Feb 26, 2023, 11:17 am
Last edit by: lowkeyflyer
Carried forward from 2019-2022 thread
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 in the 2019-2022 thread and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.
Prior threads can be found here:
2019-2022: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...19-2022-a.html
Prior to 2019: 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.
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
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 in the 2019-2022 thread and add a data point with details. USB and GD gift cards do not seem to be affected.Prior threads can be found here:
2019-2022: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manu...19-2022-a.html
Prior to 2019: 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 (2022-24)
May 6, 2022, 12:04 pm
#331
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 261
I make mine payable to myself. I use throwaway bank accounts.
May 6, 2022, 12:23 pm
#332
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
May 6, 2022, 12:54 pm
#333
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: The World!!!
Programs: Some of them not all ...
Posts: 1,532
American Express
Citicards
etc ...
Been doing it for the last 10 years without a problem. Except once with Amex, but lower the amounts a little and no problem at all after that.
Middle of Nowhere Mid West still able to split my $999 Money Order on two $500 VGCs with no questions asked. So BAU !!!
May 6, 2022, 1:29 pm
#334
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 369
That was the routine. I'd do two 500 MOs, separate transactions of one-swipe each, times three branches, 3k per loop. One of the loops is only two branches, but also includes some grocery shopping, so it's not a special trip. BUT, as I posted upthread, more branches are starting to limit MOs to one transaction, but I've become adept at timing things so when I loop back, there's a different cashier after the shift-change, so it's a single transaction to them. 
May 6, 2022, 1:41 pm
#335
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
If you're depositing MO's, they have to be payable to the same name (or business) as the account (first names can be replaced by initial). Even a year or two ago, MO's could be deposited payable to a bank. But now it's only allowed for credit accounts.
May 6, 2022, 1:57 pm
#336
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 369
I had one cashier, back when I was doing multiple swipes and one card wasn't registering, and I said I think it's wet (just came in from the rain), and she just grabbed it out of my hand and got it to work. She knew what I was doing, knew I was using GCs, but didn't care, just wanted to finish the transaction and move on.
Which is fine, until they get a new yellow-vest overseeing the MC who has the whacky idea that you're 'money laundering' or violating some federal law, and everybody under them knows you're a regular and you've been regularly using GCs. Then you see people posting that their regular cashiers told them - you can't use GCs at this branch anymore.
Nobody assumes I'm using GCs, as I act and talk as if I'm utilizing a bank debit card.
May 6, 2022, 3:02 pm
#337
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
May 11, 2022, 7:09 am
#338
Join Date: Dec 2021
Programs: AA, Cap1
Posts: 36
New to this, testing the waters. My $200 Visa gc issued by Metabank was declined at WM yesterday. Not sure what the issue was! Could it have been too soon after registration/PIN set? It was maybe within the hour.
May 11, 2022, 9:37 am
#339
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,153
issue was not reading the thread and wiki to know what will work and what wont and those that still work whats the max it works for
May 24, 2022, 5:22 pm
#343
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 9
New guy here. I've read a lot of this thread and the big one before this was created. I have a bunch of gift cards I'm trying to convert to cash. Going by what I read here, I stopped by a local Walmart over the weekend and used a $300 GC to buy a money order for $298.00. I didn't have a problem. The next day I stopped by another Walmart and had the gift card declined. I then went to another one in the area and had the same problem. The woman told me I can't use a gift card to purchase MOs. I determined that the gift card I used Sunday was purchased at a Walmart so that's probably why it worked. The others came from a local supermarket. The cardholder website is giftcardmall.com. Or, are there different rules in different states? The one that worked was at a Walmart in RI. The other two were in MA. Sooo... I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of these things and not have to use them for monthly expenses for awhile. Any suggestions?
After I take care of these I'll be putting what I learn to use to work on travel rewards.
Thanks!
After I take care of these I'll be putting what I learn to use to work on travel rewards.
Thanks!
May 24, 2022, 9:42 pm
#344
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 375
New guy here. I've read a lot of this thread and the big one before this was created. I have a bunch of gift cards I'm trying to convert to cash. Going by what I read here, I stopped by a local Walmart over the weekend and used a $300 GC to buy a money order for $298.00. I didn't have a problem. The next day I stopped by another Walmart and had the gift card declined. I then went to another one in the area and had the same problem. The woman told me I can't use a gift card to purchase MOs. I determined that the gift card I used Sunday was purchased at a Walmart so that's probably why it worked. The others came from a local supermarket. The cardholder website is giftcardmall.com. Or, are there different rules in different states? The one that worked was at a Walmart in RI. The other two were in MA. Sooo... I'm trying to figure out how to get rid of these things and not have to use them for monthly expenses for awhile. Any suggestions?
After I take care of these I'll be putting what I learn to use to work on travel rewards.
Thanks!
After I take care of these I'll be putting what I learn to use to work on travel rewards.
Thanks!
The visa gift cards that do not work are most likely serviced by Blackhawk and issued by MetaBank.
May 25, 2022, 6:26 am
#345
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 9
Yup, I just read the small print at the bottom of the card. That is who they are issued and serviced by. Do I have any options besides just spending them? I don't think I can use GCs to buy GCs.