Walmart previously lowered their free shipping threshold to match Amazon's at only $35 but it seems to have gone back up to $50. With only 100 days until Christmas, the holiday season is fast approaching, and may partially explain the change in shipping policy a mere few months away from Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas. For those who frequently order off Walmart, they have the ShippingPass program which costs $50 per year but avid shoppers will receive free 3-day (or sooner) shipping year round. Shoppers can still overcome the hike in shipping fee by purchasing online and picking up items in-store. Walmart's shipping rate will most likely drop again once the busy holiday season have passed. Last year, Walmart offered a 1-day only free shipping no minimum site wide promotion in early December to match Target's free shipping offer so we predict that offer something similar this year.

In the mean time, other major merchants still offer a low shipping threshold but there is a chance they will follow Walmart's holiday shipping strategy and temporarily hike up the rate.

Click HERE to see what other stores like Target, Toys R Us and more has to offer.