We started a discussion post on what works with Vanilla Visa gift cards, and readers recommended a similar discussion thread around Pathward Visa gift cards which have different sets of issues.
We’ll put a few data points below as a conversation starter, and readers can share and discuss in the comments what works and what does not. Use the search bar in the comments to read the various data points that are discussed there.
What works – sample:
- Costco
What does not work – sample:
- Giant
- Walmart
Not working at payusatax
My $195 prepaid Pathward visa gift card is not working and Pathward has no support line available to help with the issue. I have posted my full story here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/jiffyhorrorstories/comments/1cufsol/jiffy_lube_employee_gets_scammed_out_of_earned/
TLDR: Jiffy Lube gave me the bogus card as a reward for my performance and Pathward again has no support line to help with this issue. Who should I report to? BBB? Any other organizations?
Using Pathward Visa gift cards can sometimes be a bit of a puzzle, so having a dedicated space to share experiences and advice could really help everyone out. like online shopping, physical stores and Preauthorization Charges.
Well, I received a Vanilla Gift Card (pathward) for $25.00 and am unable to use it at the local grocery store in person and online. No walmart in store and online and the same for Target and Amazon.
Where does it work?
I can confirm the Pathward Mastercard GCs sold at Staples work for paying at Verizon’s website.
The Metabank Visa GCs sold at Staples do not work for paying at Verizon’s website.
I really like this idea for a sticky post.
I can confirm the Mastercard GCs issued by Pathward NA and distributed by Blackhawk Network sold at Staples now do not work at the registers at SOME Walmarts. I think this has to do with the point of sale system that each Walmart uses or if it has been updated. This started around Q2CY23. They get denied at my closest Walmart, but if I drive 5 miles to the next nearest Walmart they work. First, they would only not work at self-checkout, I would have to transfer the transaction to customer service, who would run the card and it would work. The cards would also work at an attended checkout. Now they will not work at any checkout or customer service at those affected Walmarts. Will not work regardless if you run the transaction as credit or debit, or if you input the exact amount as a partial payment transaction. A few online sites deny these cards as well, but sometimes that is hit or miss if the site attempts to verify the zip code (you must register the card) and I don’t go to all of that trouble so I have not tracked online sites. I have not had any issues at most other physical stores or with paying utilities online. So this problem seems like a payment clearing issue between Walmart’s newer POS system and the card bank, or Walmart having some fee negotiation issue with the issuing bank.
I have also had the same experience with Metabank/Blackhawk labeled MCs at Walmart.
Cards I have purchased at grocery stores and gas stations do work at Walmart. These include:
Vanilla Metabank Visa distributed by Infocomm
SecureSpend Metabank Visa distributed by Infocomm
I don’t recall running into any issues with the Visas above online or at physical stores.
what’s infocomm
Pretty sure he meant Incomm.
No success at Harris Teeter
There are velocity limits which started this year. If someone has insider info please post it. I don’t usually believe in class action lawsuits, but Pathward / Metabank and Blackhawk Network should be sued for trying to defraud customers. They deserve to be put out of business for their fraudulent actions.
How are they defrauding customers? Being on this site, I should probably know, right, but I am curious. I’ve heard mention of velocity limits but it sounds like it’s merchant based, I’ve yet to be subject to it.
They sell visas that say they work anywhere and don’t disclose the actual limits or mechanisms. May not actually be fraud but I could see someone making that argument. Especially when the cards don’t work for regular purchases that don’t involve cash equivalents or gift cards. Like just limiting/hard locking walmart itself is pretty suspect, that is one of the places someone would be mostly likely to use a gifted debit.
I am having issues with Secure Spend VGCs. Online transactions automatically declined or cancelled. In person use okay. One is Metabank by Incomm and the other is Pathward by Incomm.
No love for USB? Also, is this all all coded language for MOs?
That’s what I was hoping for.