Walmart Rewards Program (How It Works, Claims, Expire + More)

Many major retailers now offer rewards programs when you apply for and obtain their company-affiliated credit card.

It’s unsurprising that Walmart, the largest retail chain in the world, offers its own rewards program. The more you use it, the more you earn.

Never heard of it? Want more information? Here is your complete guide to the Walmart Rewards Program!

What Is The Walmart Rewards Program?

The Walmart Rewards Program has tied into Walmart’s two company-affiliated credit cards: The Capital One Walmart Rewards card and the Walmart Rewards Card. Both cards offer cash-back bonuses with use, come with no annual fee, and are compatible with Walmart Pay. Additionally, Walmart reward points do not expire as long as the card is valid.

To learn much more about all the details and fine print, including how the program works, how you can claim your rewards, a breakdown of the difference between the two cards, and many other tips, keep reading!

How Does The Walmart Rewards Program Work?

Walmart’s rewards system is a credit card-based program where customers can apply for either the Capital One Walmart Rewards Mastercard or the Walmart Rewards Card.

The two offer basically the same rewards and bonuses, except that the latter can only be used at Walmart and Walmart.com, while the former can be used anywhere Mastercard is taken.

Additionally, both cards offer five percent cash back at Walmart.com and two percent cash back in Walmart stores.

They also offer five percent cash back for the first 12 months when you use Walmart Pay in stores.

Finally, neither comes with an annual fee, and you may incur a late fee of up to $39 if you do not pay your bill on time.

How Do You Claim Your Walmart Rewards?

Claiming your Walmart rewards is simple and straightforward.

Per the Capital One Walmart Mastercard webpage, you can receive your rewards in the form of a check.

And according to CreditCardInsider.com, you have three other ways of “cashing in” your cash-back rewards.

  1. You can redeem the cashback for gift cards.
  2. You can use the cash back toward your credit card statement.
  3. You can apply the cashback to your purchases on the Walmart.com website.

Additionally, since Walmart.com, unlike Gap or Starbucks, sells pretty much anything under the sun, you will be able to apply your rewards toward a wide swathe of products.

It’s important to note as well that your Walmart Mastercard rewards can be used at any time, and it appears that is not the case for the basic Walmart Rewards card cash back.

What Can You Use Your Walmart Rewards For?

For both the Walmart Mastercard and the Walmart Rewards card, you can use the cash back to redeem Walmart gift cards, which you could use online, but would be very handy in-store.

Additionally, you can use the rewards toward your billing statements, effectively using your shopping to pay off your shopping in-store and online at Walmart.com.

Do Walmart Rewards Ever Expire?

Do Walmart Rewards Ever Expire?

The Walmart Mastercard and Walmart Rewards cash back rewards never expire for as long as you have the account.

I cannot stress enough what a nice feature this is.

As a Gap card holder, my rewards do have an expiration date, and that window has been getting smaller and smaller throughout the years.

Walmart making their rewards non-expiring is a generous gesture to their loyal customers.

What Is The Difference Between Walmart Mastercard And Walmart Rewards Card?

There are actually quite a few minor differences between the Walmart Mastercard and the Walmart Rewards card.

First and foremost, the Walmart Mastercard can be used to shop anywhere, like a regular credit card. And it rewards shoppers for using it in restaurants and on travel.

Thus, there are more ways to earn cash back, and you would likely earn more in less time.

This is because the Walmart Rewards card can be used only in Walmart stores and at Walmart.com.

However, it cannot be used in restaurants or for travel, so you obviously won’t be getting rewarded for those purchases.

Another major difference is the benefits associated with each card.

The Walmart Mastercard comes chockful of services, like concierge (someone will help you make reservations or get tickets), enhanced security, and shopping/travel protections.

The Walmart Rewards card will only protect you if the card was used fraudulently. It doesn’t come with any of the other benefits, notably the concierge or enhance security.

Finally, you will need slightly better credit to obtain the Walmart Mastercard, which views people in the good-to-excellent range more favorably.

The Walmart Rewards card is better for people with lower credit scores, more in the “fair” zone.

The reason for this is likely that the Walmart Rewards card can only be used in one retail setting (Walmart stores and Walmart.com).

The Mastercard, meanwhile, can be used anywhere that type of card is accepted, making it a lot easier for people with poor money management to quickly max it out.

What Is The Limit On Walmart Rewards Program?

The limit on the Walmart Mastercard and Walmart Rewards card depends on how much you are approved for.

Whatever that is, as long as you don’t exceed your credit limit, you can continuously earn cash back each month without a cap.

If you want to know more about Walmart’s discounts and rewards, you might also be interested in reading up on how to get free stuff at Walmart, where Walmart gifts card be used, and if you can get cash back from a Walmart gift card.

Conclusion

The Walmart Rewards program is good to its loyal shoppers, giving them two convenient card options, the Walmart Mastercard or the Walmart Rewards card.

Both earn cash back for purchases at Walmart and Walmart.com, while the Mastercard goes further and earns cash back for everyday purchases like groceries, restaurants and travel.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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