Does Walmart Accept Target Gift Cards Online? Policy Guide
Does Walmart Accept Target Gift Cards? The Short Answer
No. Walmart does not accept Target gift cards — not in stores, not online. There's no workaround that makes this work.
Target gift cards only have value at Target. This isn't some hidden policy or loophole waiting to be discovered. It's straightforward retailer policy: each store's gift cards work only at that store.
Why Retailers Keep Gift Cards Isolated
Target gift cards aren't accepted at Walmart because these companies are direct competitors. They don't share payment systems, they don't share inventory, and they definitely don't share gift card networks.
When you buy a Target gift card, you're buying store credit that only Target honors. The same applies to every major retailer:
- Walmart gift cards only work at Walmart
- Target gift cards only work at Target
- Amazon gift cards only work at Amazon
- Kroger gift cards only work at Kroger
This isn't unique to retail. It's how gift card ecosystems work across almost every major brand.
What To Do With an Unwanted Target Gift Card
If you're stuck with a Target gift card and need something only Walmart sells, you have limited options:
- Sell the gift card through platforms like Raise, CardCash, or Gift Card Granny. You'll lose 5-15% of the value, but you'll get cash.
- Trade it with someone who shops at Target. Facebook Marketplace and Reddit's gift card exchange communities work for this.
- Buy Target items to resell. If you're desperate, purchase items at Target and flip them at Walmart. This is inefficient but possible.
- Use it yourself. Target sells plenty of practical items — groceries, household basics, electronics. Suck it up and shop where the card works.
Can You Use Target Gift Cards on Walmart.com?
No. Walmart.com only accepts:
- Walmart gift cards
- Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
- PayPal
- Affirm financing
- Walmart Pay
A Target gift card won't even register as a valid payment method. The website will reject it immediately.
Major Retailer Gift Card Acceptance: Comparison Table
| Retailer | Accepts Own Gift Cards | Accepts Competitor Cards |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Target | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Amazon | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Best Buy | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Kroger | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (varies by location) |
| Costco | ✅ Yes (only Costco Shop Cards) | ❌ No |
No major retailer accepts competitor gift cards. This is industry standard, not some anti-competitive behavior.
How To Check Your Target Gift Card Balance
Before you panic about what to do with your Target gift card, check what you're actually working with:
- Go to target.com/giftcard
- Click "Check Gift Card Balance"
- Enter your gift card number and PIN (found on the back)
- View your current balance
You can also call 1-800-544-2943 to check your balance over the phone.
How To Use a Target Gift Card Online
If you're going to use it anyway, here's how:
- Add items to your Target cart at target.com or in the Target app
- Proceed to checkout
- Under "Payment," select "Gift Card"
- Enter your gift card number and PIN
- Apply the balance to your order
- If the gift card doesn't cover the total, add a credit card for the difference
You can split payments between a gift card and a credit card if needed.
What About Returned Items? Can You Get a Walmart Gift Card?
If you buy something at Target with a gift card and then return it, Target doesn't give you a Walmart gift card. You'll receive either:
- A new Target gift card
- The original payment method (if it was a credit card)
- Cash (if you paid cash and the return is under $100)
There's no scenario where a Target return converts into a Walmart gift card. These retailers don't have any formal partnership that would enable this.
Does Walmart Accept Any Other Store Gift Cards?
Walmart accepts:
- Walmart gift cards (obviously)
- Some prepaid gift cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo (these work like credit cards)
- Certain restaurant and entertainment gift cards in-store (varies by location)
Walmart does not accept general retail competitor gift cards. This includes Target, Kohl's, Macy's, JCPenney, and similar stores.
The Bottom Line
If you have a Target gift card and need to shop at Walmart, you're not going to make it work by trying to force the card somewhere it doesn't belong. Your real options are:
- Sell the card for cash (take the loss)
- Trade it with someone
- Actually use it at Target
Retail gift cards are locked to their issuing stores. This isn't complicated. Stop looking for loopholes that don't exist and decide which of those three options works best for you.