Which is the best credit card for shopping at Sam's Club?

The best credit card for shopping at Sam’s Club will depend on your mix of spending. If you spend a lot in-store at Sam’s Club, the best card may be different than if you make large purchases at samsclub.com or at Sam’s Club gas stations. Another consideration will be if you prefer a card that also rewards your overall spending or if you’re looking for a card to use mostly at Sam’s Club. See our card recommendations in this article.

How do Sam's Club Rewards work?

Sam’s Plus members ($110 annual membership fee) qualify for 2% cash-back rewards earning (up to $500 each year) on every purchase made at Sam’s Club and samsclub.com. Rewards accumulate and are transferred to your membership card once per year by the end of February. Once the rewards are transferred, the balance is available to use. Rewards can be redeemed for your Sam’s Club in-store or online purchase, for cash in-store, to make a payment on your Sam’s Club credit card, or left to accumulate. Rewards do not expire, however, you can only accumulate up to a maximum of $2,000.

Can I shop at Sam's Club without a membership?

You cannot shop regularly in-store at Sam’s Club or at Sam’s Club gas stations without having a membership. It is possible to request a Guest Pass for 24-hour access but you must pay a 10% surcharge on your purchases. You can also shop at samsclub.com but you will not receive members-only pricing. You do not need to have a membership to shop at Sam’s Club Optical Center, Sam’s Club Pharmacy, or to visit the cafe.

Can I use my Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® at Sam's Club?

Yes, you can use your Capital One Walmart card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including Sam’s Club. However, you will not receive bonus earnings, only the base 1% cash-back earnings.

Does Sam's Club count as a grocery store or supermarket on my credit card?

No. Sam’s club is considered a warehouse club and does not qualify as a supermarket or grocery on most credit cards.

The 9 Best Credit Cards for Shopping at Sam's Club [2023]

Shopping at wholesale club retailers like Sam’s Club can save you a bunch of money if you’re able to accommodate the purchase of items in bulk. And while savings are great, buying in bulk could also result in leaving the store having spent a great deal of money.

You can count on the team here at Upgraded Points to embrace an opportunity to earn rewards on any purchase, especially large purchases. We’re always up to the challenge of determining the best ways to accomplish this objective.

That’s where we’re headed today. We’re going to take a look at how Sam’s Club works, review which credit cards can help you earn the most rewards for your Sam’s Club purchases — whether in-store or online — and compare all the options.

Let’s get started as we look at some of the best credit cards for earning rewards when shopping at Sam’s Club.

Table of contents

How Does Sam’s Club Work?

Sams Club Biz Products — Sam’s Club carries a variety of products for businesses, as well as for household consumers. Image Credit: Sam’s Club

In 1983, Sam Walton, an already successful retail entrepreneur, opened the first Sam’s Club to provide products and services for small businesses. Sam’s Club now has ~600 locations worldwide offering discounted wholesale pricing for both consumers and businesses at its retail warehouse properties and online at samsclub.com.

You must purchase an annual membership to shop in-store or online at samsclub.com. Depending on how much you utilize the club, however, the opportunity to save by purchasing in bulk may well offset the cost of membership. If you own a business or have a large family, the savings realized by purchasing wholesale and in bulk could end up being significant.

Before we explore which credit cards are best for shopping at Sam’s Club, let’s talk about the benefits of membership, the cost, and how Sam’s Club’s Rewards program works.

Comparing Sam’s Club Memberships

Sam’s Club offers 2 levels of memberships, each offering its own collection of benefits for Sam’s Club shoppers. Let’s look at the different perks offered by each type of membership:

Benefit	Sam’s Plus Membership $110 per Year	Sam’s Club Membership $50 per Year
Cash-back Earnings	Earns 2% cash-back rewards, up to $500 cash-back per year	No
Free Shipping	Yes	No
Early Shopping	8 a.m. Monday to Saturday	No
Curbside Pickup	Free	$4 charge
Free Select Prescriptions, Discounted Prescriptions, and Discounts on Optical	Yes	No
Tire Center — Free Flat Tire Repair, Battery Testing, and Wiper Blade Install	Yes
Discounted Fuel at Sam’s Club Gas Stations	Yes
Member-only Pricing	Yes
Free Membership for 1 Household Member	Yes
Add-on Memberships at $45 Each	Yes, up to 16	Yes, up to 8

If you own a business, the Sam’s Plus membership with 2% cash-back rewards, free shipping, early shopping, and the ability to add up to 16 memberships may provide value.

Sam’s Club Rewards Program — How It Works

Sam’s Club has its own rewards program for Sam’s Plus members only. Each qualifying purchase made at Sam’s Club or samsclub.com earns 2% cash-back, up to a maximum of $500 in cash-back each year.

Cash rewards are accumulated throughout the year and loaded onto your membership card by the end of February. Once the rewards are loaded onto your card, the funds are available for use.

Redemption options include purchasing items at Sam’s Club or cashing out the funds at a sales register. You can also allow the funds to accumulate in your account or use the funds to make a payment on a Sam’s Club credit card.

Rewards do not expire but a maximum of $2,000 is allowed to accumulate in your account.

Payment Options Accepted at Sam’s Club

Unlike its competitor Costco, Sam’s Club in-store and online accepts most major credit cards, including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.

Forms of payment accepted at Sam’s Club and samsclub.com:

American Express
Debit cards
Discover
Mastercard
Prepaid credit cards
Sam’s Club credit cards
Visa
Walmart and Sam’s Club gift cards

Sam’s Club in-store accepts these additional forms of payment:

Cash or check
SNAP electronic benefits transfer cards or food stamps
Walmart credit cards

Samsclub.com also accepts Visa Checkout digital wallet service.

Bottom Line: Sam’s Club has 2 levels of membership. The Sam’s Plus membership that costs $110 per year has additional benefits over the base Sam’s Club Membership ($50), including cash-back rewards earning, free shipping, early shopping hours, free select prescriptions, and the ability to add up to 16 additional memberships at $45 each. Sam’s Club, both in-store and online, accepts most major credit, debit, and prepaid cards.

The 6 Best Personal Credit Cards for Shopping at Sam’s Club

While you’ll be able to use just about any credit card at Sam’s Club in-store and online, several cards earn more rewards than others. The cards in this collection will ensure that you’re earning well on those purchases and more.

Card Summary

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Sam’s Club-Related Benefits
Sam’s Club® Mastercard®	No welcome offer available No annual fee	5% cash-back at Sam’s Club gas stations and U.S./Puerto Rico gas stations, up to $6,000 in purchases per year 3% cash-back at Sam’s Club in-store and online for Plus members only, all others earn 1% on these purchases Special financing options on Sam’s Club purchases
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back! Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards 3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases 1.5% cash-back on every purchase, including Sam’s Club 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.49% – 28.24%
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months. Annual fee of $0	5% cash-back when wholesale clubs are a quarterly bonus category, up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card	Earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. Annual fee of $0	3% cash-back at gas stations, including Sam’s Club gas stations, when selecting gas stations as a quarterly bonus category 3% cash-back for online purchases, including samsclub.com, when selecting online purchases as a quarterly bonus category 2% cash-back at wholesale clubs, up to $2,500 in purchases per quarter
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	2x miles on every purchase, including Sam’s Club
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	Earn a $200 statement credit after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months Annual fee of $0 (rates and fees)	3% cash-back (on up to $6,000 in purchases) on U.S online purchases

Hot Tip: Wholesale warehouse clubs, like Sam’s Club, sell various retail gift cards you can use for other purchases such as gas, dining, streaming services, and more. Use your rewards-earning credit card to maximize earnings by purchasing gift cards you can use for non-bonus earning purchases.

1. Sam’s Club® Mastercard®

To be eligible for the Sam’s Club card, you must have either a Sam’s Plus or Sam’s Club membership.

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

First, elevated earnings on the Sam’s Club card are restricted to Plus Members exclusively. They’ll earn an impressive total of 5% cash-back at Sam’s Club gas stations and other U.S. gas stations (including Puerto Rico), up to $6,000 in purchases each year. Purchases made at restaurants also earn 3% cash-back.

Travel purchases, excluding Sam’s Club travel services, also earn 3% cash-back. Travel services offered by other wholesale clubs are excluded. Purchases made at Sam’s Club and samsclub.com earn 3% cash-back.

Sam’s Club also offers a Sam’s Club® Store Credit Card that does not earn rewards. Both cards qualify the cardholder for special no-interest financing options on larger Sam’s Club purchases.

Neither card charges an annual fee.

Drawbacks of the Sam’s Club Card

While the Sam’s Club card does offer stellar earnings at gas stations, restaurants, and travel purchases, earnings of 3% on Sam’s Club purchases are restricted to Sam’s Club Plus members only. All other members will earn just 1% on Sam’s Club purchases. If you have not paid for the upgraded membership, you could receive better earnings using an alternative credit card for Sam’s Club shopping. Additionally, the card comes with high-interest rates, late fees, and cash advance fees.

Bottom Line: If you shop a lot at Sam’s Club gas stations and want a card that also rewards dining and travel, the Sam’s Club card could work for you. It is not, however, the best card for shopping at Sam’s Club in-store or online if you have not paid for the upgraded Plus membership due to just 1% earnings on those purchases.

2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

The Freedom Unlimited card earns 5% cash-back on travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash-back on dining and drugstores, and every other purchase, including your purchases at Sam’s Club in-store and online, earns 1.5% cash-back.

Additional Card Benefits

Earns cash-back in the form of Ultimate Rewards points which can be transferred to premium Chase credit cards and redeemed for up to 50% more in value using the Chase travel portal or transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially greater value
Shopping benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty

3. Chase Freedom Flex℠

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Each quarter, the Freedom Flex card offers bonus earnings for specific merchant categories. Cardholders earn 5% cash-back when warehouse clubs are a quarterly bonus category merchant. Activation is required.

The card could also be beneficial if you need to make a large purchase at Sam’s Club such as appliances or office furniture.

Additional Card Benefits

Earns cash-back in the form of Ultimate Rewards points which can be transferred to premium Chase credit cards, then redeemed for up to 50% more in value using the Chase travel portal, or transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially even greater value.
Purchase protection and extended warranty

4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers 3 ways to earn at Sam’s Club. First, because the card earns 3% cash-back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, you can earn 3% cash-back at gas stations, including Sam’s Club, when selecting that as your quarterly bonus earning category.

You could also select online purchases as your bonus category and earn 3% cash-back for samsclub.com purchases.

Finally, you’ll earn 2% cash-back at wholesale clubs, which includes Sam’s Club in-store and online purchases. Note that you’ll earn 3% and 2% cash-back on the first $2,500 in combined selected category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%.

Additional Card Benefits

3% cash-back category options include gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishing
2% cash-back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
1% cash-back on every other purchase
Bank of America Preferred Rewards members receive additional bonus earnings of 25% to 75% more cash-back on every purchase — that means you could earn 3.75% to 5.25% cash-back on purchases in your chosen category

5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Every non-bonus category purchase you make with the Capital One Venture card, including Sam’s Club purchases, will earn 2x miles on purchases.

Additional Card Benefits

Simple earning structure
Transfer miles to travel partners or redeem for travel with Capital One Travel
Purchase protection and extended warranty

If you’re looking for a premium travel rewards card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card will also earn 2x miles per dollar spent on all other non-bonused purchases, which includes at Sam’s Club. The card does come with a higher annual fee but includes a long list of travel rewards, insurance, and economic benefits.

Hot Tip: Combining a Sam’s Plus membership that earns 2% cash-back rewards with a rewards-earning credit card could make for elevated additional earnings on your purchases.

6. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

The Amex Blue Cash Everyday card shines when it comes to online shopping — you’ll earn 3% cash-back (up to $6,000 in purchases each year) at U.S. online retailers including samsclub.com.

Additional Card Benefits

3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets, does not include Sam’s Club, (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases each year)
1% cash-back on all other purchases

The 3 Best Business Credit Cards for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Customer checking out at Sams Club — Business owners will find a large variety of needed products available at Sam’s Club. Image Credit: Sam’s Club

Business owners enjoy Sam’s Club for bulk pricing and special shopping hours that can be earlier than the general public.

Here are our choices for the best business cards for shopping at Sam’s Club.

Card Summary

Card	Welcome Offer and Annual Fee	Sam’s Club-Related Benefits
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card	Earn $750 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months Annual fee of $0	1.5% cash-back on every purchase, including Sam’s Club 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 17.74% – 23.74% thereafter
Capital One Spark Miles for Business	Earn 50,000 miles once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that	2x miles on all purchases, including Sam’s Club
American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card	Earn a $250 statement credit after making $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $0 (rates and fees)	2% cash-back on every purchase, including Sam’s Club, up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1%

1. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

You’ll be earning 1.5% cash-back on every purchase with the Ink Business Unlimited card, including Sam’s Club in-store and online, but that’s not where the value ends. Establishing a business banking relationship with Chase is a smart move that can reap future rewards.

Additional Card Benefits

Earn rewards on every purchase
Earn cash-back in the form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be transferred to premium Chase personal or business credit cards and redeemed for travel for up to 1.5 cents per point; points can also then be transferred to travel partners for even greater potential value
Visa Signature benefits

2. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Earn 2 miles on every purchase you make, including Sam’s Club in-store and online, with the Capital One Spark Miles card.

Additional Card Benefits

5x miles for hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer miles to travel partners for even greater potential redemption value
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement

If you’d rather earn cash-back, the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card card earns 2% cash-back on every purchase, including Sam’s Club.

3. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Use your Amex Blue Business Cash card for your Sam’s Club purchase and earn 2% cash-back. The card earns 2% on every eligible purchase you make, up to $50,000 per calendar year; after that, then earn 1%.

Bottom Line: If your business spends a lot at Sam’s Club, it makes sense to be earning points, miles, or cash-back using a rewards-earning credit card for those purchases. Rewards can help to add revenue to your bottom line, offset business expenses, or even fund an annual family vacation.

Final Thoughts

Very few credit cards offer stellar rewards earning for Sam’s Club purchases. The best card for shopping at Sam’s Club, whether in-store or online, could be the card that aligns best with your mix of spending.

If you purchase a lot at Sam’s Club both in-store and online, for example, you might consider the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card as it ensures you can earn 2% to 3% cash-back on those purchases.

If you value the ability to redeem points for travel, the Ink Business Unlimited card, Freedom Unlimited card, or the Freedom Flex card allow you to transfer valuable Ultimate Rewards points to premium Chase credit cards where you can receive up to 50% more in value when redeeming for travel. Plus, you would have the option to then transfer to airline and hotel partners.

Our list of cards that earn rewards when shopping at Sam’s Club is not all-inclusive. Any credit card that delivers greater than 1% on your Sam’s Club purchases, matches your tolerance for paying an annual fee, has reward redemption options you can utilize, and other benefits for which you find value has the potential to be your go-to card for shopping at Sam’s Club.

The information regarding the Sam’s Club® Mastercard®, Sam’s Club® Store Credit Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Spark Miles for Business, Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card, and Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here.

2 comments

David Miller April 26, 2021

This looks like old/inaccurate information

“Unfortunately, all other purchases including purchases made at Sam’s Club and samsclub.com, earn just 1% cash-back.”

“It is not, however, the best card for shopping at Sam’s Club in-store or online due to just 1% earnings on those purchases.”

- Christine Krzyszton April 27, 2021
  
  Hi David. Yes, I think a clarification is necessary. The Sam’s Club Mastercard earns 1% on Sam’s Club purchases for club members. Only those members who have paid for the upgraded Plus membership receive higher earnings. Thank you for pointing that out. I have updated the article to make that point clearer. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

How Does Sam’s Club Work?

Comparing Sam’s Club Memberships

Sam’s Club Rewards Program — How It Works

Payment Options Accepted at Sam’s Club

The 6 Best Personal Credit Cards for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Card Summary

1. Sam’s Club® Mastercard®

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Drawbacks of the Sam’s Club Card

2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

3. Chase Freedom Flex℠

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

4. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

6. Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

The 3 Best Business Credit Cards for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Card Summary

1. Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card

Why We Like the Card for Shopping at Sam’s Club

Additional Card Benefits

2. Capital One Spark Miles for Business

Additional Card Benefits

3. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best credit card for shopping at Sam's Club?

How do Sam's Club Rewards work?

Can I shop at Sam's Club without a membership?

Can I use my Capital One Walmart Rewards® Mastercard® at Sam's Club?

Does Sam's Club count as a grocery store or supermarket on my credit card?

About Christine Krzyszton

2 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Related Posts

Advertiser Disclosure