William Lipovsky
Many types of stores accept personal checks as in-store payment, but most of the retailers that give cash back with personal checks are grocery stores.
Below, I list the stores that offer this service, complete with each store’s limit and restrictions — plus the stores that don’t.
The List
I list the stores that offer cash back with personal checks below, starting with the stores that have the highest cash back limits.
Note that the best option for you will vary depending on where you usually stop and which stores are closest to you.
1. Winn-Dixie
- Limit: Varies by store location; typically $100[1]
- Restrictions: None[1]
- Find a store
2. Wegmans
- Limit: $60[2]
- Restrictions: None[2][3]
- Find a store
3. Food Lion
- Limit: $50[4][5]
- Restrictions: None[4][5]
- Find a store
4. H-E-B
- Limit: $50[6]
- Restrictions: None[7]
- Find a store
5. Stop & Shop
- Limit: $50[8]
- Restrictions: None[8]
- Find a store
6. Hannaford
- Limit: $50[9]
- Restrictions: None[9]
- Find a store
7. Tops Friendly Markets
- Limit: $30[10]
- Restrictions: None[10]
- Find a store
8. Giant Eagle
- Limit: $30[11][12]
- Restrictions: Must have a Giant Eagle Advantage Card[11]
- Find a store
9. ShopRite
- Limit: $30[13][14]
- Restrictions: None[13]
- Find a store
10. Albertsons
- Limit: $25[15]
- Restrictions: Must have written a check at Albertsons in the last six months[15]
- Find a store
11. Meijer
- Limit: $25 in stores and $5 at gas stations[16]
- Restrictions: None[16]
- Find a store
12. Vons
- Limit: $25[17]
- Restrictions: Must have written a check at Vons in the last six months[17]
- Find a store
13. Walmart
- Limit: $20;[18] see more about Walmart’s cash-back policy.
- Restrictions: None[18]
- Find a store
14. Market Basket
- Limit: $20[19]
- Restrictions: You must have a Market Basket Check Cashing Card.[19]
- Find a store
Stores That Don’t Give Cash Back With Personal Checks
Some stores will accept personal checks but won’t give cash back for check purchases.
In the course of my research, I found that the following stores don’t give cash back for check purchases:
- Big Lots[20]
- BJ’s Wholesale Club[21]
- Costco[22]
- CVS[23]
- JCPenney[24]
- Kohl’s[25]
- Kroger[26]
- Macy’s[27]
- Rite Aid[28]
- Sam’s Club[29]
- Save A Lot[30]
- Target[31]
- Walgreens (as previously reported)[32]
- WinCo Foods[33]
Alternatives
Tip: If you need a larger amount in cash back or you prefer to shop at stores that don’t appear on my list, you can generally get more cash back with a debit card.[34][16]
For the list of alternatives (including limits, self-checkout options, and each store’s conditions), see where to get cash back.
You can also write a check to yourself and cash it to get a larger amount of cash. See how to write a check for cash.
FAQ
Instead of writing the check for the purchase amount, you’ll write the check for the purchase amount plus the amount of cash back you desire. For example, if you were making a purchase for $15.32 and you wanted $25 cash back, you would write the check for $40.32.[11]
Most stores will require you to show a valid, government-issued ID when using a personal check, and some may also require you to have a store loyalty card.[35]
There are a variety of reasons why a store may decline to accept a personal check; common reasons are that you have a negative history with the check verification system or that the system suspects fraudulent activity. It’s best to contact your bank or the check verification company (usually TeleCheck or Certegy) to pinpoint the exact problem.[36][37]
In Summary
Several grocery stores offer cash back at the register when paying with a personal check; however, limits vary by where you shop and tend to be around $20 to $50.
If you need a larger amount, you can also get cash back using a debit card or write a check for cash.
If you have experience or terrific advice to share regarding writing a check at the store to get cash back, you’re more than welcome to share it below. You can also ask questions or engage with other users.
