Wandering through the aisles of a Sam’s Club warehouse, it’s easy to get distracted by the pallet-loads of snacks and cases of soda.
But savvy shoppers know that the real value lies in the store’s membership perks, especially when you sign up for a Sam’s Club credit card.
Let’s take a closer look at what the Sam’s Club credit card offers, who benefits the most from having one, and whether it’s ultimately worth getting.
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An Overview of Sam’s Club and Its Credit Cards
In case you aren’t familiar, Sam’s Club is a membership-based warehouse retailer and subsidiary of Walmart. For an annual membership fee, you gain access to wholesale prices on groceries, electronics, home goods, and more.
The basic membership costs $45 per year. But you can upgrade to a Plus membership for $100 annually. This gets you extras like cash rewards on qualifying purchases.
Sam’s Club also offers consumer and business credit cards:
- The Sam’s Club Credit Card: For individuals to use in-store
- The Sam’s Club Mastercard: For individuals to use anywhere, the Mastercard is accepted.
- The Sam’s Club Business Credit Card: For businesses to use in-store
- Sam’s Club Business Mastercard and Mastercard Plus: For businesses to use anywhere, Mastercards are accepted.
All of these credit cards have no annual fee. And the approval process involves a standard credit check, just like with any other credit card.
Cash Back, Rewards, and More
Using a Sam’s Club credit card comes with a suite of money-saving benefits. Let’s have a look at the notable perks each card brings to the table:
All Cards
- $30 statement credit when you open your account and spend $30 within the first 30 days.
Sam’s Club Mastercard and Mastercard Plus Cards
- 5% cash back on gas, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (1% after)
- 3% cashback on dining, takeout orders, and Sam’s Club purchases (for Plus members only; Club members get 1%)
- 1% cash back on other purchases made anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Sam’s Club Business Mastercard and Mastercard Plus Cards
- 5% cash back on gas, on up to $6,000 in purchases per year (1% after)
- 3% cashback on dining, takeout orders, and Sam’s Club purchases (for Plus members only; Club members get 1%)
- 1% cash back on other purchases made anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Purchases made with these cards also come with useful benefits, like:
- Price protection (up to 60 days)
- Extended warranty protection
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- ID theft protection
On top of earning cash back, Plus members can score additional rewards. Spending $500 at Sam’s Club earns you $10 in cash rewards, up to $500 per year. These can be redeemed for store credit or cash to pay your membership fees.
Between these cardholder perks, member-exclusive deals, and bulk-buying savings, having a Sam’s Club credit card can quickly add up to extra money in your pocket.
Pro Tip: Pay Off Your Balance Each Month
However, it’s important to note that these cards come with higher-than-average APRs. Rates range from 20.65% to 28.65%, depending on your credit.
That beats the average credit card interest rate. But carrying a balance can still negate your cash-back savings. So be sure to pay your bill on time and in full each month.
Who Gets the Most Value From a Sam’s Club Credit Card?
Given the wholesale prices and bulk-buy savings Sam’s Club is known for, they appeal most to large families, businesses, and anyone buying in quantity.
These demographics also tend to benefit the most from opening a Sam’s Club credit card. Here’s a closer look at the prime cardholders:
1. Families and households
Big-box shopping makes keeping a household stocked up on essentials more affordable. So households can maximize their savings with a Sam’s Club card.
The 5% cash back on gas is extremely valuable here too. Whether it’s fueling up the minivan for carpools or keeping the home heating oil full, those rewards add up fast.
In particular, the Sam’s Club Mastercard’s dining and takeout cash back fits well with families on the go. Earning 3% back at restaurants and takeout apps helps offset costs when you’re too busy to cook at home.
2. Small Business Owners
From snack drawers to cleaning supplies, Sam’s Club offers almost everything a business needs at bulk prices.
Business members can buy commercial-sized packs of these items to keep workplace kitchens and lounges well-stocked. And a Sam’s Club Business Mastercard means earning up to 5% cash back on these company purchases.
Plus, businesses that operate vehicles can benefit from the generous gas rewards. Whether it’s using company cars or reimbursing employees’ mileage, fuel costs quickly become a major expense. The 5% cash back on gas goes a long way (up to $6,000 per year) toward offsetting this expense.
Business owners themselves can save on their personal dining and fuel purchases with 3% and 5% cash back, respectively. This way, a Sam’s Club Business Mastercard doubles down on value for both professional and personal saving opportunities.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere?
While practically anyone can benefit financially from a Sam’s Club card, there are a few types of consumers who might find better options elsewhere:
1. Singles and couples without kids
For shoppers sticking to smaller grocery runs, big-box bulk buying isn’t necessary. The Sam’s Club membership and minimum purchases required to earn cash back rewards offset potential savings.
Other cash-back credit cards are likely better options here. Options with more flexible rotating categories or higher rates across daily spending offer more value.
2. Infrequent Shoppers
Since Sam’s Club is a membership-based retailer, you need to shop regularly to justify the $45–$100 yearly fees.
If you don’t hit Sam’s Club often enough to make a membership worthwhile, their credit card likely won’t pay off either. You’ll have limited opportunities to earn the card’s cashback rewards and perks.
3. International Travelers
The Sam’s Club cards don’t offer benefits tailored specifically for travelers. You won’t find extras like:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel insurance protections
- Airline miles or hotel point bonuses
Frequent travelers need credit cards with these types of perks. So jet-setters should consider other options over a Sam’s Club card.
How to Apply for a Sam’s Club Credit Card?
Getting your hands on a Sam’s Club credit card is simple for existing members:
- Head to your account at SamsClub.com and click “Get a Sam’s Club Credit Card.”
- Choose between the personal and business credit card options.
- Fill out the secure application with your membership details and other personal information.
- Receive an instant decision on your application.
You can also apply in-club at the Member Services Desk.
If you aren’t yet a Sam’s Club member, no problem. You can purchase one of the membership plans and apply for your new credit card in a single trip to your local Sam’s Club.
Alternatives to the Sam’s Club Credit Cards
As we covered earlier, the Sam’s Club cards make the most financial sense for regular bulk shoppers and gas buyers in particular. But there are some solid alternatives that might suit other consumers’ needs better.
Let’s look at a couple of the leading contenders:
(i) Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
If you prefer Costco over Sam’s Club, their Citi Visa card has similar rewards to offer:
- 4% cash back on eligible gas
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel
- 2% cash back on all Costco and Costco.com purchases
- 1% cash back on everything else
The gas and Costco rewards help offset membership and bulk purchases. And the dining and travel perks make this card more well-rounded for daily use, too.
(ii) Citi Custom CashSM Card
For flexible rewards across categories, the Citi Custom Cash card is a great pick. Rather than preset rewards rates, cardholders can choose their highest spending category each billing cycle and earn:
- 5% cash back on up to $500 in combined purchases in that category
- 1% cash back on everything else
So whether you’re buying the most groceries, fuel, dining out, or anything in between, you’ll maximize rewards on your biggest expense.
The bottom line
At its core, the Sam’s Club credit card aims to complement the wholesale shopping experience.
It earns you cash back where you’re already spending money on bulk essentials for your home, business, or family. Paired with a Plus membership, the savings add up quickly.
However, it’s best suited for regular bulk shoppers who don’t carry balances. Otherwise, alternatives like category-flexible cash back cards or travel visas better suit wider ranges of spending.
But overall, if you frequently shop at Sam’s Club, fuel up vehicles, and feed families or staff, their credit card delivers straightforward value through member-exclusive discounts and up to 5% cash back.