Walmart Credit Card: Everything You Need to Know

Are you considering applying for a Walmart credit card? As one of the most popular retail store cards, it can be a convenient way to save money on purchases at Walmart and Sam’s Club.

Just like any credit card, it’s important to understand the key features, benefits, and drawbacks before applying. In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about the Walmart credit card.

Benefits of the Walmart Credit Card

The Walmart credit card offers cardholders the following key benefits:

Discounts and Rewards

One of the biggest perks of the Walmart credit card is getting 5% back on purchases made at Walmart.com, including grocery pickup and delivery.

You also get 2% back at Walmart fuel stations, Walmart.com, Murphy USA, and Murphy Express gas stations. All other Walmart purchases earn 1% back.

In addition to earning rewards on Walmart purchases, you get 2% back on dining and travel purchases and 1% back on everything else.

Special Financing Offers

The Walmart credit card frequently offers special financing offers for large Walmart purchases over a certain amount.

For example, you may get no interest for 12 months on purchases over $500. These financing offers can save you a lot of money on interest charges.

Easy Mobile Payments

You can connect the Walmart credit card to Walmart Pay for easy mobile payments within the Walmart app.

Walmart Pay allows you to skip the checkout line and check out using your mobile device.

No Annual Fee

There is no annual fee to carry the Walmart credit card, which makes it easy to keep the card long-term solely for the rewards on Walmart purchases.

Drawbacks to Consider

While the Walmart credit card has nice perks, there are some potential downsides to consider as well:

High Interest Rate

The variable APR on the Walmart credit card is currently 25.74% – 29.24%, which is very high compared to other credit cards. This makes carrying a balance month-to-month very expensive.

Can Only Redeem Rewards at Walmart

The rewards earned on the Walmart credit card can only be redeemed for Walmart purchases, Walmart.com purchases, and Sam’s Club purchases.

So the rewards are not very flexible if you do not frequently shop at Walmart or Sam’s.

Low Credit Limit

As a retail store card, the Walmart card tends to have relatively low credit limits compared to traditional credit cards. The average seems to be around a $1,000 limit.

Types of Walmart Credit Cards

Walmart and its banking partner, Synchrony Bank, offer several different types of credit cards:

Walmart Credit Card

The basic Walmart credit card offers cardholders 5% back on Walmart.com purchases, 2% back on Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations, 2% back on dining and travel, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Walmart Mastercard

In addition to the same rewards offered on the basic Walmart credit card, the Walmart Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. So it functions like a normal Mastercard outside of Walmart as well.

Walmart Credit Card vs Walmart Mastercard

Walmart offers both a store-only Walmart Credit Card and a Walmart Mastercard that can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. But what’s the difference between these two cards?

Here’s an overview of how the Walmart Credit Card and Walmart Mastercard compare:

Rewards Rates

Walmart Credit Card – Get 5% back on Walmart.com purchases including grocery pickup and delivery. 2% back at Murphy/Walmart gas stations. 1% back on other Walmart purchases. No rewards on non-Walmart spending.
Walmart Mastercard – Same reward rates at Walmart, Murphy stations, etc. Plus get 2% back on dining and travel and 1% back on all other purchases outside of Walmart with no category exclusions.

Acceptance

Walmart Credit Card – Can only be used for purchases directly at Walmart, Walmart.com, and Sam’s Club. Good for Walmart loyalists.
Walmart Mastercard – Can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted worldwide – so you’re not limited solely to Walmart stores. Offers greater flexibility.

Other Perks

Both cards come with the same special financing offers, easy mobile payments through Walmart Pay, and no annual fee.

Overall, the Walmart Mastercard offers better flexibility and rewards potential for spending outside of Walmart. But the regular Walmart Credit Card can make sense for hardcore Walmart/Sam’s Club shoppers happy to shop exclusively within their ecosystem.

Evaluate your main spending categories and habits before deciding between these two Walmart card options.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Walmart credit card, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:

Good credit (most applicants seem to have credit scores above 670 prior to applying)
Must be 18 years or older
Valid Social Security Number
Regular source of income

As a store card, the Walmart credit card’s approval requirements are a bit less stringent than traditional Visa and Mastercards. But good credit is still essential.

Students or those new to credit will likely need to build their credit further or be added as an authorized user before qualifying.

How to Apply for the Walmart Credit Card

Ready to apply for the Walmart credit card? You have two easy application options:

Apply Online

To apply online, visit the Walmart credit card application page and fill out the secure application. You will need to provide your personal details including your Social Security Number for identification purposes.

Online applications are quick and you can usually receive an instant application decision without waiting.

Apply In-Store

Go to the customer service desk at your local Walmart store and ask to fill out a Walmart credit card application. An associate will submit it for immediate review.

In-store applications used to be the faster route to get approved for the card. But nowadays online applications result in instant decisions more often as well.

Either way, the application process only takes a few minutes from start to getting an approved card number.

Tips to Make the Walmart Credit Card Work for You

The Walmart credit card can earn you generous rewards back on your Walmart purchases. Just make sure to pay off your full statement balance each month to avoid painful interest charges at close to 30% APR.

Using the card right is key to maximizing this card. With smart spending and right payment habits, the 5% back in rewards can really add up over time at Walmart – which is one of the most popular shopping destinations for Americans.

Conclusion

The Walmart credit card is best suited for frequent Walmart shoppers who don’t carry balances on their cards. You can use it solely for Walmart purchases, when you pay on time every month, this retail card can be a valuable addition to your wallet.

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