Where to start your Walmart credit card process
You can start a Walmart credit card process on Walmart.com or through the Walmart mobile app. The process itself takes about 10 minutes and asks for basic information: your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment details. You do not need to visit a store or call anyone to begin.
Walmart offers two credit cards through Synchrony Bank: the Walmart Rewards Card (a Mastercard you can use anywhere) and the Walmart Credit Card (for Walmart and Sam's Club purchases only). Both applications follow the same online process. You can explore for either one from the Walmart website's credit card section, or you may see an offer in your account if you have a Walmart.com login.
Before you start, have your Social Security number, current income, and employment information ready. The process will also ask for your driver's license number or state ID number. If you are explore as an authorized user on someone else's account, you will need their permission and some of their account details.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart credit card applications are completed entirely online through Walmart.com or the Walmart app, with no store visit required.
- The process asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and identification information, and takes about 10 minutes to finish.
- Synchrony Bank, not Walmart, makes the approval decision and will contact you by email or phone within a few business days.
- You can check your process status by logging into your Walmart account or calling the customer service number on your pre-approval offer.
- If you are denied, you have the right to know why and can request a copy of your credit report from the bureau Synchrony used.
What information you need to provide during the process
The online form collects personal and financial details that Synchrony Bank uses to review your request. You will enter your full legal name, date of birth, current address, and phone number. Have your Social Security number ready—Synchrony will use it to pull your credit report.
For employment information, you will need to provide your current job title, employer name, and how long you have been in that position. If you are self-employed or retired, you can still explore; the form has options for those situations. You will also enter your annual income. This does not have to be from employment alone—it can include Social Security, disability payments, pension income, or other regular sources.
The process also asks whether you rent or own your home, and some versions ask for your monthly housing payment. You do not need to provide bank account numbers or upload documents at this stage. Synchrony will verify information later if they need to.
How the approval process works after you submit
After you submit your process online, Synchrony Bank reviews it using your credit report, income information, and credit history. This review usually takes a few business days, though some decisions come back within minutes. Synchrony will contact you by email or phone with a decision—approval, denial, or a request for more information.
If Synchrony approves you, they will tell you your credit limit and any introductory offers (such as a cash back rate or promotional period). Your card will be mailed to the address you provided on the process. Standard delivery takes 7 to 10 business days, though you may be able to use the card for online purchases before it arrives if you set up a digital wallet.
If Synchrony needs more information, they will specify what they want—for example, recent pay stubs, a tax return, or proof of income. You can usually upload these documents through your online account or email them to the address Synchrony provides. Respond as soon as you can, because the review clock keeps running.
Checking your process status
You can check where your process stands by logging into your Walmart account on Walmart.com and looking for a credit card section or notifications. Walmart will show you the status there if you applied through their website. You can also call the customer service number listed on any pre-approval offer you received—that number connects you directly to Synchrony's team, and they can tell you exactly where your process is in the review process.
Do not call multiple times or submit a second process while the first one is pending. Multiple applications in a short time can lower your credit score slightly and may confuse the review. If you have not heard back within a week, a single call to check status is reasonable.
What to do if your process is denied
If Synchrony denies your process, they are required by law to send you a written notice explaining the main reason—for example, "insufficient credit history," "recent late payments," or "income too low for the credit limit offered." Read that notice carefully, because it tells you what to address if you want to reapply later.
The notice will also include information about the credit bureau Synchrony used (usually Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) and instructions for requesting a free copy of your credit report from that bureau. You can get one free report per year from each bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your report helps you spot errors or understand what Synchrony saw.
If you were denied because of income, employment, or recent changes in your financial situation, you can reapply after those circumstances improve. If the denial was based on credit history, wait at least a few months and work on paying down existing balances or correcting errors on your report before explore again.
Understanding the two Walmart card options
The Walmart Rewards Card is a Mastercard that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted—at Walmart, other retailers, restaurants, gas stations, and online. It earns cash back on all purchases and has higher cash back rates on Walmart and Sam's Club purchases. This card is useful if you shop at multiple places and want one card for everything.
The Walmart Credit Card works only at Walmart and Sam's Club stores and on their websites. It typically offers higher cash back rates at those retailers than the Rewards Card does, but you cannot use it elsewhere. Choose this card if you do most of your shopping at Walmart or Sam's Club and want to maximize rewards there.
Both cards have the same process process and are issued by Synchrony Bank. The main difference is where you can use them and the cash back structure. You can explore for either one, and approval for one does not may provide approval for the other if you explore later.
What happens after you are approved and receive your card
Once your card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or using the Walmart app or website. You will set up a PIN for in-store purchases and can start using it right away. Your first statement will arrive about 30 days after your first purchase, and you will have a due date to pay at least the minimum amount.
Set up autopay or calendar reminders so you do not miss a payment—late payments hurt your credit score and trigger fees. You can pay online through your Synchrony account, through the Walmart app, by phone, or by mail. Paying in full each month avoids interest charges and keeps your credit utilization low, which helps your credit score.
Review your first statement for accuracy and check that all purchases are ones you made. If you see something wrong, contact Synchrony right away. You also have the right to dispute unauthorized charges within 60 days of the statement date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Walmart account to explore for the credit card?
You do not need an existing Walmart.com account, but creating one makes the process easier because you can save your information and check your status later. You can explore without an account, but you will need to enter all your information from scratch and may have a harder time tracking your process status.
Will explore for the card hurt my credit score?
Synchrony will do a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily. This inquiry stays on your report for about a year but stops affecting your score after a few months. Multiple applications in a short time have a bigger impact, so avoid explore for several cards at once.
Can I explore if I have no credit history?
You can explore, but approval is less certain without a credit history. Synchrony may approve you with a lower credit limit, ask for more income information, or deny the process. If you are denied, consider becoming an authorized user on someone else's card first to build credit history, then reapply in a few months.
What if I was pre-approved but still got denied?
A pre-approval offer means you meet basic criteria, but the full process review can uncover new information—a recent late payment, a drop in credit score, or a change in employment. This happens occasionally. Ask Synchrony for the specific reason and address it before reapplying.
How long does it take to get approved?
Some applications are approved or denied within minutes. Most decisions come back within 2 to 5 business days. If Synchrony needs more information from you, the timeline extends depending on how quickly you respond. Once approved, the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, though you may be able to use it digitally sooner.