Can I Use My Walmart Credit Card Anywhere In 2024? The Complete Guide
Walmart offers two different credit cards to choose from – the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard and the Walmart Rewards Card. This often leaves customers with the question: can I use my Walmart credit card anywhere?
The short answer is that it depends on which card you have. The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard can be used virtually everywhere, while the Walmart Rewards Card is limited to Walmart stores and websites.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the two cards side-by-side and provide tips on maximizing your rewards no matter where you shop.
Walmart Credit Card Comparison
Here is an at-a-glance overview comparing the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard and the Walmart Rewards Card:
Feature | Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard | Walmart Rewards Card |
---|---|---|
Acceptance | Accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted (over 80 million locations worldwide) | Only accepted at Walmart stores/websites |
Rewards Rates |
|
|
Welcome Offer | Earn 5% back on first $1,500 in purchases in first 6 months (up to $75 back) | None |
Credit Needed | Fair/Average | Good/Excellent |
As you can see, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard is accepted far more widely and offers rewards in more categories. However, it does require a higher credit score to qualify.
Next, let‘s dive deeper into where each card can be used.
Where Can I Use the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard?
With acceptance at over 80 million locations worldwide, the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard can be used virtually anywhere that accepts Mastercard.
According to Mastercard, their cards are accepted at:
- 90% of retailers in the United States
- 80% of retailers in Canada
- Over 90% of retailers in Mexico, Brazil, and Europe
So you can count on being able to use this card at most major stores you shop at, including:
- Grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Whole Foods, etc.
- Big box retailers like Target, Costco, Sam‘s Club, Home Depot, Lowe‘s
- Department stores like Macy‘s, Nordstrom, JCPenney
- Clothing retailers like Nike, Gap, H&M, Old Navy
- Gas stations like Shell, Exxon, BP, Chevron
- Restaurants, cafes, fast food chains
- Entertainment venues like movie theaters, concerts
- Online retailers like Amazon, eBay, Best Buy
You can also use the card for hotel stays booked directly or through sites like Expedia and rental cars booked through mainstream agencies.
The only places you may occasionally run into issues are certain warehouse clubs (like Costco) that only accept Visa or merchants that do not accept credit cards at all. But these cases are rare.
Where Can I Use the Walmart Rewards Card?
The Walmart Rewards Card is not a Mastercard – it can only be used at Walmart properties, including:
- Walmart stores
- Walmart.com
- Walmart grocery pickup and delivery
- Neighborhood Market stores
- Sam‘s Club stores and samsclub.com
- Murphy USA and Murphy Express gas stations
You cannot use the Walmart Rewards Card at any other retailers, restaurants, gas stations, hotels, or online stores outside of the Walmart ecosystem. Think of it more like a store gift card rather than a general credit card.
Maximizing Rewards with the Walmart Credit Cards
One of the biggest perks of having a Walmart credit card is the rewards you can earn. Here are some tips to maximize your earnings:
With the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard:
- Use online grocery pickup and delivery for 5% back
- Shop through the Capital One shopping portal for up to 20% back
- Buy Walmart gift cards to earn 5% back, then use them for in-store purchases
- Use the 2% dining and gas rewards to cover daily purchases
- Take advantage of special financing offers on large Walmart purchases
With the Walmart Rewards Card:
- Enroll in Walmart Pay to get 5% back in-store
- Stack savings with in-store and online promos
- Link store receipts to the Savings Catcher tool for extra rewards
- Use contactless pay for quick 2-5% earnings at checkout
The Bottom Line
The Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard can be used virtually everywhere, while the Walmart Rewards Card is restricted to Walmart stores and sites. Consider your normal spending patterns when choosing a card to maximize rewards. And take advantage of bonus category spending to earn the most cash back possible.