Walmart Is Finally Adding Apple Pay, and It Could Mean More Points for You

Updated: August 21, 2026, 2:34pm CDT

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Apple Pay Is Finally Coming to Walmart
Final Thoughts

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If you’ve ever held your iPhone over a Walmart payment terminal only to learn that Apple Pay wasn’t accepted, you’re definitely not alone. Thankfully, that frustration will soon be a thing of the past.

Walmart and Sam’s Club are finally adding tap-to-pay capabilities, giving shoppers an easier way to check out — and another opportunity to maximize their credit card rewards.

Here’s what you need to know.

Apple Pay Is Finally Coming to Walmart

Starting August 24, 2026, Walmart will begin adding tap-to-pay at select Walmart and Sam’s Club locations. According to Walmart’s announcement, the company expects to offer it at every U.S. store and club by the end of 2026. Walmart and Sam’s Club fuel stations are expected to follow by mid-2027.

Soon, shoppers will be able to pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, an eligible contactless card, or another supported mobile wallet when checking out at Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Sams Club Walmart Plus Gas — Very soon, you’ll be able to tap to pay at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores, with fuel stations following by mid-2027. Image Credit: Stella Shon

Until now, Walmart has held off on accepting Apple Pay and other tap-to-pay options, even as these options have become standard at other major retailers. Paying with your phone meant using Walmart Pay and scanning a QR code in the app. Walmart Pay isn’t going anywhere, and Sam’s Club members can still use Scan & Go, but you’ll soon have more ways to pay.

For points and miles enthusiasts, that also means you can finally take advantage of cards offering bonus rewards on mobile wallet purchases. For example, existing U.S. Bank Altitude^® Reserve Visa Infinite^® cardholders (no longer open to new applicants) can earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible purchases for the first $5,000 each billing cycle (then, 1x afterward) made through Apple Pay and other mobile wallets.

Hot Tip:

Purchases at Walmart and Sam’s Club typically don’t qualify for credit card grocery bonuses, so use a card that rewards bonus points on everyday purchases. For example, you can earn 2x miles with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, 2x points with The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express (on up to $50,000 annually, and then 1x), or 1.5% cash-back with the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®.

Final Thoughts

Walmart may be late to the tap-to-pay party, but this is still a welcome upgrade for anyone who shops there. Along with making checkout easier, it gives shoppers more freedom to use the card that offers the best return on their purchase, potentially earning more points, miles, or cash-back on Walmart purchases.