Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card Review

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With nearly 10,000 locations and an online marketplace comparable to Amazon’s, Walmart is easily one of the most popular retail chains in the world. And if you use this supercenter as your main shopping hub, the $0-annual-fee Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card could become the most used card in your wallet.

Cardholders earn a generous 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery. 2% back at Walmart stores, at restaurants and on travel. 1% back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted. There’s also a sign-up bonus: Earn 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months after approval when you use your card with Walmart Pay.

However, if you do most of your shopping in-store, you might want to consider an alternate rewards card. The introductory 5% rate on in-store purchases drops down to 2% after the first year. After that, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card will lose most of its appeal for those who prefer shopping at their local brick-and-mortar Walmart.

There are several other cash back cards — including the Citi Double Cash^® Card — that offer a flat rate of 2% cash back on purchases made anywhere (including Walmart). These cards also come with additional perks not found on the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card.

• Earn cash back at a generous rate

  Cardholders can earn 5% cash back at Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery. 2% back at Walmart stores, at restaurants and on travel. 1% back everywhere else Mastercard® is accepted. You’ll also earn 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months after approval when you use your card with Walmart Pay.

  In terms of rewards, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card ranks solidly among the top store credit cards. While there are several that can match its 5% cash back for online purchases, no other store card can beat it.

  Additionally, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card lets you earn on purchases made outside the store (including 2% on restaurants and travel) — something many other store cards don’t do. The 1% cash back rate on all other purchases also matches what the majority of cash back cards offer on general purchases.

• Rewards are simple to redeem

  Cash back can be redeemed as follows:

  • For a check
  • As a statement credit
  • To cover purchases at Walmart.com
  • For gift cards from Walmart or other retailers
  • Towards travel

• $0 annual fee

  You don’t have to worry about an annual fee with the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card. That means as long as you don’t incur interest charges or other fees, everything you earn with this card is effectively net cash back in your bank account.

• Check online for pre-approval

  Capital One allows you to check online to see if you’re prequalified for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card. This is considered a soft credit pull, meaning that it won’t have a negative impact on your credit score. Note that prequalification does not guarantee approval; it just means you have a good chance once you actually apply.

  Plus, if you’re not preapproved for the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card (which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted), you’ll be considered for the (a store card that can be used at Walmart, Murphy USA fuel stations and Sam’s Club).

• World Elite Mastercard

  The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card is a World Elite Mastercard, which means you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted. World Elite status also provides the following key benefits:

  • Access to special offers from Lyft, DoorDash, McAfee and more
  • Cellphone protection
  • Purchase protection
  • 24/7 World Elite Concierge
  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection™
  • Zero liability protection
  • Emergency assistance via Mastercard Global Services
  • Mastercard Travel Rewards

• Lower rewards rate for in-store purchases

  You’ll only earn 5% on in-store Walmart purchases for the first year of having the card, and only when using Walmart Pay. After that, your earning rate drops down to 2%. To get the most out of this card, it’s best to do as much of your shopping as possible at Walmart.com, which earns the higher cash back rate on an ongoing basis. If that’s not possible for you, a cash back card that offers a high flat rate on all purchases may be a better option.

• No introductory APR

  If you’re planning a big purchase, you might consider getting a credit card with a 0% APR on purchases. Unfortunately, you won’t get that with the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card.

• Potentially high ongoing APR

  The Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card comes with a 19.48% or 29.99% (Variable) APR based on your creditworthiness. While that range is reasonable on the low end, the high end is well above the average credit card APR, making it less desirable for those with a lower credit score.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

 

The more versatile ​​Citi Double Cash^® Card lets you earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. This rate applies to purchases made anywhere (including Walmart), letting you earn rewards no matter where you shop. Plus, your rewards are paid out as Citi ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for cash, gift cards and travel or transferred to one of Citi’s hotel and airline partners.

Additionally, the Citi Double Cash^® Card boasts a $0 annual fee and one of the longest introductory APR periods on balance transfers. You’ll get an intro APR of 0% intro apr for 18 months on balance transfers. Afterward, a 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) APR applies.

Prime Visa

 

If you like shopping online but prefer using Amazon and Whole Foods, the Prime Visa is an ideal choice. Designed for Amazon Prime members, it comes with similar rewards but covers a wider range of gas merchants. Cardholders earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

The Prime Visa also comes with a more enticing sign-up bonus: Get a $150 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members.

Although the Prime Visa‘s annual fee is $0, you’ll need to maintain an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $139 per year. However, if you do most of your shopping on Amazon, the rewards you earn will more than cover the membership fee.

 

Another top choice for Walmart shoppers, the comes with a annual fee and cash back on purchases with Walmart and its related brands. It lets you earn . This will help you save even more money on the store’s everyday low prices — especially if you prefer shopping online.

One important thing to note is that the can only be used at Walmart brand stores. This includes Walmart, Walmart.com, Murphy USA fuel stations and Sam’s Club. These types of store cards are generally easier to get approved for, so this could be a great option if you have fair credit and are trying to build credit with a credit card.

For Walmart loyalists, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Card’s cash back program is hard to beat. Just be aware that the in-store cash back rate drops after the sign-up bonus period ends, so plan to make most of your purchases at Walmart.com or via the Walmart mobile app.

However, if you do the majority of your shopping elsewhere, there are better cash back credit cards available. For example, the Citi Double Cash^® Card lets you earn a flat rate of 2% on all purchases (including Walmart) and comes with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.