Walmart Launches Gift Card Exchange

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Brick, N.J.-based gift card exchange CardCash have collaborated on a Walmart-branded website where consumers can trade unwanted gift cards for Walmart ones, according to published reports.

The site, which debuted as a test on Dec. 25, offers up to 97 percent of the value of gift cards from more than 200 retailers.

A site visitor who enters the retailer name on her card and the amount receives an offer she can either accept or reject. After accepting, she enters the full card number, PIN and other basic customer information. Afterwards, Walmart emails the consumer a Walmart e-card that can be used online or printed out and used at a brick-and-mortar location. The actual card being swapped doesn’t have to be mailed in, and there’s no minimum balance requirement.

The unwanted gift cards are resold on CardCash.com.

According to the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer, the program may continue after the holidays if it proves popular enough.

Walmart's not the only retailer with a gift card exchange program: Lubbock, Texas-based United Supermarkets has launched a program, Trade In, Cash Out, that gives shoppers cash for their unwanted cards, according to a report by KVII, the ABC affiliate in Amarillo, Texas. Interested customers can visit the service desk at any United, Market Street or Amigos store.