The Sam’s Club® Credit Card is one of two credit cards offered by Sam’s Club—the Sam’s Club® Credit Card and the Sam’s Club® Mastercard®. The Sam’s Club® Credit Card can only be used at Sam’s Club and Walmart, and doesn’t earn cashback rewards unless you’re a Sam’s Plus member.
Table of Contents
Quick Review
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card is a limited-use credit card with no annual fee, a flexible credit limit, and promotional financing.
You must be a Sam’s Club member to apply for the Sam’s Club® Credit Card, and the card will double as your Sam’s Club membership card. While this credit card can help ease the financial burden of everyday purchases made at Sam’s Club and Walmart, the Sam’s Club® Credit Card doesn’t have much else to offer.
Qualifying for the Sam’s Club® Credit Card requires a fair credit score (580 at least), while qualifying for the Sam’s Club® Mastercard® requires a good to excellent credit score (700+). If you’re able to qualify for the Sam’s Club® Mastercard®, this credit card offers more benefits and rewards than the Sam’s Club® Credit Card. Here’s how the two compare:
Sam’s Club® Credit Card vs. Sam’s Club® Mastercard®
| Credit Card | Annual fee | APR | Rewards | Can be used at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam’s Club Credit Card | $0 | 15.65%–23.65% | None | Sam’s Club and Walmart |
| Sam’s Club Mastercard | $0 | 15.65%–23.65% |
- 3% on dining - 1% on everyday purchases | Everywhere Mastercard is accepted |
In this review, we’ll be focusing only on the Sam’s Club® Credit Card. Here are its major pros and cons:
Sam’s Club® Credit Card Important Details
Basic Card Details
- Card issuer: Synchrony Bank
- Regular APR: 27.40% (variable)
- Annual fee: $0
- Maintenance fees: $0
- Can be used at: Sam’s Club (online and in stores), Walmart (online and in stores)
- Authorized users: Allowed
- Credit limit increases: Allowed
- Cash advances: $0 fee; only allowed at Sam’s Club stores 1
Additional Information
- Sam’s Plus members receive 2% cash back (as Sam’s Cash) on qualifying purchases
- Credit card doubles as membership card
Sam’s Club® Credit Card Rewards & Features
Here’s a breakdown of the Sam’s Club® credit card’s rewards and important features:
Fees
- Annual fee: $0
- Monthly fee: $0
- Late payment fee: $29–$40
- Membership fees: $45–$100
What is the Sam’s Plus membership?
The Sam’s Plus (aka Sam’s Club Plus) membership is the second tier of the Sam’s Club membership program. Sam’s Club offers membership programs to businesses and consumers. Its consumer membership programs include:
- Sam’s Club membership: $45/year
- Sam’s Plus membership: $100/year
Sam’s Plus members pay a higher annual fee, but enjoy more Sam’s Club benefits, including special offers and pricing, cashback rewards, and exclusive benefits (like price protection and free shipping).
Interest Rates
- APR: 27.40% (variable)
- Minimum interest charge: $2
The APR your Sam’s Club® Credit Card receives will depend on your creditworthiness, as determined by a credit check when you apply for the credit card.
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card APR is relatively high, so unpaid balances on your card could quickly add up.
Rewards
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card, on its own, doesn’t offer any rewards. However, if you’re a Sam’s Plus member, you’ll receive special rewards that can be accessed through your Sam’s Club® Credit Card.
Sam’s Plus membership rewards include:
- 2% cash back on qualifying purchases
- Free shipping
- Optical and pharmacy discounts
Introductory Offer
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card offers new cardholders a $30 statement credit when you spend $30 within 30 days of opening your account.
Special Promotional Financing
Sam’s Club will occasionally offer special financing on certain purchases when you use your Sam’s Club® Credit Card. Special financing offers allow you to defer interest for 6–48 months, depending on the offer.
However, if you don’t pay your balance in full by the end of the promotional period, you’ll be charged the entire period of interest, starting with the date of purchase. Be careful when accepting special financing offers, as you could end up paying a lot in interest.
Credit Reporting
Synchrony Bank reports to major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Credit reporting is important for building credit, as the information provided by lenders is used to adjust your credit score. Lenders aren’t required to report your credit activity, so Sam’s Club credit reporting is a major benefit.
Is the Sam’s Club® Credit Card Worth It?
FinanceJar verdict
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card is worth it for frequent Sam’s Club and Walmart shoppers who aren’t able to qualify for the Sam’s Club® Mastercard®. As you already need to be a Sam’s Club member to apply, the card comes at no extra cost, given it’s $0 annual fee.
A Sam’s Club® Credit Card can add to your credit holdings, and help finance your everyday purchases at Sam’s Club and Walmart.
Who is the Sam’s Club® Credit Card for?
The Sam’s Club® Credit Card is for:
- Sam’s Club members: If you’re already a Sam’s Club member, applying for the Sam’s Club® Credit Card can be worth it, as it comes at no extra cost. Sam’s Plus members can particularly benefit from the card, as they enjoy greater rewards.
- Families: Given the everyday expenses of managing a family, a Sam’s Club® Credit Card can help offset the cost of daily necessities. Between Sam’s Club and Walmart, you’ll have a wide range of products—from food to furnishings—available for purchase on your credit card. Additionally, Sam’s Club credit cards allow authorized users, meaning you and your spouse or child can have separate Sam’s Club credit cards on the same account.
FAQs About the Sam’s Club® Credit Card
1. How do I apply for a Sam’s Club® Credit Card?
You can apply for a Sam’s Club® Credit Card online via the Sam’s Club Credit page, or by going to a Sam’s Club store and asking for a credit card application.
Keep in mind that you need to already be a Sam’s Club member to apply, and will be asked to provide your membership account number.
2. Where can I use my Sam’s Credit Card?
You can use your Sam’s Club® Credit Card at Sam’s Club and Walmart while shopping online or in stores.
You can use the Sam’s Club® Mastercard® anywhere Mastercard® is accepted.
3. How do I pay my Sam’s Club® Credit Card?
There are four ways you can pay your Sam’s Club® Credit Card:
- Online: Log into the Sam’s Club Credit Account Management platform to pay your bill online.
- By phone: Call the number listed on the back of your Sam’s Club credit card to pay your bill over the phone.
- At a Sam’s Club register: Go to any Sam’s Club register or customer service desk and ask to pay your Sam’s Club credit card bill.
- At a Walmart register: Go to any Walmart register or customer service desk and ask to pay your Sam’s Club credit card bill.
Comparable Cards
See how the Sam’s Club® Credit Card compares to similar credit card options.
Sam’s Club® Credit Card vs. Walmart Rewards Card
The Walmart Rewards Card is also a store credit card, which can be used at both Walmart and Sam’s Club. Like the Sam’s Club® Credit Card, the Walmart Rewards Card has a $0 annual fee, and a high APR of 27.74% (variable).
Unlike the Sam’s Club® Credit Card, the Walmart Rewards Card offers cashback rewards to all cardholders. Rewards include:
- 2% rebate on Walmart in-store purchases
- 5% rebate on Walmart online purchases
- 5% rebate on all purchases (in-stores and online) within the first year of account opening.
Given the potential to earn cash back (available for use on Walmart purchases), the Walmart Rewards Card is the superior choice to the Sam’s Club® Credit Card.
Sam’s Club® Credit Card vs. Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco is Sam’s Club’s biggest retail competitor. If you aren’t already a loyal Sam’s Club member, you might consider opting instead for a Costo membership, and a Costco Anywhere credit card.
The Costco Anywhere card boasts a lower APR of 18.99% (variable), can be used wherever Visa is accepted, and offers a cashback rewards program. Its rewards include:
- 4% cash back on gas
- 3% cash back on dining
- 2% cash back on Costco purchases
- 1% cash back on everyday purchases
The downside of the Costco Anywhere card is that you’ll need excellent credit to qualify, so this credit card may isn’t available for everyone.
Sam’s Club® Credit Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card
An alternative to consider while shopping for a credit card to use at Sam’s Club is a standard credit card, rather than a retail credit card. One great option is the Chase Freedom Flex, which offers cashback rewards, a $200 introductory offer, and 0% APR within the first year of account opening.
Chase Freedom Flex rewards include:
- 5% cash back on purchases in bonus categories*
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% cash back on dining
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1% cash back on everyday purchases
* Bonus categories change each quarter, and are posted on the Chase Freedom Flex Rewards Calendar. Bonus categories sometimes include warehouse clubs, meaning you could potentially use this card to get 5% cash back at Sam’s Club.
