchases at Walmart, both online and in stores. But how exactly does paying with Amex at America‘s largest retailer work?
This detailed guide will cover everything you need to know as an Amex cardholder when shopping at Walmart, including:
- What types of Amex cards and payment methods are accepted
- How to use and maximize Amex rewards points
- Benefits of the Walmart credit card vs. Amex cards
- Tips for saving money and earning rewards
- And much more!
By the end, you‘ll feel confident whipping out your Amex card at the Walmart checkout counter and doing so smarter. Now let‘s dive into how two payment powerhouses connect for your shopping convenience.
A Quick Look at Walmart and American Express
To understand if Amex works at Walmart, it helps to know a little about each brand. Walmart and American Express are both giants in their industries who have shaped commerce and shopping in the U.S.
Walmart opened its first store in 1962 and has grown to become the world’s largest company by revenue. Here are some fast facts about Walmart:
- Over 10,000 stores nationwide
- Employs 2.2 million associates
- Serves 200 million customers globally each week
Meanwhile, American Express was founded in 1850 as an express mail service. It later entered the charge card industry and now issues a wide range of credit card products. Some Amex statistics:
- Over 50 million cards in force
- Network accepts cards in 180+ countries
-Cardmember rewards redeemed valued at $17 billion+ - Ranked 25th on Fortune 500 list
Given their widespread reach and customer bases, it makes perfect sense for a payment giant like Amex to be accepted at America‘s biggest retailer. Being able to easily use your Amex card enhances the shopping experience and satisfaction at Walmart.
Amex Payment Methods Accepted at Walmart
Walmart accepts the following types of American Express cards:
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Amex credit cards – Any personal or business American Express credit card, including Green, Gold, Platinum, etc.
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Amex debit cards – American Express offers several debit card options linked to checking accounts.
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Amex gift cards – Purchased gift cards with a preset Amex dollar amount.
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Amex rewards points – Can be redeemed for purchases only at Walmart.com (see next section for details).
When paying in-store, the process for using your Amex credit or debit card is the same as any other payment card:
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Swipe – Swipe the magnetic stripe of the card in the credit card terminal.
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Chip reader – Insert the card‘s chip into the slot of terminals equipped for chip cards.
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Contactless – Hold your tap-enabled card near the contactless symbol to pay on select terminals.
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Mobile wallet – Use Apple Pay or other digital wallets that store your Amex card.
For online Walmart purchases, simply select your Amex card on file as the payment method. Provide the card security code if prompted.
Now let‘s go over the ins and outs of using Amex rewards points for Walmart purchases.
How to Use Amex Rewards Points at Walmart
The American Express Membership Rewards program allows cardholders to redeem their accrued points for statement credits on Walmart.com purchases. Here are the steps:
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Enroll in an eligible Amex Membership Rewards credit card program. Consumer cards like Green, Gold, Platinum qualify.
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Earn points on your card for eligible purchases and pay your bill on time.
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When checking out at Walmart.com, select "Redeem Points" and input your Amex log-in.
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Pick how many points to apply to your order. Each point equals 1¢ in savings.
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Walmart will initially charge your full order to your Amex card.
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Within 1-2 billing cycles, Amex will credit your statement the amount of redeemed points.
A few things to note about redeeming Membership Rewards points at Walmart.com:
- Points can only be used at Walmart.com, not in physical Walmart stores.
- An eligible Amex credit card is required, debit cards don‘t qualify.
- Credits may take a bit to appear after using points. Monitor your account.
- No returns allowed on purchases with redeemed points.
Check your Amex account online or in the mobile app to see your available points balance. Using points at Walmart.com is an easy way to save on everything from groceries to electronic gadgets!
Other Common Payment Cards Accepted
While American Express is welcomed, Walmart accepts virtually all major credit and debit card brands. You can also pay conveniently with:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- Walmart Gift Cards
- Walmart Credit Card
Walmart continues to add new contactless and digital payment methods as well. Apple Pay, Walmart Pay, and PayPal are great options for checkout if you have them set up.
Accepting all major cards makes shopping accessible for Walmart‘s diverse customer base. There are plenty of payment options whether you have an Amex card or not.
Should You Get the Walmart Credit Card?
Along with accepting Amex and other bank cards, Walmart also offers their own branded credit card through Capital One. Here are some potential perks if you‘re a regular Walmart shopper:
Earn rewards – Cardholders get 5% back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% back on Walmart in-store purchases, and 2% at Walmart gas stations. Rewards accrue as redeemable points.
Special financing – 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. Extended financing offers on big ticket Walmart items.
Other benefits – Purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, and special member discounts. Access to buy now, pay later options.
Manage it easily – The Capital One app lets you track rewards, redeem points, make payments, freeze card, and more.
When used responsibly, the tailored rewards and benefits of the Walmart credit card can save frequent Walmart shoppers hundreds per year. Compare it against your other cards and see if it makes sense for your spending habits.
Tips for Maximizing Amex Rewards at Walmart
Since Walmart takes American Express cards, Amex Membership Rewards members can rack up points on Walmart purchases. Here are some tips to maximize earnings:
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Use an Amex card with a high rewards rate for grocery and supermarket spending. The Blue Cash Preferred Card offers 6% back at US superstores like Walmart.
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Check your Amex account for targeted Walmart offers before shopping. Limited time promotions may give bonus rewards.
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Pay attention to rotating categories on cards like the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. Supermarket spending may earn 3-4x points during certain periods.
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Use the American Express online shopping portal to access special discounts and earn additional points at Walmart.com.
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When shopping online, choose in-store pickup rather than delivery to potentially earn more points per dollar spent.
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Don‘t forget to scan your Amex card or linked mobile wallet at checkout for in-person purchases.
With a rewards-earning strategy, you can effectively get discounted prices by using your Amex card at Walmart.
Budgeting Tips When Paying with Credit Cards
Credit cards make purchasing convenient, but also pose risks if you overspend. When paying with plastic instead of cash, it‘s easier to lose track of how much you‘re actually spending.
Here are some tips to keep your credit card spending in check at Walmart:
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Set a budget – Determine how much you can afford to spend on groceries, household items, etc. each month. Factor in your income and existing bills.
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Use spending alerts – Many cards and apps let you set up alerts to notify you when you exceed a certain spending threshold or budget.
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Track purchases – Review your monthly statements or use your card issuer‘s app to monitor where your money is going. Identify unnecessary purchases.
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Pay off balances – Always try to pay your full credit card balance on time each month to avoid interest charges. Don‘t overspend beyond your means.
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Use cash-back rewards – When you earn rewards on a card, apply them as statement credits to offset spending rather than on more purchases.
Controlling credit card spending takes discipline. But staying aware of your purchases and budget ultimately saves you money in interest and debt.
My Experience Using Amex at Walmart
As an American Express cardholder, I occasionally shop at my local Walmart for things like groceries and home essentials. At first I assumed my Amex card wouldn‘t be accepted, so I was pleasantly surprised when it went through no problem at the cash register.
I feel satisfied knowing I can rely on my Amex card for purchases big or small at Walmart. And I always keep an eye out for Amex Offers for bonus savings on top of Walmart‘s everyday low prices. Recently I activated an Offer for $10 back on $50+ Walmart purchases, which was an easy extra dent in my grocery budget.
Between the universal acceptance and opportunities to maximize rewards, paying with American Express at Walmart is a win-win for shoppers like me. Hopefully this guide gave you the rundown on how you can do the same! Let me know if you have any other questions.
The Bottom Line
Yes, Walmart proudly accepts American Express credit cards everywhere you shop – online, in stores, at gas stations, and more. While Amex is widely accepted, Walmart also takes Visa, Mastercard, Discover, gift cards, and other convenient payment methods.
As an Amex cardholder, you can earn points and rewards when shopping at Walmart. Check for Amex Offers or use a card like the Blue Cash Preferred to maximize savings. The Walmart credit card is also worth considering if you frequently shop there.
So next time you‘re stocking up on household essentials or needing a quick grocery run, feel free to bring your Amex along to Walmart. Now you know all the ins and outs to use it smoothly and optimize your spending. Shop on!
