The Walmart credit card process takes about 10 minutes online and gives you an when ready decision
Walmart offers two credit cards through Capital One: the Walmart Rewards Card (a Mastercard you can use anywhere) and the Walmart Credit Card (for Walmart and Sam's Club only). Both let you start the process on Walmart.com or the Walmart mobile app, answer basic questions about income and employment, and receive a decision within minutes. You do not need to visit a store or call anyone — the entire process happens on your phone or computer.
The process asks for your Social Security number, date of birth, annual income, and employment status. Capital One pulls your credit report to make the decision. If you are approved, your card number appears on screen when ready, and you can use it for online purchases right away. A physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Key Takeaways
- You can start the process on Walmart.com, the Walmart app, or Capital One's website without leaving home.
- The process takes about 10 minutes and you get a decision within minutes, not days.
- If approved, your card number displays on screen when ready so you can use it online before the physical card arrives.
- The Walmart Rewards Card works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, while the Walmart Credit Card works only at Walmart and Sam's Club.
- You will need your Social Security number, proof of income, and current employment information to complete the process.
Where to start the process online
Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer in the top navigation menu or search for "Walmart credit card." You can also open the Walmart mobile app, tap the menu icon, and select "Credit Card." Both routes take you to Capital One's process page, which is the same whether you start from Walmart or go directly to Capital One's website.
If you already have a Walmart.com account, you do not need to log in to explore — the process is separate. You can explore as a guest. However, linking your process to your Walmart account after approval makes it easier to track your rewards and manage your card online.
What information you need before you start
Gather these documents before opening the process: your Social Security number, a recent pay stub or tax return showing your annual income, your current employer's name, and your employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, or unemployed). You will also need your current address and phone number.
If you are self-employed or your income varies, use your most recent year's tax return or an average of the last few months. Capital One does not verify income during the online process — they use it to assess risk — but providing an accurate number prevents delays if they request documentation later. Have your information ready before you click "explore" so you do not lose your place in the form.
How the decision process works
After you submit the process, Capital One checks your credit report with one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion). This is a hard inquiry, which means it appears on your credit report and may lower your score by a few points temporarily. The system then scores your process based on your credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio.
Most decisions come back within minutes. If you are approved, you see your card number, credit limit, and interest rate on screen. If you are denied, the page explains the reason — usually a low credit score or insufficient income — and tells you how to contact Capital One if you want to discuss it. If your process is pending, Capital One may call or email you within 24 hours to ask follow-up questions.
Using your card number before the physical card arrives
Once you receive your card number on screen, you can use it when ready for online purchases at Walmart.com, in the Walmart app, or anywhere the card is accepted (Mastercard for the Rewards Card, Walmart and Sam's Club only for the store card). You cannot use it in a physical Walmart store until the card arrives in the mail, because the cashier needs to see the card itself.
Write down your card number, expiration date, and CVV before you close the process page. Capital One also emails you a summary with this information, but having it written down prevents you from losing access if you close your browser. Your physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the Capital One app.
What happens if you are denied
A denial does not prevent you from reapplying later. If Capital One denies your process, wait at least 30 days before explore again — explore multiple times in a short period creates more hard inquiries and can lower your score further. Use that time to improve your credit: pay down existing balances, correct errors on your credit report, or increase your income if possible.
You can also ask Capital One to reconsider your process by calling the number on the denial letter. Have your most recent pay stub and a brief explanation of any recent changes in your financial situation ready. Some applicants are approved on reconsideration, especially if they have paid off debt or corrected information since the initial decision.
Comparing the two Walmart cards
| Feature | Walmart Rewards Card | Walmart Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can use it | Anywhere Mastercard is accepted | Walmart and Sam's Club only |
| Rewards rate at Walmart | 2% cash back | 3% cash back |
| Rewards rate elsewhere | 1% cash back | No rewards outside Walmart/Sam's Club |
| Annual fee | None | None |
| Best for | Shoppers who use Walmart but also want rewards at other stores | Shoppers who buy most groceries and household items at Walmart |
The Walmart Rewards Card is a true Mastercard, so you build rewards on gas, restaurants, and other purchases outside Walmart. The Walmart Credit Card earns higher rewards at Walmart and Sam's Club but offers no rewards elsewhere. If you shop at multiple stores, the Rewards Card makes more sense. If you do most of your shopping at Walmart, the store card's higher cash back rate at Walmart may save you more money overall.
Both cards charge no annual fee, so the choice comes down to where you spend most of your money. Many shoppers keep both cards — using the store card at Walmart for the 3% cash back and the Rewards Card everywhere else for the 1% cash back plus the ability to earn rewards outside grocery shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Walmart account to explore?
No. You can explore as a guest without creating or logging into a Walmart account. However, creating an account after approval makes it easier to track your rewards and manage your card through your Walmart profile.
What credit score do I need?
Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score, but most approvals go to applicants with scores of 600 or higher. If your score is lower, you may still be approved depending on your income and employment history, but denial is more likely.
Can I explore if I have bad credit or no credit history?
Yes, you can explore. Capital One considers applicants with limited or poor credit, though approval is not may provide. If you are denied, reapply in 30 days after paying down debt or correcting any errors on your credit report.
How long does it take to receive the physical card?
The physical card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your card number for online purchases when ready after approval, but you need the physical card to use it in Walmart stores.
Will explore lower my credit score?
Yes, the hard inquiry from Capital One may lower your score by a few points temporarily. The impact is usually small and fades within a few months, especially if you make on-time payments on your new card.