Sam’s Club^® Mastercard^® Review: Full Review [2025]

Great Card If

• You’re a Sam’s Club member or, better yet, a Sam’s Club Plus member.
• You value cash-back.
• You tend to spend a lot at gas stations.

Don’t Get If

• You aren’t a Sam’s Club member.
• You prefer earning flexible rewards points or miles instead of cash-back.
• You tend to carry a balance on your credit card.

Sam’s Club Card: Is It Worth It?

The Sam’s Club card comes in 2 versions: one for club members and one for Plus members. The main difference is that Plus members can earn up to 5% in Sam’s Cash for Sam’s Club purchases (2% back on in-club purchases for Plus members, plus 3% back on Sam’s Club purchases with a Sam’s Club card), whereas regular club members receive only 1% back when shopping at Sam’s Club.

The card may be worth it if you tend to spend a lot at gas stations, as you can get 5% in Sam’s Cash for gas purchases, up to $6,000 per year, then 1%. The 3% at restaurants and takeout is also a solid perk. However, many other cash-back and flexible rewards cards offer bonuses in categories such as gas and dining. This card’s welcome offer is pretty low, and you’re also capped at earning $5,000 in Sam’s Cash each year.

Although Sam’s Cash never expires as long as your membership is active, you’ll need to use it within 6 months if you let your membership lapse. It can also take 1 to 2 billing cycles for Sam’s Cash to post, so you won’t always be able to use it right away. You can view any current and pending Sam’s Cash via the online dashboard in your account.

However, you have multiple options for using your Sam’s Cash. It can be used not only at Sam’s Club, but also for membership fees or conversion to cash. Compare this card to other cash-back cards to see if it’s worthwhile for you, based on where you tend to spend and how you value rewards. Sam’s Club Plus members can get the most value from the card.

Sam’s Club Card Top Benefits and Perks

These are the top benefits you’ll get with a Sam’s Club card:

• Get a $30 statement credit after making $30 in eligible Sam’s Club purchases within 1 month of account opening
• No annual fee (though you must be a Sam’s Club member, which costs $50 per year)
• 1% back in Sam’s Cash on Sam’s Club purchases (up to 5% if you’re a Plus member)
• 5% back in Sam’s Cash on gas anywhere (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1%)
• 3% back in Sam’s Cash on dining and takeout
• 1% back in Sam’s Cash on other purchases
• Zero fraud liability
• Doubles as your membership card

Best Ways To Earn and Redeem Your Sam’s Club Card Rewards

You’ll get the most value not by shopping at Sam’s Club, where you only receive 1% (unless you’re a Plus member and can earn up to 5%), but by spending on gas and dining.

When it comes to redeeming, you have options. You can redeem your Sam’s Cash for cash-back, use it to cover Sam’s Club membership fees, or use it to pay for Sam’s Club purchases.

Alternative Cards to the Sam’s Club Card

There are some valid alternatives to the Sam’s Club card; here are some you can consider:

Blue Cash Preferred^® Card from American Express

This card is good for anyone who spends a lot on gas purchases, as you’ll get 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit, 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually), and 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming, which you’ll receive as a statement credit. The card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 (rates & fees).

Costco Anywhere Visa^® Card by Citi

This card has a $0 annual fee, but you must have a Costco membership to be eligible for the card. The card earns 5% cash-back on gas at Costco and 4% cash-back on other eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year (1% thereafter), 3% on dining and travel, 2% back at Costco, and 1% on everything else. Redeem your rewards for cash-back or use them at Costco.