The Two Walmart Cards and How to Start
Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart Credit Card (sometimes called the Walmart Mastercard) and the Walmart Store Card. The store card works only at Walmart and Sam's Club. The Mastercard works everywhere Visa Mastercard is accepted. Both are issued by Capital One.
To start the process, you go to Walmart.com/creditcards or visit a Walmart customer service desk in person. Online, you'll see both cards listed with their rewards and terms. You can begin the process right there without leaving the page. In-store, an associate can hand you an process or direct you to a kiosk.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes. You'll enter your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Capital One checks your credit report when ready and usually tells you whether you're approved, denied, or pending within seconds to a few minutes. If you're approved, your card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart offers two cards through Capital One: a store card that works only at Walmart and Sam's Club, and a Mastercard that works everywhere.
- You can explore online at Walmart.com/creditcards or in person at a Walmart customer service desk in about 10 minutes.
- Capital One tells you whether you're approved or denied almost when ready after you submit your information.
- Your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days if you're approved.
- Both cards offer rewards on purchases, but the store card typically has higher cash back rates at Walmart than the Mastercard does.
What Credit Score You Likely Need
Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score for either Walmart card. However, both cards are generally easier to get than many other rewards cards. People with fair credit (scores in the 580 to 669 range) often get approved, and some with lower scores do as well. People with excellent credit (750 and above) are approved regularly.
Your actual approval depends on more than your score. Capital One looks at your income, how much debt you already carry, your payment history, and how long you've had credit accounts open. A lower score can be offset by stable income and no recent missed payments. A higher score can work against you if you've recently opened many new accounts or carry very high balances.
If you're denied, Capital One will mail you a notice explaining the main reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, too many recent inquiries, or existing debt that's too high relative to your income. You can reapply after addressing the issue — typically waiting 3 to 6 months and either building credit history or paying down balances.
What Information You Need Before You explore
Have your Social Security number, current address, and phone number ready. You'll also need to know your current employment status and employer name. If you're self-employed or retired, you'll enter that instead.
You should know your approximate annual income before you start. This includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, or other regular income. You don't need tax returns or pay stubs to explore — Capital One doesn't ask for them during the process itself. They may request them later if they need to verify information.
Have a valid email address available. Capital One sends your approval decision and account setup instructions to email. If you're explore in person, bring a photo ID so the associate can verify your identity.
The Difference Between the Store Card and the Mastercard
The Walmart Store Card gives you higher cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club — typically 2% to 5% depending on what you buy — but you can't use it anywhere else. It's useful if you do most of your shopping at Walmart. The card has no annual fee.
The Walmart Mastercard works at any store that takes Mastercard, so you can use it for gas, groceries, restaurants, and online shopping anywhere. The cash back rate is lower — usually 1% to 3% — but you earn rewards on all your spending, not just Walmart purchases. This card also has no annual fee.
Some people get both cards: the store card for Walmart trips and the Mastercard for everything else. There's no rule against it, though Capital One may be more cautious about approving a second card if you just opened the first one. If you're interested in both, you can explore for one, wait a few months to build a payment history, and then explore for the other.
What Happens After You're Approved
Once Capital One approves you, they mail your physical card to the address you provided. While you wait for it to arrive, you can set up your online account at capitalone.com or through the Capital One mobile app. You'll create a username and password, and you can see your account details, set up automatic payments, and check your credit limit.
Some people can use their card before the physical card arrives by requesting a digital wallet option (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) through the app. This lets you make purchases on your phone while the plastic card is in transit. Not all accounts are set up for this when ready, so check your app to see if it's available.
Your first statement arrives about 30 days after your first purchase. You'll have a grace period (usually 21 days from the statement date) to pay your balance in full without paying interest. If you carry a balance, interest charges begin accruing at the card's APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
Common Reasons for Denial and What to Do Next
If you're denied, the most common reasons are insufficient credit history (you haven't had credit accounts long enough), too many recent credit inquiries (you've applied for multiple cards or loans in a short time), or debt-to-income ratio (your existing monthly debt payments are too high compared to your income).
If you were denied for insufficient credit history, you can build credit by becoming an authorized user on someone else's account, opening a secured credit card, or getting a credit-builder loan from a credit union. After 6 to 12 months of positive history, reapply for the Walmart card.
If you were denied for too many recent inquiries, wait at least 3 months before explore again. Each inquiry stays on your credit report for about a year, but their impact fades after a few months. If you were denied for debt-to-income ratio, focus on paying down existing balances before reapplying. Even a 10% to 15% reduction in your total debt can change the outcome.
How the Rewards Work and When You Get Them
Both cards earn cash back on purchases. The store card typically offers 2% cash back on fuel at Walmart and Sam's Club, 2% on groceries at Walmart, and 1% on everything else at those stores. The Mastercard usually offers 1% cash back on all purchases everywhere.
Cash back is credited to your account automatically. You don't have to redeem it or do anything special. It shows up as a credit on your statement, reducing the amount you owe. Some cardholders choose to let it accumulate and then use it as a statement credit, while others let it reduce their balance each month.
There's no limit to how much cash back you can earn, and it doesn't expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. If you close the account, you forfeit any unredeemed cash back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore for the Walmart card if I have no credit history?
It's harder but possible. Capital One may approve you if you have a stable income and a valid ID, even with no credit history. If you're denied, consider becoming an authorized user on a parent's or family member's credit card account for a few months, then reapply. This gives you a credit history without requiring you to open your own account.
What's the credit limit I'll get?
Capital One doesn't tell you your credit limit before you explore. Limits vary widely based on your credit score, income, and debt. First-time cardholders often receive limits between $300 and $2,500. You can request a credit limit increase after 6 months of on-time payments.
Do I have to shop at Walmart to get approved?
No. Capital One doesn't check whether you shop at Walmart. They only look at your credit history, income, and existing debt. You can be approved and never use the card at Walmart if you prefer — though the store card's rewards are only valuable if you do shop there.
What if I'm approved but then change my mind?
You can decline the card before it arrives or straightforward not set up it when it does. There's no penalty for not using a card you've been approved for. If you've already activated it and used it, you can close the account anytime, though closing it may slightly lower your credit score temporarily.
How does explore affect my credit score?
The process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which typically lowers your score by a few points for a few months. Multiple applications in a short time have a bigger impact. Once you're approved and start making on-time payments, your score usually recovers and then improves over time.