{"id":2258,"title":"Walmart Credit Cards: What to Know If You Have Bad Credit or a Credit Score in the 500s","slug":"walmart-credit-cards-what-to-know-if-you-have-bad-credit-or-a-credit-score-in-the-500s","lang":"en","description":"Many consumers search for a Walmart credit card for bad credit or want to understand how credit scores in the 500s may affect eligibility. Walmart's OnePay credit-card program allows consumers to check for prequalification without affecting their credit score.","content":"

However, neither Walmart nor OnePay publishes a specific minimum credit score for the OnePay CashRewards Card or the OnePay Walmart Spend Card. Prequalification is only an initial assessment and does not guarantee approval, a specific card, a particular credit limit, or specific account terms.

This guide explains how the OnePay application process works, how the two cards differ, and what consumers should review before deciding whether to submit a full application or accept an approved account.

How Does the Walmart OnePay Credit Card Program Work?

The OnePay credit-card program currently includes:

OnePay CashRewards Card
OnePay Walmart Spend Card

Applicants are first considered for the OnePay CashRewards Card. If they do not qualify for that card, they may be considered for the Walmart Spend Card based on Synchrony Bank's review.

Consumers cannot apply directly for the Walmart Spend Card, and being declined for the CashRewards Card does not guarantee that the Spend Card will be offered.

Both cards are issued by Synchrony Bank and are subject to credit approval.

How May Bad Credit and Credit Scores in the 500s Affect Eligibility?

Credit scores in the 500s generally refer to scores between 500 and 599, but a credit score alone does not determine approval.

Neither Walmart nor OnePay currently publishes a specific minimum credit score for the CashRewards Card or Walmart Spend Card. This means consumers should not assume that a particular score—such as 520, 550, or 590—will automatically result in approval or denial.

A card issuer may evaluate multiple factors when reviewing an application. Federal credit-card rules require issuers to consider whether an applicant can make the required minimum payments based on income or assets and current financial obligations. Issuers may also consider credit reports, credit scores, and other legally permitted information.

The phrase “Walmart credit card for bad credit” reflects a common consumer search term, but OnePay does not describe either card as a product specifically designed for people with bad credit.

Applicants with lower credit scores may still use the prequalification process to receive an initial assessment. They should keep in mind that:

Prequalification does not guarantee approval.
No published score guarantees eligibility.
The Walmart Spend Card is not a secured card.
The Walmart Spend Card is not guaranteed if the CashRewards Card is unavailable.
Synchrony Bank makes the final credit decision.

The OnePay program should therefore be viewed as a standard credit-card application process with a prequalification option, rather than a guaranteed approval program for people with credit scores in the 500s.

How Are Prequalification and a Full Application Different?

Prequalification uses a soft credit check

OnePay states that checking for prequalification uses a soft credit inquiry and does not affect the applicant's credit score.

A prequalification result may provide an initial indication of eligibility, but it does not guarantee:

Final approval
Which card will be offered
A particular credit limit
A specific purchase APR
Final account terms

A full application uses a hard credit check

If the applicant decides to continue and submits a full application, OnePay states that a hard credit inquiry will be performed.

A hard inquiry may affect the applicant's credit score.

For this reason, statements such as “check with no impact to your credit score” apply to the prequalification stage, not to the entire credit-card application process.

OnePay CashRewards Card Rewards

The OnePay CashRewards Card currently offers rewards on eligible purchases, including:

5% cash back at Walmart for eligible purchases when the cardholder has an eligible Walmart+ membership linked to the card
3% cash back at Walmart for eligible purchases without a linked Walmart+ membership
1.5% cash back on other eligible purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted

Cash back is earned as OnePay Points and may be redeemed according to the applicable rewards terms, including as a statement credit or deposit into an eligible OnePay account.

Not every transaction associated with Walmart necessarily qualifies as a Walmart purchase for the higher rewards rate. Certain third-party merchants or transactions may be excluded under the rewards terms.

The Walmart Spend Card does not include a standard cash-back rewards program.

Rewards can provide value for some cardholders, but they should be considered alongside APR, fees, spending habits, and whether the balance can be paid on time.

No Annual Fee Does Not Mean No Costs

Neither the CashRewards Card nor the Walmart Spend Card currently charges an annual fee.

However, other costs may still apply. OnePay states that a late fee may be charged when the required minimum payment is not received by the due date, and the applicable amount is disclosed in the cardholder agreement.

The purchase APR is determined during the application process and is based on the Prime Rate plus a fixed amount.

Cardholders generally can avoid interest on new purchases by paying the full statement balance by the due date under the account's grace-period terms. Carrying a balance may result in interest charges.

Before accepting an account, applicants should review:

Purchase APR
Late-payment fee
Credit limit
Minimum-payment requirements
Grace-period terms
Rewards conditions
Any other applicable rates or fees

What to Review Before Accepting a Card

Approval alone does not mean that a particular card is appropriate for every applicant.

Before accepting an account, consider:

Card type:
Confirm whether the approved account is the CashRewards Card or Walmart Spend Card.

Where the card can be used:
The CashRewards Card can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted, while the Walmart Spend Card is limited to eligible Walmart purchases.

APR:
Review the actual purchase APR disclosed for the account.

Credit limit:
Confirm the credit line being offered.

Fees:
Review possible late fees and any other charges in the account agreement.

Rewards:
Confirm which purchases qualify and whether Walmart+ must be linked to receive the higher Walmart rewards rate.

Ability to repay:
Consider whether expected purchases can be repaid on schedule and whether carrying a balance would create significant interest costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Walmart publish a minimum credit score?

No. Walmart and OnePay do not currently publish a specific minimum credit score for either OnePay credit card.

Can someone with a credit score in the 500s check for prequalification?

Yes. Consumers may use the prequalification process, but no score in the 500–599 range guarantees approval.

Does prequalification affect a credit score?

OnePay states that the prequalification step uses a soft credit check and does not affect the applicant's credit score.

Submitting a full application results in a hard credit check, which may affect the score.

Can someone apply directly for the Walmart Spend Card?

No. Applicants are considered for the CashRewards Card first. If they do not qualify, they may be considered for the Walmart Spend Card.

Does the Walmart Spend Card earn cash back?

It does not include a standard cash-back rewards program.

Does no annual fee mean there are no costs?

No. Interest and late-payment fees may still apply under the account terms.

Conclusion

Consumers researching a Walmart credit card for bad credit or trying to understand how credit scores in the 500s may affect eligibility can use OnePay's prequalification process without affecting their credit score.

However, OnePay does not publish a minimum qualifying credit score and does not market either card as a guaranteed approval product for people with bad credit.

Applicants are first considered for the OnePay CashRewards Card and may be considered for the Walmart Spend Card if they do not qualify for the CashRewards Card. Synchrony Bank makes the final credit decision.

Before submitting a full application, consumers should review the distinction between a soft and hard credit inquiry and carefully consider the card type, APR, fees, credit limit, rewards terms, spending restrictions, and their ability to make required payments.

Disclaimer

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, credit, or legal advice.

This page is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of Walmart, OnePay, Synchrony Bank, or Mastercard. It does not accept or process credit applications and does not guarantee prequalification, eligibility, approval, a particular card, a specific credit limit, APR, or other account terms.

Card terms, rewards, APRs, fees, eligibility requirements, and promotional offers may change. Consumers should review the official application disclosures, rewards terms, and cardholder agreement before applying or accepting an account.

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