Does Walmart Accept Afterpay & Other ‘Buy Now, Pay Later‘ Services in 2024?
The ‘Buy Now, Pay Later‘ (BNPL) industry has absolutely exploded in recent years. According to Statista, the total transaction value of BNPL services in the U.S. ballooned from $20 billion in 2019 to over $120 billion in 2022.
It‘s easy to see why BNPL has become so popular. These financing options allow consumers to split up payments for bigger purchases over time. This can help shoppers afford pricier items without having to drain their bank accounts all at once.
The Pros and Cons of Using BNPL Services
BNPL services seem like an attractive option, but they do come with some caveats.
Pros of BNPL:
- More manageable payments spread out over weeks or months
- Often no interest or fees (with services like Afterpay and Quadpay)
- Easy approval process – usually no credit check required
Potential Cons:
- Late fees if you miss payments
- Can overspend without realizing it
- Loans and debt on your credit report if using services like Affirm
- Not available for essential purchases like groceries and gas
What BNPL Services Does Walmart Accept in 2024?
Walmart shoppers have several "Buy Now, Pay Later" financing options to choose from:
| Service | Payment Schedule | Interest/Fees? |
|---|---|---|
| Affirm | 3, 6, or 12 months | Interest, APR 10-30% |
| Quadpay | 4 installments over 6 weeks | No interest or fees |
| Klarna | 4 installments every 2 weeks | No interest or fees |
| PayPal Pay in 4 | 4 installments | No interest or fees |
Afterpay is not directly offered as a payment method by Walmart as of 2023. Unfortunately, Walmart shoppers can‘t use other popular BNPL apps like Sezzle or Zip either.
Eligibility Requirements for BNPL at Walmart
While BNPL makes financing easier, there are some restrictions on what you can buy with these services at Walmart:
- Only certain product categories are eligible, like electronics, jewelry, home, apparel, etc.
- Groceries, consumables, tobacco, alcohol, prescriptions are excluded
- Purchase amounts must be between $144 – $2000
Apps like Quadpay and Klarna don‘t require a credit check, but you‘ll likely need a minimum score of around 640 for approval with Affirm.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Affirm at Walmart Online and In-Store
Affirm is Walmart‘s official financing partner, allowing customers to pay over 3, 6, or 12 months with interest. Here‘s how to use Affirm at Walmart:
- Visit affirm.com/walmart and select a repayment plan
- Enter some basic personal info and confirm the loan terms
- Get approval and receive a barcode for in-store purchases or payment details for online orders
- Scan the barcode or enter payment info at Walmart checkout
- Make monthly payments to Affirm until the balance is paid off
I recommend the 3 month plan which has the lowest APR of 10-30%. Carefully consider whether you can manage the monthly payments before confirming the loan.
How to Use Quadpay and Klarna at Walmart
Using Quadpay and Klarna is very similar:
- Download the Quadpay or Klarna app on your phone
- Search for and select Walmart within the app
- For online purchases, add items to your Walmart cart the select Quadpay/Klarna at checkout
- For in-store, just enter your total purchase amount in the app
- Receive a one-time virtual card number to use at checkout
- Make 4 interest-free payments every 2-6 weeks
One tip is to add your virtual card to Walmart Pay for easy in-store use. I personally like Quadpay since you have 6 weeks to pay versus just 2 weeks with Klarna.
Using PayPal Pay in 4 for Walmart Online Orders
For Walmart.com purchases, PayPal Pay in 4 is another good interest-free option:
- Select PayPal at checkout
- Click "PayPal Pay in 4"
- Review and confirm the payment schedule
- PayPal will automatically charge your PayPal balance in 4 installments
The Bottom Line – Consider BNPL Carefully
BNPL can be a useful way to finance bigger purchases interest-free or with manageable payments over time. However, it‘s important to use these services responsibly by paying on time and only using for non-essential purchases.
Compare all the BNPL options before choosing one for your Walmart order and always make sure you can afford the recurring payments. Used wisely, BNPL gives shoppers more purchasing flexibility and convenience.
