You can get a Walmart credit card in two ways: the Walmart MoneyCard, which is a prepaid card, or the Walmart Rewards Card, which is a traditional credit card issued by Capital One
The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card you load with your own money — it does not involve borrowing or a credit check. The Walmart Rewards Card is a credit card that reports to the credit bureaus and requires a credit check. Both are available to open online or in-store at Walmart locations. Which one makes sense depends on whether you want to build credit history and whether you have an existing credit score.
The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes online and a few minutes longer in a store. You will need a valid government ID, a Social Security number, and either a bank account or a phone number for verification. If you are opening the Rewards Card, Capital One will check your credit report before deciding whether to approve you.
Key Takeaways
- The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card that does not require a credit check and does not build credit history.
- The Walmart Rewards Card is a traditional credit card that requires a credit check and reports your payment history to credit bureaus.
- Both cards can be opened online at walmart.com or in person at any Walmart store.
- You will need a valid ID, Social Security number, and a way to verify your identity to open either card.
- The Rewards Card has an annual fee, while the MoneyCard has monthly maintenance fees that vary based on how you use it.
Opening the Walmart Rewards Card Online
Go to walmart.com and search for "Walmart Rewards Card" or navigate to the credit card section. Click the button to open a new account. You will be taken to Capital One's process page, where you enter your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, phone number, and email.
Capital One will ask about your annual income and employment status. Answer honestly — they use this to determine your credit limit, not to disqualify you. You will also confirm that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and that you are at least 18 years old. The entire form takes about 5 minutes.
After you submit, Capital One performs a hard inquiry on your credit report. You will see a decision on screen within seconds to a few minutes. If you are approved, you can choose to set up the card when ready or wait for the physical card to arrive by mail. If you are denied, Capital One will explain why in a letter sent within 30 days.
Opening the Walmart Rewards Card in Store
Visit any Walmart location and go to the customer service desk or the money center. Tell the associate you want to open a Walmart Rewards Card. They will give you a tablet or paper process to complete. The form asks for the same information as the online version: name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment details.
The in-store associate will submit your information to Capital One while you wait. You will receive a decision in a few minutes. If approved, you can receive a temporary card number on the spot that you can use when ready, and the physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The in-store process is useful if you want to use the card the same day or if you prefer to ask questions in person. However, the timeline and approval decision are the same as online.
Opening the Walmart MoneyCard Online or In Store
The Walmart MoneyCard is available through a partner company called Green Dot. You can open it online at walmart.com by searching "Walmart MoneyCard" or in store at the money center. Because it is a prepaid card, there is no credit check and no approval process — you can open it in minutes.
Online, you provide your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and Social Security number. You choose how much money to load onto the card initially — you can start with as little as $0 and add funds later. You will need a valid government ID to verify your identity, which you can do by uploading a photo or answering security questions.
In store, you fill out a form at the money center and load money onto the card using cash, a debit card, or a check. The card is activated when ready and you can use it right away. There is no waiting for a card to arrive in the mail.
What Documents and Information You Need
For both the Rewards Card and the MoneyCard, have these items ready before you start:
- A valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
- Your Social Security number
- Your current address
- Your phone number and email address
- Your annual income (for the Rewards Card only)
- Your current employment status (for the Rewards Card only)
If you are opening the MoneyCard in store, also bring cash or a debit card to load onto the card. If you are opening online, you will need a bank account or a phone number that can receive a verification code by text or call.
Fees and Costs You Should Know
The Walmart Rewards Card has a $0 annual fee — you pay nothing to hold the card. You only pay interest if you carry a balance from month to month. There are no fees for paying on time or using the card for purchases.
The Walmart MoneyCard has monthly maintenance fees that depend on how you use it. If you set up direct deposit to the card, the monthly fee is waived. If you do not use direct deposit, the fee is typically $1 to $3 per month depending on your account activity. There are also fees for certain transactions like ATM withdrawals outside the Walmart network or balance transfers.
Compare the two before you decide: the Rewards Card costs nothing but requires you to manage credit and pay off your balance. The MoneyCard has no credit check but charges monthly fees unless you set up direct deposit.
After Your Card Arrives
If you opened the Rewards Card online, the physical card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use the temporary card number online or in the Walmart app when ready. When the physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Capital One app.
If you opened the MoneyCard online, you will receive a physical card by mail, but you can use the temporary card number right away. In-store, the card is ready to use when ready.
Once your card is active, you can use it anywhere that accepts Visa (Rewards Card) or Mastercard (MoneyCard). You can also set up automatic payments, check your balance online, and view your transaction history through the Walmart app or the card issuer's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need good credit to get the Walmart Rewards Card?
No. Capital One approves people with no credit history, poor credit, or fair credit. Your credit score affects your credit limit, not whether you are approved. If you have been denied for credit before, the Rewards Card is often easier to get than cards from other banks.
Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?
Yes. If you are approved for the Rewards Card online, you receive a temporary card number when ready that you can use online or in the Walmart app. For the MoneyCard, you can use a temporary number right away if you opened online, or you get a physical card on the spot if you opened in store.
What is the difference between the Walmart Rewards Card and the MoneyCard?
The Rewards Card is a credit card — you borrow money and pay it back, and your payment history is reported to credit bureaus. The MoneyCard is prepaid — you load your own money onto it and spend what you have loaded. The Rewards Card has no annual fee; the MoneyCard has monthly fees unless you set up direct deposit.
Can I open a Walmart card if I do not have a bank account?
Yes. For the Rewards Card, you can verify your identity by phone instead of using a bank account. For the MoneyCard, you can load money in store using cash or a check, or online using a debit card or prepaid card.
How long does it take to be approved?
Online approval for the Rewards Card takes seconds to a few minutes. In store, approval takes a few minutes while you wait. The MoneyCard has no approval process — you open it when ready. Physical cards arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, but you can use a temporary card number when ready.