Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® – Rewards Fees and 2025 Status

The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard was discontinued in May 2024 following the end of the partnership between Capital One and Walmart, making it no longer available for new applications. For those who managed to secure the card before its closure, it offered a compelling rewards structure centered on Walmart purchases, including elevated cash back rates for online shopping through Walmart.com and the mobile app.

This card primarily appealed to frequent Walmart shoppers who conducted most of their grocery and household shopping either online or in-store at the retail chain. Its tiered rewards system provided higher percentages back on Walmart transactions while still earning baseline cash back on purchases elsewhere. The discontinuation left many consumers seeking alternatives that could match the specific benefits the card delivered.

Understanding the card’s features, limitations, and the circumstances surrounding its termination helps clarify why it generated both praise and criticism during its availability period. Those who currently hold the card can still access its rewards structure, while prospective applicants must look elsewhere for comparable retail-focused credit products.

What Are the Rewards and Benefits of the Walmart Rewards Mastercard?

The rewards structure operated on a three-tier system that prioritized Walmart transactions while providing baseline earnings elsewhere. Cardholders earned 5% cash back on purchases made through Walmart.com and the Walmart app, encompassing grocery pickup and delivery orders placed through those channels. This rate represented the card’s primary selling point for online shoppers who regularly purchased groceries and household goods through the retailer’s digital platforms.

In-store purchases at Walmart locations earned 2% cash back, along with identical rates at Walmart and Murphy USA fuel stations, restaurants, and travel bookings. The remaining purchase categories, encompassing everything from gas purchases elsewhere to general merchandise at non-Walmart retailers, earned a standard 1% cash back rate. This disparity meant the card delivered strong value primarily for consumers who concentrated most spending within the Walmart ecosystem.

Welcome Bonus Details

Approved applicants who opened the account received a temporary boost to their in-store earning rate. New cardholders earned 5% cash back on in-store Walmart purchases for the first twelve months when using the card with Walmart Pay. This promotional rate applied specifically to purchases made physically at Walmart locations using the mobile payment feature, providing an additional incentive for new users to integrate the card into their regular shopping routines during the introductory period.

Key Benefits Summary

• Elevated online rewards: 5% cash back on Walmart.com and app purchases including grocery delivery
• No annual fee: Zero yearly costs to maintain the account
• No foreign transaction fees: Purchases made internationally incurred no additional charges
• Versatile redemption: Statement credits applied toward Walmart purchases or general account balance
• No blackout dates: Rewards remained available without restrictions on redemption timing
• Bonus category coverage: Elevated rates extended to fuel stations, restaurants, and travel
• No balance transfer fees: Zero fees for promotional balance transfer offers

How Do I Apply for the Walmart Rewards Mastercard?

As of May 2024, Capital One and Walmart discontinued their co-branded credit card partnership, resulting in the closure of new applications for this product. Online application portals through both Capital One and Walmart’s website no longer accept submissions for this particular card. Existing cardholders continue managing their accounts through Capital One’s website and customer service channels, but prospective applicants must seek alternatives.

Credit Score Requirements

Prior to the May 2024 discontinuation, Capital One recommended applicants possess a credit score between 580 and 740, corresponding to fair through good credit ranges. This positioning placed the card within reach of consumers who had established basic credit histories but might not qualify for premium travel or rewards cards requiring excellent credit scores.

Capital One did not publish specific income thresholds or employment requirements for approval. However, industry observations suggested that applicants with demonstrated purchasing patterns at Walmart, including regular grocery and household purchases, may have received favorable consideration during the application review process. The issuer’s systems likely weighed existing customer relationships and spending history when evaluating applications.

Application Process History

During the card’s active period, applicants could submit requests through Capital One’s online portal or Walmart’s credit card landing pages. The process involved standard credit card application procedures including identity verification, income declaration, and authorization for the issuer to pull credit reports. Approval decisions were typically provided within moments for qualified applicants, though some applications required additional review.

Those interested in applying for credit cards with similar rewards structures can explore options through resources provided by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which offers guidance on comparing credit card terms and understanding application requirements across different issuers.

What Are the Fees, APR, and Costs?

The Walmart Rewards Mastercard featured a straightforward fee structure centered on a $0 annual charge, making it accessible for budget-conscious consumers unwilling to pay yearly fees for premium card benefits. This no-annual-fee positioning aligned with the card’s target market of regular Walmart shoppers who might not generate enough rewards to offset substantial annual charges.

Interest Rate Structure

Standard purchases carried a variable APR ranging from 18.99% to 29.99%, with exact rates determined by applicant creditworthiness at account opening. Some sources cited slightly different floor rates of 19.48%, reflecting variations in how the issuer assigned rates across different applicant profiles. This wide APR range meant that carrying balances could become expensive quickly, particularly for applicants receiving rates at the higher end of the spectrum.

Cash advances attracted a steeper 29.99% variable APR with no promotional period, making this form of borrowing notably expensive compared to standard purchases. The combination of high ongoing APRs and the absence of an introductory 0% balance transfer or purchase APR offer distinguished this card from alternatives marketed for debt consolidation or large purchases requiring extended repayment timelines.

Fee Schedule

The absence of foreign transaction fees made the card viable for international travelers who wished to earn rewards while avoiding the added cost many issuers charge on purchases made outside the United States. Balance transfers carried standard fees of 3% except during promotional offers, where transfers could be completed at no cost to cardholders seeking to consolidate existing credit card debt.

Card Comparison

Comparing the Walmart Rewards Mastercard against competing products revealed distinct positioning. The Bankrate scoring system assigned the card a 4.0 rating, reflecting solid rewards for Walmart-focused spending but acknowledging limitations for broader purchasing patterns. Alternative cards such as the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offered 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (capped at $6,000 annual spending), though that card carried a $95 annual fee after the introductory period.

The Citi Custom Cash Card earned 5% back in the cardholder’s top spending category up to $500 monthly, with 1% thereafter, and carried no annual fee. For consumers whose top category happened to be groceries or online shopping, this alternative could match or exceed the Walmart card’s rewards value without requiring purchases specifically at Walmart. NerdWallet’s analysis noted that better non-Walmart rates existed in the broader credit card market for consumers willing to consider alternatives outside the retailer’s ecosystem.

How Do I Redeem Rewards and Is It Worth It?

Reward redemption operated through Capital One’s established systems, with cash back issued as statement credits applied to the account balance. Cardholders could direct these credits toward reducing their Walmart purchase totals or general account balances with no restrictions on redemption timing or frequency. The absence of blackout dates meant rewards remained accessible regardless of travel plans, purchase categories, or seasonal limitations that affect some competing reward programs.

Customer Perspectives

Reviews from cardholders who used the product during its active period highlighted several recurring themes. The elevated 5% online grocery rewards earned consistent praise from consumers who regularly ordered Walmart’s grocery delivery and pickup services. Reviewers noted the combination of no annual fee and strong Walmart-specific rewards created genuine value for households that concentrated spending at the retailer.

Critical feedback centered on the card’s limitations beyond Walmart. The 1% base rate on non-Walmart purchases attracted criticism from consumers who used the card for everyday expenses like dining, utilities, or shopping at competitors. High variable APRs also drew concern, with reviewers advising against carrying balances given the cost of borrowing. Some users noted that in-store shopping at Walmart earned lower rewards than online purchases, creating an unexpected limitation for those preferring physical shopping experiences.

Value Assessment by Spending Pattern

For heavy Walmart spenders who primarily utilized online ordering and delivery services, the card delivered meaningful value through accumulated cash back without imposing annual fees. A household spending $500 monthly on Walmart online orders would generate approximately $300 in annual cash back under the 5% reward structure. Against this potential return, the absence of annual fees meant the card delivered net positive value regardless of credit score or borrowing behavior.

Consumers whose Walmart spending focused on in-store purchases earned only 2% on those transactions, reducing the card’s value proposition considerably. For this group, alternatives offering flat-rate cash back or category bonuses at broader merchant groups might deliver superior overall returns. The analysis from Kudos suggested the card worked best for consumers with established Walmart shopping habits who already relied heavily on the retailer’s online platform for regular household and grocery purchases.

Historical Timeline of the Walmart Rewards Mastercard

The Walmart co-branded credit card program underwent significant changes during its partnership history, with the Capital One iteration representing the most recent chapter before the May 2024 discontinuation.

1. 2021: Walmart’s previous partnership with American Express concluded, ending the Walmart Rewards Card that had operated under that issuer relationship. Cardholders holding accounts from the Amex era saw their products transition or close during this period.
2. 2022-2023: Capital One launched its Walmart Rewards Mastercard, positioning the product as an upgraded option for Walmart shoppers with enhanced online rewards and a new mobile payment integration through Walmart Pay.
3. May 2024: Capital One and Walmart announced the termination of their co-branded credit card partnership. New applications ceased immediately, with existing cardholders informed of the transition timeline for account management.
4. 2024-2025: Existing cardholders continue accessing account features through Capital One systems while the issuer manages the wind-down process. The card remains functional for purchases and reward accrual during this transition period.

What Information Is Clear and What Remains Uncertain?

Several aspects of the card’s history and discontinuation remain poorly documented. The specific reason behind Capital One’s decision to end the Walmart partnership was not publicly detailed by either company. Industry observers noted that co-branded card partnerships require substantial investment in technology integration, marketing, and reward funding, suggesting either party may have determined the arrangement no longer met their commercial objectives.

Whether Capital One plans to introduce alternative Walmart-focused credit products or whether Walmart intends to pursue new banking partnerships remains unclear. The retailer’s credit card landing pages currently direct consumers to alternative products and partnership information, but no official announcements have outlined future plans for co-branded offerings.

Understanding the Walmart Credit Card Landscape

The retail credit card market encompasses both co-branded cards offered through banking partnerships and store-only cards limited to merchant-specific purchases. The Walmart Rewards Mastercard occupied the former category, carrying the Mastercard network designation that enabled acceptance at millions of locations beyond Walmart’s own stores and website.

This network distinction proved significant because store-only cards typically restrict rewards and benefits to the issuing merchant, whereas co-branded products like the Walmart Mastercard offered elevated rewards at Walmart while maintaining baseline earning rates everywhere Mastercard was accepted. The 1% catch-all rate ensured cardholders never earned nothing on purchases, even at competitors like Target, Costco, or Amazon.

The discontinuation of the Capital One product created a gap for Walmart-focused consumers who had relied on the elevated online rewards rates. Competing retailers maintain active co-branded partnerships, with Target’s RedCard and Amazon’s various credit offerings continuing to serve their respective customer bases. Some consumers may find value in exploring alternatives like the Costco Executive Membership program, which offers elevated rewards on purchases made at Costco warehouses and through their optical and travel services.

Sources and Official Information

Documentation of this card’s features relies primarily on third-party analysis and review platforms rather than official issuer documentation, as Capital One and Walmart have not published detailed specifications since announcing the partnership termination.

The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard earned 5% cash back on eligible Walmart.com purchases, including grocery pickup and delivery. For customers who regularly shop online at Walmart, this card offered one of the highest reward rates available among retail-focused credit products.

— Upgraded Points Review

Existing cardholders can continue using their Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard to earn rewards on eligible purchases. However, the card is no longer available for new applications as of May 2024 following the end of Capital One’s partnership with Walmart.

— Bankrate Credit Card Review

Official documentation from Capital One remains accessible through their credit cards portal, though application functionality has been disabled. Walmart’s credit card information page similarly provides historical context while directing consumers toward available alternatives. The Mastercard product page documents the card’s features within their card directory.

Summary and Current Status

The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard delivered meaningful value for Walmart-focused consumers during its availability period, with elevated rewards on online purchases and a $0 annual fee creating genuine appeal for regular shoppers. The card’s discontinuation in May 2024 ended new application opportunities, leaving existing cardholders to continue using their accounts under current terms while the industry awaits potential replacement products from either party.

Those seeking retail-focused credit cards should evaluate alternatives that match their primary shopping patterns. Resources like Dollarama Jobs Near Me and similar guides can help consumers explore employment and financial topics, though credit card selection ultimately depends on individual spending habits, credit profiles, and reward preferences. The credit card market continues offering diverse options for consumers willing to compare terms and identify products aligned with their purchasing priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions