What You Need to Know Before You explore

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional credit card issued through Capital One). The Walmart Credit Card is what most people mean when they say they want a Walmart card — it gives you a line of credit you can use at Walmart and Sam's Club locations, online, and at other retailers.

You can start an process online at Walmart.com or in a Walmart store at the customer service desk. The online process takes about 15 minutes. You'll need your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Walmart will check your credit report, which means your credit score may drop slightly for a few days.

The card itself arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use it when ready online if you're approved, even before the physical card shows up.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at Walmart.com or in person at the customer service desk in any Walmart store.
  • The process requires your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and employment details.
  • Approval decisions usually come within minutes if you explore online, though some applications may take a few business days.
  • The physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use the card online when ready after approval.
  • Walmart runs a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

how the process works Online

Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer, usually found in the top navigation menu or by searching "Walmart credit card." Click the link to start your process. You'll land on a page hosted by Capital One, the bank that issues the card.

Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and phone number. Then enter your employment status (employed, self-employed, retired, or unemployed) and annual income. Be honest — Walmart and Capital One verify this information.

Review the terms and conditions, then submit. If you're approved, you'll see a confirmation page with your credit limit. If the decision is pending, you'll receive an email or phone call within a few business days. If you're denied, the email will explain why — usually because of credit history or income.

how the process works in Person at Walmart

Walk to the customer service desk at any Walmart location during store hours. Tell the associate you want to explore for a Walmart Credit Card. They'll give you a paper process or direct you to a kiosk where you can explore on a tablet.

Fill out the form with the same information you'd provide online: name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, phone number, employment status, and income. The associate will submit it for you. You'll get a decision on the spot or within a few business days.

In-store applications can be slower than online ones because the associate must manually enter your information. If you're in a hurry, the online route is faster.

What Happens After You're Approved

Once approved, you'll receive a confirmation email with your credit limit and card details. You can use your card number to shop online when ready — Walmart will email or text you the number so you don't have to wait for the physical card.

The plastic card itself arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. When it arrives, sign the back and set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or by logging into your Capital One account online.

Set up online account access at capitalone.com so you can check your balance, make payments, and track rewards. The Walmart Credit Card earns cash back on purchases: 3% at Walmart and Sam's Club, 1% everywhere else.

Credit Requirements and What Gets Checked

Walmart doesn't publish a minimum credit score, but the card is generally easier to get than premium rewards cards. People with fair credit (scores around 600 to 669) often get approved, though your credit limit may be lower than someone with excellent credit.

Capital One will pull your credit report from one or more of the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This is called a hard inquiry and will show up on your credit report for two years, though it only affects your score for about three months. Multiple applications within a short time can hurt your score more, so explore only once unless you're denied and want to reapply later.

Walmart also checks your income and employment history. If you're self-employed, have a recent job change, or have gaps in employment, be ready to explain that in your process.

If Your process Is Denied

If you're denied, Capital One will send you a letter explaining the reason — usually insufficient credit history, too many recent inquiries, high debt relative to income, or a negative mark like a late payment or collection account.

You can reapply after 30 days, but only if you've addressed the issue. If the problem was recent late payments, wait until those are paid and time has passed. If the problem was too much debt, pay down balances first. If the problem was too many recent applications, wait at least 30 days before explore again.

You can also ask Capital One to reconsider your process by calling the number on the denial letter and explaining your situation. Sometimes a representative can override an automatic denial if your circumstances have changed.

Activating and Using Your Card

When your physical card arrives, call the set up number on the back or set up it through your Capital One online account. You'll be asked to verify your identity and confirm the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Once activated, you can use the card at any Walmart or Sam's Club location, online at Walmart.com, and at any retailer that accepts Mastercard (the Walmart Credit Card is a Mastercard). You'll earn 3% cash back on Walmart and Sam's Club purchases and 1% cash back on everything else.

Make your first payment within 25 days of your first purchase to avoid interest charges. You can pay online through your Capital One account, by phone, by mail, or in person at a Walmart customer service desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for a Walmart Credit Card?

Online applications usually get a decision within minutes. Some take a few business days if Capital One needs to verify your information. In-store applications may take longer because the associate has to manually submit your details. You'll receive an email or phone call with the decision.

Can I use my card before the physical card arrives?

Yes. If you're approved online, Capital One will email or text you your card number so you can shop online or over the phone right away. You can use it at Walmart.com when ready. The plastic card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

What credit score do I need to get approved?

Walmart doesn't publish a minimum score, but the card is generally available to people with fair credit (around 600 and up). Your actual approval depends on your full credit history, income, and debt level, not just your score. The best way to know is to explore.

Does explore for a Walmart Credit Card hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only temporarily. The hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points for about three months. The impact is small compared to other factors like payment history and debt levels. Multiple applications in a short time hurt more than a single process.

What should I do if I'm denied?

Wait at least 30 days before reapplying. In the meantime, pay down any high balances, make all payments on time, and address whatever reason Capital One gave for the denial. You can also call the number on your denial letter and ask a representative to reconsider your process.