20+ Legit Ways to Get Free Walmart Gift Cards (My Tested List for 2025)

I’ll also point you to my full guide on earning free gift cards if you want options beyond Walmart.

So how do you actually get them, without paying a cent?

In this post, I’ll share only the real, legitimate methods I’ve used myself that actually work.

Trade in Old Tech for Walmart Gift Cards

Got an old phone, tablet, or game console sitting in a drawer?

1. Walmart Trade-In

Walmart has a trade in program, called CExchange, where you can trade in your used tech for free gift cards for the store.

They give you a prepaid shipping label that you use to send your item to the company. Once they receive and evaluate your item, you’ll get an instant Walmart eGift Card.

• Walmart Gadgets to Gift Card: Official program details 

Use Cashback & Rewards Apps

Ok, this method is a well known one.

And for good reasons. Using rewards and cashback apps to earn gift cards for free including for Walmart, work!

These sites and apps literally reward you for doing things you already do everyday anyway. Shopping, browsing web, playing games, etc. So you may as well use them.

These are the big, trusted cashback and rewards site4 you can use to score free Walmart gift cards.

2. Microsoft Rewards

You’re already searching the web every day, so you might as well get paid for it.

Microsoft Rewards is an official program that gives you points just for using the Bing search engine instead of Google.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You typically need about 5,250 points to get a $5 Walmart gift card, though they often have “Hot Deals” that lower this cost.
• Processing Time: It’s very fast; your digital gift card code is usually sent to your email within 24 hours.

3. Swagbucks

By now we all know about Swagbucks. Basiclaly you earn points (called SB) for doing all kinds of things, from taking surveys to watching videos and shopping online.

You can then redeem your points for cash and gift cards.

To see all the different ways you can earn on their platform, you can read my full review of Swagbucks.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You can usually cash out for a Walmart gift card with as little as 500 SB, which equals $5.
• Processing Time: It typically takes 2 to 3 business days to receive your digital gift card code.

4. InboxDollars

Unlike sites that use points, InboxDollars shows your earnings in real cash, which is a nice touch.

They give you a $5 bonus just to sign up and pay you for reading emails, taking surveys, and playing games.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: The minimum for your first cash-out is $15.
• Processing Time: Your payment is usually processed in about 3 to 5 business days.

5. MyPoints

This is another long-running and trusted site, similar to Swagbucks.

They have a fantastic online shopping portal that offers great points back at thousands of stores, including Walmart.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You can typically redeem points for a $10 Walmart gift card.
• Processing Time: Digital gift cards are usually sent to your email within 4 to 5 business days.

6. Drop

Drop is a “set it and forget it” app, which makes it incredibly easy.

All you need to do to get points is link your credit or debit cards to your Drop account and use your linked card to pay for your purchases.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You need 25,000 points to cash out for a $25 Walmart gift card.
• Processing Time: Your gift card reward is typically delivered within 3 business days.

7. Rakuten

Rakuten is the most famous pure cashback site.

Now, they don’t pay you in points. You click through their site to Walmart.com, shop, and you get real cash back on your purchase.

They send you what they call a “Big Fat Check” or PayPal cash every three months. You can then use that cash to buy a Walmart gift card yourself!

So if you shop at Walmart.com a lot, this is an easy way to basically get paid in Walmart gift cards for shopping at their site.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You need a balance of at least $5.01 for them to send your quarterly payment.
• Processing Time: Payments are sent automatically every 3 months.

Take Online Surveys for Walmart Gift Cards

Taking surveys is one of the first few ways I earned my first few dollars and gift cards online.

If you have some spare time while watching TV or during your lunch break, sharing your opinion is a solid way to earn points.

Market research companies are always willing to pay for consumer feedback, and many of them offer Walmart gift cards as a primary reward.

8. Survey Junkie

This is my top pick if you just want a clean, no-nonsense survey experience.

The site is incredibly easy to use and focuses only on matching you with relevant surveys. You won’t find any distracting offers or videos here.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You can cash out once you reach 500 points, which is equal to $5.
• Processing Time: Gift card codes are typically delivered to your email within 24 hours.

9. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is another great platform focused entirely on market research.

Their best feature is a loyalty program called Branded Elite, which gives you bonus points for completing a certain number of surveys each week, helping you earn rewards faster.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: The minimum to cash out is 500 points, or $5.
• Processing Time: It usually takes about 1 to 3 business days to get your Walmart gift card.

10. LifePoints

LifePoints is a simple and mobile-friendly platform for taking surveys.

They have a global reach and offer a steady stream of opportunities to share your opinion on products and services you use every day.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You can often redeem points for a Walmart gift card starting at around 550 points, or $5.
• Processing Time: Digital gift cards are typically sent within 5 to 10 business days.

11. Ipsos i-Say

Ipsos is one of the biggest and most well-known market research companies in the world, so you know their survey panel is 100% legitimate.

It’s a trusted and safe way to earn points for your opinion.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: A $10 Walmart gift card is usually available for 1,000 points.
• Processing Time: Expect to receive your digital gift card in 3 to 4 weeks.

Play Games or Try Apps That Pay in Gift Cards

If you already enjoy playing games on your phone, you can turn that hobby into a way to get free Walmart gift cards.

These apps suggest new mobile games for you to try, and they reward you with points for the time you spend playing.

12. Mistplay

This is probably the most popular “get paid to play” app out there for Android users.

It works as a loyalty program for gamers, rewarding you with points (called Units) the longer you play the games it suggests.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: A $5 Walmart gift card is usually available for around 1,500 Units.
• Processing Time: Your digital gift card is typically delivered within 48 hours.

13. Cash Giraffe

This is another gaming app where you discover new games and earn “gems” for your playtime.

It’s a simple way to earn rewards while trying out different mobile games.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: The minimum payout is very low, often under $1, but a $5 Walmart gift card is a common reward option.
• Processing Time: Payouts are generally processed within 1 to 2 business days.

14. AppStation

One of the best apps that give you free gift cards is AppStation.

For every minute you spend playing, you earn coins that you can eventually cash in for Walmart credit and other rewards.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: While you can cash out with less than a dollar, a typical $5 Walmart gift card is a standard redemption level.
• Processing Time: It can take up to 7 business days to receive your gift card code.

Shop with Walmart Partners & Earn Gift Cards

If you are like me and shop at Walmart a lot, you might as well get paid for it.

These apps partner with major retailers and reward you for things you’re already doing, like buying groceries or just scanning your receipt when you’re done.

15. Ibotta

Did you know that you could get Walmart GCs from your receipts?

With iBotta you browse the app for offers, add them to your list, and then scan your Walmart receipt after you shop to get real cash back deposited into your account, which you can then redeem for a Walmart gift card.

I’ve seen rebates ranging from $1 to $3 or even more than that per item.

You can easily earn $10 to $30 back in a single trip to the grocery store.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: You need at least $20 in earnings to cash out for a gift card.
• Processing Time: Your digital gift card is typically delivered to your email within 24 hours.

16. Fetch Rewards

I personally think this is the easiest of all the receipt apps.

You don’t have to look for specific offers; you just snap a picture of your Walmart receipt when you’re done shopping, and you’ll earn points automatically. It’s incredibly simple.

• Minimum Cash out Requirement: Redemptions start at just 3,000 points for a $3 gift card, but a $5 Walmart card is a very common option.
• Processing Time: It’s usually very fast, with your code arriving within a day or two.

Trade In Unused Gift Cards for Walmart Ones

Most of us have probably a few old gift cards that we either keep forgetting to use, or they have a few dollars left in them, so not enough to buy anything at that store or site.

Here’s what you can do…

Instead of letting them expire in a drawer, you can use a gift card exchange site to trade them in for a Walmart gift card you’ll actually use.

17. CardCash

CardCash is one of the biggest online marketplaces for selling discounted gift cards. You can sell them an unwanted gift card from hundreds of different brands.

You enter the brand and balance of your old gift card, and they’ll make you an offer.

You can choose to get paid in cash via check or PayPal, or often for a higher payout rate, you can trade it directly for a Walmart eGift Card.

18. Raise

Raise is another massive and very reputable platform where you can sell your unwanted gift cards. They have a user-friendly process for listing your card on their marketplace for other people to buy.

You list your gift card for sale and set your own price. Once it sells, you receive your payment via direct deposit or PayPal, which you can then use to buy whatever you need at Walmart.

Look for Walmart Promotions & Freebies

Sometimes the best way to get a free Walmart gift card is to go straight to the source.

Walmart itself often runs promotions where they give out gift cards to encourage you to sign up for a service or try a new product.

19. Check for In-Store & Online Promotions

Walmart is famous for offering all kinds of deals, especially when launching a new service.

Keep an eye out for these types of offers:

• Prescription Transfers: Many Walmart pharmacies offer a gift card (often $10 or $25) when you transfer a prescription to them.
• Phone or Mobile Sign-Ups: Look for deals from carriers like Walmart Family Mobile that might include a free gift card when you purchase and activate a new phone.
• Seasonal Deals: Around major holidays or back-to-school season, check Walmart’s weekly ad for special promotions that might include a gift card with a specific purchase.

20. Walmart’s own receipt survey & sweepstakes

You know how a lot of stores (especially fast food restaurants and grocery stores) give you that very long receipt that has a bit about a customer satisfaction survey and a link to the actual survey?

Yes, those!

You can actually win stuff by taking those quick surveys. A lot of times, the prize is an e-gift card for the same store.

Next time you shop at Walmart, make sure to check your receipt and take the survey if its available.

I know I am guilty of this myself. I forget to do those. But seriously, taking those quick surveys is an easy way to enter those sweepstakes for gift cards.

While it’s not instant money, it’s a simple way to snag a bigger Walmart eGift card without any extra spending.

• Official Walmart Customer Satisfaction Sweepstakes Rules

21. Get Walmart Gift Cards Through Credit Card Rewards

If you have a credit card that earns rewards points, there’s a good chance you can cash those points in for the exact gift card you want.

Many of the major credit card programs offer what are called “flexible points.” This means you’re not locked into one airline or hotel. Instead, you can redeem your points for all sorts of things, including gift cards to major retailers.

Keep an eye on big programs like:

• Chase Ultimate Rewards
• American Express Membership Rewards
• Citi ThankYou Points
• Capital One Miles

Just log in to your credit card’s online rewards portal and look for the “gift card” section. You can usually find Walmart listed there, often at a rate of 1 cent per point, meaning 2,500 points gets you a $25 Walmart gift card.

Saeed’s Pro Tip: This method is great, but it only works if you are paying off your credit card balance in full every single month. If you’re paying interest on your card, the value of any rewards you earn is wiped out completely. So please keep that in mind.

Ask for Them as Gifts (The Smart Way)

Okay, this might sound obvious, but I want to talk about the smart way to ask for gift cards.

Sometimes the easiest way to get something is to just ask for it, but there are a few clever hacks you can use to make it even easier for everyone.

22. Use Gift-Pooling Websites

For big occasions like a birthday, graduation, or holiday, you can use a gift-pooling service. Instead of having multiple friends or family members each try to figure out what to get you, you can set up a “gift fund” on a site where everyone can contribute a few dollars.

At the end, you can often cash out the total fund for the exact Walmart gift card you want, making it perfect for saving up for a big-ticket item.

23. Hint for Your Birthday Rewards

You know how your friends and family always ask you, “What do you want for your birthday?“

Instead of saying, “I don’t know” or ‘Whatever,” say: “Honestly, a Walmart gift card would be amazing. I’m saving up for [a new coffee maker / new tires / our weekly groceries].”

By being specific about why you want it, you turn a simple gift card into a contribution to a real, tangible goal, which makes the person giving it feel great.

Hidden but Legit Ways to Get Free Walmart Gift Cards (Most People Miss These)

Ok, if you already knew about the above options and are looking for something more unique, this section is for you.

Here are the rare but legit ways to snag a free Walmart eGift card.

24. Employer wellness programs: cash in points for Walmart eGift cards

You know how some companies have wellness platforms where you earn points for steps, screenings, or hitting certain health goals?

If your employer offers one and you haven’t joined yet, it’s basically free money you’re leaving on the table.

You can turn those points into gift cards at major retailers, including Walmart.

• Virgin Pulse: This is a popular employee wellness platform where workers earn points for health challenges and can redeem them for rewards, including Walmart eGift cards. See Virgin Pulse Rewards overview
• Tango Card: This is a company that powers the “rewards catalog” behind a lot of corporate wellness and recognition programs, and yes, Walmart gift cards are usually part of the mix. Learn about Tango Card

25. Earn Walmart cards through plasma donation rewards

Yes, you can also get paid in free Walmart gift cards if you are a regular plasma donor.

If you’re donating anyway, this is an easy way to redeem points for Walmart eGift cards.

By the way, if you’re interested, you can learn all about how donating plasma for money works in my detailed guide.

• KEDPlasma / KEDLeague: This is a rewards program for plasma donors. Every time you donate, you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards, including Walmart eGift cards. Check out KEDLeague

26. Donate blood & get a Walmart gift card as a thank-you

If you want a free Walmart gift card and to help someone at the same time, check out local blood drives.

Many drives run promotions where donors receive a Walmart card as a thank-you. It’s a legit, feel-good way to earn a little extra while giving back.

• OneBlood $20 Walmart Gift Card: OneBlood occasionally runs promotions where donors at participating drives get a $20 Walmart eGift card as a thank-you for donating. See OneBlood promo details
• OneBlood Bonus Bucks: A loyalty program for repeat donors where points can be redeemed for gift cards, including Walmart eGift cards. Learn about Bonus Bucks

27. Library & community programs (reading challenges, surveys, events)

Local libraries and nonprofits sometimes run reading programs, surveys, or community events with gift card prizes.

The cool part?

As a winner, you often get to choose your retailer, so picking Walmart is usually an option.

It’s a simple, local way to score a free Walmart gift card while supporting your community.

• Example (Iowa’s Ericson Public Library): Summer Reading Programs

28. Utility or energy-program incentives (verify locally)

This one’s a bit hit-or-miss, but it’s worth a look.

Sometimes utilities or local energy-saving programs give away gift cards as incentives when you sign up for certain programs or complete energy-saving actions.

These offers are usually regional and time-limited, so always double-check with your utility company.

How to Use Your Walmart Gift Card Online or In-Store

Once you have a Walmart gift card, using it is easy—whether online at Walmart.com or in a physical store.

Redeem Online at Walmart.com

• Go to checkout and confirm delivery or pickup info.
• Select Gift Card under payment method.
• Enter your gift card number and PIN.
• Click Apply Gift Card to use it toward your order.
• Tip: If your order total is more than your gift card balance, pay the difference with another method.

Redeem In-Store

• Show the gift card email on your phone or a printed copy to the cashier.
• If it’s a plastic card, simply swipe it at checkout.

Please Beware of Walmart Gift Card Scams

Here’s the deal: where there’s free stuff, there are scams.

I want you to know exactly what to avoid to keep yourself safe.

1. The Fake “Walmart Gift Card Generator”

We all like hacks, chats and shortcuts. While there are gift card tricks that help you get the most out of them, there are no hacks or cheats that can get them for free.

You’ve probably seen websites that claim to have a “Walmart gift card generator tool.”

Please don’t waste your time with those. They are 100% scams.

Think about it: if you could just create a real gift card code out of thin air, Walmart would be out of business. These sites are only designed to steal your personal information.

So, yeah, they are just scams. If you see any site claiming to have a “free gift card generator no human verification” or an “instant gift code generator”, just ignore them.

2. The “Pay a Bill with a Gift Card” Trick

This is a big one. Scammers will call you pretending to be from the IRS or a tech support company and demand that you pay an urgent bill by buying a Walmart gift card and reading them the code.

Remember this: No legitimate company will ever ask you to pay a bill with a gift card. It’s a huge red flag for a scam. Hang up immediately.

I hope you never fall victim to any of these or other money scams, but if you do, be sure to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. as well as your state consumer protection office.

FAQs About Free Walmart Gift Cards

Here are answers to some of your most common questions about Walmart GCs.

Final Thoughts on Earning Free Walmart Gift Cards

There you have it, legit, easy ways to score Walmart gift cards without spending a dime.

Whether you’re using apps like Swagbucks, cashing in old tech with Walmart’s trade-in program, or trying out a survey sweepstakes, there’s a method for everyone.

As you can see, there’s no secret code or magic trick.

All you need to do is pick a few of these options that you like best and start working towards getting your next free Walmart gift card so you can use it as way to save money at Walmart next time you shop there.