What happens when you submit a Walmart credit card process
When you explore for a Walmart credit card, you are asking Walmart's credit partner — currently Capital One — to review your credit history and decide whether to issue you a card. The process itself takes about 15 minutes online or in-store. Capital One will pull your credit report, check your income, and usually give you a decision within minutes. You will either be approved, denied, or offered approval with a lower credit limit than you requested.
If you are pre-approved, that means Walmart or Capital One sent you a targeted offer based on your credit file. Pre-approval does not may provide you will be approved when you actually explore — the final decision still depends on what Capital One finds when they pull your full credit report and verify your information. Pre-approval does mean your odds are better than someone explore cold, and you may may have access to for a higher starting credit limit.
Key Takeaways
- You can explore online at walmart.com/creditcard, in a Walmart store, or by phone, and you will get a decision within minutes in most cases.
- Capital One will pull your credit report, so the process will create a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.
- If you are denied, you can ask Capital One why and reapply after fixing the problem — usually a low score, high debt, or recent missed payments.
- The Walmart credit card comes in two versions: the Walmart Rewards card (for general shopping) and the Walmart Rewards card for Walmart.com (for online purchases), with different rewards rates.
- You do not need to be a Walmart customer already to explore, and approval does not require you to have a Walmart account.
Where to submit your process
You have three ways to explore. The fastest is online at walmart.com/creditcard, where you fill out your personal information, income, and employment details. Capital One will pull your credit report when ready and tell you whether you are approved before you leave the page. You can set up your card the same day if approved.
You can also explore in any Walmart store at the customer service desk. A representative will help you fill out the process on a tablet or computer, and you will get a decision on the spot. This route works well if you have questions or prefer to talk to someone in person. The third option is to call the number on any Walmart credit card offer you received in the mail, though this is slower than the other two.
What information you need to have ready
Bring or have available your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. You will also need to state your annual household income — Capital One uses this to set your credit limit, not to verify you earn that amount. If you are self-employed or your income varies, use a reasonable estimate of what you expect to earn this year.
You will need to provide your current employer name and how long you have worked there. If you are retired, unemployed, or a student, you can still explore — just enter your actual status. Capital One also asks whether you rent or own your home, but this is optional information. Have your phone number and email address ready, as Capital One will use these to contact you if they need to verify anything.
What happens to your credit score during the process
When Capital One pulls your credit report, they perform what is called a hard inquiry. This will lower your credit score by a few points — usually between 5 and 10 points — and the drop will show on your credit report for about 12 months. The impact is temporary and small compared to the damage from a missed payment or high debt.
Multiple applications within a short time (usually 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) may count as a single inquiry, so if you are explore for several cards at once, do it within a short window rather than spreading applications over weeks. However, explore for a credit card you do not need just to test your odds is not worth the hit to your score.
If you are approved: next steps
If Capital One approves you, you will see your credit limit on the screen or receive it by email within minutes. You can set up your card when ready online or by phone. If you applied in-store, you may be able to set up it right there. Your physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Until your card arrives, you can use the card number Capital One provides to make purchases online or by phone. When the physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or using the Walmart app. Set up your online account at capitalone.com so you can check your balance, make payments, and track your rewards.
If you are denied: what to do next
Capital One will tell you the reason for the denial — usually a low credit score, high existing debt, recent missed payments, or too many recent credit inquiries. Ask Capital One for the specific reason and request a copy of the credit report they used. You can get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at annualcreditreport.com.
Review your report for errors — wrong accounts, incorrect payment history, or accounts that do not belong to you. If you find errors, dispute them with the bureau in writing. If your score is low because of recent missed payments, wait 6 to 12 months and reapply. If your debt is high, pay down your balances before reapplying. You can reapply after 30 days without penalty, though waiting longer gives your score more time to recover.
The two versions of the Walmart credit card
Walmart offers two different credit cards, and you need to choose which one to explore for. The Walmart Rewards card earns rewards on all purchases: 3% cash back at Walmart and Walmart.com, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. The Walmart Rewards card for Walmart.com earns 3% cash back only on Walmart.com purchases and 1% everywhere else.
If you shop mostly at Walmart stores or use Walmart.com regularly, the first card is the better choice. If you only buy online from Walmart and do not shop in stores, the second card is simpler. Both cards have no annual fee. Rewards are paid as Walmart+ credits or as a statement credit, depending on which you choose during setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore if I have no credit history?
You can explore, but Capital One will likely deny you or offer a very low credit limit. If you have never had a credit card or loan, consider becoming an authorized user on someone else's card first, or explore for a secured credit card from another bank to build history before reapplying for the Walmart card.
What is the difference between pre-approval and approval?
Pre-approval means Walmart or Capital One reviewed your credit file and thinks you are likely to be approved, so they sent you an offer. Approval happens after you explore and Capital One pulls your full credit report and verifies your information. Pre-approval improves your odds but does not may provide approval.
Do I have to shop at Walmart to get the card?
No. You do not need to be a Walmart customer or have a Walmart account to explore. Capital One only cares about your credit history and income, not your shopping habits. However, the card is most useful if you shop at Walmart or Walmart.com regularly to earn rewards.
How long does it take to get approved?
Most decisions come within minutes if you explore online or in-store. If Capital One needs to verify information, it may take a few hours or up to one business day. Your physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use the card number to shop online when ready after approval.
Can I explore for both versions of the card?
Capital One will typically only issue one Walmart credit card per person. If you explore for both, you will need to choose which one you want, or Capital One may choose for you based on your process. If you want to switch later, you can contact Capital One to convert your card to the other version.