Best Credit Cards to Use at Walmart

Comparing the best credit cards for Walmart shopping

A closer look at the best credit cards for Walmart shopping

Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard

Rewards rate:

• 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery
• 2% cash back in Walmart stores and fuel stations, at restaurants, and on travel
• 1% cash back everywhere else Mastercard is accepted

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 17.99% – 29.74%

Signup bonus: Earn 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months

Our verdict: Especially if you typically shop at Walmart.com, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard provides you excellent value by offering 5% back on almost everything you buy. Plus, earn rewards in other categories such as fuel and at restaurants. Redeeming points is easy and enjoy flexible redemption options. However, if you prefer to shop in person, the 2% back is relatively low for a retail-branded credit card and you can find other generic cards with additional bonus categories.

Pros:

• Redeem rewards as a check, gift cards, or travel, apply as a statement credit, or use during checkout at Walmart.com.
• No maximum on rewards earned.
• Earn an additional 2% (for a total of 5%) in Walmart stores for the first 12 months.

Cons:

• No intro APR.
• Lack of bonus categories for higher rewards.
• Light on travel benefits.
• Rewards are not flexible and can only be received as Reward Dollars, which can be redeemed as a statement credit.

Apply now: Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®

Learn more: Capital One Walmart Rewards Card Review

Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express

Rewards rate:

• 3% cash back on groceries, U.S. online retail purchases, and gas (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; $0 Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) intro Plan It fees on plans created within the first 15 months

Regular APR: 19.24% – 29.99%; BNPL Plan It monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount

Signup bonus: $200 back after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card within the first six months (received in the form of a statement credit)

Our verdict: If you prefer online shopping, including on Walmart.com, the Blue Cash Everyday Card allows you to earn 3% cash back. If your other top spending categories include gas and groceries, this card can be a good option. However, note there are annual spending caps and Walmart does not qualify as a “U.S. supermarket.” This card can also be a decent choice for those looking to make a large purchase at Walmart due to its 0% intro APR and $0 BNPL intro Plan It fees.

Pros:

• Intro APR and BNPL plan fees.
• Additional featured benefits include a $84 Disney Bundle credit, $180 Home Chef credit, car rental loss, and damage insurance, free two-day shipping with ShopRunner, exclusive ticket access through American Express Experiences, purchase protection, and more.
• Earn more with Amex Offers (added to your card).

Cons:

• Walmart does not qualify under “U.S. supermarkets”.
• No bonus categories.
• $6,000 annual spending maximum.

Apply now: Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

Rewards rate:

• 6% cash back on your first $1,500 in combined eligible purchases each quarter with two retailers you choose (Ace Hardware, Apple, Amazon.com Anthropologie, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Best Buy, Chewy.com, Crate and Barrel, Disney, Home Depot, Ikea, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Lululemon, Macy’s, Menards, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, QVC, Restoration Hardware, Target, Walmart, Wayfair.com, Williams Sonoma)
• 5.5% cash back on prepaid hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Rewards Travel Center
• 3% cash back on the first $1,500 in eligible purchases on your choice of one everyday category (wholesale clubs, gas, and EV charging stations, bills, and utilities)
• 1.5% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Annual fee: $0 for the first year, $95/year thereafter

Intro APR: N/A

Regular APR: 19.74% – 29.74%

Signup bonus: $250 cash back bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 120 days of account opening; $0 intro annual fee

Our verdict: Walmart and Walmart.com are included in this card’s list of retailers that earn 6% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter, giving this card the best potential earnings rate available. However, that higher rate comes with some caveats: You must choose Walmart as one of your bonus retailers each quarter, and the $1,500 quarterly cap is shared across both the retailers you select for this category. It also has an annual fee. However, even if you max out the cap, you can still earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases which is a higher rate than the standard 1%.

Pros:

• Earn even more cash back when making purchases at more than 1,100 online stores through the Rewards Center Shopping Deals.
• Divide eligible purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest (U.S. Bank ExtendPay Plan).
• Get rewards such as statement credit, rewards cards, merchant gift cards, or direct deposit.

Cons:

• $1,500 combined purchases quarterly limit for high rewards rate.
• You must enroll in two retailers and one purchase category each quarter, or all purchases will earn no more than 1.5% cash back.
• The 6% cash back retail list is subject to change.
• No intro APR.

Apply now: U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

Chase Freedom Flex

Rewards rate:

• 5% cash back in quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500 in total combined purchases each quarter)
• 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% on restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
• 1% on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Regular APR: 20.49% – 29.24%

Signup bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 in the first three months

Our verdict: If you dine out or anticipate frequently using your card on other bonus categories such as groceries, gas, or utility services, this card may be a good choice for you. While it’s not guaranteed that Walmart will always appear on the 5% bonus calendar, historically the retailer has been a 5% category in the fourth quarter for the past several years. Plus, even if you only earn 1% back on Walmart purchases at other times, the other rotating 5% categories and 3% back on dining can still allow you to earn decent cash back throughout the year. You’ll also be able to earn extra cash back and get discounts on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Pros:

• Earn up to 5% in rotating quarterly bonus categories.
• Intro APR and no annual fee.
• Cash back rewards don’t expire, there’s no minimum to redeem, and you can redeem rewards as a direct deposit, statement credit, gift cards, on travel, or Shop with Points at Amazon.
• Other benefits include complimentary 3 months of DashPass from DoorDash, three months of Instacart+ membership, 5% cash back on Lyft rides, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, cell phone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Cons:

• Must enroll in quarterly bonus categories or you only earn 1%.
• Walmart is not always guaranteed to be in the bonus category.
• Foreign transaction fees.
• Quarterly maximum of $1,500 in purchases.

Apply now: Chase Freedom Flex℠

Discover it Cash Back rewards credit card

Rewards rate:

• 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter (up to the quarterly maximum of $1,500)
• 1% cash back on other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Regular APR: 17.24% – 28.24%

Signup bonus: Unlimited dollar-for-dollar cash back match at the end of your first year, automatically

Our verdict: The Discover it Cash Back card is another that earns 5% cash back (on up to $1,500 each quarter) in rotating categories that often include Walmart and Walmart.com. This card’s welcome bonus that provides a dollar-for-dollar match can allow you to double your earnings in the first year, plus there’s no annual fee and an intro APR if you need to make a large purchase. While the 1% back on everything else isn’t as competitive as some other cards, the flexibility of rewards and bonus categories make it a good card for someone who doesn’t mind putting a little more effort into their rewards.

Pros:

• Sign up bonus, $0 annual fee, and intro APR.
• Rewards can be a direct deposit, statement credit, or Pay with Cashback Bonus at Amazon.com and PayPal.
• Bonus categories allow you to earn up to 5% cash back.

Cons:

• Must activate quarterly bonus categories to get 5% rewards.
• Quarterly maximum spending cap of $1,500.
• No guarantee Walmart will be in the 5% cash back category.

Apply now: Discover it® Cash Back

Learn more: Discover It Cash Back Credit Card Review

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Rewards rate:

• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3% on restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstores
• 1.5% on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Intro APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Regular APR: 20.49% – 20.24%

Signup bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months

Our verdict: If the Chase Freedom Flex card sounds good but is a little complicated having to keep track of quarterly bonus categories and spending caps, check out the Chase Freedom Unlimited. Walmart purchases will only earn you 1.5% back, though this is higher than the 1% other cards offer on regular purchases, you can earn higher rates on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases. Plus, there’s no annual fee and a 0% intro APR period perfect for that large purchase you’ve been planning for.

Pros:

• Intro APR and no annual fee.
• Cash back rewards don’t expire, there’s no minimum to redeem, and you can redeem rewards as a direct deposit, statement credit, gift cards, on travel, or Shop with Points at Amazon.
• Other benefits include complimentary 3 months of DashPass from DoorDash, three months of Instacart+ membership, 5% cash back on Lyft rides, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, cell phone protection, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.

Cons:

• No bonus categories.
• Walmart earnings are only 1.5% (lower than other cards with Walmart included in bonus categories).

Apply now: Chase Freedom Unlimited

Learn more: Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card Review

Is it a good idea to get a Walmart credit card?

If you’re thinking about getting a credit card, especially for Walmart purchases, a Walmart credit card may be worth it. However, also consider other non-branded credit cards that may earn you high reward rates for Walmart purchases.

First, review your Walmart spending in the last year and calculate how much you could potentially earn with different cards. Make sure to take into consideration other card features like:

• Sign up bonus
• Intro APR
• Ongoing APR
• Other perks and benefits the card may offer

Also take a look at your regular, everyday spending and choose a card that offers rewards for those categories, whether they are gas, groceries, dining, or others. In some cases, you may find more value with a non-Walmart option.

Finally, make sure you compare the cards you qualify for. Check your credit score and history and any minimum requirements the card may have when it comes to credit score or income. Some cards allow you to get prequalified before you apply without impacting your credit. Keep in mind a credit card application triggers a hard credit inquiry, which can decrease your score by a few points, so only apply to cards you know you qualify for.

Will a Walmart card build credit score?

Yes, the Capital One Walmart Rewards card reports your credit activity to the three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), so using your card responsibly can help build your credit score. Make sure you:

• Pay your bills on time every month.
• Keep a low balance on your card and pay them off in full every month if possible.
• Avoid closing a credit card account (even if you no longer use the card).

On the other hand, missing or making late payments and keeping a high outstanding balance can decrease your score. Regularly review your credit history reports and score to make sure you’re taking the right steps to build your credit.

Methodology

The methodology for choosing the best credit cards for use at Walmart involves evaluating factors such as security features, ease of use, rewards programs, customer reviews, and fees. Financial experts and analysts assess these aspects to provide rankings and recommendations. The goal is to identify credit cards for Walmart shoppers that offer strong security measures, user-friendly interfaces, attractive rewards programs, positive customer feedback, and reasonable fees. By considering these factors, users can make informed decisions and select credit cards that align with their needs and preferences.

FAQs