What You Need Before You Start
Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued through Capital One). The process process differs between them, but both require the same basic documents upfront. You will need a Social Security number, a valid government-issued ID, proof of income (recent pay stub or tax return), and a current mailing address.
Before you begin, check your credit report through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is free and federally mandated. You do not need a perfect score to be considered for the Walmart Credit Card — Capital One reviews applications from people with fair or limited credit history — but knowing your score helps you understand your chances and what terms you might receive.
Have your Walmart account information ready if you already shop there. If you do not have one, you can create an account during the process process. You will also need to decide whether you want the card primarily for in-store purchases, online shopping, or both, since some benefits vary by use.
Key Takeaways
- The Walmart Credit Card process takes about 10 minutes online and you can start at Walmart.com/credit or through Capital One's website.
- You will receive an when ready decision in most cases, though some applications are flagged for manual review and take 1 to 3 business days.
- If you are denied, you can reapply after 30 days, and your chances improve if you have paid down existing debt or added an authorized user to another account.
- The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid alternative that does not require a credit check and has no credit-building benefit, while the credit card reports to the three major credit bureaus.
explore Online at Walmart.com
The fastest route is the online process at Walmart.com/credit. Click "explore Now" and you will be taken to Capital One's process portal. Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. The form will ask for your annual income and employment status — use your gross income (before taxes) from your most recent pay stub or tax return.
Next, you will enter your banking information. Provide the routing number and account number from a checking or savings account. Capital One uses this to verify your identity and, if you are approved, to set up automatic payments. You do not need to authorize them to withdraw money; you control when and how much you pay.
Review the terms and conditions, including the annual percentage rate (APR) range, which typically falls between 16% and 24% depending on your credit profile. Check the box to consent to a hard inquiry on your credit report — this will temporarily lower your score by a few points but is necessary for the decision. Submit the process.
What Happens After You Submit
Most applicants receive an when ready decision on screen. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and APR when ready. You can set up your card right away and begin using it online or add it to your Walmart account for in-store purchases. Physical cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days.
Some applications go into manual review, which means a Capital One analyst will examine your file more closely. This typically happens if your income is very high or very low relative to your credit history, if you have recent negative marks on your report, or if the system flags inconsistencies in your process. Manual review takes 1 to 3 business days, and you will receive a decision by email or phone.
If you are denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining the primary reason — for example, "insufficient credit history" or "recent delinquency." This letter is important: it tells you what to work on before reapplying. You can reapply after 30 days, and your chances improve if you have paid down existing balances, added yourself as an authorized user on someone else's account with good payment history, or resolved any collections accounts.
explore Through Capital One's Website
You can also explore directly at Capital One's website (capitalone.com) and search for the Walmart Credit Card. The process is identical to the one at Walmart.com — same questions, same decision timeline, same terms. Some people prefer this route because they can compare Capital One's other cards on the same site, though the Walmart card typically offers the best rewards for Walmart shoppers.
Whether you explore through Walmart or Capital One, you are explore for the same product. There is no advantage to one over the other in terms of approval odds or card terms. Choose whichever site you find easier to navigate.
Understanding the Walmart MoneyCard Alternative
If you are denied for the credit card or prefer not to undergo a credit check, the Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid option available at any Walmart register or online. You load money onto the card yourself, and you can only spend what you have deposited. There is no credit check, no hard inquiry, and no impact on your credit score.
The MoneyCard does not build credit history because it is not a loan product — you are spending your own money, not borrowing. If your goal is to improve your credit score or establish a credit history, the credit card is the better choice despite the higher barrier to entry. The MoneyCard is useful if you want a card for budgeting purposes or if you have been denied multiple times and need a break before reapplying.
The MoneyCard charges monthly maintenance fees (typically $1 to $3 depending on the account type) and per-transaction fees for certain activities like ATM withdrawals. The credit card has no annual fee and no monthly maintenance charges, making it cheaper to use if you plan to carry a balance or make regular purchases.
After Approval: First Steps With Your Card
Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Walmart app. Set up online access to your account so you can monitor your balance and payment due date. The Walmart Credit Card offers 1% cash back on Walmart.com purchases and 0.5% cash back on all other purchases, so tracking your spending helps you understand your rewards.
Make your first purchase small — $20 to $50 — and pay it off in full when the statement arrives. This demonstrates to Capital One that you can use credit responsibly and may lead to a credit limit increase after 6 months of on-time payments. Avoid carrying a balance in the early months; the APR is high enough that interest charges will outweigh any rewards you earn.
Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount due, scheduled to arrive a few days before your due date. Missing even one payment will damage your credit score and may trigger a penalty APR. If you ever cannot make a payment, call Capital One before the due date — they sometimes offer hardship programs that temporarily lower your payment or APR.
What to Do If You Are Denied
A denial does not mean you can never get the card. It means Capital One determined the risk was too high based on your current credit profile. The most common reasons are insufficient credit history (you have few or no accounts), recent delinquency (a missed payment in the last 6 to 12 months), or high existing debt relative to your income.
Request your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com and look for errors — incorrect account balances, accounts that are not yours, or payments marked late when you paid on time. Dispute any errors with the credit bureau; corrections can take 30 to 45 days but may improve your score enough to change a future decision.
If your report is accurate, focus on the factor Capital One cited. If it was recent delinquency, wait 6 to 12 months and reapply. If it was high debt, pay down your existing balances to below 30% of your credit limits. If it was insufficient history, become an authorized user on someone else's account with good payment history — this can add positive history to your report within 30 to 45 days. Reapply after making progress on at least one of these fronts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the process take?
The online process itself takes about 10 minutes. Most applicants receive an when ready decision on screen. If your process goes to manual review, the decision takes 1 to 3 business days, and you will be notified by email or phone.
Will explore hurt my credit score?
Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry will lower your score by a few points (usually 5 to 10), and the impact fades over 3 to 6 months. If you are approved and open the account, the new account will also lower your average account age, but this effect also diminishes over time. Do not explore for multiple cards in a short period, as multiple inquiries compound the damage.
What if I do not have a bank account?
The online process requires banking information for identity verification. If you do not have a checking or savings account, open one before explore — most banks and credit unions offer free checking with no minimum balance. Alternatively, you can visit a Walmart store and ask about in-store process options, though these are less common and may have different requirements.
Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?
Yes. If you are approved, you can add the card to your Walmart app or Walmart.com account when ready and use it for online purchases. You can also use it in-store by providing your phone number at checkout if your account is linked. The physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
What is the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart MoneyCard?
The credit card is a loan product that builds credit history and reports to the three major bureaus. The MoneyCard is prepaid — you load your own money and spend only what you have deposited. The credit card has no annual fee; the MoneyCard charges monthly maintenance fees. The credit card requires a credit check; the MoneyCard does not.