What Stores Accept Venmo?

Are you searching for an easy way to pay for goods and services?

More and more people these days prefer to use digital wallets instead of cash. Not only is this a safer way to pay for products, but you can also gain access to a range of rewards.

However, you need to make sure that your preferred payment method will be accepted by your favorite retailer. Otherwise, you could end up getting a nasty surprise when you reach the checkout counter.

So, let’s find out what stores accept Venmo.

How Venmo Works?

This contactless payment option works in a similar way to PayPal. After adding funds to your account, you can use your funds to purchase goods and services. However, Venmo also comes with a social aspect that many people enjoy.

It was originally intended to be used to send funds to friends and family members. You can send and receive money using the email address and mobile numbers of loved ones. This eliminates the need to share your credit card and bank details with other people. 

The App 

The Venmo app can be used to make in-store and online purchases. The only catch is that the app is only compatible with mobile devices that use iOS and Android platforms. Unlike PayPal, the Venmo app cannot be used to shop online with a laptop or PC. 

Getting Started

After downloading and installing the app onto your smartphone or tablet, you need to create a profile. You need to link the credit or debit cards you want to use, or your checking account. This will allow you to use the app to make purchases. 

Third-party Mobile Apps

This payment method is compatible with a range of third-party mobile apps. You can use it to make in-app purchases on platforms like Grubhub, Uber, and Uber Eats. After selecting this payment method, transactions are processed automatically. 

Paying with a Debit or Credit Card

The company offers a dedicated Visa credit card along with a MasterCard debit card. You can request either of these cards directly through the company’s app. When you use a Venmo debit card, money will be taken directly from your app balance. The card can be used to shop in-store or online, anywhere MasterCard is accepted.

Alternatively, you can take your debit or credit card with you to a store when you do your shopping. This is a more flexible option. You can use Venmo cards for in-store transactions when contactless payment is not accepted. 

Cash-back Rewards

You can earn rewards through the cash-back rewards program every time you use your card at selected retailers. The program was launched in 2019 with a series of impressive cash-back rewards. You can score up to 3% cash back each month on eligible purchases. There are also limited-time offers available to look out for.

Cashback

You can also use your Venmo credit or debit card to score some cash when you do your shopping. Most retailers don’t charge a fee for this service and will hand over between $5 and $10 with your transaction. Some retailers give much more than this, and you can score $35 per transaction at CVS and $20 at Walgreens. 

ATM withdrawals

The dedicated debit card can also be used to withdraw cash from certain ATMs. You need to look for ATMs with a Cirrus, MasterCard, MoneyPass, or Pulse logo. The withdrawal limit is a cool $400 per day. 

Stores That Accept Venmo

Most retailers that accept PayPal are able to process Venmo payments. However, retailers have to opt-in before you can use this payment method. So, you should always check whether or not the payment method is accepted before trying to use it in your chosen store. 

Stores that accept Venmo touch-free payments and debit/credit cards include:

Using Venmo to Make Purchases

After you’ve confirmed that your favorite retailer accepts Venmo, you can use it anytime you want to make a purchase. This contactless payment method is generally very quick and easy to use.

Let’s take a look at how to use Venmo to make purchases. 

In-store purchases 

Make sure you install the app on your tablet or smartphone before heading to a retail outlet. You can download the official app for free, and versions are available for both Android and iOS platforms. Make sure your new account is completely set up and is connected to your PayPal or bank account. 

After doing your shopping, head to the checkout counter. Let the cashier know that you want to use this payment method before they start ringing up your purchases. They will confirm that the payment method is accepted and show you the relevant QR code.

How Do I Scan the QR Code?

You can open the app and tap the scan button to automatically scan the QR code. Tap to confirm that you want to pay for your items with the app. The app will then automatically use your account balance to process the transaction.

In some stores, the cashier might ask you to show your app QR code. To find the QR code, tap on the Show to Me button on your app. The cashier will be able to use this QR code to scan on your behalf and complete the transaction. 

Online Purchases

You need to open the website of the online retailer on your tablet or smartphone to get started. This allows you to do a little shopping while you are at work or on the move. However, as mentioned, if you are using a PC or laptop, you won’t be able to use the Venmo app to make purchases.

Only Smartphones and Tablets

Add the items you want to purchase to your cart in the usual way and head to the checkout page. When you’re ready to pay, choose PayPal as the payment method. You will be redirected to your PayPal account so that the payment can be processed.

After logging into your account, tap on the Venmo payment option. You will be prompted to enter your details and confirm the transaction amount. After the amount has been confirmed, your funds will be drawn from your PayPal account or the connected bank account. 

Transaction Fees and Limits

It is generally free to use this platform, and you can take advantage of several free transactions. Payments that are made using the app can be processed free of charge. And merchants can process QR payments without any additional cost to either of you.

However, it is not always free to send money to friends and family members. There is a 3% charge for making user-to-user credit card transactions. Fortunately, there is no fee for sending payments from your bank account, app balance, or debit card. 

Transaction Limitations

When you sign up to be a new user, you are limited to sending up to $299 per week. This limitation is put in place to help protect your finances from fraud. However, it is possible to increase this limit by verifying your account. To do this, you need to send the company your birth date, zip code, and the final four digits of your Social Security number. 

Once the verification process is complete, you can spend up to $6,999.99 per week on retail payments. In addition, you can spend up to $4,999.99 per week on user-to-user transactions. A maximum of thirty retail payments can be made within a 24-hour period. And the weekly limitations are reset seven days from your initial transaction. 

Card Limitations

If your account has been verified, you can use your connected credit or debit card to make purchases. The weekly limit is $3,000. If you try to spend more than this within the set period, the transaction will be declined. 

Cryptocurrency Purchases

You can also use your account to purchase cryptocurrency. The usual set purchasing limit is $20,000 per week. But the annual purchasing limit is $50,000.  

Common In-Store Payment Issues with Venmo

While this payment method is usually very fast and easy to use, errors can occur. This is more likely if you or the cashier is unfamiliar with Venmo. Here are the most common issues you are likely to encounter and simple ways to resolve them. 

Linked Account Balance

Start by making sure that you have sufficient funds in your account. The most common issue is when you try to make purchases with insufficient funds. Fortunately, reloading your account is a quick and easy process. 

Camera Access

The QR scanner in the app has to integrate with the camera that’s built into your phone or tablet. Head to the privacy settings in your device and make sure the app has access to your camera. If access has not been granted, you can instantly toggle on the setting and complete the payment. 

Generated QR code

Issues occur when users show their Venmo Me code instead of their Show to Pay QR code. These two QR codes are easy to mix up when you first start using the payment method. So, make sure you are presenting the correct QR code when paying for products and services. 

Merchant QR code

If you are at a self-checkout counter, you might be scanning the wrong QR code. Each accepted digital payment method comes with a specific QR code. If you scan the wrong code, your payment will not be processed. 

Common Online Payment Issues with Venmo

No matter what payment option you choose, paying for goods online can sometimes be tricky. In most cases, issues crop up due to human error. Here are two main issues you are likely to experience and ways to resolve them. 

Transaction Error 

An error prompt may appear if you don’t have enough funds in your account. So it’s a good idea to check your linked cards and view the available funds. You can also head to the Backup Payment settings in the app to make sure you have linked an account. If you forgot to link an account, go through the steps, before trying to make the payment once again. 

No Venmo Payment Option

The error can also occur because the website doesn’t accept the payment option. If you don’t see a dedicated Venmo payment button, you can’t use the app or card to make purchases. In this case, you will need to select an alternative payment method to make a purchase.

Got Another Venmo Question?

If so, we have a few more recent articles that could help you. Including our answers to Does Walmart Accept Venmo, What stores accept Venmo pay in-store, and Where Can You Cash A Personal Check Besides Banks? You may also want to know more about How And Where To Cash A Check Without ID in 2023?

And did you know you can transfer from Venmo to your Netspend card?

Find out more about Netspend in our latest answers to, Can You Withdraw Money from Netspend for Free, NetSpend Withdrawal at Walmart, and Does Dollar General Load Cash App, Netspend, Green Dot, and Chime Cards?

Or, feel free to search our site with any questions about any service provider!

Ok, back to…

Final Thoughts

Most large retailers accept Venmo as well as a wide range of other payment methods. You can use your digital wallet to pay for products in both physical and online stores. This allows you to pay for groceries, meals in restaurants, food delivery services, and much more.

You can also apply for a Venmo debit or credit card to use to purchase products. These cards treat you to a wide range of benefits, including cash-back rewards. However, it’s always best to make sure a retailer accepts the payment method before heading to the checkout.

Happy shopping with Venmo!