Yes, the Walmart credit card offers cashback, but the amount depends on which card you have and where you shop

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart Rewards Card (a Mastercard) and the Walmart Store Card (usable only at Walmart and Sam's Club). Both earn cashback, but the rates and where you earn them differ significantly.

The Walmart Rewards Card earns 3% cashback at Walmart.com, 2% at Walmart stores and Sam's Club, and 1% everywhere else. The Walmart Store Card earns 5% cashback at Walmart and Sam's Club (though this rate is limited to specific categories that rotate quarterly), 2% on gas, and 1% everywhere else within the Walmart ecosystem. Neither card charges an annual fee.

Cashback posts to your account as a statement credit and can be used toward purchases or withdrawn. You do not earn cashback on cash advances, balance transfers, or fees.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart Rewards Card earns 3% at Walmart.com, 2% at Walmart stores and Sam's Club, and 1% on all other purchases.
  • The Walmart Store Card earns rotating 5% categories at Walmart and Sam's Club, 2% on gas, and 1% elsewhere within Walmart properties.
  • Both cards have no annual fee, making them low-cost options if you shop at Walmart regularly.
  • Cashback appears as a statement credit you can apply to your balance or request as a refund, but it does not post as cash into a bank account.

How cashback rates work on each Walmart card

The Walmart Rewards Card is a general-purpose Mastercard. You can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, and your cashback rate depends on the merchant category. At Walmart.com you earn 3%, at physical Walmart stores and Sam's Club you earn 2%, and at all other merchants you earn 1%. This structure rewards you most heavily for online Walmart shopping, then in-store Walmart and Sam's Club shopping, then everything else.

The Walmart Store Card is restricted to Walmart and Sam's Club locations (online and in-store). It earns 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories—typically groceries, fuel, or general merchandise—plus a flat 2% on gas purchases and 1% on everything else at Walmart and Sam's Club. The rotating categories reset every three months, and Walmart notifies cardholders by email or through the Walmart app which category is active.

If you shop primarily outside Walmart, the Walmart Rewards Card makes more sense because you earn 1% everywhere. If you shop at Walmart multiple times per week, the Store Card's 5% rotating categories and 2% gas rate can add up faster, but you lose the ability to earn cashback at other retailers.

When cashback posts and how to use it

Cashback typically posts to your account within one to two billing cycles after the purchase posts. You can see your current cashback balance in your online account or through the Walmart mobile app. The balance appears as a statement credit, meaning it reduces the amount you owe on your next bill.

You have two options for using cashback. First, you can let it sit as a credit on your account and it will automatically reduce your balance when you make your next payment. Second, you can request a refund by calling the card issuer (Capital One for the Rewards Card, Walmart for the Store Card) and asking them to issue the cashback as a statement credit or, in some cases, a check. You cannot transfer cashback to a bank account or use it as cash at the register.

Cashback does not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, any remaining cashback is forfeited.

Comparing cashback to other Walmart shopping options

Walmart also offers a Walmart+ membership, which costs $98 per year (or $12.98 per month) and includes free shipping on online orders, fuel discounts, and early access to sales. Walmart+ does not earn cashback directly, but it can lower your overall spending through discounts and free shipping, which may offset the membership fee if you shop online frequently.

The Walmart credit cards have no membership cost, so if you shop at Walmart occasionally, a credit card alone is cheaper. If you shop online multiple times per month, combining the Walmart Rewards Card with Walmart+ (for free shipping) plus the 3% cashback at Walmart.com could be worthwhile. The math depends on your annual Walmart spending and how much you value free shipping.

Walmart also runs periodic promotions where the Store Card earns bonus cashback (for example, 10% back on select categories during holiday shopping). These promotions are announced through the Walmart app and email, so checking before major shopping events can increase your earnings.

Cashback limits and exclusions

There is no stated cap on how much cashback you can earn per year or per transaction. However, cashback does not post on certain types of transactions. You earn zero cashback on cash advances, balance transfers, convenience checks, fees (annual fee, late fees, etc.), and purchases made with a different payment method.

If you use the card to pay bills online through a third-party payment processor (like paying your electric bill through a utility company's website), the cashback rate depends on how the processor categorizes the transaction. Most bill payments code as "miscellaneous" and earn the lowest rate (1% on the Rewards Card, 1% on the Store Card outside Walmart).

Returned items reverse the cashback you earned on that purchase. If you buy something for $100 and earn $2 cashback, then return it, the $2 cashback is removed from your account.

Annual spending scenarios: which card earns more

The card that earns more depends on your shopping pattern. Here are three common scenarios:

Scenario 1: You spend $3,000 per year at Walmart, $2,000 at Sam's Club, and $5,000 everywhere else. With the Walmart Rewards Card: ($3,000 × 2%) + ($2,000 × 2%) + ($5,000 × 1%) = $60 + $40 + $50 = $150 cashback. With the Store Card: ($3,000 × average 2.5% across rotating categories) + ($2,000 × 2%) + ($5,000 × 0%) = $75 + $40 + $0 = $115 cashback. The Rewards Card wins because you earn 1% on non-Walmart purchases.

Scenario 2: You spend $5,000 per year at Walmart, $1,000 at Sam's Club, and $2,000 everywhere else. With the Walmart Rewards Card: ($5,000 × 2%) + ($1,000 × 2%) + ($2,000 × 1%) = $100 + $20 + $20 = $140 cashback. With the Store Card: ($5,000 × average 2.5%) + ($1,000 × 2%) + ($2,000 × 0%) = $125 + $20 + $0 = $145 cashback. The Store Card wins because you spend more at Walmart and less elsewhere.

Scenario 3: You spend $8,000 per year at Walmart.com, $2,000 at physical Walmart stores, and $0 elsewhere. With the Walmart Rewards Card: ($8,000 × 3%) + ($2,000 × 2%) = $240 + $40 = $280 cashback. With the Store Card: ($8,000 × average 2.5%) + ($2,000 × 2%) = $200 + $40 = $240 cashback. The Rewards Card wins because of the 3% rate at Walmart.com.

How to track and maximize your cashback

Log into your account on Walmart.com or through the Walmart mobile app to see your current cashback balance and recent earnings. Both platforms show a running total and a transaction-by-transaction breakdown. You can also call the card issuer's customer service line (the number is on the back of your card) to ask about your balance.

To maximize cashback, plan larger purchases around the Store Card's rotating 5% categories if you use that card. Walmart typically announces the quarterly category in the app and via email. If you use the Rewards Card, prioritize online shopping at Walmart.com (3% rate) over in-store shopping (2% rate) when possible, and use the card for everyday purchases outside Walmart to earn the 1% baseline.

Neither card offers bonus cashback for signing up, so there is no incentive to open an account just to meet a spending threshold. The cashback you earn is the only reward, and it accumulates automatically with no action required on your part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn cashback on Walmart gift cards?

Yes. Purchasing a Walmart gift card with either Walmart credit card earns cashback at the same rate as a regular purchase. If you buy a gift card at a Walmart store with the Store Card, you earn 2% cashback. If you buy one at Walmart.com with the Rewards Card, you earn 3% cashback.

Does cashback count toward my credit limit?

No. Cashback is a credit applied to your balance, not a separate account. It reduces the amount you owe but does not increase your available credit or affect your credit limit.

What happens to my cashback if I close the card?

Any cashback balance is forfeited when you close the account. Before closing, request that the issuer apply your remaining cashback as a statement credit, which will reduce your final balance.

Can I combine cashback from both the Walmart Rewards Card and Store Card?

You can hold both cards and earn cashback on each separately, but you cannot merge the balances. Each card has its own account and cashback total. You would need to track and redeem each one independently.

Do I earn cashback on Walmart Marketplace purchases?

Yes. Purchases from third-party sellers on Walmart.com (marked as "Sold by [seller name]") earn the same cashback rate as Walmart-sold items: 3% with the Rewards Card, 2.5% average with the Store Card.