Can You Buy Gift Cards at Self-Checkout at Walmart? Elsewhere? Solved

You can buy most items at store self-checkout lanes, but there are a few restrictions. Gift cards aren’t always available for self-checkout because they may require activation.

Below, we explain what you need to know about purchasing gift cards through self-checkout, including stores that allow it, stores that don’t, and what kind of gift cards fall under each store’s policies.

Can You Buy Gift Cards at Self-Checkout?

Some stores allow you to purchase gift cards at a self-checkout kiosk — at these stores, gift cards automatically activate once your transaction is complete.

Other stores require cashiers to activate gift cards manually, so you must purchase gift cards at a regular register.

Before we share the list of stores where you can buy gift cards at self-checkout, there are some important details to keep in mind about how activation works for specific types of gift cards.

Prepaid Gift Cards (Not Store-Specific)

Prepaid gift cards function like debit cards but with a predetermined amount. Common prepaid gift card issuers are Visa and Mastercard.

You can activate prepaid gift cards in a few different ways. Some prepaid gift cards are automatically activated when scanned and paid for at checkout, while other times, you need to activate the card over the phone after purchase.

To do this, you must provide the full gift card account number and often an activation code, which is usually found on the back of the card and is covered for security. You can use a coin to scratch off the protective coating to reveal your activation code.

Most of the time, you can purchase prepaid gift cards at the self-checkout because there’s already a predetermined amount on them. You just need to scan the barcode as you would for any other product, and the amount of the gift card will be added to your total.

Check your gift card receipt and packaging for details about whether you also need to call to finish activation.

Gift Cards With No Set Amount (Not Store-Specific)

There are also Visa and Mastercard gift cards that allow you to specify what amount you’d like to put on the card. The amounts that can be put on gift cards usually range from $20 to $500.

You can purchase these gift cards by scanning the barcode at checkout, just like you do with prepaid gift cards.

Once the gift card is scanned, you’ll be prompted to enter the amount you’d like to put on the card if you’re at the self-checkout, or, if you’re at a regular checkout lane, a cashier will ask you for the amount and enter it for you.

From there, you’ll simply pay to complete your transaction. At this point, your gift card should be activated, and you should receive an activation notice on your receipt or a separate receipt confirming the activation of the gift card.

While you can typically purchase these cards at self-checkout, some stores may prefer that a cashier handle the transaction.

Store Gift Cards

For gift cards to a particular store, restaurant, or other retailer, you usually have the option of purchasing prepaid cards or putting a custom amount on the card.

The process for buying store gift cards is the same as prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards; you can simply scan the gift card and complete your transaction, often all at self-checkout.

For store gift cards that allow you to choose the amount, the process is also the same as selecting an amount on a Visa or Mastercard gift card. You need to scan the card and then specify how much to put on the gift card.

Just like with Visa or Mastercard gift cards, you may be able to purchase these at self-checkout, but some stores may prefer to have a cashier process these transactions.

Stores Where You Can Buy Gift Cards at Self-Checkout

We contacted customer service representatives from various major U.S. retail chains to find out more about their policies for gift card transactions at self-checkout registers.

We found several stores that allow it, and we’ve listed them below, starting with the stores with the most available gift cards and easiest self-checkout process.

Note, however, that not all store locations may have self-checkout lanes. Additionally, store policies about purchasing gift cards may vary by location.

If you’re set on purchasing a gift card at self-checkout at one of the stores listed below, it is best to call your local store first to confirm that the particular location will allow you to purchase gift cards at self-checkout.

Kroger

Checkout process: When you use the self-checkout kiosk, scan your Kroger shopper’s card if you have one. If the gift card you’re purchasing has a predetermined amount on it, you just need to scan the card and cash out. When your transaction is complete, the card is active. If you need to specify an amount, you’ll be prompted to do so after you scan the card. Once the transaction is complete, the gift card will activate automatically.^[1]
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Check out our list of gift cards sold at Kroger.

Safeway

Checkout process: Scan the card, enter the amount you wish to put on the gift card (if not prepaid for a set amount), and pay. Once your transaction is complete, the gift card will automatically activate.^[2]
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Walmart

Checkout process: For prepaid gift cards, you just need to scan the barcode. Once the transaction is complete, the gift card will automatically activate. For gift cards where you can specify an amount, you’ll need to scan the gift card and then enter the amount you’d like to put on it when prompted. Once your transaction is complete, the gift card will be active and ready for use.^[3]
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The Home Depot

Checkout process: For The Home Depot store gift cards, scan the card’s barcode and then, when prompted, enter the amount you wish to put on the card. If a gift card already has a set dollar amount on it, like a $25 Visa gift card, simply scan the card at the self-checkout kiosk. You’ll follow this same process for other gift cards such as Visa, Mastercard, restaurant, or retailer cards. Once your transaction is complete, the gift card will activate automatically.^[4]
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BJ’s Wholesale Club

Checkout process: Scan the gift card, specify the amount you wish to put on the card for cards that don’t have a predetermined amount on them, and then pay. Once you complete your transaction, the gift card will activate automatically.^[5]
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Target

Checkout process: While gift cards can be scanned at self-checkout, Target recommends purchasing them through cashier lanes. At self-checkout, the transaction will be put on hold until a Target employee is available to complete the checkout and activation process.^[6]
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Lowe’s

Checkout process: While you can scan gift cards at a self-checkout kiosk, the kiosk will hold the transaction as pending until a Lowe’s employee comes over to complete the transaction.^[7]
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Our related research has more information about gift cards typically sold at Walmart.

WinCo Foods

Checkout process: If purchasing a gift card at self-checkout, you’ll need the assistance of the self-checkout attendant. You won’t be able to scan and activate it automatically.^[8]
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Stores Where You Can’t Buy Gift Cards at Self-Checkout

While several major stores allow you to purchase gift cards at self-checkout, some require that a cashier handle the transaction.

We spoke with customer service from the following stores, and they advised us that their stores don’t allow customers to purchase gift cards at self-checkout.

Again, keep in mind that store policies can vary by location, and there may be a location near you that does allow gift card purchases at self-checkout.

You can call ahead to confirm, but the following stores don’t typically allow gift card purchases at self-checkout: