Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
vs. Credit One Bank American Express® Card

Both the Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® vs. Credit One Bank American Express® Card offer appealing cash back rewards, which might be why you're considering them. If you're a frequent Walmart shopper, the Walmart Card is the superior choice due to its high cash back rates on Walmart.com and the additional rewards for in-store purchases.

But the Credit One Amex should not be overlooked, especially if you’re valuing a card that's accessible with fair credit. While it has an annual fee, its unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases and access to Amex Offers can be beneficial.

You might prefer the Walmart Card if you frequently shop at Walmart, especially online. With this card, you'll earn 5% cash back on Walmart.com purchases, including pickup and delivery, and 2% back on Walmart store purchases. It's also appealing if you want to avoid an annual fee and potentially have a lower APR based on your creditworthiness.

You might prefer the Credit One Amex if you value simplicity in your rewards program and are looking for a card that offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases. The unlimited 1% cash back on every purchase can accumulate quickly, and the benefits of Amex Offers can provide additional savings, offsetting the annual fee.

Evaluating features like APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and introductory offers will clarify which card is for you.Fo r example, frequent Walmart shoppers may lean towards the Walmart Card for its higher cash back rates on Walmart.com, while those valuing simplicity might prefer the flat cash back rate of the Credit One Amex.

The Walmart Card leads with a more lucrative rewards program, particularly for frequent Walmart shoppers. With an expected reward value of $390, it's tailored for those who often shop online at Walmart.com, offering 5% cash back. Additionally, dining and travel purchases earn a respectable 2% cash back, making it a strong contender for those categories as well.

The Credit One Amex, while offering a flat 1% cash back on all purchases, falls short in maximizing rewards for specific categories. However, its simplicity and consistency across all spending could appeal if you prefer a straightforward rewards structure without category tracking.

The Walmart Card's additional perks for Walmart purchases, especially the 5% cash back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months when using Walmart Pay, further enhance its value proposition for Walmart customers. The Credit One Amex, with its $39 annual fee, doesn't offer the same level of rewards but could be a fit for if you seek access to Amex Offers and a card that rewards evenly across all spending.

The table of bonus categories helps you visually compare the rewards programs of both cards.

The Walmart Card offers a variety of redemption options, including for cash back, statement credits, and even towards purchases on Walmart.com, travel and gift cards, with the added benefit of no expiration date as long as the account is active.

The Credit One Amex simplifies the process by automatically applying rewards as a statement credit, though it does not specify a range of redemption choices or expiration terms.

MoneyGeek examines and rates credit cards like the Walmart Card and Credit One Amex using a ranking process tailored for various use cases. This approach ensures that the score reflects the card's performance in the scenario where it provides the most value.

For cash back cards, the primary factors we consider are the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements — along with annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction — contribute to a card's overall score.