If you’re a frequent Walmart shopper, you’ve probably wondered: Is the Walmart Rewards Mastercard worth getting? Launched in Canada, this card promises cashback on Walmart purchases—but does it deliver better rewards than other credit cards?
In this detailed 2024 review, we’ll cover:
✅ How the Walmart Mastercard works (cashback rates & redemption)
✅ How it compares to other cashback cards (better alternatives?)
✅ My personal experience (approval process, credit limit, rewards usage)
✅ Pros & cons (who should—or shouldn’t—get this card)
Let’s dive in!
How the Walmart Rewards Mastercard Works
1. Cashback Rewards Breakdown
The Walmart Mastercard offers three reward tiers:
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5% cashback on select Walmart brands (e.g., Great Value, Mainstays, George)
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1.25% cashback on all Walmart in-store & online purchases
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1% cashback on everything else (non-Walmart spending)
Rewards are issued as “Walmart Reward Dollars”, redeemable only at Walmart stores (not online or via mobile payments).
2. Redemption Process
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In-store only: Must use the physical card (Apple Pay/Google Pay won’t work).
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Self-checkout redemption: At checkout, the system automatically applies available rewards.
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No expiration: Reward dollars don’t expire as long as the account is active.
3. No Annual Fee
Unlike premium cashback cards, this card has $0 annual fee, making it accessible.
How It Compares to Other Cashback Cards
🚫 The Big Problem: Low Rewards
Most credit cards don’t categorize Walmart as a grocery store, meaning you usually get just 0.5–1% back at Walmart with regular cards.
But here’s the catch:
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The Tangerine Money-Back Card (no fee) gives 2% at Walmart if you select “grocery” as a category.
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The American Express SimplyCash Card (no fee) gives 1.25% on everything, including Walmart.
Why is this a problem?
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The Walmart card only gives 1.25% at Walmart—the same as Amex but with more restrictions.
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Tangerine’s 2% beats Walmart’s own card!
The Only Advantage: 5% on Walmart Brands
If you mostly buy Great Value, Mainstays, or George products, the 5% cashback is decent—but how much do you really spend on these?
My Personal Experience with the Walmart Mastercard
✅ Pros:
✔ Easy approval & high credit limits (started at 1,000,increasedto10,000+ in a year).
✔ Simple redemption (rewards apply automatically at self-checkout).
✔ No annual fee (better than paying for a premium card if you shop at Walmart often).
❌ Cons:
✖ Rewards are Walmart-locked (can’t redeem for cash or elsewhere).
✖ 1.25% at Walmart is weak (other cards match or beat this).
✖ No mobile wallet redemption (must use the physical card).
Final Verdict After 1 Year of Use
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I still use it for Walmart-brand purchases (5% back).
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For regular Walmart shopping, I prefer Tangerine (2%) or Amex (1.25% everywhere).
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Not worth getting if you already have a better cashback card.
Best Alternatives to the Walmart Mastercard
Card | Walmart Cashback | Best For |
---|---|---|
Tangerine Money-Back | 2% (if “grocery” is selected) | Highest Walmart rewards |
Amex SimplyCash | 1.25% (all purchases) | No-fee, flexible cashback |
Rogers World Elite MC | 1.5% (3% if redeemed for Rogers bills) | Best flat-rate card |
Should You Get the Walmart Rewards Mastercard?
👍 YES if:
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You buy a lot of Walmart-brand products (5% back).
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You want an easy-to-get card with no annual fee.
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You don’t already have a better cashback card.
👎 NO if:
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You already use Tangerine/Amex (better rewards).
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You want flexible redemption (Walmart-only rewards are limiting).
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You mostly shop online (rewards can’t be used digitally).
What Would Make It Better?
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Increase Walmart cashback to 3%+ (to compete with Tangerine).
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Allow online/mobile redemption.
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Add bonus categories (gas, dining, etc.).