For a long time, Walmart’s generous coupon policy made shopping at the big-box retailer’s stores even more affordable than it already was.
However, Walmart has made some adjustments to its coupon policy — and if you’re trying to save money shopping, you aren’t going to love the new guidelines.
Here is everything you need to know about the changes and how to adjust your shopping habits.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today
Walmart’s coupon policy basics have not changed
Walmart updated its coupon policy in September. The last time the retailer updated its coupon policy was in 2017, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady website. Fortunately, the new policy is largely the same as the old one.
Walmart doesn’t accept digital coupons, competitor coupons, or expired coupons. It won’t take printed coupons from the internet that are blurry, improperly scanned, or altered.
The retailer also reserves the right to refuse to accept a coupon for any reason, especially if customer behavior becomes disruptive, which Walmart defines as “reoccurring.”
With that in mind, following are the key changes that have occurred.
Walmart might limit the number of identical coupons you can use
In the past, Walmart didn’t impose its own hard limit on the number of identical coupons an individual shopper could use in a day.
Both the Krazy Coupon Lady and Coupons in the News are reporting that this policy has changed. They say Walmart is imposing a limit of four identical coupons per household per day.
It is worth noting, however, that Walmart’s policy says there is a “limit of 4 identical coupons per household, per day (unless otherwise noted on coupon).”
The phrase “unless otherwise noted on the coupon” appears to leave some wiggle room in at least a few cases.
Walmart no longer offers cash back or overages
If a coupon’s value exceeds that of the product it applies to, some stores will offer cash back to make up the difference. Or, they might apply the difference to the rest of your purchase.
For years, Walmart was one of these stores. The Krazy Coupon Lady called this policy “one of the best ways to save at Walmart.”
However, after September’s update, the coupon policy now says the following: “The value of a coupon will be applied up to the price of the item and any excess value will not be applied to the transaction total.”
Get a protection plan on all your appliances
Did you know if your air conditioner stops working, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover it? Same with plumbing, electrical issues, appliances, and more.
Whether or not you’re a new homeowner, a home warranty from Choice Home Warranty could pick up the slack where insurance falls short and protect you against surprise expenses. If a covered system in your home breaks, you can call their hotline 24/7 to get it repaired.
For a limited time, you can get your first month free with a Single Payment home warranty plan.
Employees cannot override the system now
Like most major retailers, Walmart requires each coupon to exactly match the product it was intended for. However, in the past, a cashier or their manager might have made the decision to accept an unmatched coupon.
However, the Krazy Coupon Lady reports that Walmart has updated its policy to say the following: “Acceptance of unmatched coupons is against policy and will be systematically denied."
That means cashiers will no longer be able to circumvent the system even if they think there’s a good case to be made for accepting your coupon.
The new policy means you might spend more during the holidays
Thanks to Walmart’s newest coupon policies, you might not be able to save quite as much money shopping at the retailer as you did before.
The timing of Walmart’s coupon policy change was especially brutal for those who were hoping to spend less during the holiday season. Many shoppers might have been frustrated that Walmart enacted these changes at the end of another challenging financial year.
Trending Stories
Prepare for some frustration if your coupon isn’t accepted
You should also be prepared for a little more frustration at the cash register. If the computer denies your coupon, there is basically nothing you can do about it now. Instead, the system has the ultimate say over whether your coupon will be accepted.
The person working behind the counter might be just as frustrated as you are about the fact that the system won’t accept your coupon. However, there is nothing they can do to change it.
Using the right coupons can still bring your cost down to $0
While it won’t be possible to get cash back in exchange for a coupon, you can still lower a product’s cost to zero dollars if you find the right item and apply the right coupons.
Check out the clearance section for the best luck: Items are priced low enough there that you might not need that many coupons to score a free transaction.
Store management decides whether to accept a coupon
Finally, here is a little glimmer of good news: While individual cashiers can no longer override the system and accept a coupon that the register has denied, the coupon policy itself states the following: “Store Management has the final decision in taking care of the customer.”
It’s not completely clear if this refers to your local store’s manager or to someone higher up the chain, such as a regional store authority.
Still, depending on the circumstances, your coupon might be accepted after all. Asking a manager to approve the coupon might be an overlooked way to save money while shopping at Walmart.
Bottom line
Now that Walmart’s coupon policies are more in line with other big-box stores’ policies, the retailer is not quite the bargain it used to be.
Still, as long as you’re aware of the policy changes, you won’t be taken by surprise. And the retailer’s low everyday prices mean you can help you stretch your Walmart budget.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.49%, 24.49%, or 29.49% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
Subscribe Today
Want extra-cash moves to come right to you?
Stop browsing endlessly. Get proven ways to earn pocket money, help cover rent, and crush your debt — sent to your inbox daily.