The Walmart Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Capital One that offers cash back on Walmart purchases

The Walmart Visa is a standard credit card, not a store card. You can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, but it gives you higher cash back rates when you shop at Walmart and Sam's Club. Capital One issues the card, handles your account, and sets the interest rates and fees.

The card comes in two versions: the regular Walmart Visa and the Walmart Visa Infinite. The Infinite version has higher cash back rates but carries an annual fee. Both cards report to the three major credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit history.

Unlike a store card that only works at one retailer, this card functions as a regular Visa everywhere. That means you can use it at gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and any other business that takes Visa. The cash back structure straightforward rewards you more heavily for Walmart and Sam's Club spending.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart Visa offers 3% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else, with no annual fee on the standard version.
  • The Walmart Visa Infinite offers higher cash back rates (5% at Walmart and Sam's Club, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, 1% elsewhere) but charges an annual fee.
  • Capital One sets the interest rate based on your credit score, and rates typically range from 16% to 24% APR depending on creditworthiness.
  • The card reports to credit bureaus, so responsible use can improve your credit score over time.
  • You can use this card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Walmart, making it a general-purpose credit card with bonus rewards at specific retailers.

Cash Back Rates and How They Work

The standard Walmart Visa gives you 3% cash back on purchases at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. Cash back accumulates in your account and you can redeem it as a statement credit, a check, or a deposit to a bank account. There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn, and it does not expire as long as your account remains open.

The Walmart Visa Infinite raises the rates to 5% at Walmart and Sam's Club, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% everywhere else. The trade-off is a yearly fee, currently $100. Whether the Infinite makes sense depends on how much you spend at Walmart and Sam's Club. If you spend $2,000 or more per year at those retailers, the extra 2% cash back ($40) plus the 1% difference on gas and restaurants may offset the fee. If you spend less, the standard card is cheaper.

Cash back is calculated on the purchase amount before tax. If you return an item, the cash back for that purchase is reversed. Some purchases do not earn cash back: balance transfers, cash advances, fees, and interest charges all earn zero percent.

Interest Rates and Fees You Should Know

Capital One sets your interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) based on your credit score and credit history. The rate is not fixed — it can change over time. Current rates typically range from 16% to 24% APR, but your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness when you open the account and can shift if Capital One reviews your account.

The standard Walmart Visa has no annual fee. The Walmart Visa Infinite charges $100 per year. Both cards charge a late fee if you miss a payment (typically $25 to $35 for the first late payment, higher for subsequent ones) and a cash advance fee of 3% of the amount withdrawn (with a $3 minimum). If you transfer a balance from another card, Capital One charges 3% of the transfer amount.

Interest accrues daily on any balance you carry. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. If you carry a balance, interest compounds daily until you pay it off. The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you owe.

How to Use the Card Responsibly

The cash back rewards only make financial sense if you pay off your balance in full each month. If you carry a balance and pay 20% APR in interest, the 3% or 5% cash back becomes a net loss. For example, a $1,000 balance carried for one month costs roughly $17 in interest — far more than the $30 or $50 in cash back you might earn.

Set up automatic payments from your bank account to pay at least the minimum due each month, or better yet, the full statement balance. This prevents late fees and interest charges. Many people use the card for regular Walmart and gas purchases, then pay it off when ready from their checking account, treating it like a debit card that also builds credit and earns rewards.

Track your spending to stay within your budget. The card does not have a preset spending limit — Capital One sets a credit limit based on your creditworthiness, and you can request a higher limit after you have used the card responsibly for several months. Spending close to your limit can hurt your credit score, even if you pay on time.

How This Card Affects Your Credit Score

Opening a new credit card temporarily lowers your score because Capital One performs a hard inquiry into your credit report. This dip usually recovers within a few months. Over time, on-time payments and a low balance relative to your credit limit improve your score.

The card reports to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each month. Your payment history (whether you pay on time) makes up 35% of your credit score, so consistent on-time payments are the biggest benefit. Your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using — makes up 30% of your score. Keeping your balance below 30% of your credit limit helps more than paying it off completely.

If you carry a balance and miss a payment, the damage is significant. A 30-day late payment can lower your score by 100 points or more and stays on your report for seven years. Capital One may also raise your interest rate if you miss a payment.

Comparing the Walmart Visa to Other Options

The Walmart Visa competes with general-purpose cash back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.5% cash back everywhere, no annual fee) and the Capital One SavorOne (3% on dining and entertainment, 1% elsewhere, no annual fee). If you spend heavily at Walmart and Sam's Club, the Walmart Visa's 3% or 5% rate at those stores beats most competitors. If you spend more on dining, gas, or travel, a different card may offer better rewards.

Store cards like the Walmart Store Card (not a Visa) offer higher cash back at Walmart but cannot be used elsewhere. The Walmart Visa is more flexible because it works anywhere Visa is accepted. The trade-off is that the store card sometimes offers promotional financing (like 12 months interest-free on large purchases), while the Walmart Visa does not.

If you are building credit from scratch or recovering from past credit problems, the Walmart Visa is easier to get than premium cards. Capital One is known for working with people who have fair or limited credit history. Once you build a stronger credit profile, you may may have access to for cards with lower interest rates and better rewards.

How to Open an Account and Manage It

You can open a Walmart Visa account online through Capital One's website, by phone, or in some Walmart stores. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and housing information. Capital One performs a hard credit inquiry and usually gives you a decision within minutes.

Once approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through Capital One's website or mobile app, then start using it when ready at any Visa-accepting merchant. The app lets you track your balance, make payments, view your cash back, and set up automatic payments.

If you are denied, Capital One will tell you why (usually a low credit score or insufficient credit history). You can reapply after addressing the issue — for example, by building credit with a secured card or becoming an authorized user on someone else's account. Reapplying when ready after a denial typically results in another denial, so wait at least three to six months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Walmart Visa outside the United States?

Yes, Visa works in most countries. Capital One charges a 1% foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S., so the card is not ideal for frequent international travel. If you travel abroad regularly, a card with no foreign transaction fee may save you money.

What happens if I lose my card or it gets stolen?

Contact Capital One when ready through the phone number on the back of your card or through the mobile app. Capital One will cancel the card and issue a replacement, usually within 7 to 10 business days. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges if you report the loss promptly, typically within 60 days of the charge appearing on your statement.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Walmart Visa?

Yes, but Capital One charges a 3% balance transfer fee. If you transfer $5,000, you pay $150 upfront. The transferred balance accrues interest at your card's APR unless Capital One offers a promotional 0% APR period on balance transfers, which varies by offer and creditworthiness.

Does the Walmart Visa offer any purchase protection or extended warranties?

The standard Walmart Visa does not include purchase protection, extended warranties, or travel insurance. The Walmart Visa Infinite includes some protections like purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, which is one reason for the $100 annual fee. Review the full terms on Capital One's website to see what is included with each version.

What is the difference between the Walmart Visa and the Walmart Store Card?

The Walmart Store Card is a store card that only works at Walmart and Sam's Club. It offers higher cash back at those retailers but cannot be used elsewhere. The Walmart Visa is a Visa card that works anywhere and offers lower cash back rates at Walmart but more flexibility overall. Many people carry both cards.