The Walmart card gives cash back on groceries and gas, but the rate and terms depend on which version you choose

Walmart offers two credit cards through Capital One: the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Rewards Card from Capital One (Mastercard). The first is a store card that works only at Walmart and Sam's Club. The second is a Mastercard that works anywhere. Both earn cash back on purchases, but at different rates and with different spending caps. Neither charges an annual fee.

The store card earns 3% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% at Walmart gas stations and Walmart stores, and 1% everywhere else you use it. The Mastercard earns 2% cash back on Walmart and Sam's Club purchases, 2% at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% on all other purchases. The cash back appears as a statement credit that you can use to pay your bill or redeem for a Walmart gift card.

Which card makes sense depends on where you spend most of your money. If you buy almost everything at Walmart, the store card's higher rates there will earn more. If you shop at multiple stores or eat out often, the Mastercard's broader 2% categories might be better. The Mastercard also builds credit outside the Walmart ecosystem, which matters if you plan to use credit elsewhere later.

Key Takeaways

  • The Walmart store card earns up to 3% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club but cannot be used anywhere else.
  • The Walmart Mastercard earns 2% at gas stations and restaurants plus 2% at Walmart, and works at any merchant that takes Mastercard.
  • Both cards have no annual fee and no cap on how much cash back you can earn per year.
  • Cash back posts as a statement credit each month and can be redeemed as a Walmart gift card if you prefer.
  • The store card typically has a lower credit score requirement than the Mastercard, though Capital One does not publish exact minimums.

How cash back works and when it posts to your account

Cash back accrues each time you use the card and appears as a statement credit on your monthly bill. You do not have to do anything to earn it — it is automatic. The credit reduces what you owe that month. If you have a $500 balance and earn $15 in cash back, your new balance is $485.

You can also choose to redeem your cash back as a Walmart gift card instead of using it to pay your bill. This option is useful if you want to set the money aside for a specific purchase rather than let it reduce your balance. The gift card is issued when ready once you request it through your Capital One account online or by phone.

There is no minimum cash back amount you must earn before it posts, and there is no annual limit on how much you can earn. A customer who spends $10,000 per year at Walmart on the store card would earn $200 in cash back (at the 2% rate for in-store purchases), and all of it counts.

Store card versus Mastercard: which one fits your spending

The store card makes the most sense if Walmart and Sam's Club are your primary shopping destinations and you rarely need to use a credit card elsewhere. The 3% rate on Walmart.com is the highest cash back rate either card offers. If you spend $200 per month on groceries at Walmart, that is $72 per year in cash back just from that category.

The Mastercard is better if you split your spending across multiple stores, eat out regularly, or want a card that works everywhere. The 2% at gas stations and restaurants covers categories the store card does not reward at all. You also build a credit history with Capital One that travels with you — if you later explore for a car loan or mortgage, lenders see your payment history with this card, not just your Walmart account.

One practical difference: the store card can only be used at Walmart, Sam's Club, and Walmart.com. If you are at a grocery store that is not Walmart, a restaurant, or any other merchant, the card will be declined. The Mastercard works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which is nearly every merchant in the United States.

Annual percentage rate, credit limits, and approval odds

Both Walmart cards charge a variable APR on balances you do not pay in full. The exact rate depends on your credit score and credit history — Capital One does not publish a fixed range. In general, store cards tend to have higher APRs than Mastercards because they are easier to get approved for. If you carry a balance, the interest charges will quickly outweigh any cash back you earn.

Capital One does not publish a minimum credit score for either card, but the store card is typically easier to get approved for than the Mastercard. If your credit score is below 650, you have a better chance with the store card. If your score is above 700, you will likely be approved for the Mastercard as well.

Your credit limit depends on your income, existing debt, and payment history. Capital One may start you with a low limit — sometimes $300 to $500 — and increase it over time if you pay on time. You can request a credit limit increase after six months of on-time payments, either through your online account or by calling the number on the back of your card.

How the cash back compares to other grocery and gas cards

The Walmart store card's 2% rate at Walmart stores is competitive but not the highest available. The Kroger Rewards Mastercard earns 4% cash back on Kroger purchases, though only up to $4,000 per year in purchases (then 1% after that). The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% on gas for the first $7,500 per year, then 1% after. The Walmart card has no spending cap, which matters if you buy a lot of groceries.

The Walmart Mastercard's 2% at gas stations and restaurants is standard for cash back cards in that category. The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% on groceries for the first $1,500 per year, then 1% after, plus 1% on everything else. The Discover it Cash Back earns 5% in rotating categories that change each quarter. Both of those cards charge no annual fee and may offer better rewards if you have good credit and can get approved.

The real advantage of the Walmart cards is simplicity and accessibility. If you have limited credit history or a lower credit score, you may not be approved for a Chase or Discover card. The Walmart store card is designed for people building credit, and Capital One reports your payments to all three credit bureaus, which helps you build a credit history over time.

Introductory offers and sign-up bonuses

Walmart does not currently offer a sign-up bonus for either card — no cash back for opening the account or spending a certain amount in the first three months. This is different from many other cash back cards, which offer $100 to $200 in bonus cash back to new cardholders.

Walmart occasionally runs promotions for existing cardholders, such as 5% cash back on specific categories for a limited time. These promotions are announced through your Capital One account and by email. You do not have to do anything to set up them — the higher rate applies automatically when you use the card in the promoted category during the promotion period.

How to use the card responsibly and avoid interest charges

The cash back you earn is only valuable if you do not pay interest on your balance. If you carry a $1,000 balance at 24% APR (a typical rate for store cards), you will pay $240 per year in interest. Even if you earn $20 in cash back, you are losing money overall. The key is to pay your full balance every month.

Set up automatic payments from your bank account to your Capital One account for the full balance due each month. This ensures you never miss a payment and never pay interest. You can set this up through your Capital One account online or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Automatic payments also help you build credit because on-time payments are the single most important factor in your credit score.

If you do carry a balance, the cash back becomes less important than the APR. A lower APR saves you more money than higher cash back rewards. In that case, a card with a 0% introductory APR period (usually 6 to 12 months) might be a better choice than the Walmart card, even if the cash back rate is lower.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Walmart store card at other stores?

No. The Walmart store card works only at Walmart stores, Sam's Club, and Walmart.com. If you need a card that works everywhere, you need the Walmart Mastercard instead. The Mastercard works at any merchant that accepts Mastercard.

Does the cash back expire if I do not use it?

No. Cash back does not expire and does not disappear if you close the account. If you close the card, you can still redeem any remaining cash back balance as a statement credit or gift card. Capital One will hold the balance for you.

What happens to my cash back if I return something I bought with the card?

The cash back is reversed along with the purchase. If you earned $5 in cash back on a $250 purchase and then return the item, the $5 cash back is removed from your account and the $250 credit goes back to your card. You only keep cash back on purchases you keep.

Can I transfer my cash back to another card or bank account?

No. You can only use cash back as a statement credit to pay your Walmart card bill or redeem it as a Walmart gift card. You cannot transfer it to a bank account, another credit card, or a third-party service. The gift card can be used anywhere Walmart gift cards are accepted, including Walmart.com and in-store.

How does the Walmart card affect my credit score?

Opening the card will temporarily lower your score by a few points because Capital One does a hard inquiry into your credit. Over time, on-time payments will raise your score. The card also lowers your credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe divided by your credit limit), which helps your score. Carrying a high balance or missing payments will hurt your score.