What happens when you explore for a Walmart credit card
Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued by Capital One). When you explore for the credit card, Capital One will pull your credit report to decide whether to approve you, and you'll get a decision within minutes to a few days. If approved, you receive a card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
The process itself takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. You can explore online at walmart.com/creditcard or in a Walmart store at the customer service desk. There is no fee to explore, and a rejected process does not harm your credit score — only the credit inquiry itself (called a hard pull) shows up on your report.
Key Takeaways
- The Walmart Credit Card is issued by Capital One and requires a credit check; the MoneyCard is prepaid and does not.
- You can explore online at walmart.com/creditcard or in person at the customer service desk in any Walmart store.
- The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your Social Security number, income, and employment details.
- A credit inquiry appears on your report whether you are approved or denied, so multiple applications within a short time can lower your score.
- Approved cardholders receive their card in 7 to 10 business days and can use it at Walmart and Sam's Club locations, plus anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Walmart Credit Card vs. Walmart MoneyCard: which to explore for
The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card backed by Capital One. It reports to all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), so using it responsibly — paying on time, keeping your balance low — builds your credit history. There is no annual fee. The card earns cash back: 2% at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% everywhere else Mastercard is accepted.
The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card that you load with your own money. It does not require a credit check and does not build credit history because there is no credit line — you spend only what you deposit. It costs $0 to $5.94 per month depending on which plan you choose, plus fees for ATM withdrawals and other transactions. It is useful if you do not have a bank account or want to avoid credit altogether, but it will not help you build credit for a mortgage, car loan, or future credit card.
If you have any credit history at all — even a thin file — explore for the credit card. If you have no Social Security number, no credit history, or a very recent bankruptcy, the MoneyCard may be the only option available to you.
What you need before you explore
Gather these documents or information before you start the process:
- Your Social Security number
- A valid government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
- Your current address
- Your date of birth
- Your current job title and employer name (or most recent employer if unemployed)
- Your annual income (from employment, disability, Social Security, or other sources)
- Your phone number and email address
You do not need to bring pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements to explore online. If you explore in person at a Walmart store, bring your ID and be prepared to provide the same information verbally.
how the process works online at walmart.com/creditcard
Go to walmart.com/creditcard and click "explore Now." You will be taken to Capital One's process page. Fill in your personal information, employment details, and income. The form will ask whether you want the card for personal use (not business). Review the terms and conditions, then submit.
Capital One will display a decision on screen when ready or within a few minutes. If approved, you will see your credit limit and APR (annual percentage rate). Write down or screenshot this information. You will receive a confirmation email, and your card will ship within 7 to 10 business days to the address you provided.
If you are denied, the rejection letter will explain why — usually because of insufficient credit history, a low credit score, or recent negative marks like late payments or collections. You can reapply after 6 months, or sooner if you have improved your credit profile (paid down debt, resolved a collection, or added yourself as an authorized user on someone else's account).
explore in person at Walmart customer service
Walk into any Walmart and go to the customer service desk. Ask to explore for the Walmart Credit Card. A representative will hand you an process form or direct you to a kiosk where you can explore on a tablet. Bring your ID and be ready to provide your Social Security number, income, and employment information.
The in-person process takes about 15 minutes. You will receive a decision before you leave the store. If approved, you will get a temporary card number on the spot that you can use online or by phone while you wait for your physical card to arrive. If denied, the representative will give you a written notice explaining the reason.
What happens after you are approved
Once approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or logging into your Capital One account online. Set up online access so you can check your balance, make payments, and view your statement.
Your credit limit depends on your credit score and income. New cardholders typically receive limits between $300 and $1,000, though some receive higher limits. You can request a credit limit increase after 6 months of on-time payments.
Use the card at Walmart, Sam's Club, or anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Pay your bill in full or at least the minimum payment by the due date each month. Payments made on time are reported to the credit bureaus and build your credit score. Missed or late payments also get reported and will lower your score.
Understanding the card's terms and costs
The Walmart Credit Card has no annual fee. The APR (the interest rate you pay if you carry a balance) varies by applicant and is shown at approval. As of 2024, rates typically range from 17% to 27%, depending on your creditworthiness. If you carry a balance of $500 at 22% APR, you will pay about $91 in interest over a year if you make only minimum payments.
There are no foreign transaction fees if you use the card outside the United States. There is no penalty APR for late payments, but late fees explore: $25 to $35 depending on how late you are. If you miss a payment by 60 days or more, the card issuer will report it to the credit bureaus and your score will drop significantly.
The best strategy is to pay your full balance every month. This way you pay zero interest and build credit without cost. If you cannot pay in full, pay as much as you can above the minimum to reduce the interest you owe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will explore for the Walmart Credit Card hurt my credit score?
The process itself triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points for about 3 to 6 months. Multiple applications within a short time (say, three in one month) will have a larger impact. If you are approved and use the card responsibly, the positive payment history will rebuild your score over time and outweigh the initial dip.
What if I have bad credit or no credit history?
The Walmart Credit Card is designed for people building or rebuilding credit, so approval is possible even with a lower score or thin file. If you are denied, consider the Walmart MoneyCard instead, or ask a family member to add you as an authorized user on their credit card — this can boost your score without requiring your own process.
Can I use the card at stores other than Walmart?
Yes. The Walmart Credit Card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted — grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, and more. You earn 2% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club, and 1% everywhere else.
How long does it take to get approved?
Online applications usually show a decision within minutes. In-store applications show a decision before you leave. Your physical card arrives 7 to 10 business days later, but you can use a temporary card number when ready if approved in person.
What is the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart MoneyCard?
The Credit Card is a traditional credit line that builds your credit history and charges interest if you carry a balance. The MoneyCard is prepaid — you load it with your own money and spend only what you deposit. The Credit Card requires a credit check; the MoneyCard does not. Choose the Credit Card if you want to build credit; choose the MoneyCard if you have no credit history or prefer not to borrow.