Sams Club Master Card Review and Comparison Guide

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a popular choice among shoppers who frequent the warehouse club, offering a range of benefits and rewards that can help you save even more.

With a 5% cashback reward on gas purchases at Sam's Club fuel centers, you can fill up your tank and earn rewards at the same time.

One of the key benefits of the Sam's Club Mastercard is the ability to earn 3% cashback on purchases at restaurants, including those inside Sam's Club.

The card also offers a $50 statement credit after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, which can be a great incentive for new cardholders.

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The Sam's Club Mastercard offers a range of benefits and features that make it a convenient and rewarding credit card to use. One notable benefit is the lack of foreign transaction fees and annual fee, making it a great option for frequent travelers or those who like to shop online.

The card also offers cash-back rewards on various purchases, including 5% cash-back on gas, 3% cash-back on dining, and 3% cash-back on Sam's Club purchases for Plus members. Additionally, the card doubles as your Sam's Club membership card, making it easy to keep track of your membership and rewards.

Some other benefits of the Sam's Club Mastercard include online account access, special financing and promotional offers, and enhanced security features like smart chip technology and Mastercard ID theft protection services. The card also integrates with Sam's Club Scan & Go, making it easy to pay for purchases in-club and at the pump.

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If you're considering the Sam's Club Mastercard, there are a few things you should know.

The benefits are relatively few, with only two notable perks: no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee.

You'll also find that the card doubles as your Sam's Club membership card, which can be convenient.

Here are the card's notable features:

The card offers special financing and promotional offers, which can be a plus for frequent Sam's Club shoppers.

However, keep in mind that the card is accepted at all Sam's Club and Walmart locations nationwide, but that's not particularly notable since most credit cards are accepted there anyway.

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As a Plus member, you can earn even more rewards and enjoy exclusive benefits. You'll earn 5% cash back on all eligible purchases, including 2% for being a Plus member and 3% for using the Sam's Club card.

Plus members can save big on their Sam's Club purchases, with a breakeven point of just $2,000 annually at Sam's Club.

You'll also enjoy free shipping at samsclub.com, 2% Cash Rewards on qualifying in-club and pickup purchases, and early shopping hours. Plus, you'll get 20% off of glasses and 15% off Pandora streaming radio.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect as a Plus member:

The 2% Cash Rewards have a maximum reward of $500 per 12-month membership period and a membership can accumulate a maximum balance of $2,000 on a membership card. Earned rewards are loaded to the membership account at the end of each membership year (12-month period) and can be redeemed as cash or store credit at Sam’s Club locations.

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Sam's Club has a convenient Scan & Go system that lets shoppers scan items as they go, paying directly through their app instead of waiting in line.

Scan & Go integrates seamlessly with the Sam's Club Mastercard, making it easy to use for in-club purchases and even at the gas pumps.

This feature is made possible by a simple scan of items as they're placed in the cart, eliminating the need to wait in line to pay.

You can earn cash back on your Sam's Club Mastercard in several categories, including gas stations, dining, and other purchases. The earning rates are as follows: 5% at gas stations (on the first $6,000 per calendar year, then 1%), 3% on dining and takeout, and 1% on other purchases.

Plus members earn up to 5% back on Sam's Club purchases, which is a significant boost. To break it down, Plus members earn 2% back on qualifying in-club and pickup purchases, and an additional 3% back as a cardholder.

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The rewards are earned in the form of Sam's Cash, which can be used at Sam's Club for in-club, online, and app purchases. You can also use Sam's Cash toward renewing or upgrading your membership, or you can cash it out by requesting cash back at a staffed register or Member Services.

If you're new to Sam's Club, you could essentially get the cost of your membership covered by making an online purchase at samsclub.com the same day you sign up for the card.

You'll receive up to a $45 statement credit on your account within 90 days, which could help offset the membership cost.

This offer is limited to new members who sign up before January 15, 2020, and make an online purchase at samsclub.com the same day.

If you already have a membership card, you can also make any $45 online purchase to get the statement credit.

This is a great perk for new members, and it's a good reminder to take advantage of online shopping at Sam's Club.

Digitized rewards are a game-changer for shoppers who want to make the most of their rewards. Rewards are automatically loaded onto membership cards, making them easily accessible the next time you're shopping online or in-club.

You can use your membership card to pay for your purchases and earn rewards at the same time. This is especially convenient for regular Sam's Club shoppers.

Rewards can also be exchanged for cash back, so you can have the money sitting in your checking account if you prefer.

Earning cash back on your Sam's Club Mastercard can be a great way to save money on your purchases. You'll earn 5% back at gas stations, but only on the first $6,000 per calendar year, then 1% after that.

Here are the categories where you can earn cash back:

Plus members earn up to 5% back on Sam's Club purchases, including 2% back on qualifying in-club purchases and an additional 3% back with the card.

The cash back earnings are capped at a maximum of $5,000 cash back in a calendar year, and you won't get access to your cash until February of the following year, when it will be automatically loaded onto your membership.

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The sign-up bonus offer on the Sam's Club card is a great way to earn some rewards right from the start. You can get a $60 statement credit after making $30 in Sam's Club purchases within the first 30 days of account opening.

This offer is only available for new applicants, so if you're already a member, you won't be eligible. However, if you do get the card, you can earn a 200% return on spending, which is a pretty good deal.

To qualify for the sign-up bonus, you'll need to make Sam's Club purchases totaling $30 or more within 30 days of account opening. This excludes certain purchases like cash advances, gift card sales, and some other items.

If you do meet the requirements, you'll receive a one-time $30 credit within 90 days after the qualifying purchases are made. This is a relatively easy way to earn some rewards, especially if you were already planning on making some Sam's Club purchases.

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Special Financing can be a great perk, but it's essential to understand the terms and conditions.

The Sam's Club card offers special financing options, which can be categorized into two types: "no interest for 6/12/18/24/36/48 months" and "no interest if paid in full within 6/12/18/24/36/48 months."

With "no interest for" promotions, no interest applies to the purchase during the promotional period, but minimum monthly payments are still required. After the promotional period ends, regular account terms will apply to the promotional purchases.

Purchases made outside of the promotional offer are subject to regular account terms. This means you'll still be charged interest on those purchases, even if you're paying off the promotional balance on time.

Here are the key differences between "no interest for" and "no interest if paid in full" promotions:

It's crucial to note that "no interest if paid in full" promotions can come with hefty fees if you're not careful. Make sure to pay your promotional balance in full within the promotional period to avoid these fees.

Sam's Cash is automatically issued within one to two billing cycles of being earned and loaded onto your Sam's Club membership account.

You can use this cash back at Sam's Club for in-club, online and app purchases. This makes it easy to save money on your regular shopping trips.

You can also use Sam's Cash toward renewing or upgrading your membership, or you can cash it out by requesting cash back at a staffed register or Member Services.

However, if your card account isn't in good standing, you won't get any cash back — or your available cash-back balance will be forfeited. This means you need to keep your card account up to date to avoid losing your cash back.

Your Sam's Cash does not expire as long as you remain an active Sam's Club member. This is a big advantage over other cash back programs that have expiration dates.

Here are the scenarios where you won't be able to redeem your Sam's Cash:

The Sam's Club Mastercard has some fees and drawbacks to consider. The annual fee is $0, which is a plus.

To avoid these fees, it's essential to be a responsible cardholder. Pay your balance in full every month, or at least make the minimum payment.

The APRs for the Sam's Club card vary depending on the account type. For account type 1, the purchase and Quick Cash Advance APR is 14.90% variable, while for account type 2, it's 22.90% variable.

The Cash Advance APR is also different for each account type, with account type 1 having a 19.9% variable APR and account type 2 having a 25.9% variable APR.

There are fees associated with cash advances, including a $5 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Additionally, late fees can reach up to $40.

Here's a summary of the fees and APRs for the Sam's Club Mastercard:

The APRs can add up, especially if you often carry a balance. However, if you pay your balance in full every month, you can avoid these fees altogether.

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You can apply for the Sam's Club Mastercard either by visiting a Sam's Club register or applying online. If you want to access the $45 welcome bonus, it's best to apply online.

To manage your account and pay your bill, you can use the online platform. Alternatively, you can pay by phone or at a Sam's Club register.

Here's a comparison of the Sam's Club Mastercard with similar cards:

To apply for a Sam's Club credit card, you can visit a Sam's Club register to fill out an application or apply online. If you sign up in stores, it's unclear if you can access the $45 welcome bonus.

Applying online is a great option if you want to manage your account and pay your bill easily. You can also pay by phone or at a Sam's Club register if you prefer.

There are several ways to apply for the Sam's Club card, including digitally through the Sam's Club app, text message, or online. You can also apply in-store at your local club, either at the member service desk or at a register.

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You'll need to sign in or create an online account with your Sam's Club membership to apply online. Some applicants may be approved instantly, but others may require further review, which can take 7 to 10 days.

A "good" credit score is generally necessary to secure a Sam's Club card, although some individuals have reported approval with scores in the upper "fair" range.

If you're considering the Sam's Club Mastercard, you might want to compare it to other similar cards. The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a great option, especially if you're a frequent Costco shopper. It has no annual fee and offers 4% cash back on gas and electric vehicle charging, 3% back on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, and 1% back on other purchases.

The Citi Double Cash Card is another excellent choice, with no annual fee and 2% cash back on every purchase. This card is a great option for those who want better earnings on everyday purchases.

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Here's a comparison of the Sam's Club Mastercard with similar cards:

These cards offer varying rewards rates and welcome offers, so it's essential to choose the one that best fits your spending habits and needs.

If you're already a Sam's Club Plus member and spend a lot of money there, the Sam's Club Mastercard makes sense. It's likely a good fit if your membership is worth it for your spending situation.

You don't need a Sam's Club membership to apply for the card, but it's a key factor in deciding whether to use it. The card's benefits are mainly for frequent Sam's Club shoppers.

For occasional Sam's Club shoppers, there are other card options with higher earning rates on all purchases that might be a better choice.