The two Walmart credit cards and which one to choose

Walmart offers two credit cards through Capital One: the Walmart Rewards Card (a Mastercard you can use anywhere) and the Walmart Credit Card (a store card for Walmart and Sam's Club only). The main difference is where you can swipe them. The Walmart Rewards Card earns cash back at any merchant and reports to all three credit bureaus, making it useful for building credit history beyond Walmart. The store card earns higher cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club but only works there.

Both cards have no annual fee. Neither requires a perfect credit score to open — Capital One markets these cards to people rebuilding credit or new to credit entirely. If you shop at Walmart regularly and want rewards that work everywhere, the Rewards Card makes more sense. If you shop there heavily and don't need to use the card elsewhere, the store card's higher rewards rate (5% back on Walmart.com with a free account, 2% at Walmart stores and Sam's Club) might be worth the limitation.

Key Takeaways

  • You can open either Walmart card online at Walmart.com or Capital One's website, or in person at a Walmart customer service desk.
  • The application takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, and current debts so Capital One can assess your credit risk.
  • You will get a decision immediately or within a few days; if approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Both cards report to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments help your credit score, but carrying a balance costs you interest.
  • The Walmart Rewards Card works at any store and earns cash back everywhere, while the store card only works at Walmart and Sam's Club but earns more cash back there.

How to open a Walmart credit card online

Go to Walmart.com, scroll to the footer, and click "Credit Cards" under the Money Services section. You will see both card options with their terms side by side. Click the one you want and you will land on Capital One's application page.

Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. Then enter your employment status, annual income, and current debts (mortgage, car loans, student loans, other credit cards). Capital One uses this to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. Be honest — they verify income and can deny you if the numbers don't match your application.

Review the terms, check the box to agree, and submit. You will see a decision on screen immediately, or Capital One will tell you they need a few days to review. If approved, write down your confirmation number and check your email for next steps. Your card ships within 7 to 10 business days.

Applying in person at Walmart

Walk to the customer service desk at any Walmart and ask to open a credit card. A representative will hand you an application form or direct you to a kiosk where you can apply on a tablet. The process is the same as online — you provide your personal and financial information, and Capital One makes a decision within minutes or a few days.

The advantage of applying in person is that you can ask questions face-to-face and get help if you are unsure about any field. The disadvantage is that you cannot compare the two cards side by side as easily as you can online. Most people find the online route faster.

What happens after you are approved

Once approved, Capital One assigns you a credit limit — typically $300 to $1,000 for a first card or a card opened to rebuild credit. Your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, call the number on the back to activate it, or activate it online through your Capital One account.

You can use your card immediately at Walmart (or anywhere, if you chose the Rewards Card) and start earning cash back. Your first statement arrives about 30 days after your first purchase. The statement shows your balance, minimum payment due, and the due date — usually 21 to 25 days after the statement closes. Pay at least the minimum by that date to avoid a late fee and credit damage.

To build credit, pay your full balance each month if you can. If you carry a balance, Capital One charges interest — the rate depends on your creditworthiness and ranges widely, so check your card agreement for your specific APR. Paying only the minimum means interest compounds and you pay more over time.

Credit limits and how to increase yours

Your starting credit limit depends on your credit history and income. If you are new to credit or rebuilding, expect $300 to $500. If you have stronger credit, you might get $1,000 or more. This limit is how much you can charge before Capital One blocks further purchases.

After 6 to 12 months of on-time payments, you can ask Capital One for a credit limit increase. You can request this online through your account or by calling the number on the back of your card. Capital One may approve an increase without a hard inquiry (a check that temporarily lowers your credit score), or they may run a new application. Either way, a higher limit gives you more flexibility and can improve your credit score if you keep your balance low relative to the limit.

How this card affects your credit score

Opening a Walmart card triggers a hard inquiry — Capital One checks your credit report to decide whether to approve you. This inquiry lowers your credit score by a few points for about three months. That is normal and temporary.

Once you open the card, your on-time payments help your score. Payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score, so paying your bill by the due date every month is the fastest way to build credit. Carrying a balance does not help your score — it only costs you interest. The best strategy is to charge small purchases you would make anyway, then pay the full balance when the bill arrives.

The card also affects your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your credit limit you are using. If your limit is $500 and you carry a $250 balance, your utilization is 50%. Keeping utilization below 30% helps your score. So if you need to carry a balance, try to keep it well below one-third of your limit.

Comparing the Walmart cards to other options

The Walmart Rewards Card competes with entry-level cards from other issuers like Capital One's QuickSilver or Discover It. The Rewards Card earns 1% cash back on most purchases and 2% at Walmart.com and gas stations. Discover It offers 1% cash back on most purchases and 5% rotating categories (which change quarterly). If you shop at many different stores, Discover It might earn you more. If you shop mostly at Walmart, the Walmart card is simpler.

The Walmart store card competes with other retail cards like Target or Best Buy cards. These cards only work at their store but offer higher rewards there. The choice depends on where you shop most. If you split your spending between Walmart and other stores, the Walmart Rewards Card (which works everywhere) is more practical than a store card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need good credit to get a Walmart card?

No. Capital One markets these cards to people new to credit and people rebuilding after past problems. You do not need a perfect score. However, Capital One will review your income and existing debts, so you need to show you can afford the card. If you have no credit history at all, you may need to start with a secured card (where you deposit cash as collateral), but many people with thin or damaged credit are approved for the Walmart card.

How long does it take to get approved?

You get a decision on screen immediately or within a few days. Once approved, your card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. You can use it as soon as it arrives and you activate it by phone or online.

Can I use the Walmart store card outside of Walmart?

No. The Walmart Credit Card (store card) only works at Walmart and Sam's Club. If you want a card that works everywhere, choose the Walmart Rewards Card instead, which is a Mastercard accepted at any merchant.

What is the interest rate on the Walmart card?

The APR varies based on your creditworthiness and is disclosed in your card agreement when you are approved. Capital One does not publish a single rate. To see the range, you can check the card's terms page on Walmart.com or Capital One's website before you apply.

Will opening this card hurt my credit score?

The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points temporarily. But once you open the card and make on-time payments, your score usually recovers and then improves. The long-term benefit of building payment history outweighs the short-term dip from the inquiry.