Walmart does not publish a minimum credit score for either of its cards

Walmart offers two credit cards through Capital One: the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Rewards Card for business. Neither card's public materials state a minimum credit score requirement. This is typical — most card issuers do not advertise a specific floor, partly because they use many factors beyond your score to decide, and partly because publishing a number invites applications from people who will be denied.

That said, people who have been approved for Walmart cards typically report scores in the range of 550 to 700, with many approvals happening in the 600 to 650 range. This suggests Capital One is willing to work with people rebuilding credit, but the actual decision depends on your full application: your income, existing debts, payment history, and how long you have held credit accounts.

The best way to know whether you have a real chance is to check your own score first, then look at what Capital One says about the card's intended audience. If your score is below 600, you are in the range where approval is possible but not certain — and a hard inquiry (which temporarily lowers your score) happens whether you are approved or not.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart credit cards do not have a published minimum score, but most approvals happen between 550 and 700, with a cluster around 600 to 650.
  • Capital One considers your full application — income, existing debts, and payment history — not just your score, so a lower score does not automatically mean denial.
  • You can check your own credit score free through AnnualCreditReport.com or through your bank, and most credit card issuers let you see your approval odds before you apply.
  • A hard inquiry from a credit card application stays on your report for two years and temporarily lowers your score by a few points, whether you are approved or denied.
  • If your score is below 550, a secured card or a card designed for people rebuilding credit may have higher approval odds than the Walmart card.

How to check your approval odds before applying

Capital One offers a tool called "Pre-Qualification" on its website that shows you whether you are likely to be approved without running a hard inquiry. This is a soft inquiry — it does not affect your credit score and does not show up on your credit report. You enter basic information: your name, address, income, and Social Security number. Within seconds, you see whether you are pre-may have access to, pre-may have access to with certain terms, or not pre-may have access to.

Pre-qualification is not a may provide. It is a screening tool that Capital One uses to filter out applications that are very unlikely to succeed. If you are pre-may have access to, your odds of approval are much higher, but not certain. If you are not pre-may have access to, you can still apply, but you should know that a hard inquiry will happen and your score will drop slightly.

You can also check your own credit score before you apply. The federal government requires each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to give you one free report per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Many banks and credit card issuers also offer free score monitoring to their customers, and some free credit monitoring services (like Credit Karma) show your score from two of the three bureaus.

What happens to your score if you apply

When you submit a credit card application, the issuer runs a hard inquiry (also called a hard pull). This is a formal check of your credit report, and it shows up on your credit report for two years. A hard inquiry typically lowers your score by a few points — usually between 3 and 10 points, depending on your overall credit profile.

The impact is temporary. Your score usually recovers within a few months if you do not apply for other credit in the meantime. However, multiple hard inquiries in a short time (say, within 30 days) can add up and cause a larger drop. If you are thinking about applying for more than one card, space out your applications by at least a few weeks.

If you are denied, the hard inquiry still happened, and your score still dropped. This is why checking your pre-qualification odds first is worth the time — it reduces the chance that you will take a score hit for an application that was unlikely to succeed.

Walmart Rewards Card versus Walmart Rewards Card for business

The two Walmart cards have different purposes and slightly different approval standards. The Walmart Rewards Card is for personal use and earns cash back on Walmart and Sam's Club purchases, as well as on gas and groceries elsewhere. The Walmart Rewards Card for business is for business owners and earns cash back on Walmart Business purchases.

The business card typically requires a higher credit score and a demonstrated business history. If you are a sole proprietor or freelancer with a low personal credit score, the business card is less likely to approve you. The personal card is the more accessible option for most people rebuilding credit.

Alternatives if your score is too low for Walmart

If you are pre-may have access to for the Walmart card, apply. If you are not pre-may have access to and your score is below 550, you have other options that may have higher approval odds.

Secured credit cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. You use the card like a regular card, and after six to twelve months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert it to an unsecured card and return your deposit. Secured cards are designed for people with no credit history or very poor credit, and approval odds are high because the issuer's risk is backed by your deposit. Capital One offers a secured card, as do many other banks.

Some card issuers also offer cards specifically marketed to people rebuilding credit. These cards have higher interest rates and lower credit limits than mainstream cards, but approval odds are better for people with scores below 600. Examples include the Credit One Bank Unsecured Visa, the OpenSky Secured Visa, and the Chime Credit Builder Visa.

The trade-off is that these cards charge higher fees and interest rates. But if your goal is to rebuild your credit history and you cannot get approved for the Walmart card, a secured card or a rebuilding card is a more direct path than repeatedly applying for cards you are unlikely to get.

What to do after you are approved

If you are approved for the Walmart card, your credit score will drop a few more points when the account opens (a second hard inquiry does not happen, but opening a new account does affect your score). This drop is also temporary.

To rebuild your credit and improve your odds of approval for other cards later, use the Walmart card for small purchases and pay the full balance on time every month. Carrying a balance does not help your credit — it just costs you interest. Your payment history is the single largest factor in your credit score, so on-time payments are what matter most.

After six to twelve months of on-time payments, you can ask Capital One to increase your credit limit. A higher limit (relative to how much you spend) lowers your credit utilization ratio, which also improves your score. You can also apply for other cards once your score recovers, which usually takes a few months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get approved for a Walmart card with a 550 credit score?

Yes, people with scores around 550 have been approved. Your full application matters more than the score alone — your income, existing debts, and payment history all factor in. Use Capital One's pre-qualification tool to see your actual odds before you apply.

Does checking my pre-qualification hurt my credit score?

No. Pre-qualification uses a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score and does not show up on your credit report. Only a hard inquiry (which happens when you formally apply) affects your score.

What if I am denied for the Walmart card?

You can ask Capital One why you were denied, and they are required to tell you. Common reasons include insufficient income, too much existing debt, or a recent late payment. A secured card or a card designed for rebuilding credit may have higher approval odds. Wait three to six months, rebuild your payment history, and try again.

How long does a hard inquiry stay on my credit report?

A hard inquiry stays on your report for two years, but its impact on your score fades much faster — usually within a few months. After six months, the inquiry has minimal effect on your score.

Can I apply for both the personal and business Walmart cards at the same time?

You can, but both applications will trigger hard inquiries, and both will affect your score. If you are denied for one, you will have taken a score hit for nothing. Apply for the personal card first, wait for approval or denial, and then consider the business card if you need it.