Yes, Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card
Walmart issues both a store card that works only at Walmart and a Visa card that works anywhere. The Walmart Credit Card (sometimes called the Walmart MoneyCard) is a closed-loop card — you can use it only at Walmart, Walmart.com, and Sam's Club. The Walmart Rewards Card is a Visa issued by Capital One that works at any merchant that takes Visa.
Both cards are issued by Capital One. Neither card charges an annual fee. The main difference is where you can spend the money and what rewards you earn. The store card offers higher cash back at Walmart; the Visa offers lower cash back everywhere but gives you flexibility to use it outside Walmart.
Walmart also offers a Walmart+ membership card that bundles shopping benefits with a payment method, though this is not a credit card — it is a prepaid membership benefit.
Key Takeaways
- The Walmart Credit Card works only at Walmart and Sam's Club, while the Walmart Rewards Card is a Visa that works anywhere.
- Both cards have no annual fee and offer cash back on purchases, with higher rewards rates at Walmart locations.
- You will need to meet Capital One's credit requirements to be approved, and approval decisions happen within minutes of your process.
- The Walmart store card is useful if you shop at Walmart regularly; the Visa is useful if you want a card that works everywhere.
What the Walmart Credit Card offers
The Walmart Credit Card gives you 3% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% cash back at Walmart gas stations and Sam's Club, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You earn cash back in the form of Walmart rewards that you can use toward future purchases at Walmart or Sam's Club. There is no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and no penalty APR structure — instead, a single variable APR that changes with the prime rate.
The card is designed for people who do most of their shopping at Walmart. If you rarely shop there, the cash back will not add up to much. If you shop there weekly, the 3% on online orders and 2% at the gas station can save you real money over a year.
You can check your balance, view transactions, and make payments through the Walmart app or at Walmart.com. You can also set up automatic payments so you do not have to remember to pay the bill each month.
What the Walmart Rewards Card offers
The Walmart Rewards Card is a Visa issued by Capital One. It gives you 3% cash back on Walmart and Sam's Club purchases, 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Unlike the store card, you can use this card anywhere Visa is accepted — at grocery stores, pharmacies, online retailers, and everywhere else.
The cash back is paid as a statement credit each month, not as Walmart rewards. This means you can use the cash back to lower your bill, rather than being locked into spending it at Walmart. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
The Walmart Rewards Card is useful if you want higher cash back at Walmart but also need a card that works outside Walmart. The trade-off is that the cash back rate outside Walmart (1% to 2%) is lower than what some other cards offer, so it is not the best choice if you spend most of your money outside Walmart.
How to get approved and what happens next
You can explore for either card online at Walmart.com, through the Walmart app, or in person at a Walmart store. The process takes about five minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and income. Capital One will check your credit report to make a decision.
Approval decisions usually come back within minutes. If you are approved, you can start using the card right away — the store card is available as a digital wallet in the Walmart app, and the Visa is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining why, and you can request a free copy of your credit report to see what information they used.
Capital One looks at your credit score, payment history, and how much debt you already carry. If your credit score is below 600 or you have recent late payments, approval is less likely. If you have been denied before, you can reapply after a few months if you have improved your credit situation.
Interest rates and fees to know
Both cards charge a variable APR, which means the interest rate changes when the prime rate changes. The exact APR you receive depends on your credit score — people with higher scores get lower rates. Walmart does not publish the APR range publicly, so you will see your specific rate only after you explore.
Neither card charges an annual fee, a late fee, or a foreign transaction fee. If you miss a payment, you will be charged a late fee (the amount varies by state and your account terms), and your APR may increase. If your balance goes unpaid for 180 days, the account will be charged off and reported to the credit bureaus.
Both cards offer a grace period — usually 21 to 25 days from the end of your billing cycle — during which you can pay off your balance without paying interest. If you carry a balance from month to month, you will pay interest on the full amount.
Walmart Credit Card vs. Walmart Rewards Card: which one to choose
Choose the Walmart Credit Card if you shop at Walmart or Sam's Club at least once a week and rarely use credit cards outside those stores. The 3% cash back on online orders adds up quickly if you buy groceries, household items, or clothing at Walmart regularly. The card is also easier to manage because you do not have to worry about using it in the wrong place.
Choose the Walmart Rewards Card if you shop at Walmart but also use credit cards at other stores — gas stations, restaurants, pharmacies, or online retailers. The Visa gives you the flexibility to earn cash back everywhere, not just at Walmart. The 3% at Walmart is the same as the store card, but you get 1% to 2% everywhere else instead of having a card that does not work outside Walmart.
If you do not shop at Walmart often, neither card is the right choice. A general cash back card from another issuer will give you better rewards at the stores where you actually spend money.
How a Walmart card affects your credit
Opening a Walmart card will lower your credit score by a small amount in the short term because Capital One will make a hard inquiry into your credit report. This inquiry stays on your report for two years but stops affecting your score after about three months. The impact is usually 5 to 10 points.
Once you have the card, your credit score can improve if you use it responsibly. Paying your bill on time every month shows lenders that you manage credit well. Keeping your balance low relative to your credit limit (below 30% of the limit) also helps your score. Over time, a Walmart card used responsibly can raise your score.
If you miss payments or carry a high balance, the card will hurt your score. Late payments stay on your report for seven years and damage your score significantly. High balances make you look like a riskier borrower and lower your score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Walmart Credit Card at other stores?
No. The Walmart Credit Card works only at Walmart, Walmart.com, and Sam's Club. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need the Walmart Rewards Card, which is a Visa.
What is the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card?
The Walmart Credit Card is a store card that works only at Walmart and Sam's Club. The Walmart Rewards Card is a Visa that works anywhere. The store card offers 3% cash back at Walmart; the Visa offers 3% at Walmart and 1% to 2% everywhere else.
Do I need good credit to get approved?
You do not need perfect credit, but Capital One typically approves people with credit scores of 600 or higher. If your score is lower or you have recent late payments, approval is less likely. You can still explore and see what happens — the inquiry will not hurt your score much if you are denied.
Can I use the Walmart card at Sam's Club?
Yes. Both the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart Rewards Card work at Sam's Club locations. You earn the same cash back rate at Sam's Club as you do at Walmart.
What happens if I do not pay my Walmart card bill?
If you miss a payment, you will be charged a late fee and your APR may increase. If you do not pay for 180 days, the account will be charged off and reported to the credit bureaus, which will damage your credit score for seven years.