Last edit by: danpeake
As of Nov 11, 2020, Meta gebits are getting declined when used for MO/BP purchases at MC/SD. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. READ the posts below and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
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Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually $1 each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for $1 x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transactions: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
5. Kiosk: Very few Kate's can sell money orders anymore.>>>>Sometime 2016, a lot of WM supercenters have done away with Kate (kiosks that allows loading of prepaids/sell $500 MOs). As of today, MOST, if not ALL WMs, have replaced this with the regular slim ATM to check balance/withdraw money. Kates are a distant and pleasant memory now.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
This is the thread for 2019. The previous discussion can be found here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...rt-2018-a.html
New to MO: Read this entire Wiki (Click to open) and all posts for some tips before asking common questions. It is best to know what you are doing before you try.
Note: The policy for allowing gift cards as payment for money orders can be more restrictive with certain stores or certain clerks. Just because an employee says there's a new restrictive policy "for all Walmarts" means nothing. There are plenty of cases where the employee is incorrect and the new policy is only regional or store specific.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tested Gebit (gift debit) cards:
1. DO NOT WORK - Any Vanilla product affiliated with InComm or ITC Financial Services will not work for swipes over $49.99.
2. See above on Visas issued by MetaBank. New limit appears to be $99 per swipe with some metas at some stores. Follow the posts below for the latest information.
3. MC issued by US bank OR Metabank MC (Giftcards.com) can work, but you need to change payment type to debit before they enter the amount in the register. See below for details.
4. Gdot/sun work but take about an hour to activate.(VGC issued by Sunrise also limited to $99/swipe, same as Metabank issued cards, and Sunrise was available immediately).
5. USB work
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
NEW Limits as of 11/18 - 8K with ID every 24 hours. ID required for MO over 1K.Some tips for starting out:
All WM registers allow 4 debit swipes per transaction, but YMMV per store and cashier. Refer to cards as Debit cards.
Start slow and buy one MO with one Gebit to see how it works. Refer to cards as Debit, only this community calls them Gebits. Your store or cashier may have rules that other stores do not have, only allowing one swipe per trans or up to 4 swipes per trans. Read all the tips below and all the posts below before trying more advanced transactions. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card. Fee: 1K MO or less is usually 88 cents each, but ask or check the wall. Subtract the fee from the total or pay in cash. If a store says "no", thank them and try again another day with a different clerk.
Helpful details and tips for advanced transactions:
1. Cost: 1K MO fee is usually $1 each(Some states limit MO total to 750 or 950 and may have a different fee). Subtract fee from your total or pay in cash. Can buy two 1K MO in one transaction with 4 swipes for $1 x 2 in most states. NO variety or design of VISA or MC Gebit's will ever auto-drain at Walmart so always tell them the amount you want to pay per card.
2. Split payment transactions: You cannot successfully swipe more than 4 cards in a single transaction. If the cashier screws up and enters $50.00 instead of $500.00 (thus making it impossible for 4 swipes to complete the transaction), the transaction will need to be canceled. The funds should return to your cards right away but may take 24 hours, so note the time and person helping you. When a transaction is canceled during the trans, the money returns to the cards. If canceled after, the cash reg drawer opens and they pay you back in cash.
3. Split payment: The amount of each swipe needs to be entered by the cashier. Ask to "split the payment by $$$". The Gebit must have current balance of that amount or more otherwise slip with Error 51 will print out. Warning: (YMMV) It appears (my experience on 3 occasions during prepaid card load and buying MO in 2 different WMs) that after the debit card was charged no cash could be credited back to the card. Cashier should issue cash back. Keep the slip and contact manager if in doubt. Remember date, time and register if no slip.
4. Bad Printer: IF, by chance, you've swiped your GCs successfully, a receipt prints but the MO doesn't, make sure to ask to see the receipt and check near the bottom IF it says CHANGE/REFUND with a negative sign before the amount of GCs you swiped, that means the cashier must give you cash refund. Cashier may have to call for the cash dept manager to verify the refund. Some stores may outright give your cash refund immediately while there are others that will ask you to come back. Think twice before you buy MOs while on vacation or when you're in unknown to you territories for issues like this.
6. MCGC liquidation- The cashier should not enter the amount first. Technically they just can't hit enter after entering the amount. Let the CSR know you need to swipe first and switch the payment type to debit, then swipe and hit "Cancel" or "Change Payment" to select "Debit" on the screen, enter the pin and have them enter the amount.
7. SSN/ID entry - Any MO purchases in one transaction at or over $3K requires you to input your SSN. Any MO at or over $1K requires ID input (and ID requirement can also be forced by cashier at any amount).
Debit codes PDF
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/attac...0&d=1461170080
Buying Money Orders at Walmart (2019 - 2022)
#2672
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 766
Correct, but remember you also have the MO fee.
#2673
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: IHG, Hilton diamond (IHG match) SPG gold
Posts: 105
Today
bunch of 200 staples - first neighborhood, same as I visited yesterday - all first swipe - got a 799.12
went to my friendliest neighborhood - card one 1st failed, 2nd good - card 2 and 3 first swipe - card 4 same as as card 1 - Got a 799.12
bunch of 200 staples - first neighborhood, same as I visited yesterday - all first swipe - got a 799.12
went to my friendliest neighborhood - card one 1st failed, 2nd good - card 2 and 3 first swipe - card 4 same as as card 1 - Got a 799.12
#2674
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: RBK
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 128
Just label the cards with a sharpie - 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, whatever. When I have a card with an odd amount, I'll even write the balance on the card.
Last edited by jeffeverde; Nov 13, 2020 at 12:54 am
#2675
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Globalist, M life Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 918
Months ago I had a Walmart manager tell me that Walmart hates $##99.12 MO amounts. They are so obvious. Since then I have never again ordered a $##99.12 MO. Usually I just buy a VGC in a funny amount, but if I end up with a "normal" amount on a GC, I still order the MO in an odd amount and write the remaining balance on the packaging, to use later.
#2677
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 48
Same here.
Months ago I had a Walmart manager tell me that Walmart hates $##99.12 MO amounts. They are so obvious. Since then I have never again ordered a $##99.12 MO. Usually I just buy a VGC in a funny amount, but if I end up with a "normal" amount on a GC, I still order the MO in an odd amount and write the remaining balance on the packaging, to use later.
Months ago I had a Walmart manager tell me that Walmart hates $##99.12 MO amounts. They are so obvious. Since then I have never again ordered a $##99.12 MO. Usually I just buy a VGC in a funny amount, but if I end up with a "normal" amount on a GC, I still order the MO in an odd amount and write the remaining balance on the packaging, to use later.
#2678
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 239
Honestly, the only reason I could see why Walmart would even do this is if they lose money by whatever MG charges Walmart (and I'm not sure if it's a license fee, which wouldn't matter anyways as MO's themselves aren't going away, or if MG charges Walmart a % of each MO). It's likely not in the debit card fees, as federal law caps the max interchange fee on debit transactions at $0.21 (and Walmart probably isn't paying the max fee anyways). In the very least, they increase the chances that if you go in to liquidate a VGC, you're possibly going to purchase merchandise. It drives foot traffic. If that's the case, it surprises me that they would go this route instead of just raising MO fees.
#2680
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Globalist, M life Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 918
Honestly, the only reason I could see why Walmart would even do this is if they lose money by whatever MG charges Walmart (and I'm not sure if it's a license fee, which wouldn't matter anyways as MO's themselves aren't going away, or if MG charges Walmart a % of each MO). It's likely not in the debit card fees, as federal law caps the max interchange fee on debit transactions at $0.21 (and Walmart probably isn't paying the max fee anyways). In the very least, they increase the chances that if you go in to liquidate a VGC, you're possibly going to purchase merchandise. It drives foot traffic. If that's the case, it surprises me that they would go this route instead of just raising MO fees.
Second, I don't think anyone is claiming to know that Walmart is doing this to stem losses. WM/MG did not install a MO network in Walmarts unless it made money. This is about fraud. Either Walmart or another party in the payment stream saw what looked like fraud. MG has already been fined for lax moneylaundering prevention, so it is not surprise that some companies would be a little trigger happy.
IMHO, it is no coincidence that this happened after Staples has spent the last couple of months selling pallets of Metabank VGCs literally as fast as they could ship them to the stores. There must've been a jump in large dollar Metabank VGC swipes that set off somebody's alarm.
#2681
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
IMHO, it is no coincidence that this happened after Staples has spent the last couple of months selling pallets of Metabank VGCs literally as fast as they could ship them to the stores. There must've been a jump in large dollar Metabank VGC swipes that set off somebody's alarm.
#2682
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,727
one grocer used to let me do 10 swipes at a time via auto drain. They would just have to hit enter between swipes
#2683
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 766
#2684
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7
$200 Master or Visa from Staples could not be loaded to gobank or buy MO this afternoon. Northern CA. Not sure what is going on? Does it mean game over :<
#2685
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: IHG, Hilton diamond (IHG match) SPG gold
Posts: 105
Today I hit neighborhood that was lucky/successful two days in a row 4*200 staples.
card one worked on 2nd swipe error 5
card two 3 swipes no go Error 5,55,56
card three(now 2) 1st swipe
card four(3) 1st swipe
card five(4) - at swipe # 8 so I used a personal bank issued chip debit - Got 799.12
Kroger Albertsons bau
card one worked on 2nd swipe error 5
card two 3 swipes no go Error 5,55,56
card three(now 2) 1st swipe
card four(3) 1st swipe
card five(4) - at swipe # 8 so I used a personal bank issued chip debit - Got 799.12
Kroger Albertsons bau