Is Walmart Considered a Grocery Store for Credit Card Rewards? The Expert‘s Guide

As an ecommerce seller, I‘m always looking for ways to maximize my credit card rewards. One question I get a lot – does Walmart qualify as a grocery store to earn bonus rewards? The short answer is no. Let‘s dive into the details so you can make the most of your card benefits.

See, credit card issuers like Amex and Chase entice us to use their cards by offering extra points or cashback on popular spending categories. Groceries are a prime example – many cards offer 3-6% back at grocery stores. But the retailer has to be classified as a grocery store.

This is where Walmart falls short. Despite selling groceries, Walmart draws only 30% of revenue from grocery sales. The rest comes from general merchandise like apparel, home goods, and electronics.

So Walmart locations are actually coded as "superstores" or "warehouse clubs" – not grocery stores. That means no bonuses when you buy groceries at regular Walmart supercenters.

I‘ll explain which credit cards do (and don‘t) consider Walmart a grocery store. You‘ll also get tips to maximize rewards when you shop for food at Walmart. Let‘s dive in.

A Quick Refresher – How Grocery Rewards Work

First, a quick primer on grocery rewards if you‘re new to credit card bonuses.

Many popular travel and cash back cards offer extra incentives when you use the card to buy groceries. Here are some examples:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred – 3x points
• Amex Blue Cash Preferred – 6% cashback
• Citi Custom Cash – 5% cashback
• Capital One SavorOne – 3% cashback

That means for every $100 you spend on groceries with one of those cards, you‘d earn $6 or more back in rewards. Nice!

The key is you have to shop at grocery stores. Each card network defines merchants they consider a grocery store. Typically this includes chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, Whole Foods, etc.

This brings us back to Walmart…

Why Walmart Isn‘t a Grocery Store for Credit Cards

Walmart sells everything from bananas to batteries to bicycles. Groceries make up less than a third of their total sales.

Because of Walmart‘s diverse product mix, major card issuers classify their stores as "supercenters" or "warehouse clubs."

Let‘s look at specifics for each network:

• Amex – No rewards at Walmart supercenters. Earns at Neighborhood Markets.

• Chase – No rewards at Walmart supercenters. Earns at Neighborhood Markets.

• Discover – Periodic bonuses, but no permanent grocery earnings.

• Visa – No permanent grocery rewards. Check for limited-time offers.

• Mastercard – No permanent grocery rewards. Check for limited-time offers.

• Bank of America – No rewards at supercenters. Earns at Neighborhood Markets.

As you can see, no major network categorizes Walmart supercenters as grocery stores for ongoing bonus rewards.

Now let‘s talk about two cases where you can earn rewards on Walmart grocery purchases.

Scenario 1: Walmart Neighborhood Markets

Walmart Neighborhood Markets are smaller format stores focused on groceries, everyday essentials, and quick-stop shopping.

Neighborhood Markets typically earn grocery rewards since they sell mostly food and specialty items. Check with your specific card issuer to confirm.

For example, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred earns 6% cashback at Neighborhood Markets. That beats the standard 1% you‘d get at a regular Walmart.

Scenario 2: Murphy USA Gas Stations

Murphy USA and Murphy Express are gas station chains owned by Walmart. There are over 1,650 locations nationwide.

When you fill up at Murphy USA, you can often earn gas station bonuses like 3-5% back. Just not the pumps located directly at Walmart stores.

For instance, the Capital One SavorOne card earns 3% cash back at Murphy USA. The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% back (on up to $6,000 in spending per year).

Always verify with your card issuer that Murphy USA codes as a gas station. Most do, making this a rewards opportunity.

Alternate Ways to Earn Rewards on Walmart Groceries

If you prefer shopping at Walmart for groceries, there are still ways to maximize rewards:

• Apply for the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card. You earn 2% back at Walmart, including grocery purchases.

• Consider the Walmart Rewards Card (store card). It offers 5% back on Walmart.com including grocery pickup and delivery.

• Check your card for limited-time Walmart bonuses. For example, Discover offers 5% cashback on Walmart.com purchases in certain quarters.

• Shop at Walmart Neighborhood Markets which are classified as grocery stores.

Let‘s look at an example to demonstrate:

• You spend $100 on groceries at Kroger with a card like the Amex Blue Cash Preferred. You‘d earn $6 cashback.

• Spend $100 on groceries at a regular Walmart supercenter. You‘d only get around $1 cashback since it‘s not a grocery store.

• But spend $100 on groceries at a Walmart Neighborhood Market. You could earn $5 or more cashback since they are coded as grocery stores.

See the difference? It pays to understand how your card issuer classifies merchants.

What Grocery Stores Reliably Earn Bonus Rewards?

To maximize your credit card grocery bonuses, shop at dedicated supermarket chains like:

• Kroger
• Publix
• Safeway
• Stop & Shop
• Giant
• Albertsons
• Whole Foods
• Trader Joe‘s
• Aldi
• Fresh Direct
• Sprouts
• Harris Teeter

Many small independent grocers also qualify. Always check your card‘s official reward terms for the full list of participating grocery stores.

Avoid superstores like Walmart, Target, Costco, and Sam‘s Club. Warehouse clubs rarely earn grocery bonuses.

Can I Still Use Credit Cards at Walmart?

Absolutely! Walmart happily accepts all major credit cards for payment online and in stores:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express (in-store only)
• Discover

You just won‘t earn bonus grocery rewards at regular Walmart locations. Debit cards, EBT, and Walmart gift cards are also accepted.

The only exception is American Express cards cannot be used for online Walmart purchases, only in stores.

The Bottom Line – Get Your Grocery Rewards!

As a fellow credit card rewards maximizer, I hope this guide gives you clarity around earning bonuses at Walmart.

The key takeaway – Walmart itself is not classified as a grocery store by any major credit card network. But you do have options like Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Murphy USA gas stations.

To reliably rack up grocery rewards, stick to shopping at dedicated supermarket chains. Check offer terms closely and choose the right card for how and where you shop for food.

Maximizing credit card rewards takes a bit of work. But once you understand the rules, you can really supercharge your points and cashback.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share insider tips to help you earn more with your cards.