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)
#166
Regardless about the MO amount. If you can find the WMs that allow you to use GCs to buy MOs, you are in luck...
#167
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 103
Jinxed
Not anymore you don't. Shouldn't have bragged about my spot yesterday.... Just got turned away by the usual friendly reps because moneygram came into the store this morning and shut down all non-bank MOs.
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
#168
Not anymore you don't. Shouldn't have bragged about my spot yesterday.... Just got turned away by the usual friendly reps because moneygram came into the store this morning and shut down all non-bank MOs.
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
#169
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,837
Not anymore you don't. Shouldn't have bragged about my spot yesterday.... Just got turned away by the usual friendly reps because moneygram came into the store this morning and shut down all non-bank MOs.
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
#172
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
I am Bay Area based, but always do my WM MS'ing when visiting family out in Missouri. For known friendly locations I do 4 swipes ($1000+998.24+MO fees) comes out to $2k. The ID type in can take a minute, if you have a fast rep, 30 seconds.
The rest of them I have been buying at $999.12 and no ID required. Sometimes go with a friend so we can each get $1k and neither of us gets ID'ed.
Btw - for the Bay Area folks on this thread, do any of you buy MO's in the Bay? If so are they at $500 or less?
The rest of them I have been buying at $999.12 and no ID required. Sometimes go with a friend so we can each get $1k and neither of us gets ID'ed.
Btw - for the Bay Area folks on this thread, do any of you buy MO's in the Bay? If so are they at $500 or less?
#173
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 30
Not anymore you don't. Shouldn't have bragged about my spot yesterday.... Just got turned away by the usual friendly reps because moneygram came into the store this morning and shut down all non-bank MOs.
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
Fun stuff! Does moneygram control WMBP rules too...? May have to drain my last vgcs that route if so....
#174
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Yes, 1 MO at a time @ $499 keeps me under the radar at my usual fishing holes. I don't push it to multi MO per transaction at the stores I frequent.
#175
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Good to know. The only ones I have done in CA are in Central Valley + some off beat Walmarts in Socal (I can do those for $1k). Will try doing some Bay Area spots for $499.12
#176
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 970
Yet global banksters launder tens of billions to known terrorist states like Iran, North Korea et al, and when they get caught, it's a slap on the wrist and a fine that amounts to no more than a few weeks profit. That's why banksters hire an army of lobbyists - it's the Golden Rule - those who have the gold, make the rules.
#177
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 213
Honestly I wouldn't even do the "12 cents". I find an even MO number raises less suspicion. $499. You'll have 12 cents left on the Visa. I use the 12 cents at my local grocery store at SCO when buying groceries, no issues with it auto draining there for that last 12 cents. Can run multiple cards thru, all auto drain. Then I just dump the cards in the trash can on my way out!
#178
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 463
Or when you buy the $500 card, instead buy it for $499.88 Then you don't have to worry about the 12 cents
#179
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
I am Bay Area based, but always do my WM MS'ing when visiting family out in Missouri. For known friendly locations I do 4 swipes ($1000+998.24+MO fees) comes out to $2k. The ID type in can take a minute, if you have a fast rep, 30 seconds.
The rest of them I have been buying at $999.12 and no ID required. Sometimes go with a friend so we can each get $1k and neither of us gets ID'ed.
Btw - for the Bay Area folks on this thread, do any of you buy MO's in the Bay? If so are they at $500 or less?
The rest of them I have been buying at $999.12 and no ID required. Sometimes go with a friend so we can each get $1k and neither of us gets ID'ed.
Btw - for the Bay Area folks on this thread, do any of you buy MO's in the Bay? If so are they at $500 or less?
Well, good thing company pays for tickets back to Middle of Nowhere Mid West, as I can still do enough MO to be kept off the radar. No way I am giving them my ID, specially with cybersecurity being an issue this days.
Last edited by carlitos; Jan 25, 2019 at 10:41 am
#180
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Socal has some spots that still work for me, and I buy $1k at them. Mostly outside the main LA metro area. A couple in SD also still work for me. Try and hit Walmarts where travel hackers don't live nearby and they definitely still work.