When costs rise, shoppers look to stretch their dollar, and buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to do it.
A Sam's Club membership is one solid option, and offers more than bulk savings. Depending on which tier you choose, perks like cash back, free shipping and early store access can stretch your budget even further. Here's what to know before you sign up.
How much is a Sam’s membership?
The Sam’s Club membership program consists of two tiers, with different prices for each.
- Club Membership: $60 per year.
- Plus Membership: $120 per year.
You must be 18 and older and have a valid form of identification to get a membership.
What is the difference between membership levels?
Here’s a quick glance at what each membership tier offers:
Club ($60/year) | Plus ($120/year) | |
|---|---|---|
Who it's for | All members | Members who want more perks |
Cards included | 2 | 2 |
Valid at all locations and samsclub.com? | Yes | Yes |
Can add extra Club cardholders? | Up to 8 at $55/each | Up to 16 at $55 each |
Early store access | No (9 a.m. entry) | Yes (8 a.m. entry) |
Sam's Cash reward | No | 2% back on qualifying purchases, up to $750/year |
Scan & Go | Yes | Yes |
Free curbside pickup | On eligible orders over $50 | On eligible orders with no minimum |
Free shipping | No | On eligible orders over $50 |
Note: Sam's Cash is awarded on a monthly basis and loaded onto your membership card for purchases in store, online or on the app. You can also cash out with member services.
» Explore an alternative: Costco membership costs
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Skip the line with Scan & Go
Sam’s Scan & Go is the standout perk for me. Shopping with young kids means the last thing I want to do is stand in line. Scan & Go saves time and stress, and it’s a big reason the Sam’s Club experience feels different from other warehouse clubs.
The feature lets shoppers avoid the checkout line. Using the Sam’s Club app, you scan items as you add them to your cart, keeping a running total so there are no surprises at the end.
When you’re done, pay through the app (and apply any Sam’s Cash you’ve earned), and then show the barcode on your phone to an employee on your way out.
Extra perks
- Sam’s Club Cafe: Sure, it doesn’t get as much hype as Costco's food court, but it offers similar fare and prices, such as a $1.50 hot dog and drink combo. You can get a soft pretzel for a dollar and a slice of pizza and drink for $2.50. Don’t overlook the brownie sundae, which sells for less than $2 at my local club.
- More customization with cake orders: Sam’s club has more decorative options for bakery orders than its competitor, Costco. Managing editor Pamela de la Fuente swears by the custom cupcakes for kid birthday parties. She pays $16.67 for 30 cupcakes at her local club.
- Pharmacy savings with Plus: Prescription costs can really add up, but a Plus membership could offer savings with free delivery. Plus members are also eligible for a 30-day supply of over 600 generic drugs for $10 or less. Sam’s also lists 10 generics that Plus members get for free. Check the app or website for eligibility.
- SNAP benefits welcome: Plug your EBT card information into the app to shop for eligible items, marked in the app with an “EBT eligible” badgep. The website can even sort eligible foods to make for easier shopping. Costco allows shoppers to use food stamps, but they have to contact their state agency to see what qualifies.
Is a Sam’s Club membership worth it?
That depends on how you shop.
For me, the membership pays for itself quickly because I have the space to store bulk purchases. I also frequently need to restock kids’ diapers and snacks, and I like to host family gatherings where I need larger quantities of food.
Convenience is another factor. Because I have a Sam’s Club on my regular school dropoff route, I use my Plus membership to take advantage of the club’s early hours. I can be in-and-out before 9 a.m., which is a flex for any parent who has already been awake for three hours.
My Sam's Club membership also helps alleviate some of the pain my family has been experiencing at the gas pump lately. Right now, gas is $3.47 at my local Sam’s in the Atlanta area, which is about a 30 cent savings compared with the average in my state.
The Plus membership might be worth the upgrade if you need optical services or fill prescriptions regularly. Sam's says they have more than 600 generic drugs for $10 or less, and Plus members get a 30-day supply for free.
Sam's Club offers tire service and maintenance, so car owners can save here, too. Members get free roadside assistance for five years with an installation purchase. And sometimes Sam's offers special promotions to Plus members — like free tire installation.
Like with any warehouse club membership, a Sam’s Club membership may not be worth the cost if you don’t plan to shop there consistently, or if you don't have storage for bulk shopping trips.
If you’re still not sure whether a membership makes sense for you:
- Look for promotional savings on memberships.
- Check out the store's offerings and see how they fit into your lifestyle and shopping habits.
- Revisit your budget to see if the membership fee makes sense based on how often you'd shop and what you'd likely save.
» Next steps: Read our review of the Sam's Club Mastercard
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Can I get a discounted Sam’s Club membership?
Thanks to the occasional promotion, you might be able to snag a Club membership for less than full price. We've seen it go as low as $15 for the year.
Sam’s Club also offers membership discounts to military personnel, teachers, first responders, students, government employees, college alumni, health care providers, seniors, and for recipients of some types of government assistance. The membership discount for these groups is around 60% off the price of a Club membership.
Sam's partners with a company called ID.me to quickly verify your status. You might need to upload a pay stub or military or teacher identification to the secure platform to get the discount.
» MORE: Find additional military discounts
How to sign up for a Sam's Club membership
To sign up, visit the membership desk at any Sam’s Club location. You can also sign up online. When you create an account online, you’ll be asked for your name, mailing address, phone number and payment information. You’ll also need to create a password.
If you join online, you can download the Sam’s Club app and receive a digital membership card to shop instantly. You can request a physical membership card in-store by bringing a valid government-issued ID and your membership number. Find your membership number in your confirmation email, your online account and on your digital membership card.
