You can explore for a Walmart credit card online, in store, or by phone in about 10 minutes

The Walmart credit card comes in two versions: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued by Capital One). Most people looking to build credit or earn rewards want the traditional credit card. You can start the process on Walmart's website, complete it on your phone, or walk into any Walmart and ask a cashier to hand you an process form. The decision usually comes back within minutes to a few hours.

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and information about your income and employment. Have a government-issued ID ready if you are explore in store. The entire process takes about 10 minutes whether you go online or in person.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at Walmart.com, by phone at the number on Walmart's website, or in person at any Walmart store.
  • The process asks for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and current address — have these details ready before you start.
  • Capital One will make a decision within minutes to a few hours, and you will receive a response by email or mail.
  • If approved, your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and you can use it at Walmart and anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
  • If you are denied, you can call Capital One to ask why and reapply after addressing the reason — usually a thin credit file or recent missed payments.

explore online through Walmart's website

Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer, usually found under "Services" or "Money Services" in the footer. Click on the Walmart Credit Card link and select "explore Now." You will be taken to Capital One's process page.

Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. Then enter your employment information — employer name, job title, annual income, and how long you have worked there. Be honest about income; Capital One will verify it later if needed. Click submit and wait for the decision, which usually appears on screen within minutes.

If you are approved, you will see a confirmation number and receive an email with next steps. If you are denied or need more information, Capital One will tell you when ready and explain why. Write down your confirmation number before you leave the page.

explore in person at Walmart

Walk up to any checkout counter and ask a cashier for a Walmart Credit Card process form. They will hand you a paper form and a pen. You can fill it out right there or take it home and bring it back completed.

The form asks the same questions as the online version: name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, employment, and income. Write clearly and double-check that your Social Security number is correct — errors here delay the decision. Hand the completed form back to the cashier, who will scan it or send it to the processing center.

You will receive a decision by mail within 5 to 7 business days. Some Walmart locations can give you a decision faster if they have a kiosk in the store; ask the cashier whether yours does.

explore by phone

Call the number listed on Walmart's credit card page (it changes, so do not rely on a number you find elsewhere). A Capital One representative will walk you through the process over the phone. Have your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and employment information ready.

The call takes about 10 minutes. The representative will ask the same questions as the online form and may ask follow-up questions about your income or employment history. You will receive a decision before the call ends or within a few hours by email.

What happens after you are approved

Your card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Before you use it, call the number on the back of the card to set up it — this takes one minute and confirms that you received it.

You can use the Walmart Credit Card at any Walmart store, Walmart.com, Sam's Club, and anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Your first statement arrives 30 days after your first purchase. Pay at least the minimum amount due by the due date shown on your statement to avoid late fees and damage to your credit.

The card comes with a credit limit — the amount you can charge — which Capital One sets based on your credit history and income. You can request a higher limit after you have used the card responsibly for several months.

What to do if you are denied

If Capital One denies your process, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons include a thin credit file (not enough credit history), recent missed payments, high existing debt, or a recent hard inquiry from another lender.

You can call Capital One to ask for more detail about the denial. Do not reapply when ready; wait at least 30 days and address the reason first. If the issue was a missed payment, make sure you are current on all accounts. If it was too much existing debt, pay down balances before reapplying. If it was a thin credit file, open a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account to build history.

You have the right to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Check your report for errors that might have caused the denial and dispute them if you find any.

Walmart Credit Card features and costs

The Walmart Credit Card earns cash back on purchases: 3% at Walmart gas stations and Walmart.com, 2% at Sam's Club, and 1% everywhere else Mastercard is accepted. There is no annual fee.

The card charges interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your credit score and is shown in your approval documents. If you carry a balance, you will pay interest charges on top of your purchase amount. To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

Late payments cost $25 to $35 depending on how late you are, and missed payments damage your credit score. Set up automatic payments or a phone reminder so you do not miss a due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Walmart account to explore for the credit card?

No. You can explore whether or not you have a Walmart account. If you do not have one, you can create one during the process process or after your card arrives.

What credit score do I need to be approved?

Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score, but most people approved have a score of 600 or higher. People with scores below 600 are sometimes approved if they have stable income and no recent missed payments. The only way to know is to explore.

Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?

Not with the physical card. However, some approvals come with a temporary digital card number that you can use online or in the Walmart app while you wait for the physical card. Ask Capital One whether yours does when you receive your approval.

What is the difference between the Walmart Credit Card and the Walmart MoneyCard?

The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card that builds your credit history and earns cash back. The MoneyCard is a prepaid card that you load with your own money — it does not build credit and does not earn rewards. Use the credit card if you want to build credit; use the MoneyCard if you want a card without a credit check.

Can I explore if I have bad credit or no credit history?

Yes, you can explore. Capital One approves people with no credit history and people rebuilding after past problems. Your credit limit may be lower, and your interest rate may be higher, but approval is possible. If you are denied, a secured credit card (where you put down a cash deposit) is another option to build credit.