Thread: Walmart Credit Card Exposed

Did a cashier peddle you the Walmart credit card application during checkout? This review will show you the ugly truth.

Recently I was speaking with a relative who said she wanted to apply for a Walmart credit card. When I asked her why, she said “Because Walmart is a good place to save money.” Well, you can’t deny that, but that same philosophy doesn’t apply to their credit card. Here’s why…

Rewards?
Believe it or not, the only rewards offered on the store version of the Walmart card is a 3 cent per gallon discount at their participating gas stations. Aside from that, there is no cash back or points earned on your spending!

When you consider how outrageous gas prices are nowadays, this 3¢ discount is pathetic... as long as gas is above $3/gallon you are earning less than 1% cash back. At $4/gallon it’s 0.75% and at $4.50/gallon it’s 0.67%. Why bother when even your run-of-the-mill credit card will probably give you at least 1% in rewards.

The Walmart Discover card does give rewards elsewhere but they're nothing to write home about:

• 0.25% on total annual spending up to $1,500
• 0.50% on total annual spending from $1,500.01 to $3,000
• 1.00% on total annual spending over $3,000

Something to keep in mind is the this Discover credit card is not issued by Discover! It only operates over the Discover payment network (like a Visa or MasterCard). The actual card itself is issued and managed by GE Money.

Interest Rate?
As I write this review, the APR on this credit card is a crazy 22.90 percent on both the regular and Discover card. We all know carrying a balance is a bad idea, but is it really fair for us to pay through the nose if we do?

Acceptance?
The regular Walmart card can only be used for purchases at their stores. Everywhere else it’s totally useless. On the other hand the Discover can be used elsewhere, but with no bonus categories for higher rewards it's not too exciting, is it?

Customer Service?
Their cards are issued by GE Money Bank, which is a big issuer of store cards and are notorious for their subpar service. The number of negative GE Money Bank card reviews posted on this website and elsewhere speaks volumes as to the service (or lack thereof) they offer.

Benefits?
The Walmart credit card benefits are lacking, to say the least. There isn’t an annual fee (whoop de doo) and other than that, the only benefit I see worth mentioning is that once per day, you have the ability to get cash back at the register when paying (similar to what you can do with an ATM card).

Verdict?
It’s hard to find one good reason to fill out an application for the Walmart cards. At my local store they were trying to convince people to apply for the card by giving them a free 2 liter bottle of soda. I don’t know about you, but It’s going to take a heck of a lot more than that for me to ever consider this piece of crap!

Written or updated 9-10-2011

I tried getting a wal-mart credit card and was denied and this was before economy crashed and I had good credit.

I have the Wal-Mart Discover card, and I have no complaints. I keep my balance low (or at $0), and I barely ever use it at Wal-Mart.

I signed up for a walmart credit card about 6 months ago and then I realized it was dumb so I cancelled it. I bought one chair on it for $100. Then I paid the card and then I waited about 5 months and cancelled the card..

How will this affect me? I'm only 21 and I didn't really know I was signing up for a CC, the guy at the cash register tricked me.

I tried getting a wal-mart credit card and was denied and this was before economy crashed and I had good credit.

I'm pretty certain this was due to what you filled out not matching what was in your credit report. 70% of reports have errors, and often this causes applications to become rejected.

@credit card guru- why do you hate on EVERYTHING? Wal*mart employs thousands of people and gives many americans jobs. While they may not pay alot NO ONE MAKES ANYONE work at wal mart. If you work at wal mart THAT IS YOUR CHOICE. No one makes you work there. Its better than working for a company that is laying off and is going under. Plus they have excellent prices. And in this economy EVERYONE can benefit from that. So I don't know why you are hating. Who are you to bash wal mart? You don't work there. So unless you HAVE worked there and have experienced what its like.... well you can figure out the rest. Wal mart was my first job when I was in high school. It was fine. I wanted a job with more pay.. so I left... and every employee that works there has the SAME opportunity if they don't like it. AS far as the credit card.... it is issued by GE MONEY bank. Not directly from wal mart. And as a former account holder of the GE MONEY BANK wal mart credit card... Yes... it does suck.

Well, over here the Walmart card gives 1.25% cashback on everything in their stores.

I am not critical of the Walmart credit card but would like to know why people get all types of random cards for every place they shop. If the reward programs are similar why would you need to get a card for each place. Can't one credit card do the trick just fine?