Walmart offers two credit cards: one for general shopping and one for warehouse members

Walmart has two separate credit cards. The Walmart Credit Card works at Walmart stores and Walmart.com. The Walmart Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Both are issued by Capital One. Neither card charges an annual fee, but both charge interest on balances you don't pay in full each month.

The cards are not the same product. The Walmart Credit Card offers cash back only at Walmart and Sam's Club. The Walmart Mastercard offers cash back everywhere you use it, but at a lower rate at Walmart than the Walmart Credit Card does. If you shop primarily at Walmart, the Walmart Credit Card usually returns more cash. If you shop at multiple stores, the Mastercard may be more useful.

Both cards require a credit check and a Social Security number to open. Capital One will look at your credit history and may decline you or offer you a lower credit limit if your credit score is low. There is no way to know in advance whether you will be approved.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart Credit Card returns 3% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club but only works at those stores; the Walmart Mastercard returns 1% to 2% cash back everywhere but requires you to carry a Mastercard.
  • Neither card has an annual fee, but both charge interest on unpaid balances, and the interest rate depends on your credit score and history.
  • You need a credit score and Social Security number to open either card, and Capital One may decline your process or offer a lower limit.
  • Cash back from either card is not when ready — it posts to your account monthly and you can use it as a statement credit or request it as a check.

Cash back rates and how they work

The Walmart Credit Card returns 3% cash back on purchases at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% on gas and EV charging, and 1% on everything else. The Walmart Mastercard returns 2% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% on gas and EV charging, and 1% everywhere else. The difference is small but adds up if you spend a lot at Walmart.

Cash back is not a discount at checkout. It accumulates in your account and posts once a month. You can use it as a statement credit (reducing your bill) or request it as a check mailed to you. Some cardholders use it to pay down their balance; others let it sit until they have enough to request a check. There is no minimum amount you must have before you can redeem it.

The cash back rate does not change based on how much you spend. You earn the same percentage whether you charge $50 or $5,000 in a month. Some other retail cards offer bonus cash back during certain months or on certain categories; Walmart's cards do not.

Interest rates and how to avoid them

Both Walmart cards charge interest on balances you carry from one month to the next. The interest rate (called the APR, or annual percentage rate) is not fixed — it depends on your credit score, your payment history, and the current market. Capital One does not publish the rates in advance. When you explore, you will see the rate you are offered before you accept the card.

The only way to avoid interest is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. If you pay even $1 less than the full balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount starting when ready. There is no grace period for partial payments. If you carry a balance, the interest will likely exceed any cash back you earn, especially in the first months when your balance is highest.

If you cannot pay in full, both cards offer promotional financing options at certain times — for example, 0% APR for 12 months on purchases over a certain amount. These offers change frequently and are not may provide. You can check your current offers by logging into your account or calling the number on the back of your card.

Walmart Credit Card vs. Walmart Mastercard: which one to choose

Choose the Walmart Credit Card if you do most of your shopping at Walmart or Sam's Club and rarely use other stores. The 3% cash back at Walmart is higher than the Mastercard's 2%, and you will not pay for a card you cannot use. Choose the Walmart Mastercard if you shop at multiple stores or want a card that works everywhere.

The Mastercard is more flexible but returns less at Walmart. If you spend $2,000 a month at Walmart and $1,000 elsewhere, the Walmart Credit Card returns $60 at Walmart plus $10 elsewhere, for $70 total. The Mastercard returns $40 at Walmart plus $10 elsewhere, for $50 total. The Walmart Credit Card wins by $20 that month. But if you spend $1,000 at Walmart and $2,000 at other stores, the Mastercard returns $20 at Walmart plus $20 elsewhere, for $40 total, while the Walmart Credit Card returns $30 at Walmart plus $10 elsewhere, for $40 total — they tie.

You can open both cards if you want. There is no rule against holding multiple Walmart cards, and some people do this to maximize cash back at Walmart while also having a Mastercard for other purchases. However, each process triggers a credit check, which temporarily lowers your credit score.

What happens after you open the card

After your process is approved, Capital One will mail your physical card to the address you provided. This usually takes 7 to 10 business days. You can use the card number online when ready after approval if you log into your account, but you cannot use it in a store until the physical card arrives.

Once you receive the card, you can set up it by calling the number on the back or by logging into your online account. You will then set up a payment method — usually a bank account or another card — so you can pay your bill each month. Capital One sends bills by mail and email, and you can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

Your credit limit is set when you open the account and may be lower than you requested. Capital One may increase your limit after several months of on-time payments, or you can request an increase by calling the customer service number on your statement.

Fees and other costs

Neither the Walmart Credit Card nor the Walmart Mastercard charges an annual fee. There are no monthly fees, no foreign transaction fees, and no fees for paying your bill online or by phone. However, both cards charge late fees if you miss a payment, and both charge penalty interest rates if you pay 60 days or more late.

Late fees vary but typically range from $25 to $40 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent late payments within six months. If you are more than 60 days late, Capital One may increase your interest rate to a penalty rate, which can be significantly higher than your regular rate. This penalty rate can stay in place for six months or longer, even after you catch up on payments.

If you transfer a balance from another card to a Walmart card, Capital One may charge a balance transfer fee, usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. This fee is added to your balance and charged interest like any other purchase.

How to open a Walmart card and what to have ready

You can open either Walmart card online at walmart.com/credit-cards, by phone, or in a Walmart store. Online is usually fastest. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and income information. You will also need a valid government ID to verify your identity.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Capital One will tell you when ready whether you are approved, declined, or pending review. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and interest rate before you accept the offer. If you are declined, you can reapply after 30 days, but your credit score will have recovered somewhat by then.

If you already have a Walmart card and want to open the other one, you can explore for the second card the same way. Capital One will review both applications separately, and you may be approved for one but not the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Walmart Credit Card at other stores?

No. The Walmart Credit Card only works at Walmart stores, Walmart.com, and Sam's Club. If you try to use it elsewhere, it will be declined. The Walmart Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

What is the interest rate on the Walmart cards?

Capital One does not publish the rates in advance. Your rate depends on your credit score and history. When you explore, you will see the specific rate you are offered before you accept the card. You can also call the number on the back of your card to ask what your current rate is.

Can I get the cash back as a discount at checkout?

No. Cash back posts to your account once a month and you can use it as a statement credit or request it as a check. You cannot use it as an when ready discount while you are shopping.

What happens if I miss a payment?

Capital One will charge you a late fee (usually $25 to $40) and report the late payment to credit bureaus, which lowers your credit score. If you are 60 or more days late, your interest rate may increase to a penalty rate. Pay as soon as you can to stop additional fees and damage to your credit.

Can I close my Walmart card without penalty?

Yes. You can close either card at any time by calling Capital One or logging into your account. There is no fee for closing a card. However, closing a card can lower your credit score slightly because it reduces your total available credit.