What the Sam's Club Credit Card offers

Sam's Club offers two credit cards: the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard. Both cards earn cash back on purchases, but the rewards structure and annual fees differ based on your membership level and spending patterns.

The Sam's Club Mastercard earns 2% cash back on gas (at any station), 1% at Sam's Club, and 1% on all other purchases. If you hold a Sam's Club Plus membership, those rates increase to 2% cash back at Sam's Club and 1% everywhere else. There is no annual fee for the credit card itself, though you do need an active Sam's Club membership, which costs either $50 or $110 per year depending on the tier.

The Sam's Club Business Mastercard works similarly but is designed for business owners. It earns 3% cash back on gas, 2% at Sam's Club, and 1% elsewhere. Like the consumer card, there is no credit card annual fee, but you need a business membership to hold it.

Key Takeaways

  • Sam's Club cards earn cash back at the warehouse and on gas, but the rates depend on whether you have a Plus membership and how much you spend outside Sam's Club.
  • There is no annual fee for either card, but you must maintain a Sam's Club membership ($50 to $110 per year) to use it.
  • Cash back is deposited as a Sam's Club credit that you can use in-warehouse or online, not as a statement credit or direct deposit to your bank account.
  • The card is a Mastercard, so it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted, but the highest rewards rates explore only at Sam's Club and gas stations.
  • Sam's Club members who spend most of their money outside the warehouse may earn better rewards with a general cash-back card that does not require a membership fee.

How cash back works and where you can use it

Cash back earned on the Sam's Club Mastercard is not paid to your bank account or applied as a statement credit. Instead, it appears as a Sam's Club credit in your membership account. You can use this credit to pay for purchases in the warehouse or on Sam's Club's website.

This structure matters because it ties your rewards to Sam's Club spending. If you earn $200 in cash back but only visit the warehouse once a month, you may not use that credit for weeks or months. You cannot transfer the credit to another person or convert it to cash.

Cash back does not expire as long as your membership is active. If your membership lapses, Sam's Club may freeze or forfeit unused cash back, so check your membership renewal date before it passes.

Comparing the Sam's Club card to other warehouse and cash-back cards

The Sam's Club Mastercard competes directly with the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi and the Discover It Cash Back card. Each has different strengths depending on where you shop and how much you spend.

The Costco card earns 2% on gas and travel, 1% at Costco, and 1% elsewhere. Like Sam's Club, it requires a membership ($65 to $130 per year) and pays rewards as a statement credit. The main difference is that Costco's rewards are more flexible — you can use them anywhere, not just at Costco.

A general cash-back card like the Discover It or Chase Freedom Unlimited earns 1% to 5% cash back with no membership fee. If you do not shop at Sam's Club regularly, one of these cards may deliver better value because you avoid the annual membership cost and get cash back you can use anywhere.

The math depends on your spending. If you spend $3,000 or more per year at Sam's Club, the warehouse card's higher in-warehouse rate usually covers the membership fee. If you spend less, a no-fee card is likely better.

Annual fees and membership costs

The Sam's Club Mastercard itself has no annual fee. However, you must maintain an active Sam's Club membership to hold the card. The Gold Star membership costs $50 per year, and the Plus membership costs $110 per year.

The Plus membership includes additional benefits beyond the credit card — discounted gas, extended return windows, and higher cash-back rates on the card itself. Whether the extra $60 per year is worth it depends on how often you shop and how much you spend on gas.

If your membership lapses, your card remains active for purchases, but you lose access to in-warehouse shopping and your cash-back credit may be forfeited. Renew your membership before the expiration date to avoid losing rewards.

Who should consider the Sam's Club card

The Sam's Club Mastercard makes sense if you already have a Sam's Club membership and shop there regularly. If you spend $100 or more per month at the warehouse, the 1% to 2% cash back usually pays for the membership fee within a year.

The card is also useful for people who buy gas frequently. The 2% cash back on gas at any station is competitive with other cards, and it stacks with the warehouse rewards if you also shop at Sam's Club.

The card is less attractive if you do not have a membership, do most of your shopping elsewhere, or prefer cash back that you can use anywhere. In those cases, a general cash-back card or a card tied to a store where you already shop may deliver better returns.

How to compare this card to your spending patterns

Start by tracking where you spend money over the past three months. Add up what you spent at Sam's Club, at gas stations, and everywhere else. Then calculate what you would earn with the Sam's Club card versus a competing card.

For example: if you spend $200 per month at Sam's Club, $100 on gas, and $400 elsewhere, the Sam's Club card earns roughly $60 per year in cash back ($200 × 12 × 1% + $100 × 12 × 2% + $400 × 12 × 1%). Subtract the $50 membership fee, and you net $10 in value. A general 1.5% cash-back card would earn $108 per year with no fee — a better outcome.

If you have a Plus membership and spend $300 per month at Sam's Club, the math changes. You would earn roughly $120 per year in cash back ($300 × 12 × 2% + $100 × 12 × 2% + $400 × 12 × 1%), which covers the $110 membership fee and leaves $10 in profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Sam's Club card outside the warehouse?

Yes. The Sam's Club Mastercard is a Mastercard, so it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, you only earn the highest cash-back rates at Sam's Club and gas stations. All other purchases earn 1% cash back, which is lower than many general cash-back cards.

What happens to my cash back if I cancel my membership?

If your membership expires or you cancel it, your cash-back credit may be forfeited. Sam's Club's policy on this varies, so contact the membership desk or call customer service before your membership lapses to understand what happens to your balance.

Is the Sam's Club card better than the Costco card?

It depends on where you shop. The Costco card pays rewards as a statement credit you can use anywhere, while the Sam's Club card limits rewards to Sam's Club purchases. If you shop at both warehouses, compare the cash-back rates and membership fees for each to see which saves you more money.

Do I need a Sam's Club membership to open the card?

Yes. You must have an active Sam's Club membership to open and use the card. If you do not have a membership, you would need to purchase one before opening the card.

Can I earn cash back on Sam's Club gift cards?

Yes. Purchases of Sam's Club gift cards count as regular purchases and earn the standard cash-back rate for that category. However, when you use the gift card to buy items, those purchases do not earn additional cash back.