My Walmart OnePay Card Just Saved Me Over $20 on Gas – And It's Staying In My Wallet!
Hey friends, Phillip here from Points of Phillip! I recently had one of the most interesting experiences with my Walmart OnePay credit card, and I just had to share it. While I initially got this card for one reason, it's quickly proving its unexpected value, especially on road trips. Stick around, because this might change how you think about "store cards."
First, if you're finding this content helpful, please hit that like button and subscribe! Now, let's get into why the Walmart OnePay card is working its way back into my wallet for good.
The Basics: What is the Walmart OnePay Card?
For those unfamiliar, the Walmart OnePay card is a $0 annual fee Mastercard, issued through Synchrony Bank. While Synchrony might be a "four-letter word" for some, my experience with it has been decent. I initially got this card because I'm a Walmart+ subscriber. This combo is key: when I use the OnePay card at any Walmart, I get 5% cashback on every purchase, with no limits or caps. That's a pretty sweet deal for everyday essentials!
But the real revelation came on my current road trip.
The Unexpected Road Trip Hero: Gas Savings!
My wife and I are currently on a trip with friends, driving a rather thirsty Grand Wagoneer. We needed space for all our people and their belongings, and that means lots of gas stops. This is where the OnePay card truly surprised me.
Within the Walmart app, there's an opportunity to sign up and activate specific cashback opportunities at gas stations near you. I'd heard about it, but actually using it was a game-changer. I was able to find participating gas stations not only near my home base in Orlando but also along I-95 on our drive up.
The discount varies by gas station, but my most recent fill-up offered a whopping 34 cents per gallon off! For a large vehicle like a Grand Wagoneer, that's substantial savings. It works a bit like other gas savings apps: you activate the offer in the app for a specific station, use your OnePay card to pay at the pump, and the discount appears as a credit the next day. Plus, you still get your base 1.5% cashback on the purchase later.
I wasn't looking for a gas card when I got the OnePay, but saving 34 cents (or even 15-23 cents, which I've seen on other offers) per gallon is a big deal. I've already saved about $20 on gas just on this trip alone! What started as a potential "sock drawer card" has become an essential travel companion thanks to this hidden superpower.
The Dynamics of the Card & Walmart+ Synergy
The Walmart OnePay card seamlessly integrates with the Walmart app, meaning you don't have to use a separate Synchrony Bank app to manage your account or payments. Walmart actually prefers you use their app!
Here's a quick breakdown of the cashback structure:
1.5% cashback on every purchase outside of Walmart.
3% cashback on Walmart purchases if you don't have Walmart+.
5% cashback on Walmart purchases if you do have Walmart+.
I get Walmart+ for free through my American Express Business Platinum and Business Gold cards, and my personal Platinum card, so it's a no-brainer for my family. We use it for things like toilet paper, paper towels, dog food, and treats – the staples that are easy to reorder and don't require careful selection.
Walmart+ has been a lifesaver, even while traveling. For Thanksgiving, my wife and I were able to change our delivery address to our North Carolina rental and get many of our holiday dinner ingredients and groceries delivered right to our door. This saves immense time and hassle, especially if you're staying at an Airbnb and want to cook. Imagine having your groceries waiting for you when you arrive! No more 2-3 hour grocery runs like my mom used to do for her "beach crop" events.
How to Redeem Your Rewards
You have two main options for redeeming your OnePay cashback:
Statement Credit: This is my preferred method. A $10 statement credit is just as good as having $10 in my checking account, effectively reducing my bill.
OnePay Checking Account: You can also create a checking account directly within the OnePay app and deposit your rewards there.
OnePay vs. the Competition: Amazon Prime Visa & Target RedCard
How does the OnePay stack up against other major store cards?
Amazon Prime Visa (Chase): This card offers 5% cashback on Amazon purchases (with a Prime membership), 2% at restaurants and gas stations, and 1% on everything else. It's a solid card, but requires an Amazon Prime membership ($140/year).
Target RedCard: This gives you 5% off Target purchases. While the credit card version is available, there's also a debit card option that provides the same 5% discount without needing to apply for credit or subscribe to a premium service.
My family actually utilizes all three! We shop at each retailer significantly, so having these specialized cards helps us maximize our savings wherever we spend.
A Cool Walmart+ Feature: "Scan It" in Store
Beyond the cashback, Walmart+ (and its integration with the app) has a fantastic in-store feature. When you open the app inside a Walmart, it automatically switches to "store mode." This provides a map to find items, but also offers a "scan it" feature.
I recently used this when replacing my wife's windshield wipers. I found the right part, scanned its barcode with the Walmart app, and added it to my virtual cart. At self-checkout, all I had to do was scan a single barcode on my phone for all my purchases, confirm payment with my OnePay card, and I was done! My receipt was digital on my phone, and it saved a ton of time. It's a simple, effective way to streamline your shopping, keep a running tally, and avoid surprises at checkout.
Final Thoughts
The Walmart OnePay card, especially when paired with Walmart+, has proven to be far more valuable than I initially imagined. The unexpected gas savings have been a revelation on this trip, and the 5% cashback on Walmart purchases (plus the convenient app features) make it a strong contender for everyday spending.
What do you think? Is the Walmart OnePay card something you'd consider? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I can't wait to hear from you.
Until next time, have a great day!