If you’re a budget-conscious shopper, you likely frequent Walmart stores and Walmart.com for your everyday purchases. According to the company, more than 265 million customers visit Walmart stores each week, showing just how popular the retailer is with shoppers.
Do you regularly shop at Walmart or Walmart.com for your groceries and other essentials? Signing up for a Walmart credit card can be one of the great ways to earn cash back shopping at Walmart. You’ll earn valuable rewards that you can redeem for statement credits, gift cards, or even to cover recent purchases.
But which Walmart credit card is best for you? Here’s what you need to know about the two Walmart credit cards and how to choose the right one for you.
What’s the difference between the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card and the Walmart Rewards Card?
If you’re looking for a Walmart credit card, there are two cards to choose from: The Capital One Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Rewards Card.
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card |
Walmart Rewards Card |
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Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
Intro bonus | Earn 5% back on purchases in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use this card with Walmart Pay | Earn 5% back on purchases in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use this card with Walmart Pay |
Rewards rate | 5% back at Walmart.com, on the Walmart app, and on Walmart pickup and delivery; 2% back in Walmart stores, at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations, on gift cards at Walmart, and on restaurant and travel purchases; and 1% back on everything else | 5% back on Walmart.com and the Walmart app and 2% back in Walmart stores and at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations |
Special perks |
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The Walmart Mastercard and Walmart Credit Card are the same in terms of their fees and their introductory offers.
One of the major ways they differ is in the bonus categories for rewards and where the cards can be used. The Walmart Mastercard can be used anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, while the Walmart Credit Card can only be used at Walmart stores, Walmart.com, Sam’s Club, and Murphy USA gas stations.
There are some other important things to know about each of these credit cards, so let's look at each in more detail as well as how their cashback rewards compare.
Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard
The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard was launched in September 2019. It has a $0 annual fee. This rewards credit card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
With this card, you’ll earn valuable rewards:
- 5% cash back at Walmart.com, Walmart app, Walmart pickup and delivery
- 2% cash back at Walmart stores, Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations, on gift cards at Walmart, and restaurant and travel purchases
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
New cardmembers can also take advantage of a special welcome offer: Earn 5% back on purchases in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use this card with Walmart Pay.
To put those rewards in perspective, consider that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average U.S. consumer spends $4,464 on food eaten at home. If you ordered all your groceries online at Walmart.com and used your Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard to pay for it, you’d earn 5% cash back on all of it, which gives you a total of $223.20 in rewards ($4,464 x .05 = $223.20). That’s a far higher rate of return than you’d get with most other cashback credit cards. And because the card has a $0 annual fee, those rewards are just extra money for you.
You have a few different redemption options with this card. You can redeem your cashback rewards for statement credits, toward a recent purchase, toward a current purchase during online checkout, for gift cards, or for travel arrangements. The card also offers other useful benefits such as travel accident insurance, concierge service, and extended warranty protection.
The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard is best for people who have good to excellent credit and who spend a good deal of money shopping on Walmart.com or in the Walmart mobile app. If you do a lot of shopping online, including grocery pickup orders, you can earn lots of cash back.
Walmart Rewards Card
If you can’t get approved for the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard, you will automatically be considered for the Walmart Rewards Card. If your credit isn’t in the good to excellent range, you’ll likely end up with this card.
Capital One is also the credit card issuer for this card, but this card is what’s known as a store card. That means the Walmart Rewards Card can only be used at Walmart stores in the U.S., Walmart.com, Walmart-branded gas stations, Murphy USA gas stations, Sam’s Club stores, and Sam’s Club-branded gas stations. It can’t be used at other retailers or restaurants.
With this card, you’ll earn:
- 5% cash back on Walmart.com and the Walmart app
- 2% cash back at Walmart stores and at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations
- 1% cash back on in-store purchases at Sam's Club and Sam's Club-branded gas stations
This card also has a similar special offer for new cardholders: Earn 5% back on purchases in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when you use this card with Walmart Pay.
According to AAA, people spend $1,500 per year on fuel, on average. If you got your gas at Murphy USA fuel stations and used your card to pay for it, you’d earn 2% cash back, giving you a total of $30 in rewards ($1,500 x .02 = $30).
Because this card has a $0 annual fee, any rewards you earn are essentially free money. If you pay off your statement balance in full each month, and therefore don’t incur any credit card interest, you can earn rewards without paying any money to use the card.
The Walmart Rewards Card is best for people who do most of their shopping at Walmart, who visit Walmart-branded gas stations for fuel, and who aren’t looking for a card they can use outside of the Walmart brands. Cash back earned with this card can be redeemed for recent purchases, statement credits, and gift cards.
FAQs
Where can I use my Walmart credit card?
Unlike the Walmart Mastercard, which can be used wherever Mastercard credit cards are accepted, the Walmart Credit Card can only be used at Walmart stores, Walmart.com, Sam’s Club, and Murphy USA gas stations. Learn more about the best Mastercard credit cards.
How do I apply for a Walmart credit card?
You can apply for a Walmart-branded credit card online or in-store, but before you do, be sure to check out the best cash back credit cards to see which might best meet your needs.
Can I pay my Walmart credit card bill in-store?
Yes, you can pay your credit card bill at any Walmart or Sam’s Club store. You can also pay by mail, online, or over the phone. However, there is a fee for making expedited phone payments.
How much does the Walmart credit card cost?
The Walmart cards have no annual fee, so there’s no cost for adding the card to your wallet. However, both cards have higher-than-average interest rates, so pay off your balance in full each month to avoid costly interest charges.
What credit score do you need for a Walmart credit card?
For the Walmart Mastercard, your credit needs to be in the “good” range, meaning you should have a score of at least 650. If you only have fair credit or poor credit, you may still be able to qualify for the Walmart Credit Card. Users report getting approved with FICO scores as low as 550. Still, you may want to think about getting a copy of your credit report and looking at how to improve your credit score before applying.
What credit limit can I get approved for with a Walmart credit card?
Your credit limit is dependent on your creditworthiness, meaning the company will check with the credit bureaus to review your credit score, credit history, current debt, and income. Some reports show your credit limit could be as low as $400 or as high as $8,000.
After making all of your payments on time for several months, you may be able to qualify for a credit limit increase. You can submit a request for an increase online when you sign into your Walmart account, or you can call Walmart Credit Services at 1-877-294-7880.
How do I cancel my Walmart credit card?
You can close your account at any time by calling Walmart Credit Services at 1-877-294-7880 or by sending a letter to the address listed on your billing statement.
Should I get a Walmart credit card?
Unless you do a lot of shopping online at Walmart.com, signing up for a Walmart Credit Card isn’t a great choice. You’ll only earn 1% cash back shopping in stores. While 2% cash back at Walmart-branded and Murphy USA gas stations is a good deal, there aren’t many of them available, so you may not be able to take advantage of the perk.
Many people sign up for the credit card because of the special financing offers, especially around the holidays. However, these financing options can end up costing you more in interest over time if you aren’t careful.
For most people, it would be wise to look for a better credit card such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® which offers robust cashback earnings as well as an easy-to-earn welcome offer and an attractive, introductory APR.
Other credit cards to consider
Instead of a Walmart-branded credit card, consider these other credit card offers that could earn you more rewards on not only your Walmart purchases, but on all the rest of your purchases as well. If you shop online, but tend to split your shopping between Walmart and other retailers like Amazon, then one of these might prove to be the best credit card for you.
Card name | Details |
Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card |
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Citi Double Cash® Card |
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All three of these cards offer unlimited cash back without having to keep track of bonus categories. That can make your shopping much simpler. Additionally, all three of these cards have a low to no annual fee.
The bottom line on Walmart and credit cards
If you're a regular Walmart shopper, then applying for a Walmart credit card can be a smart way to earn valuable cashback rewards. Both of the cards offer high rewards rates, and neither option charges an annual fee. Which Walmart credit card is best for you depends on your credit score and spending habits.