Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
vs. Discover it® Chrome

Shield Insurance

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NOTE

As of May 2024, the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® is no longer available for new applicants. Existing Walmart cardholders can continue using their cards, and rewards earned will be transferred to the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card at a rate of one cent per point. Cardholders will keep their rewards and any balances will automatically move to the Quicksilver card, which offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Both the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® and the Discover it® Chrome waive annual fees and offer enticing cash back rewards, appealing to savvy spenders. However, if frequent Walmart shopping is part of your routine, the Walmart Card, a co-branded store card, may edge out the competition with its higher cash back rates on Walmart.com.

The Discover it Chrome offers an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers, making it a strong contender for those looking to manage existing debt or finance new purchases. Considering the Discover it Chrome requires a higher credit score, the Walmart Card could be more accessible to a broader range of consumers.

Credit Card logo for Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
Credit Card logo for Discover it® Chrome
Discover it® Chrome
MoneyGeek Rating
3.6/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.8/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Walmart Card if you frequently shop online and in-store at Walmart and want to maximize your cash back on these purchases. With higher rewards rates for Walmart-related buys and a lower credit score requirement for eligibility, this card caters to loyal Walmart customers seeking tangible rewards on their regular spending.

You might prefer the Discover it Chrome if you spend consistently on gas and dining out and could benefit from the introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers. This card is ideal for those with higher credit scores who want to earn rewards in these categories while also having the option to manage existing debt through balance transfers.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will clarify which card aligns with your financial habits. For example, frequent Walmart shoppers may lean towards the Walmart Card for its online purchase rewards, while those who spend more on dining and gas might prefer the Discover it Chrome's cash back categories.

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    Regular APR: Discover it Chrome

    For regular APR, the Discover it Chrome card offers a more favorable range of 18.24% to 28.24% variable, compared to the Walmart Card's 19.48% to 29.99% variable. This makes Discover it Chrome the better option for those prioritizing lower APRs.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Walmart Card and the Discover it Chrome have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for users looking to save on costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome is better for introductory 0% APRs, offering 0% for six months on purchases and 0% for 18 months on balance transfers. After the introductory period, it charges a balance transfer fee of 5%. The Walmart Card does not have any introductory 0% APR offers.

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    Rewards: Walmart Card

    The Walmart Card outperforms Discover it Chrome in rewards. It provides 5% cash back on Walmart.com, 2% on Walmart store purchases and 2% on dining and travel, making it more versatile for various spending habits.

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    Welcome Offers: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome card offers a more compelling welcome offer with its Cashback Match, automatically matching all cash back earned at the end of the first year without minimum spending or maximum rewards. This feature makes it superior to the Walmart Card's 5% cash back in Walmart stores for the first 12 months.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Walmart Card

    The Walmart Card is more accessible, requiring a lower credit score range of 580 to 740, compared to the Discover it Chrome's 670 to 850 range. This makes the Walmart Card a better option for those with fair to good credit.

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    Penalties and Fees: Discover it Chrome

    The Discover it Chrome card edges out slightly in terms of penalties and fees, primarily because it waives the first late fee, whereas the Walmart Card charges up to $39. Both cards do not charge foreign transaction fees, and neither has a penalty APR. However, Discover's cash advance fee is higher, either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, compared to Walmart's $3 or 3%.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: Discover it Chrome

    Discover it Chrome leads in issuer satisfaction with a rating of 4.5 for Discover Bank, compared to Capital One's 4.2. This suggests that Discover it Chrome cardholders may have a slightly better experience with their issuer.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    Both cards offer unique perks. The Walmart Card provides $0 Fraud Liability, which protects you from unauthorized charges. Discover it Chrome offers free overnight card replacement and online personal information protection. The best card for you depends on which perks align more closely with your lifestyle and preferences.

Rewards Comparison

The Walmart Card leads with a strong rewards program, especially for frequent Walmart shoppers. With an expected reward value of $390, it's a solid choice for those who make regular purchases on Walmart.com and in-store. The 5% cash back on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery, is particularly lucrative. The Walmart Card also offers 2% cash back on restaurant and travel purchases.

While Discover it Chrome's expected reward value is slightly lower at $341, its 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants is notable for those who spend significantly in these categories.

For Walmart loyalists, the additional benefits of shopping with the Walmart Card can add up quickly, making it a compelling option. The Discover it Chrome does not fall far behind, offering a good return on gas and dining without any annual fee. The following table provides a comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

Category
Walmart Card
Discover it Chrome

Online Purchases

5% on Walmart.com

1%

Gas Stations

2% at Walmart fuel stations/1% elsewhere

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

Restaurants

2%

2% on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter

Travel

2%

1%

All Other Purchases

1%

1%

Redeeming Rewards

The Walmart Card allows you to redeem your cash back as statement credits, for purchases on Walmart.com, travel and gift cards. Rewards have no expiration date as long as your account is active.

Discover it Chrome offers a variety of redemption choices, including using cash back at Amazon or as a direct deposit. Rewards also have no expiration.

Methodology

MoneyGeek's ranking process evaluates each credit card for multiple use cases, such as balance transfers and cash back, assigning scores for each. The Walmart Card scores highest for cash back, with a significant emphasis on the effective reward rate and the annual fee cost. The Discover it Chrome is top-rated for balance transfers, with the most influential factors being the introductory purchase APR and the regular APR.

These factors, among others, contribute to a comprehensive score that reflects the card's value in specific scenarios. For a detailed understanding of our scoring system, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Walmart Card vs. Discover it Chrome

What are the cash back rewards for each card?
Do either of the cards offer an introductory APR period?
What are the annual fees for these cards?
Which card is better for someone with fair credit?
Are there foreign transaction fees for either card?

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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