American Express Cobalt® Card vs Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®
Which one is better? Both cards worked out on the same spending: rewards, welcome bonus, fees and perks, line by line.
Welcome bonus
Each offer as the issuer words it. The numbers below show whether your spending reaches it.
The offer
The offer
Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your amex cobalt credit card in the first Year. That's up to 15,000 Membership Rewards® points.
Start with a welcome bonus of $25 reward dollars1. Just spend $75 in a single purchase at Walmart with your new Walmart Rewards Mastercard in the first 30 days1.
What each card is worth
Rewards, the welcome bonus and any Finly rebate in, the annual fee and FX fees out, all on your spending.
Worked out on a typical $2,000 a month of spending. Enter yours to see your own numbers.
$1,147
First-year value
$288
$787
Every year after
$263
Amex Cobalt is worth $859 more to you in year one.
It stays ahead after that, by $524 a year.
How the first year adds up
Annual rewards
$979.03
51,528 points a year
Welcome bonus
+ $285
first year only
Annual fee
− $191.88
Finly rebate
paid by FinlyWealth
First-year value
$1,147.15
Annual rewards
$263.22
cash back a year
Welcome bonus
+ $25
first year only
Annual fee
− $0
no annual fee
First-year value
$288.22
Where each card earns
A year of your spending at each card's own reward rates, most first.
5xFood, drinks and groceries in Canada
32,604 pts
$619.48
2xGas, transit & ride share in Canada
4,692 pts
$89.15
3xStreaming subscriptions in Canada
1,440 pts
$27.36
1xAll other purchases
12,792 pts
$243.05
3%Walmart in store and Walmart.ca
$34.83
1%All other purchases
$228.39
Fees, rates and eligibility
What each card costs to hold and to use abroad, and who it's for.
Annual fee
Additional cards
Interest rates
Interest rates
Purchase:
21.99%1
Cash Advance:
21.99%1
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
Purchase:
21.89%
Cash Advance:
22.97%
Balance Transfer:
22.97%
Recommended credit score
Recommended credit score
Income required
Income required
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
Min Personal Income:
N/A
Min Household Income:
N/A
How each card earns
The earn rates and caps, as each issuer sets them.
- 5x points per $1 spent on eligible eats and drinks in Canada, including groceries and food delivery (up to 12,500 points per month)
- 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
- 2x points per $1 spent on eligible gas, transit & ride share in Canada
- 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn 3% in reward dollars at any Walmart store in Canada or online at Walmart.ca2
- Earn 1% everywhere outside Walmart3
- Get 3 months free on Delivery pass annual subscription every year.4
Points and how we value them
Points become dollars at each card's best redemption. Here's the value we used, and every other way to spend them.
Loyalty program
Loyalty program
We count each point at 1.9¢ a point, what it's worth redeemed for Transfer to Airline Partners, its best value. Every dollar figure above uses that value.
Cash back: every dollar it earns counts as a dollar, so there's nothing to convert.
Point redemption options
Point redemption options
Most Optimal
Transfer to Airline Partners
1.9¢ / point
Fixed Point Travel Program
1.16¢ / point
Transfer to Hotel Partners
1.08¢ / point.svg)
Flexible Points Travel Program
1¢ / point
Statement Credits (Cash)
1¢ / point
Gift Cards
0.91¢ / point
Amazon.ca
0.7¢ / point
Merchandise
0.63¢ / point
Nothing to redeem: it pays cash back.
Insurance and perks
What both cards include comes first in each list.
Insurance
Insurance
Purchase Protection
90 days
Lost or Stolen Baggage
$500
Baggage Delay
$500.svg)
Car Rental Damage & Theft
yes
Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
$250,000
Mobile Device Insurance
$1,000
Extended Warranty
1 year
Hotel Burglary Insurance
$500
Travel Medical Insurance (64 & under)
15 days, up to $5M (if under age 65)Flight Delay
$500
Purchase Protection
90 days
Perks
Perks
Amex Experiences™
Access Front Of The Line® Amex Presale & Reserved Tickets to some of your favourite concerts and theatre performances and special offers and events curated for Cardmembers with Amex Experiences™
No extra perks.
Our take
Why we like it
Why we like it
This card was voted one of the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, this card has a good benefits coverage, a flexible amex cobalt bonus points redemption program (1:1 transfer to Aeroplan® or Avios), making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.
The Walmart Rewards Mastercard is ideal for frequent Walmart shoppers who want to spread out payments on larger purchases without paying much interest. It offers 1.25 Walmart Reward Dollars for every dollar spent at Walmart stores and the ability to pay in installments. Additionally, you can earn up to $45 in Walmart Reward Dollars when you sign up. However, the rewards can only be redeemed at Walmart, and the card lacks additional benefits or insurance coverage beyond purchase assurance and extended warranty.
Pros
Pros
- Impressive optimization
- 1:1 Aeroplan point transfer
- Generous welcome bonus
- Flexible high value redemptions
- Comprehensive coverage
- Highly ranked
- Instant decision. No credit impact.
- No annual fee
- Instalment payments available
- Sign-up bonus
- Solid Walmart rewards
Cons
Cons
- Limited acceptance
- Lacks valuable coverage categories
- Lower reward rates overall
- Limited redemption options
- No benefits
- Limited insurance
American Express Cobalt® Card vs Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard®: When to go for one over the other
Annual Fees and Requirements
The American Express Cobalt® Card charges a higher annual fee, which reflects its extensive rewards and benefits package. In contrast, the Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® has no annual fee, making it more accessible to budget-conscious consumers. Neither card has specific income requirements, allowing a wide range of applicants to be eligible.
Rewards
The American Express Cobalt® Card offers a higher rewards rate, particularly in categories like dining and groceries, which can lead to significant value over time. It also provides a substantial welcome bonus, making it appealing for those who spend regularly in its high-reward categories. The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® offers straightforward cashback rewards, particularly on Walmart purchases, but the overall value is significantly lower compared to the Cobalt® Card.
Reward Redemption Options
The American Express Cobalt Card offers multiple redemption options, including transfers to airline and hotel partners, statement credits, and gift cards. These options provide flexibility and value. The Walmart Rewards Mastercard, however, limits rewards redemption to Walmart, reducing flexibility compared to the cashback versatility of the Cobalt Card.
Benefits and Insurance
The American Express Cobalt® Card comes with a robust package of benefits and insurance, including travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. It also offers unique perks like access to American Express Experiences. The Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® is more basic, with limited benefits primarily focused on purchase protection and an extended warranty, and lacks the extensive insurance coverage provided by the Cobalt® Card.
Network Differences
The American Express Cobalt® Card operates on the American Express network, which is less widely accepted compared to Mastercard which the Walmart Mastercard is on.
Conclusion
For most users, especially those who value high rewards in dining, groceries, and travel, the American Express Cobalt® Card is the superior choice due to its extensive benefits and higher rewards potential. However, the Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® may be better suited for frequent Walmart shoppers who prefer a no-fee card with straightforward rewards and broader acceptance.
More comparisons
Other cards we've put each of these up against.
vs Amazon Rewards Mastercard
vs Amex Aeroplan Reserve
vs Amex Aeroplan®
vs Amex Gold
vs Amex Green
vs Amex Marriott Bonvoy
vs Amex Platinum
vs Amex SimplyCash
vs Amex SimplyCash™ Preferred
vs BMO CashBack World Elite
vs CIBC Aeroplan Visa Infinite
vs CIBC Costco Mastercard
vs MBNA Rewards World Elite
vs Neo Mastercard®
vs Neo World Elite® Mastercard – Gas & Grocery
vs PC World Elite Mastercard
vs RBC ION Visa
vs RBC ION+ Visa
vs Rogers Red
vs Rogers Red World Elite
vs Scotia Amex Gold
vs Scotia Momentum Visa
vs Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite +
vs Scotiabank Passport
vs Simplii Financial Visa Card
vs Tangerine Money-Back
vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite
vs TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
vs TD First Class Travel
vs Walmart World Mastercard
Legal
*Terms and conditions apply.
If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 29.99%.
American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
1 A $25-dollar Welcome Bonus in Walmart Reward Dollars will be awarded to your Walmart Rewards account within five business days after an eligible single purchase reaching a total spend of $75 (including taxes) using your Walmart Rewards Mastercard is made at Walmart retail locations in Canada or online at Walmart.ca. To qualify for this offer you must (1) apply and be approved for a Walmart Rewards™ Mastercard® account in-store or online at walmartrewards.ca; and (2) make a single-receipt purchase of at least $75 (including taxes) at Walmart retail locations in Canada or online at Walmart.ca. Qualifying purchase must be made within 30 days of your application approval. Offer cannot be used with any other offer or promotion and is limited to one welcome bonus per new account. This offer is subject to the full Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions
2 Earn 3% in Walmart Reward Dollars on eligible purchases charged to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard at Walmart retail locations in Canada and online at Walmart.ca before taxes. Some exclusions apply. See Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions for details.
3 Earn 1% in Walmart Reward Dollars on all eligible purchases charged to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard outside of Walmart retail locations in Canada and online at Walmart.ca. Some exclusions apply. See Walmart Reward Dollars Program Terms and Conditions for details.
4 Use your Walmart Rewards Mastercard to pay for a regularly priced annual Walmart Delivery Pass when purchasing it online at Walmart.ca and receive a 3-month statement credit plus applicable taxes for Walmart Rewards Mastercard or 6-month statement credit plus applicable taxes for Walmart Rewards World Mastercard. Your statement credit will be posted to your Walmart Rewards Mastercard account within 45 business days after the qualifying annual Delivery Pass plan purchase is made. Only one statement credit per account, per year. The account must be in good standing at the time the statement credit is awarded. See Delivery Pass Terms for details and exclusions.
