You can get a Walmart credit card through Walmart's website or in-store, and the process takes about 15 minutes

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued by Capital One). Most people looking for a Walmart credit card mean the Capital One version, which you can open online at walmart.com/creditcard or by asking for an application in any Walmart store. You'll need to be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, and provide basic information like your name, address, and income.

The application itself is straightforward — you answer questions about your employment and finances, and Capital One gives you a decision within minutes in most cases. If you're approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you're denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining why, and you can request a copy of the credit report they used to make that decision.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart Credit Card is issued by Capital One and you can start the process online at walmart.com/creditcard or in a physical store.
  • You'll receive a decision within minutes of completing the online application, and the card arrives by mail in about a week if you're approved.
  • The card is designed for people building or rebuilding credit, so the credit limit is typically lower than cards for established credit histories.
  • You earn 1% cash back on Walmart.com purchases and 0.5% cash back on everything else, with no annual fee.

What information you need before you start

Have your Social Security number, current address, and phone number ready. You'll also need to provide information about your employment — the name of your employer, how long you've worked there, and your annual income (you can estimate if you're self-employed). Capital One will ask whether you rent or own your home, and if you own, they may ask about your mortgage balance.

If you've had credit problems in the past, that's not automatically a barrier — the Walmart Credit Card is specifically marketed to people rebuilding credit. However, Capital One will check your credit report, so recent late payments, collections, or a bankruptcy will affect their decision. You can't see your own credit report before applying, but you can order a free copy from annualcreditreport.com to get a sense of what's there.

The online application process, step by step

Go to walmart.com/creditcard and click the button to start your application. You'll be taken to Capital One's system. Fill in your personal information (name, address, date of birth, Social Security number), then your employment details. Be honest about your income — Capital One doesn't verify it immediately, but lying on a credit application is fraud.

Next, you'll see questions about your financial situation: do you have other credit cards, how much do you owe on them, do you have savings, and so on. Answer as accurately as you can. At the end, you'll review everything, agree to Capital One's terms, and submit. The system will tell you immediately whether you're approved, denied, or pending review (pending usually resolves within 24 hours).

If you're approved, you'll see your credit limit and basic card details on screen. Write down your card number if you want to use it online before the physical card arrives, though most people wait for the card itself. You'll receive a welcome packet by mail with your card, a PIN, and instructions on how to set up your online account.

Applying in a Walmart store instead

You can pick up a paper application at the customer service desk in any Walmart and fill it out there, or ask a associate to help you start the online application on a store computer. The in-store process takes longer — you won't get an instant decision — but some people prefer it if they have questions or don't feel comfortable applying online.

If you apply on paper in-store, mail the completed application to the address on the form, or ask the associate whether they can submit it for you. You'll still get your decision by mail or phone within a few business days. The timeline is the same as online, just slower at the front end.

What happens if you're denied

Capital One will send you a letter within 30 days explaining the reason for denial. Common reasons include a low credit score, recent late payments, too much existing debt, or too many recent credit inquiries. The letter will also tell you how to get a free copy of your credit report from the bureau Capital One used.

If you're denied, you have a few options. You can wait a few months, work on improving your credit (paying down debt, making all payments on time), and apply again. Or you can look into a secured credit card instead — these require a cash deposit but are easier to open with poor credit. Walmart doesn't offer a secured card, but Capital One does (the Capital One Secured Mastercard), and so do most major banks.

Understanding the card's rewards and fees

The Walmart Credit Card earns 1% cash back on purchases at Walmart.com and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases. There's no annual fee, which is standard for cards aimed at people rebuilding credit. You don't earn bonus cash back for gas, groceries, or travel — just the flat rates on those two categories.

Cash back appears as a statement credit each month, so you don't have to redeem it separately. If you carry a balance, you'll pay interest on it — the APR (annual percentage rate) varies by person and isn't set until after you're approved. Capital One will tell you your specific rate in your welcome materials. Because this card is for people rebuilding credit, the APR is typically higher than cards for people with excellent credit, often in the 18% to 24% range, but it can vary.

Building credit with the Walmart card

The main reason to open this card isn't the cash back — it's to build a credit history or repair a damaged one. Capital One reports your payment history to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), so on-time payments help your credit score over time. The card also helps if you have no credit history at all, because it gives you a tradeline (a record of credit use) that didn't exist before.

To get the most benefit, charge small purchases to the card and pay the full balance every month. This shows lenders you can handle credit responsibly without paying interest. After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you may be offered a higher credit limit or the chance to convert to a regular Capital One card with better terms. Some people are also approved for a limit increase if they request one after a few months of good payment history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Walmart Credit Card outside of Walmart?

Yes. The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You just earn the higher cash back rate (1%) only at Walmart and Walmart.com. Everywhere else, you earn 0.5% cash back.

What's the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart MoneyCard?

The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card that reports to credit bureaus and helps you build credit. The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card — you load money onto it first, then spend it. The MoneyCard doesn't build credit because it's not a loan. Choose the credit card if you want to build credit history; choose the MoneyCard if you want a card without credit checks.

How long does it take to get approved?

Online applications get a decision within minutes. If you apply in-store on paper, it takes a few business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card number online before the physical card arrives if you want to start using it right away.

Will applying hurt my credit score?

Submitting an application triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. The impact is small and fades over time. However, if you apply multiple times in a short period, the damage adds up. Apply once, wait for a decision, and only apply again if you're denied and have time to improve your situation.

Can I increase my credit limit after I get the card?

Yes. After 6 months of on-time payments, you can call Capital One and request a credit limit increase. Some cardholders are also offered increases automatically. Capital One may do a soft inquiry (which doesn't hurt your score) or a hard inquiry (which does) depending on their policy at the time.