What Credit Score You Need for a Walmart Credit Card

Walmart does not publish a minimum credit score, but most cardholders have scores of 600 or higher

Walmart offers two credit cards through Capital One: the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Rewards Card for business use. Neither card's terms state a specific credit score requirement. However, based on how Capital One typically reviews applications, you will have a better chance of approval with a score around 600 or above. People with scores below 600 sometimes get approved, but it becomes less common.

The real answer is that Walmart and Capital One look at more than just your credit score. They also check your income, employment history, existing debts, and recent payment history. A lower score might not disqualify you if the rest of your financial picture looks stable. A higher score does not may provide approval either.

The best way to know whether you will be approved is to apply. Capital One performs a hard inquiry when you submit an application, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are rejected, you can reapply after improving your score or waiting a few months for negative marks to age on your credit report.

Key Takeaways

• Walmart credit cards do not have a published minimum credit score, but approval is more likely with a score of 600 or higher.
• Capital One reviews your income, employment, and existing debts alongside your credit score when deciding whether to approve you.
• Applying for the card triggers a hard inquiry that temporarily lowers your score by a few points, so space out applications if you are rejected.
• If you are denied, you can reapply after three to six months or after paying down existing balances to improve your approval odds.

How Walmart and Capital One review your application

When you apply for a Walmart credit card online or in-store, Capital One pulls your credit report and looks at several pieces of information at once. Your credit score is one factor, but it is not the only one. They want to see that you have a history of paying bills on time, that you do not already owe too much money, and that your income is stable enough to handle a new credit account.

Capital One also looks at how recently you have opened other credit accounts. If you have opened three new cards in the last six months, they may be more cautious about approving another one, even if your score is good. They are trying to predict whether you will pay the bill, not just whether you have a high score.

The application process is fast. You will get a decision within minutes if you apply online. If you apply in a Walmart store, the associate will submit your information right there, and you will know the result before you leave.

What to do if your credit score is below 600

A score below 600 does not mean you cannot get approved, but your odds are lower. If you want to improve your chances before applying, focus on the things that move your score fastest: paying down existing credit card balances and making sure you pay every bill on time for the next few months.

Paying down a credit card balance to below 30 percent of your credit limit can raise your score noticeably within a month or two. For example, if you have a card with a $1,000 limit and a $700 balance, paying it down to $300 signals to lenders that you are managing credit responsibly. This change shows up on your credit report within 30 to 45 days.

If you have missed payments or collections accounts on your report, those hurt your score more than a low balance does. Those items age over time — they damage your score less after two years, and they stop affecting your score after seven years. You cannot remove them early, but you can work around them by building positive payment history on top of them.

Reapplying after a rejection

If Capital One denies your application, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons include "insufficient credit history," "too many recent inquiries," or "high credit utilization." The letter will also tell you that you can request a free copy of your credit report from the bureau Capital One used.

Wait at least three to six months before reapplying. During that time, focus on the specific reason you were denied. If it was high credit utilization, pay down your balances. If it was too many recent inquiries, space out any new credit applications. If it was insufficient credit history, use a secured credit card or become an authorized user on someone else's account to build history.

Each application triggers a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points temporarily. Multiple inquiries in a short time can add up, so do not apply repeatedly in hopes of getting approved. One application every three to six months is a reasonable pace.

Walmart Rewards Card versus other options if you are denied

If you are denied for the Walmart card but want to build credit, a secured credit card is often easier to get approved for. Secured cards require a cash deposit (usually $200 to $2,500) that becomes your credit limit. Capital One offers a secured card, as do many banks. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, you can often graduate to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card account. If a family member or friend adds you to their account, their payment history may show up on your credit report and help your score. You do not have to use the card or make payments — the primary account holder handles everything. This works best if the primary account has a long history of on-time payments and a low balance.

If you shop at Walmart frequently, you can also use the Walmart MoneyCard, which is a prepaid card that does not require a credit check. It does not build credit history, but it lets you manage your money without a bank account or credit card.

Understanding credit score ranges and what they mean for approval

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. Most lenders divide them into ranges: poor (300–669), fair (670–739), good (740–799), and excellent (800–850). The Walmart card is most commonly approved for people in the fair to good range, though people with poor scores do get approved sometimes.

Your score is calculated from five things: payment history (35 percent of your score), amounts owed (30 percent), length of credit history (15 percent), credit mix (10 percent), and new credit inquiries (10 percent). If you want to raise your score, focus on the two biggest factors: pay everything on time, and keep your credit card balances low.

Capital One uses one of three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — to pull your report. Your score may be slightly different at each bureau because they do not all receive the same information at the same time. If you are denied, the rejection letter will tell you which bureau was used, and you can check that specific report for errors.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a welcome packet with your card number, PIN, and information about your credit limit and interest rate. Your interest rate depends on your creditworthiness — people with higher scores get lower rates.

The Walmart Rewards Card earns cash back on purchases: 3 percent at Walmart.com, 2 percent at Walmart stores and Murphy USA gas stations, and 1 percent everywhere else. There is no annual fee. You can use the card anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at Walmart.

Your first statement will arrive 21 to 25 days after you activate the card. Pay at least the minimum by the due date to keep your account in good standing. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges. If you carry a balance, Capital One will charge interest based on your APR (annual percentage rate), which varies by applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check if I will be approved before I apply?

No tool can tell you for certain before you apply. Capital One does offer a "pre-qualification" check on their website that uses a soft inquiry (which does not lower your score), but it is not a may provide of approval. The only way to know is to submit a full application, which uses a hard inquiry.

Does applying for the Walmart card hurt my credit score?

Yes, the hard inquiry lowers your score by a few points, usually 5 to 10 points. The impact is temporary and fades over time. Multiple hard inquiries in a short period hurt more than one inquiry, so avoid applying for several cards in a row.

What is the difference between the Walmart Rewards Card and the Walmart Rewards Card for business?

The business card is designed for business owners and has different rewards and terms. Both require similar credit scores to get approved. If you are self-employed or own a business, you may may have access to for the business version, which reports to business credit bureaus as well as personal ones.

Can I use the Walmart card outside of Walmart?

Yes. The Walmart Rewards Card is a Visa card, so you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted. You earn 1 percent cash back on non-Walmart purchases. You earn higher rewards rates only at Walmart and Murphy USA gas stations.

How long does it take to get a decision on my application?

Online applications are decided within minutes. In-store applications are also decided quickly, usually before you leave the store. If your application is flagged for manual review, Capital One may take a few business days to contact you with a decision.