Walmart Card vs. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card Comparison

Name: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® vs. USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Item: Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® vs. USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Author: Doug Milnes, CFA

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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 USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card offer enticing cash back rewards without annual fees, a common thread for savvy spenders. For frequent Walmart shoppers, the Walmart Card edges ahead with its higher cash back rates on Walmart.com purchases.

However, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card is also compelling, especially with its introductory APR offer and military-affiliated benefits.

While the Walmart Card may be more accessible with its lower credit score requirement, the USAA card's exclusive membership and travel protections are worth considering for those who qualify.

Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®

USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card

MoneyGeek Rating

3.6/ of 5

MoneyGeek Rating

3.5/ of 5

Rates & Fees

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

REVIEW & APPLY

On Issuer's Site

Regular APR
19.48%, 19.48%, or 29.99% variable
17.15% – 29.15% variable
0% APR Offer
-
-
Intro Offer
Earn 5% Cash Back
Earn a $200 reward bonus
Rewards Summary
Earn 1% – 5% cash back
Earn 1.5% cash back
Balance Transfer Offer
-
-
Balance Transfer Fee
3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you
5% of the amount of each Balance Transfer.
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Recommended Credit
580-740 (Fair to Good)
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Penalty APR
-
None
Not sure?
The Walmart Card stands out for frequent Walmart shoppers with its high cash back rates on Walmart.com and for using Walmart Pay in-store in the first year.
Conversely, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is a solid all-rounder, offering a flat-rate cash back on all purchases and an introductory APR offer. However, it requires a USAA membership and excellent credit.
If maximizing rewards at Walmart is your goal, the Walmart Card is the clear winner. For a straightforward cash back card with added travel benefits, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is your card.

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Walmart Card if you frequently shop at Walmart, especially online, and want to earn high cash back on those purchases. With its tiered rewards system, this card is tailored to maximize returns on everyday shopping at Walmart and affiliated stations, as well as dining and travel expenses.

You might prefer the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards if you value simplicity in your rewards and have a connection to the military that would allow for a USAA membership. This card offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases. It also offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months, which can be particularly beneficial for large purchases or for those planning to carry a balance initially.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards and additional features will clarify which card aligns with your financial habits. For example, frequent Walmart shoppers may lean towards the Walmart Card for its higher cash back rates online, while those who value simplicity might prefer the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards' flat rate on all purchases.

Regular APR: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

For regular APR, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is potentially more favorable, with an APR range starting at 17.15% compared to the Walmart Card's starting APR of 19.48%.

Annual Fee: Tie

Both the Walmart Card and the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards have no annual fee, making them equally appealing for those looking to avoid extra costs.

Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

Neither the Walmart Card nor the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards offers introductory 0% APRs on purchases or balance transfers. For those specifically seeking cards with introductory 0% APR offers, consider exploring the best zero interest credit cards.

Rewards: Walmart Card

The Walmart Card offers higher cash back rates for Walmart purchases, making it more rewarding for frequent Walmart shoppers. It provides 5% back on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery, and 2% back in Walmart stores, Murphy USA and Walmart fuel stations. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, which is appealing for its simplicity but less targeted toward Walmart shoppers.

Welcome Offers: Walmart Card

The Walmart Card is better for welcome offers, providing a specific earn rate of 5% cash back on purchases in Walmart stores for the first 12 months when using Walmart Pay. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards does not offer a welcome bonus.

Recommended Credit Score: Walmart Card

The Walmart Card is more accessible, catering to credit scores from 580 to 740 (fair to good), compared to the UUSAA Preferred Cash Rewards, which requires an excellent credit score.

Penalties and Fees: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is better for penalties and fees, as it doesn't have late fees, cash advance fees and foreign transaction fees. In contrast, the Walmart Card imposes up to $39 for late payments and a cash advance fee.

Issuer Satisfaction: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is better for issuer satisfaction, with a higher rating of 4.8 for USAA compared to Capital One's 4.2.

Other Features & Perks: Tie

Both cards offer unique perks. The Walmart Card provides $0 Fraud Liability, which means you won't be liable for unauthorized charges. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards caters to military families with extensive travel insurance and security features. Depending on personal needs, either card could offer valuable benefits.

Rewards Comparison

The Walmart Card caters to frequent Walmart shoppers. It offers 5% cash back on Walmart.com, including pickup and delivery, and a temporary boost to 5% for in-store purchases when using Walmart Pay for the first 12 months. The Walmart Card also offers 2% cash back on dining and travel.

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, making it a solid choice for those who value simplicity and consistent rewards across all spending.

For Walmart loyalists, the Walmart Card's higher rewards rates for online and in-store purchases can add up quickly, especially with no annual fee. However, for those who prefer a straightforward rewards program without the need to track category bonuses, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards provides an uncomplicated approach with its flat cash back rate on all purchases. The table below details the bonus categories for each card to help you compare their rewards programs at a glance.

Category	Walmart Card	USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Walmart.com Purchases	5% cash back	1.5% cash back
Walmart Stores, Murphy USA and Walmart Fuel Stations	2% cash back	1.5% cash back
Restaurants	2% cash back	1.5% cash back
Travel	2% cash back	1.5% cash back
All Other Purchases	1% cash back	1.5% cash back

Redeeming Rewards

The Walmart Card allows you to redeem your cash back rewards as statement credits and for purchases at Walmart.com. Rewards have no expiration date.

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards also does not impose an expiration on rewards. You can redeem your cash back in $1 increments, but specific details on redemption methods are not available.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards using a tailored scoring system for various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. The highest-scoring use case for the Walmart Card and the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is cash back. The evaluation considers factors like the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Walmart Card vs. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

What are the cash back rewards for each card?

The Walmart Card offers up to 5% cash back on Walmart.com, while the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Do either of the cards have an annual fee?

No, both cards have no annual fee.

Is there an introductory APR offer for either card?

Yes, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card has a great zero interest offer for the first 15 months on purchases.

Are there any foreign transaction fees with these cards?

The Walmart Card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for travelers.

What credit score is needed for each card?

The Walmart Card recommends a credit score of 580 to 740, while the USAA card requires excellent credit.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

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.

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*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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Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard®
vs. USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card