Sam's Club accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover at all warehouse locations and online
Sam's Club takes four major credit card networks: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. You can use any card from these networks to pay for merchandise, gas at the pump, and food court purchases. The warehouse also accepts debit cards, cash, and checks at the register.
If you hold a Sam's Club Mastercard or Sam's Club American Express card, you'll earn rewards on your purchases. These co-branded cards offer cash back or points depending on which version you carry. Non-members cannot use credit cards to shop at Sam's Club—you must have an active membership to enter the warehouse and make purchases.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover at registers, gas pumps, and online checkout.
- The Sam's Club Mastercard and Sam's Club American Express are co-branded cards that earn rewards on purchases made at the warehouse.
- You cannot use a credit card at Sam's Club without an active membership card, even if the credit card is accepted.
- Sam's Club gas stations only accept Sam's Club membership cards and co-branded credit cards at the pump; other cards must be used inside the warehouse.
Sam's Club Co-Branded Credit Cards and Their Rewards
Sam's Club offers two co-branded credit cards through different issuers. The Sam's Club Mastercard is issued by Synchrony and earns cash back on purchases. The Sam's Club American Express is issued by American Express and earns points that can be redeemed for Sam's Club merchandise or statement credits.
Both cards offer bonus rewards during the first months of membership and earn accelerated rewards on Sam's Club purchases compared to purchases elsewhere. The specific cash back percentages and point values vary by card and change periodically, so you should check the current terms before opening an account. These cards can only be used at Sam's Club locations and online at samsclub.com—they cannot be used at other retailers.
If you do not hold a Sam's Club co-branded card, you can still shop using any Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover card you own. You will not earn Sam's Club-specific rewards, but the transaction will process normally at checkout.
Using Credit Cards at Sam's Club Gas Stations
Sam's Club gas pumps have different payment rules than the warehouse itself. At the fuel pump, you can only use your Sam's Club membership card or a Sam's Club co-branded credit card. Regular Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover cards cannot be used at the pump.
If you want to pay with a non-co-branded card, you must go inside the warehouse and prepay at the register. The cashier will give you a receipt that you can use at the pump. This process takes extra time, so members who frequently buy gas often open a Sam's Club co-branded card for the convenience of pump payment.
Online Shopping and Sam's Club.com Payment Options
Sam's Club's website accepts the same four credit card networks as the warehouse: Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. You can also pay with a debit card, PayPal, or a Sam's Club gift card. Your membership must be active to check out—the site will ask for your membership number during the payment process.
Sam's Club co-branded cardholders earn the same rewards on online purchases as they do in the warehouse, though some promotions are warehouse-only. Check the terms of your specific card to see which online purchases may have access to for bonus rewards. If you have a Sam's Club American Express, you can also use it to pay through the American Express payment portal on the website.
What to Do If Your Card Is Declined
If your credit card is declined at Sam's Club, the most common reasons are an expired card, insufficient funds, or a fraud alert from your card issuer. Ask the cashier to try the transaction again—sometimes a temporary processing error causes a decline. If it declines a second time, contact your card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card to find out why.
Your card issuer may have flagged the transaction as suspicious because it is a large purchase or because you are shopping at an unfamiliar location. You can call the issuer before you shop to let them know you are planning a big purchase at Sam's Club. If your card is expired or damaged, you will need to contact your issuer to request a replacement before your next visit.
Membership Requirements and Payment Methods
Sam's Club requires an active membership to shop, regardless of which payment method you use. You cannot pay with a credit card and skip the membership requirement. When you arrive at the warehouse, a staff member will scan your membership card at the entrance. You will need to present the same membership card at checkout to complete your purchase.
If you do not have your physical membership card, you can show your digital membership card through the Sam's Club mobile app. The app displays a barcode that staff can scan. If you forget both your physical and digital card, you can provide your membership number to the cashier, though this process is slower than scanning.
International Credit Cards and Travel
Sam's Club accepts international credit cards from Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover, as long as they are issued by a bank outside the United States. Your card must have a valid expiration date and sufficient funds. Some international cards may trigger fraud alerts because they are not commonly used in the United States, so contact your card issuer before shopping if you are traveling.
Currency conversion fees explore when you use a foreign-issued card at a U.S. Sam's Club location. Your card issuer will convert the transaction to your home currency and may charge a percentage fee for the conversion. Check your card's terms to understand the conversion rate and fees before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a credit card without a Sam's Club membership?
No. You must have an active Sam's Club membership to enter the warehouse and make purchases, regardless of which payment method you use. A credit card cannot replace your membership card.
Do I earn rewards if I use a regular Visa or Mastercard instead of the Sam's Club card?
You will earn rewards from your card issuer if your Visa or Mastercard has a cash back or points program. However, you will not earn Sam's Club-specific rewards. Only the Sam's Club Mastercard and Sam's Club American Express earn accelerated rewards at the warehouse.
Can I use my Sam's Club American Express card outside of Sam's Club?
No. The Sam's Club American Express is a closed-loop card that only works at Sam's Club locations and samsclub.com. You cannot use it at other retailers or restaurants.
What payment methods work at the Sam's Club gas pump?
Only your Sam's Club membership card or a Sam's Club co-branded credit card can be used directly at the pump. If you have a different card, you must prepay inside the warehouse at the register.
Is there a fee to open a Sam's Club credit card?
The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee. The Sam's Club American Express may have an annual fee depending on the membership tier you choose. Check the current terms on the Sam's Club website or ask a staff member in the warehouse for details.