If you‘ve ever found yourself rushing to grab a last-minute gift card on the way to a birthday party or trying to pick out the perfect gift for a hard-to-shop-for relative, you know how convenient it can be to buy gift cards at major retailers like Walgreens.
With over 9,000 locations nationwide, Walgreens offers an extensive selection of popular gift card brands all in one place. But what exactly does Walgreens sell when it comes to gift cards? And are there certain tips shoppers should keep in mind when buying gift cards there?
In this detailed guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know as a shopper about purchasing gift cards at Walgreens, including:
- The full list of 93+ gift card brands and counting
- Available gift card denominations
- Fees and fine print to watch out for
- Buying online vs. in-store options
- How to buy gift cards in bulk from Walgreens
- Notable brands NOT sold at Walgreens
- And plenty of shopper tips and gift card suggestions throughout!
Let‘s start with a look at the huge variety of gift card offerings available.
Every Gift Card Brand Sold at Walgreens
Walgreens sells both their own store gift cards as well as over 90 other popular third-party brands. Here is the comprehensive list of all the different gift card categories available:
Walgreens Gift Cards
- The Walgreens gift card can be used to purchase anything at Walgreens, including prescriptions, cosmetics, snacks, household items and more.
- It‘s a great option if you want maximum flexibility since it can be used like cash in-store.
Retail Gift Cards
From trendy clothing stores to outdoor outfitters to big box chains, Walgreens has a strong selection of retail gift card brands:
- American Eagle
- Bass Pro Shops
- Bath & Body Works
- Bloomingdale‘s
- Buybuy BABY
- Cabela’s
- DICK’s Sporting Goods
- DSW
- Disney
- eBay
- GameStop
- Gap
- Home Depot
- HomeGoods
- Kohl‘s
- Macy‘s
- Marshalls
- Nordstrom
- REI
- Saks Fifth Avenue
- Target
- T.J. Maxx
- Williams Sonoma
With major department stores, specialty shops, sporting goods, luxury retailers and more, you‘re sure to find a retail gift card for everyone‘s interests.
Prepaid Gift Cards
Prepaid gift cards from Visa, Mastercard and American Express give you the most flexibility if you don‘t want to commit to just one store. Options include:
- American Express Gift Card
- Vanilla MasterCard Gift Card
- Vanilla Visa Gift Card
Keep in mind these do charge purchase fees and have more specifics on how to use, so do your research before buying prepaid.
Entertainment Gift Cards
For the pop culture buff in your life, choose from entertainment gift cards for gaming, movies, books, and more:
- AMC Theatres
- Apple Store
- Audible
- Fandango
- GameStop
- Gearbox Fortnite
- Google Play
- HBO Now
- iTunes
- Nintendo
- PlayStation Network
- Regal Cinemas
- Roblox
- Spotify
- Steam
- XBox
Restaurant Gift Cards
With almost 30 restaurant brands to choose from, you can indulge any craving with restaurant gift cards from Walgreens:
- Applebee‘s
- Bonefish Grill
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Burger King
- Carrabba’s Italian Grill
- Cheddar‘s Scratch Kitchen
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Chili‘s
- Chipotle
- Chick-fil-A
- Cracker Barrel
- Dairy Queen
- Domino‘s
- IHOP
- Jersey Mike‘s
- McDonald‘s
- Noodles & Company
- Olive Garden
- Outback Steakhouse
- P.F. Chang‘s
- Panera Bread
- Red Lobster
- Red Robin
- Ruth‘s Chris Steak House
- Sonic Drive-In
- Starbucks
- Steak ‘n Shake
- Subway
- Texas Roadhouse
- Whataburger
With so many fan favorites, restaurant gift cards make great gifts for foodies or as a little treat for yourself!
Travel Gift Cards
For the jetsetters in your life, you can grab an Uber gift card to help fund their next adventure.
Communication Gift Cards
Gift cards for phone and data plans can make great gifts for teens and college students:
- AT&T
- Net10 Wireless
- Simple Mobile
- T-Mobile
Self-Care Gift Cards
Pamper someone with a spa gift card like:
- Massage Envy
This covers the main gift card categories sold at Walgreens. But it‘s important to note that selection can vary by location. Before you shop, check the Walgreen‘s gift card website and enter your zip code to see exactly which options are sold at stores near you.
Denominations and Amounts for Walgreens Gift Cards
Walgreens offers flexibility when it comes to gift card denominations and amounts.
For Walgreens Brand Gift Cards:
- You can customize the amount from $5 to $500
- The cashier can load any denomination you want onto the card
For Third-Party Gift Cards:
- Denominations range from $10 to $100
- The most common fixed amounts are $10, $25, $50 and $100
So while Walgreens gift cards allow total customization, third-party gift cards only come in set amounts predetermined by the brand.
According to 2021 consumer data, the most popular gift card denomination purchased was $25, followed closely by $50. So if you‘re unsure, those amounts make reliable gifts. $100 gift cards also ranked high for special occasions like birthdays or holidays.
Fees and Fine Print to Know Before Buying
One of the biggest perks of buying gift cards at Walgreens is that there are typically no extra fees or costs to purchase third-party gift cards. You simply pay the face value amount that will go on the card.
However, there are a few exceptions and specifics to keep in mind:
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Prepaid Gift Cards: American Express, Vanilla Visa and Vanilla Mastercard all charge a $6 purchase or activation fee. This one-time $6 fee lets you use and reload the card as needed.
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Card Expirations: Most gift cards sold at Walgreens expire 6 to 24 months after purchase if unused. The expiration should be printed on the back of the card.
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Returns: Walgreens does not allow returns of activated or used gift cards. Make sure to check the balance immediately after purchasing.
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Lost or Stolen Cards: Your options are limited if a third-party gift card is lost, stolen or damaged after purchase. The original purchase receipt is required by most brands for replacement.
So while buying a gift card at Walgreens itself has no extra fees, make sure to read the fine print for whichever brand you choose. Prepaid cards, expirations, and protection if lost are important to factor in.
Buying Walgreens Gift Cards Online
Walgreens offers the convenient option to order gift cards online for in-store pickup.
Here are some tips for buying online:
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Browse the full selection of gift cards at Walgreens.com
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Enter your zip code to check which cards are in stock at nearby stores before purchasing. Inventory varies.
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Choose the closest store location for picking up your gift cards.
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Pay online via credit/debit card or PayPal.
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You‘ll receive an order confirmation email when the gift card is ready for pickup.
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Take your confirmation email and photo ID to the store to collect the physical gift card.
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Note that Walgreens does not ship gift cards to your home address. In-store pickup is required.
Buying online is quick and convenient, especially if you have a go-to Walgreens location already. Just be mindful that third-party gift card availability can fluctuate in-store.
Purchasing Walgreens Gift Cards in Bulk
Need to buy a large quantity of gift cards for a business, promotion, or big event? Walgreens allows for bulk orders of their brand gift cards through the Corporate Gifts Department.
Here‘s how it works:
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Fill out the bulk order request form with your contact information, requested amounts, and total order value.
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Bulk orders must total at least $200 to qualify for discounts.
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Fax the completed form to 877-925-4767.
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Provide payment details on the form. Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted.
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Once processed, your bulk order of Walgreens gift cards will be delivered to the requested address.
Discounts on bulk orders:
- Orders of $200+ = 2% discount
- $500+ = 3% discount
- $2,000+ = 5% discount
- $10,000+ = 6% discount
- $100,000+ = 7% discount
Keep in mind only Walgreens brand gift cards can be purchased in bulk directly through the company. But for a large order of third-party gift cards, you may be able to contact the brand‘s corporate office directly to request a bulk order.
Gift Card Brands Not Sold at Walgreens
While Walgreens carries an extensive selection from over 90 brands, there are still some exceptions you won‘t find in-store or online:
- Sephora
- Nike
- Hobby Lobby
- Lowe’s
- Best Buy
- Trader Joe’s
- Victoria’s Secret
- Walmart
- Cinemark Theatres
- Ulta Beauty
If you‘re looking for any of those specific retailers, you‘ll have to purchase their gift cards at other nearby stores. Calling ahead or checking online inventory can help avoid a wasted trip if Walgreens doesn‘t carry a certain brand.
Walgreens vs. CVS vs. Rite Aid Gift Cards
Walgreens isn‘t your only option when it comes to picking up gift cards at a drugstore chain. So how does their selection and pricing compare to competitors CVS and Rite Aid?
Here‘s an overview of how they stack up:
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Selection: Walgreens and CVS have very similar offerings from 90+ top brands. Rite Aid has a smaller selection of around 70 gift card options.
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Pricing: Prices are standard across retailers for third-party gift cards, meaning a $25 Starbucks gift card will cost $25 at Walgreens, CVS or Rite Aid. No undercutting between the chains.
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Availability: Inventory of third-party gift cards can vary day to day. Checking online stock before heading to the store is advised.
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Coupons: CVS and Rite Aid both frequently offer percent-off coupons for gift card purchases, whereas Walgreens rarely has gift card coupons.
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Reward Programs: All three chains allow you to earn and redeem points from their loyalty programs when purchasing gift cards.
So when it comes to availability, selection and pricing, these major retailers are fairly evenly matched. Having gift card coupons or loyalty rewards may help tip the scales if you have a preference.
Pros and Cons of Buying Gift Cards at Walgreens
Here are some key advantages and disadvantages to weigh when buying gift cards at your local Walgreens:
Pros:
- Huge selection with 90+ top brands across different categories
- No purchase fees (for non-prepaid cards)
- Ability to customize amounts for Walgreens gift cards
- Order online for in-store pickup at your convenience
- Walgreens gift cards can be purchased in bulk
- Earn Walgreens Cash rewards on gift card purchases
- Convenient one-stop shop if already going to Walgreens
Cons:
- Inventory varies day to day for third-party cards
- No shipping option – must pick up gift cards in person
- Prepaid gift cards have purchase fees
- Can‘t buy most third-party brands in bulk
- No discounts like percent-off coupons on gift cards
- Gift card selections still misses some major brands
For shoppers who already frequent Walgreens for prescriptions and errands, picking up a gift card in the same trip can certainly be appealing. The wide selection gives lots of options for birthdays, holidays, teachers and more.
Just keep availability fluctuations and lack of coupons in mind as potential downsides. Calling ahead to check if your desired brand is in stock can help avoid disappointment.
And be sure to compare with CVS, Rite Aid or grocery store gift card deals if you want to price shop.
Gift Card Suggestions for Different Occasions
Still not sure what type of gift card to get? Here are some suggestions for popular gift-giving occasions:
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Birthdays: Restaurant gift cards like Starbucks, Chipotle, Panera Bread or Domino‘s are perfect for food-loving friends. Retail cards to Target, Amazon or Sephora also make great birthday presents.
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Graduations: Help graduates on their new adventure with useful cards like gas, Uber, dorm room shopping, and more based on their college plans.
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Weddings: Newlyweds would appreciate Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Crate & Barrel gift cards to furnish their first home.
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Anniversaries: Give couples a date night with gift cards for dining, movies, AirBnB experiences, couples massages, etc.
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Teachers: Reward their hard work with coffee, classroom supplies, bookstore or self-care gift cards.
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Stocking stuffers: Small gift cards from fast food places, Starbucks, Netflix, gaming stores, or prepaid Visa cards fit nicely in holiday stockings.
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Employee rewards: Use Walgreens bulk gift card orders as employee recognition, incentives and perks.
The Convenience of Walgreens Gift Cards
With so many possibilities, Walgreens gift cards are sure to be appreciated by everyone on your list. They offer convenience, flexibility and can be personalized for each recipient‘s interests – whether that‘s dining out, streaming movies, home improvement, leisure shopping and more.
So next time you‘re scrambling to grab a gift card on your lunch break or unsure what to get for that hard-to-shop-for coworker, remember that your local Walgreens likely has just the right option in stock.
Browse their selection in-store or online, and you‘re sure to find gift cards to please anyone!
