Yes, Walmart offers two credit cards you can use for shopping and rewards
Walmart has two branded credit cards: the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card. Both are issued by Capital One and work at Walmart stores and Walmart.com. The main difference is that the Rewards Card earns cash back on purchases, while the regular Walmart Credit Card offers promotional financing instead. Neither card requires an annual fee.
The card you choose depends on whether you want cash back rewards or prefer to focus on special financing offers. If you shop at Walmart regularly and want to earn something back on those purchases, the Rewards Card makes sense. If you're more interested in 0% financing periods on larger purchases, the regular Walmart Credit Card is the better fit.
Key Takeaways
- The Walmart Rewards Card earns 3% cash back at Walmart and 1% at other stores, while the regular Walmart Credit Card does not earn rewards but offers promotional financing.
- Both cards are issued by Capital One, have no annual fee, and work at Walmart locations and online.
- You can use either card outside Walmart, but rewards and financing offers only apply to Walmart purchases.
- The Walmart Rewards Card requires a credit check and is typically available to people with fair credit or better.
How the Walmart Rewards Card works
The Walmart Rewards Card earns 3% cash back on Walmart purchases (in-store and online) and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Cash back is deposited into your Walmart.com account as a Walmart Cash balance, which you can use to pay for future purchases. There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn.
The card also includes a 0% intro APR period on purchases for a set number of months (the exact length varies based on your creditworthiness and current promotions). After that period ends, a regular APR applies to any remaining balance. You can check the current offer and your specific terms when you review your application.
How the regular Walmart Credit Card works
The standard Walmart Credit Card does not earn cash back rewards. Instead, it focuses on promotional financing offers. Walmart frequently runs promotions like "12 months special financing on purchases of $200 or more" or similar deals. These offers are available to cardholders and sometimes to non-cardholders as well, but cardholders typically get access first or to better terms.
This card is useful if you plan to make larger purchases at Walmart and want to spread payments over time without paying interest. You'll need to pay close attention to the promotional period end date, because any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the regular APR once the promotion ends.
What credit score you need
Walmart does not publish a minimum credit score requirement for either card. However, both cards are issued by Capital One, which typically approves people with fair credit (usually a score around 580 or higher, though this varies). If you have limited credit history or a lower score, you may still be approved, but your credit limit and interest rate will reflect the risk.
The best way to know if you'll be approved is to check your credit report for errors first, then apply. Capital One will do a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you're denied, you can ask Capital One what factors led to the decision and reapply after addressing them.
Using a Walmart card outside Walmart
Both cards are Visa cards, so you can use them anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Walmart. However, rewards and promotional financing only apply to purchases made at Walmart and Walmart.com. If you use the Rewards Card at a grocery store or gas station, you'll earn 1% cash back instead of the higher Walmart rate, and no promotional financing will be available.
This matters if you're deciding between a Walmart card and a general rewards card. A general rewards card might earn 2% or more on all purchases, while the Walmart card earns 3% only at Walmart. If you shop at Walmart frequently, the Walmart card wins. If you split your spending across many stores, a general card might be better.
How to open a Walmart credit card
You can open either card online at Walmart.com, in a Walmart store, or by phone. Online is usually fastest — you'll fill out an application, and Capital One will give you a decision within minutes in most cases. If approved, you can use your card number to shop online immediately, and a physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
In-store applications take longer because a store associate will need to submit your information, and you'll wait for Capital One's decision. Phone applications are also available but less common. Whichever method you choose, have your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address ready.
Comparing the two Walmart cards
| Feature | Walmart Rewards Card | Walmart Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cash back rewards | 3% at Walmart, 1% elsewhere | None |
| Promotional financing | 0% intro APR on purchases | Frequent special financing offers |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Card type | Visa | Visa |
| Best for | Regular Walmart shoppers who want rewards | People who want promotional financing on big purchases |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Walmart Rewards Card and the regular Walmart Credit Card at the same time?
Yes. Capital One will allow you to hold both cards simultaneously. Some people do this to earn rewards on everyday purchases with the Rewards Card while using the regular card for promotional financing on larger items. Just remember that each application triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report.
What happens if I don't pay my Walmart card balance?
Late payments are reported to the credit bureaus after 30 days and damage your credit score. After 60 days, you'll likely face late fees. After 180 days, the account may be charged off and sent to a collection agency. If you're struggling to pay, contact Capital One immediately — they sometimes offer hardship programs that can lower your interest rate or pause payments temporarily.
Can I use my Walmart card to withdraw cash?
Yes, both cards are Visa cards, so you can use them at ATMs to withdraw cash. However, cash advances typically come with a higher interest rate than purchases and start accruing interest immediately — there's no grace period like there is for purchases. Avoid cash advances unless you have no other option.
How do I check my Walmart card balance and rewards?
Log into your account on Capital One's website or use the Capital One mobile app. For the Rewards Card, your Walmart Cash balance is also visible in your Walmart.com account. You can check your balance anytime, and there's no fee to do so.
What if I'm denied for a Walmart credit card?
Ask Capital One why you were denied — they're required to tell you. Common reasons include a low credit score, high existing debt, or errors on your credit report. You can dispute errors with the credit bureau for free. If your score is the issue, wait a few months, work on paying down other debts, and reapply. Each denial does trigger a hard inquiry, so space out applications by at least a few months.