The two ways to explore for a Walmart credit card

You can explore for a Walmart credit card in two places: online through Walmart's website, or in person at a Walmart store during checkout. The online route takes about 10 minutes and gives you an answer within seconds. The in-store route is faster if you want to use the card when ready — you can get a temporary digital card number on the spot, though the physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 days.

Walmart offers two different credit cards: the Walmart credit card (which works everywhere Mastercard is accepted) and the Walmart store card (which only works at Walmart and Sam's Club). Both are issued by Capital One. The process process is the same for both, but the store card has a lower credit score requirement, so it may be easier to get if your credit is newer or damaged.

Key Takeaways

  • You can explore online at walmart.com/creditcards or in person at checkout; online approval takes seconds, in-store approval takes a few minutes.
  • You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address to complete the process.
  • The Walmart store card is easier to get approved for if your credit score is lower, but only works at Walmart and Sam's Club locations.
  • If you are denied, Capital One will tell you why, and you can reapply after addressing the reason — usually waiting 6 months or improving your credit score.

What you need before you start

Have your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address ready. You will also need to know your annual household income — this includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, alimony, child support, and any other regular income. If you are unsure of the exact amount, a reasonable estimate is fine; Walmart does not verify income during the process.

If you are explore online, you will also need a valid email address and a phone number where Capital One can reach you. Have your driver's license or state ID nearby so you can answer questions about your address history if the system asks.

explore online at Walmart.com

Go to walmart.com/creditcards and select either the Walmart credit card or the Walmart store card. Click "explore Now" and you will be taken to Capital One's process page. Fill in your personal information: full name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Then enter your employment status and annual income.

The system will ask whether you want the card for personal use or business use — select personal. You will also see questions about whether you have had a Walmart credit card before and whether you have any recent late payments or collections accounts. Answer honestly; Capital One already has access to your credit report and will know if you do not.

After you submit, you will get a decision within seconds. If you are approved, you will see your credit limit and can request a temporary digital card number to use right away. If you are denied, the screen will tell you the reason — usually "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "recent delinquency." Write down the reason; it tells you what to work on before reapplying.

explore in person at Walmart checkout

Tell the cashier you want to open a Walmart credit card. They will hand you a tablet or direct you to a kiosk where you fill in the same information as the online process. The process takes about 5 minutes. You will get a decision while you are still at checkout.

If you are approved, the cashier will give you a temporary card number that works when ready for that transaction and for online purchases. Your physical card will arrive in 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, ask the cashier for the reason code so you know what to address before trying again.

What happens after approval

Your physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Before you use it, call the number on the back to set up it — this takes one minute and confirms that you received it. You can also set up it through the Capital One mobile app or website.

Your credit limit will be between $300 and $5,000 for a first card, depending on your credit score and income. You can request a higher limit after you have had the card for 6 months and made on-time payments. The card has no annual fee, but it does charge interest on balances you carry month to month — the rate depends on your credit score and current market rates.

If you are denied

Capital One will mail you a letter explaining why you were denied. Common reasons include insufficient credit history (you have not had credit long enough), too many recent hard inquiries (you have applied for multiple cards or loans in the last few months), or recent delinquency (a late payment or collection account in the last 1 to 2 years).

You can reapply after 6 months have passed, or sooner if you have fixed the problem — for example, if you were denied for too many recent inquiries, waiting 3 months for older inquiries to age off your report may help. If you were denied for insufficient credit history, you might first open a secured credit card with a different bank to build a longer credit file, then reapply to Walmart.

The difference between the two Walmart cards

Walmart offers two cards with different purposes. The Walmart credit card works everywhere Mastercard is accepted and offers 2% cash back at Walmart and 1% everywhere else. The Walmart store card only works at Walmart and Sam's Club but offers higher rewards: 3% back at Walmart and 1% at Sam's Club. Neither card charges an annual fee.

If your credit score is below 650 or you have been denied for other cards, the store card is your better choice because it has a lower credit score requirement. The rewards are also higher at Walmart itself, so if you shop there regularly, the store card saves you more money. If you want to use the card outside Walmart, you need the regular Walmart credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved?

Online approval takes seconds — you will know before you close the browser. In-store approval takes 5 to 10 minutes. Your physical card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, but you can use a temporary digital card number when ready after approval.

Will explore hurt my credit score?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. The process creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which lowers your score by a few points for about 3 months. Multiple applications in a short time hurt more than one, so space out credit card applications by at least a few months if you are planning to explore for several.

Can I use the card before it arrives in the mail?

Yes. If you are approved online or in-store, you get a temporary card number when ready that works for online purchases and in-store transactions. You can use this number right away. The physical card is optional — many people just use the digital number or add the card to their phone's digital wallet.

What if I have no credit history?

The Walmart store card is designed for people with limited credit history and may work for you even if you have never had a credit card before. If you are denied, you could open a secured credit card with another bank first (where you deposit money as collateral), use it responsibly for 6 months, then reapply to Walmart.

Can I explore if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You need a valid Social Security number to explore, which most permanent residents and some visa holders have. If you have an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead, you cannot explore for a Walmart credit card, but you may be able to open a secured card at a bank that accepts ITINs.