Quick overview of the Walmart Rewards Mastercard
The Walmart Rewards Mastercard has a few main perks, including earning up to $45 upon sign-up. You’re also given the chance to finance expensive purchases made in-store or online to accommodate your monthly budget. And, as you spend, you earn Walmart Rewards Dollars with every purchase you make, whether at a Canadian Walmart location or anywhere else 一 with no limit on earnings.
It’s worth noting that the rewards you earn can only be redeemed on Walmart merchandise rather than having cash added to your account. It may also take a while to gain substantial Walmart Rewards Dollars, as the earning rate is relatively low. With no extended insurance benefits, the Mastercard also lacks perks that other credit cards offer, like travel or emergency medical insurance.
Who’s the Walmart Rewards Mastercard for?
The Walmart Rewards Mastercard is designed for the avid Walmart shopper. Those who shop in all of Walmart’s departments will benefit most from using this card, as there will be ample opportunities to earn 1.25% back. Otherwise, other cards can offer a more beneficial rewards system.
Pros and cons
Pros
-
No annual fee
-
Earn 1.25% in Walmart Rewards Dollars on all Walmart purchases
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Welcome bonus of up to $45
-
Option to pay in installments for Walmart purchases of $199.99 or more
Cons
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Reward dollars must be redeemed at Walmart or Walmart.ca
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Accident, extended warranty and travel insurance costs extra
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Low earning rewards system
Walmart Rewards Mastercard welcome offer
Earn a bonus of 45 Walmart Reward Dollars, a value of $45. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Earn $20 when you spend $50 or more after approval with the temporary shopping pass
- Earn $15 once you make a purchase at a Walmart location and anywhere else
- Earn $10 when you sign up for e-statements
How to earn rewards on the Walmart Rewards Mastercard
With the Walmart Rewards Mastercard, you earn 1.25% back in Reward Dollars when you make any purchase at Walmart, in-store or online. Every other purchase, including all gas station transactions, earns you 1% back. And until July 1, 2024, you can earn 5% back in Walmart Reward Dollars when you purchase an Apple product at a Walmart in Canada.
The fastest way to earn points would be to maximize the three welcome bonus categories when you sign up, instantly earning you $45 Walmart Reward Dollars. After that point, you’ll need to shop at Walmart consistently to collect enough points to make the card worthwhile.
How to redeem rewards with the Walmart Rewards Mastercard
Redeeming rewards is straightforward with the Walmart Rewards Mastercard since each Reward Dollar equals $1. When redeeming in-store, tell the cashier you'd like to use points. If you're checking out online, ensure you're signed into your Walmart Rewards Mastercard account and have the card set up as a payment method.
When it comes to redeeming your rewards, there are a few guidelines to follow. If you're using dollars, you must redeem a minimum of $5 at checkout. Any amount above that must be in multiples of five. For instance, you can redeem $10, $15, $20 and so on. This means you may always have a balance to pay on your purchase, so it's good to keep this in mind when planning your shopping.
The dollars you collect can be spent on almost anything Walmart sells online (including third-party Marketplace items) and in-store. The only redemption restrictions are cash, tobacco, lottery tickets, alcohol and prescription medication.
Walmart Rewards Mastercard key benefits
- No annual fee
- Welcome bonus of up to $45 Walmart Reward Dollars
- Earn 1.25% in Reward Dollars on all Walmart purchases
Walmart Rewards Mastercard insurance coverage
- Purchase Assurance Protection: Protects eligible purchases against theft, loss or damage for 90 days after the transaction date.
Extra benefits
- Finance Walmart purchases of $199.99 or more in six monthly installments (with a 4% set-up fee on first installment)
- Interest-free grace period of 21 days
- Zero Liability Protection on unauthorized purchases
- Access 24/7 Mastercard Global Services when you need them
Walmart Rewards Mastercard eligibility criteria
- Must be a Canadian resident and the age of majority in your province
What people have to say about this card
One user on Reddit had issues receiving and activating the card. They also experienced a repetitive loop of dropped calls when on the phone with customer service. Another user automatically opted in for additional insurance, which unexpectedly cost them.
Other users who prioritize redeeming money at Walmart enjoy it, even though the rewards aren't the best. They point out that typically, a store credit card would offer a higher reward rate for shopping at the business, which is a downside of this card. Applying can also temporarily affect your credit score.
How the Walmart Rewards Mastercard compares
Walmart Rewards Mastercard vs. BMO CashBack Mastercard
The BMO CashBack Mastercard offers up to 3% back on purchases, a higher earn rate than the Walmart Rewards Mastercard. It also offers 5% cashback for three months, which can reach a maximum of $125 一 more than Walmart's $45 maximum bonus. There's more flexibility with where you can redeem your cashback, too.
The BMO CashBack Mastercard will suit those who need more flexibility with their rewards and who spend the most on groceries, as it's the highest-earning category. Conversely, those who shop at Walmart for almost everything may enjoy the convenience of a one-stop-shop rewards system.
Walmart Rewards Mastercard vs. American Express Simply Cash
There’s more value in the American Express Simply Cash welcome offer, with up to $100 in statement credits. The earn rate on gas and groceries is also higher at 2% compared to Walmart’s 1%. Travel accident insurance is included, too, but this isn’t the case with the Walmart card.
However, cashback can only be accessed once a year with the Amex card as a statement credit, which is less appealing than Walmart’s option to redeem on every transaction. The better choice is where you spend most and which redemption structure you prefer.
Walmart Rewards Mastercard vs. Rogers World Elite Mastercard
The Rogers World Elite Mastercard favours those who frequently purchase in US dollars, with a 3% cash-back rate. Its earn rate for everything else is 1.5% (or 2% for Rogers customers), which is still higher than Walmart’s. Rogers also offers extended warranties, rental cars, emergency medical insurance, trip interruption and cancellation insurance, a massive plus for a card with no annual fee.
At the same time, Walmart’s welcome bonus is higher than the Rogers offer of $25. The Walmart Rewards Mastercard also doesn’t have the exact income requirements, so it’s easier to qualify. Overall, the Rogers card offers more benefits if you travel to the US often.
| Features | Walmart Rewards Mastercard | Rogers World Elite Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
|
Annual fee
|
$0 | $0 |
| Welcome offer | $45 | $25 |
| Insurance coverage | Purchase protection | Extended warranty, purchase protection, rental car collision, emergency medical, trip interruption, trip cancellation |
| Benefits | 1.25% back on Walmart purchases, 1% back on everything else, option to finance big ticket items with a payment plan | 3% cash back on U.S. purchases, 2% back if you’re a Rogers, Fido, or Shaw customer, 1.5% back on everything else, complimentary Mastercard Travel Pass membership |
| Review link | You’re reading it | Rogers World Elite Mastercard review |
| More information | Apply now | Apply now |
Given that both cards have no annual fee, the Rogers World Elite Mastercard offers more benefits, overall. If you rarely travel to the US, you won’t experience the full benefits of the Rogers card, but you’ll still get a slightly higher earn rate and some added insurance.
Is the Walmart Rewards Mastercard worth it?
The Walmart Rewards Mastercard may be worth it for a select few who shop at Walmart more than the average consumer. There are other no-fee credit cards with higher earn rates and more benefits that you can redeem at various locations besides Walmart. But if you like the simplicity of redeeming your rewards at one retailer, then it may be a worthwhile card to consider.
FAQs
Michelle Bates has seven years of writing experience and has been writing and editing personal finance content since 2021, specializing in credit cards, home and auto insurance and mortgages. She is the former associate editor at WealthRocket and spent close to two years as an editor and writer for rate comparison website RATESDOTCA, where she wrote data-driven reports and edited freelancers’ articles. Her work has been covered by notable Canadian news sources like the Financial Post, The Globe and Mail, CTV News and Narcity.
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