You can get a Walmart credit card in minutes by explore online, by phone, or in-store

Walmart offers two credit cards: the Walmart MoneyCard (a prepaid card) and the Walmart Credit Card (a traditional revolving credit card issued by Capital One). The Walmart Credit Card is what most people mean when they say "Walmart credit card." You can start the process on Walmart.com, call 1-800-621-1623, or walk into any Walmart and ask a cashier to hand you an process. Most online applications take 5 to 10 minutes and you get a decision when ready or within a few days.

The card comes with no annual fee and offers 2% cash back on Walmart.com purchases and 1% cash back on everything else. If you use it at Walmart stores, you get an extra 1% back on fuel and fresh groceries. The catch is that the card is easier to get approved for if you already shop at Walmart and have a decent credit history — but Capital One also approves people with fair or limited credit, so it is worth explore even if your score is not perfect.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart Credit Card is issued by Capital One and carries no annual fee, so there is no cost to hold it if you do not use it.
  • You can explore online at Walmart.com, by phone at 1-800-621-1623, or in-store, and most decisions come back within a few days.
  • The card offers 2% cash back on Walmart.com purchases and 1% cash back everywhere else, plus an extra 1% on fuel and fresh groceries at Walmart stores.
  • Capital One approves applicants with fair credit and limited credit history, though approval odds improve if you have an existing relationship with Walmart.
  • You will need a Social Security number, current address, income, and employment information to complete an process.

What you need before you explore

Have your Social Security number, current address, phone number, and email ready. You will also need to provide your annual household income and current employment information — the process asks for your employer name and how long you have worked there, but does not require you to upload pay stubs or tax returns at the time of process.

If you are explore online, you will need a valid email address to receive your decision. If you are explore by phone, a representative will walk you through the same questions and tell you the decision on the call. In-store applications are paper forms that you fill out and hand to a cashier; you will get a decision by phone or mail within a few days.

how the process works online

Go to Walmart.com and look for the credit card offer in the top navigation or search for "Walmart Credit Card." Click the process link and you will land on Capital One's process page. Fill in your personal information, income, and employment details. The form takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

After you submit, you will see a decision on screen — either approved, approved with conditions, or denied. If you are approved, you can request a card to be mailed to you or, in some cases, pick it up in-store. If you are approved with conditions, Capital One will ask you to verify your identity or provide additional information before the card is activated. If you are denied, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining why, and you can call Capital One to ask about reapplying.

explore by phone or in-store

To explore by phone, call 1-800-621-1623 and tell the representative you want to explore for the Walmart Credit Card. They will ask the same questions as the online form and give you a decision on the call. If approved, they will mail the card to your address or tell you how to pick it up in-store.

For in-store applications, ask a cashier or customer service associate for a Walmart Credit Card process form. Fill it out completely and hand it back. The associate will tell you that you will hear back by phone or mail within a few days. Keep the reference number they give you in case you need to follow up.

What happens after you are approved

Once Capital One approves you, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, or you may be able to pick it up in-store the same day. When it arrives, you will need to set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or going to Capital One's website. You will be asked to verify your identity and set a PIN.

Your credit limit will be set based on your credit history and income. First-time applicants often receive limits between $300 and $1,000, though some people get higher limits. You can request a credit limit increase after you have used the card responsibly for a few months.

Credit score and approval odds

Capital One approves applicants across a wide range of credit scores. If your score is 670 or higher, approval is likely. If your score is between 580 and 669 (fair credit), you have a reasonable chance of approval, especially if you have a Walmart shopping history. If your score is below 580 or you have no credit history, approval is less certain, but Capital One does approve some applicants in this range — particularly if you have a job and a stable address.

Each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points. If you are denied, wait at least 30 days before reapplying, because multiple applications in a short time can hurt your score further. If you are denied and want to build credit first, consider a secured credit card from another issuer, which requires a cash deposit but is easier to get approved for.

How the rewards work

The Walmart Credit Card earns cash back automatically — you do not have to enroll or set up rewards. Every purchase posts to your account, and the cash back accrues. You can see your cash back balance in your account online or on the Capital One mobile app.

You can redeem cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your balance), as a check mailed to you, or as a deposit to a bank account. There is no minimum redemption amount and no expiration date on your cash back, so you can let it sit until you have enough to make it worth redeeming. The 2% rate on Walmart.com applies to purchases made on the website and the Walmart mobile app, but not to in-store purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Walmart Credit Card is a traditional credit card issued by Capital One that you pay off each month (or carry a balance and pay interest). The Walmart MoneyCard is a prepaid card — you load money onto it and spend what you loaded. The MoneyCard does not build credit history, while the Credit Card does. Most people who want to build credit should get the Credit Card.

Can I use the Walmart Credit Card at other stores?

Yes. The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, you only earn the higher cash back rates (2% on Walmart.com, 1% on fuel and groceries at Walmart) when you use it at Walmart or Walmart.com. At other stores, you earn 1% cash back on all purchases.

What if I am denied?

Capital One will mail you a letter explaining the reason for denial — usually low credit score, insufficient credit history, or recent negative marks like late payments or collections. You can reapply after 30 days. In the meantime, consider using a secured credit card to build history, or ask if a family member with better credit will add you as an authorized user on their card.

How long does it take to get the card after approval?

If you explore online or by phone, the card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Some Walmart locations allow you to pick up the card in-store the same day you are approved, though this is not available everywhere. Ask the cashier or call 1-800-621-1623 to learn about your local store offers same-day pickup.

Does explore hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only slightly. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points. The impact is temporary — the inquiry falls off your report after 12 months and stops affecting your score after about 6 months. Once you get the card and use it responsibly, the positive payment history will build your score back up.