Walmart does offer a credit card, but it comes in two versions with different rewards and requirements
Yes, Walmart still has a credit card program. The company offers two separate cards: the Walmart Credit Card (a standard Mastercard) and the Walmart Rewards Card (a store card that only works at Walmart). Both are issued by Capital One. The card you can get depends on whether you want to use it everywhere or only at Walmart stores, and what rewards matter most to you.
The key difference is where you can swipe. The Walmart Rewards Card works only at Walmart and Walmart.com. The Walmart Credit Card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers. If you want a card that doubles as your everyday card, you need the Mastercard version. If you only want rewards when you shop at Walmart, the store card is simpler.
Both cards are real credit cards, not prepaid cards. That means they report to the credit bureaus, they charge interest if you carry a balance, and they help build your credit history if you pay on time. Neither card has an annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart offers two credit cards: a Mastercard that works everywhere, and a store card that only works at Walmart and Walmart.com.
- The Walmart Rewards Card gives cash back on Walmart purchases but no rewards elsewhere; the Walmart Credit Card gives cash back on gas and groceries everywhere plus bonus rewards at Walmart.
- Both cards are issued by Capital One, report to credit bureaus, and have no annual fee.
- You can open either card online at Walmart.com or through Capital One's website, and approval decisions usually come within minutes.
How the Walmart Rewards Card works
The Walmart Rewards Card is a store card that earns cash back only when you use it at Walmart or Walmart.com. You earn 3% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% cash back on Walmart gas station purchases, and 1% cash back on everything else you buy at Walmart stores. The cash back shows up as a credit on your Walmart account and can be used toward future purchases.
This card makes sense if you do most of your shopping at Walmart and want a simple rewards structure. You do not earn anything when you use it outside Walmart, so it is not a replacement for a general-purpose credit card. The card is easier to get than the Mastercard version if your credit history is thin or damaged, because Capital One uses a lower approval threshold for store cards.
The cash back is not paid to you as money — it stays in your Walmart account as a balance you can spend. Some people like this because it forces them to use the rewards. Others find it limiting because they cannot transfer the cash back to a bank account or use it anywhere else.
How the Walmart Credit Card (Mastercard) works
The Walmart Credit Card is a Mastercard that earns cash back on purchases everywhere, not just at Walmart. You earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, 3% cash back on Walmart store purchases, 2% cash back on gas and groceries at any store, and 1% cash back on everything else. Like the store card, the cash back appears as a credit on your account.
This card is better if you want one card that works for everyday spending. The 2% on gas and groceries means you earn rewards even when you shop at other stores. The 5% on Walmart.com is the highest rate either card offers. The tradeoff is that this card is harder to get — Capital One requires a stronger credit history than it does for the store card.
The cash back still stays in your account as a balance rather than being paid out as cash. You can use it to pay down your balance, or you can let it sit and spend it on future purchases. Some cardholders prefer this to a cash-back card that pays money directly, because it keeps the rewards tied to the card and harder to lose.
Who can get approved and what to expect
Both cards are available to people with fair credit and above. Capital One's approval standards for the Walmart store card are more flexible than for the Mastercard — if you have a thin credit file, recent late payments, or a lower credit score, the store card is the more realistic option. Neither card requires a minimum income, but Capital One will ask for your annual income during the application.
You can open either card online at Walmart.com or at Capital One's website. The application takes about five minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment status. Capital One usually gives you an approval decision within minutes. If you are approved, you can start using the card right away if you apply online — you do not have to wait for the physical card to arrive.
If you are denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons are a very low credit score, recent bankruptcy, or too many recent credit inquiries. If you are denied, you can reapply after your credit improves, or you can ask Capital One to reconsider if your circumstances have changed.
Comparing the two cards side by side
| Feature | Walmart Rewards Card | Walmart Credit Card (Mastercard) |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Walmart and Walmart.com only | Anywhere Mastercard is accepted |
| Cash back at Walmart stores | 1% | 3% |
| Cash back on Walmart.com | 3% | 5% |
| Cash back on gas | 2% (Walmart gas only) | 2% (any store) |
| Cash back on groceries | 1% (Walmart only) | 2% (any store) |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Approval difficulty | Easier (fair credit OK) | Harder (good credit preferred) |
When a Walmart card makes sense and when it does not
A Walmart card is worth getting if you shop at Walmart regularly and want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. The store card is the right choice if you do most of your shopping at Walmart and your credit is fair or rebuilding. The Mastercard is the right choice if you want one card for everyday spending and your credit is good enough to get approved.
A Walmart card is not worth getting if you rarely shop at Walmart, if you already have a cash-back card with better rewards, or if you are trying to minimize the number of credit accounts you open. Opening a new card temporarily lowers your credit score because it adds a hard inquiry and lowers your average account age. If you are planning to apply for a mortgage or car loan soon, opening a new card might not be worth the small dip in your score.
The cash-back rates on both cards are competitive but not exceptional. Many general-purpose cash-back cards offer 2% on all purchases, which beats the Walmart Mastercard's 1% on non-gas, non-grocery, non-Walmart purchases. If you do not shop at Walmart often, a different card will probably earn you more.
How to open a Walmart card and what happens next
To open either card, go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer, or visit Capital One's website directly. Click the link to apply for the card you want. You will be asked for your name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, annual income, and current employment. The application is encrypted and secure.
Capital One will pull your credit report (a hard inquiry) and make a decision within minutes. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and can start using the card immediately through your online account. The physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail within a week explaining the reason.
Once you have the card, you can set up automatic payments through your bank account, or you can pay through Walmart's website or the Capital One app. Paying on time every month is the fastest way to build credit with this card. Missing a payment will hurt your credit score and may trigger a late fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Walmart Rewards Card outside of Walmart?
No. The Walmart Rewards Card only works at Walmart stores and Walmart.com. If you try to use it at another retailer, it will be declined. If you want a card that works everywhere, you need the Walmart Credit Card (Mastercard).
Which Walmart card is easier to get approved for?
The Walmart Rewards Card (store card) is easier to get approved for. Capital One uses a lower credit score threshold for store cards than for Mastercards. If your credit score is below 650 or you have recent late payments, the store card is your better option.
Do I have to pay an annual fee for either card?
No. Both the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Credit Card have no annual fee. You only pay interest if you carry a balance from month to month.
Can I get both cards at the same time?
You can open both cards, but Capital One may decline your second application if you open them on the same day. It is safer to wait at least a few weeks between applications. Opening two cards at once also creates two hard inquiries, which temporarily lowers your credit score more than one inquiry would.
What happens to my cash back if I close the card?
Any cash back you have earned stays in your account and can still be used. However, you cannot earn new cash back once the card is closed. If you have a balance on the card when you close it, you will still need to pay it off.