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)
#286
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,550
Heh, well... awesome for you I guess.
I haven't touched MS really but am a very amused/curious observer/lurker.
I'm always amazed at people who are MSing 5-figures a month...some people probably can MS the equivalent of the avg US house-hold income...per month! Astonishing. (Maybe this isn't even that impressive given what are probably not even publically posted....)
I can definitely understand that if you know how to play the game and have your own ways that you DEFINITELY want to keep the pie as close to yourself as possible, since wide spread knowledge can get something shutdown very quickly.
The wide range of human ingenuity is definitely impressive.
And my wife thought I was being "clever" with my credit card bonus/churning strategy. I can even imagine how MSing can actually become so valuable as to be almost like a 2nd "income-source" if you can minimize fees and maximize rewards.
I haven't touched MS really but am a very amused/curious observer/lurker.
I'm always amazed at people who are MSing 5-figures a month...some people probably can MS the equivalent of the avg US house-hold income...per month! Astonishing. (Maybe this isn't even that impressive given what are probably not even publically posted....)
I can definitely understand that if you know how to play the game and have your own ways that you DEFINITELY want to keep the pie as close to yourself as possible, since wide spread knowledge can get something shutdown very quickly.
The wide range of human ingenuity is definitely impressive.
And my wife thought I was being "clever" with my credit card bonus/churning strategy. I can even imagine how MSing can actually become so valuable as to be almost like a 2nd "income-source" if you can minimize fees and maximize rewards.
#287
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Tried another supercenter today, and asked for a $999.11 MO. Same result as before -- DL required again. This is my first MO purchase in that supercenter, so not a regular there.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
#288
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Tried another supercenter today, and asked for a $999.11 MO. Same result as before -- DL required again. This is my first MO purchase in that supercenter, so not a regular there.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
#289
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Tried another supercenter today, and asked for a $999.11 MO. Same result as before -- DL required again. This is my first MO purchase in that supercenter, so not a regular there.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
So far all the NM stores in the area operate without changes, i.e. DL not requested for MO purchases under $1K.
#290
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
I think the CSR can hit the button to capture your info for any transaction if they feel they should.
#291
Join Date: May 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 69
Some California datapoints - some (not most) of the old Wally's I used to hit up in Central Valley (Highway 99 corridor from Sac to LA) are becoming more YMMV nowadays. Buying $499 is no issue, more of a problem when splitting payment. If relevant to anyone who roadtrips to LA often, feel free to DM me.
Nevertheless, most still allow, but very surprised to see these spots start to crack down because I have consistently used them for years.
Nevertheless, most still allow, but very surprised to see these spots start to crack down because I have consistently used them for years.
#292
Join Date: May 2014
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, UA, DL, NSA, CIA, MIB
Posts: 537
Something weird happened today. I stopped by my go-to WM to unload 2 $500 VGC. She started to type in my details from my DL. I swiped my 1st card and it came up with the message about it being a credit card. I asked to swipe again as I could change the payment type on my side, I selected Debit but still no go. She said it's coming up as a credit card, not debit.
I then drove over to a Neighborhood WM and asked to have a $495 MO. The clerk there asked "Just the one today?" Um, ok. It swiped with no problems.
I'm thinking the clerk at my first stop did something on her screen when entering in the amount to reflect a credit card.
While it's no big deal, I can still use the balance on other things at a grocery store I was concerned about the first stop WM.
I then drove over to a Neighborhood WM and asked to have a $495 MO. The clerk there asked "Just the one today?" Um, ok. It swiped with no problems.
I'm thinking the clerk at my first stop did something on her screen when entering in the amount to reflect a credit card.
While it's no big deal, I can still use the balance on other things at a grocery store I was concerned about the first stop WM.
#293
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
Something weird happened today. I stopped by my go-to WM to unload 2 $500 VGC. She started to type in my details from my DL. I swiped my 1st card and it came up with the message about it being a credit card. I asked to swipe again as I could change the payment type on my side, I selected Debit but still no go. She said it's coming up as a credit card, not debit.
I then drove over to a Neighborhood WM and asked to have a $495 MO. The clerk there asked "Just the one today?" Um, ok. It swiped with no problems...
I then drove over to a Neighborhood WM and asked to have a $495 MO. The clerk there asked "Just the one today?" Um, ok. It swiped with no problems...
#294
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 6
can somebody help expand a bit on the MCGC piece? I have easier access to MCGC locally and wan to make them word but my first trip to WM didn't go smoothly and the card wasn't working properly. I'm confident it's just me taking the steps out of order.
"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."
Does this mean I need to swipe my card before the transaction starts and effectively load their system up? Then they can enter the MO and what not? Things went smoothly with VGC but I understand this is different. Just trying to scale up and start reasonably. Thanks!
"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."
Does this mean I need to swipe my card before the transaction starts and effectively load their system up? Then they can enter the MO and what not? Things went smoothly with VGC but I understand this is different. Just trying to scale up and start reasonably. Thanks!
#296
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: IAD, TPE
Posts: 465
Just left Chantilly Walmart in NoVA, I was just asked for ID for a $499.12 money order. She says it's their new store policy.
#297
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
Of course I played it dumb ... so it is still the MOs from $999.12 to $1,000, the ones that will require ID for that specific store.
#298
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 877
I do not see any mention of MC issued by Metabank. Does the same trick work? Or is it exclusive to US bank issued MC?
#299
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 2
Anyone know if OVMCGC works for MO at Kroger, Albertsons, or WM? I'm finding a lot of conflicting answers on this topic.
#300
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
Metabank MC require the same process as US bank MC. I was failing miserably at a wally register the other day before realizing I'd grabbed a stack of a few MCGC rather than my usual VGC. Have em hold off on amount, swipe, hit the change payment when it shows, then proceed as usual