Rewards Plan
Sign up Bonus
Credit Rating
0% Intro
Annual Fee
APR
- Gas And Dining Cash Back
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
- Membership Requirement
- Rewards Cap
Rewards Plan
Sign up Bonus
Our Rating
PROS
- Gas And Dining Cash Back
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
CONS
- Membership Requirement
- Rewards Cap
APR
20.40% or 28.40% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 ($50/$110 for Club/Plus membership - MUST)
0% Intro
N/A
Credit Requirements
Good - Excellent
Tailored for Sam’s Club patrons, the Sam’s Club Mastercard stands out with its competitive cashback incentives and advantages in specific spending categories.
Sam’s Club Mastercard offers 5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases.
The card does not have a foreign transaction fee or annual fee as long as you are a Sam’s Club member (Membership starts at $45 a year). This card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just at Sam’s Club.
Despite notable gas rewards, potential users should weigh drawbacks such as limited upfront value with a modest welcome offer, absence of an introductory APR, mandatory Sam’s Club membership, capped rewards, and in-store redemption constraints.
How's The Sam's Store Network?
Sam’s Club has millions of members and 600 locations across the USA. While this isn’t as widespread as some other brand networks, if you have a Sam’s Club in your area and enjoy shopping there, this card could be of benefit to you.
How Hard Is It To Get This Card?
You will need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for a Sam’s Club Mastercard. You will also need to be a Plus card member, which will support your application.
When Should You Consider It?
As a branded mastercard, this card is heavily weighted towards Sam’s Club. So, if you’re already a Plus member and tend to shop regularly at your local store, this could be a good card option for you.
When Shouldn't You Consider It?
Obviously, if you don’t have a Sam’s Club in your area or you infrequently visit your local store, this is not the right card for you. There are other reward card options with grocery and warehouse club tiers that offer similar rewards, yet also support other purchases, which could be a better choice.
In This Review..
Pros & Cons
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the Sam’s Club Mastercard and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Gas And Dining Cash Back Rewards
| Membership Requirement |
No Foreign Transaction Fee | Rewards Cap |
Generous Sam’s Club Rewards for Plus Members | Weak Store-Specific Perks |
No Annual Fee | No 0% Intro APR |
- Gas And Dining Cash Back Rewards
Sam’s Club Mastercard has 5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
Sam’s Club Mastercard does not have a foreign transaction fee. This is unusual for a non-travel rewards card.
This is a great perk because you can earn cash back on your travel expenses.
- Generous Sam’s Club Rewards for Plus Members
Plus members can earn a substantial 3 percent cash back on eligible Sam’s Club purchases, combining with the 2 percent earned as Plus members for a total of 5 percent in Sam’s Cash.
- No Annual Fee
Sam’s Club Mastercard does not have an annual fee as long as you are a Sam’s Club member. Membership starts at $45 a year.
You can start earning cash back immediately.
- Weak Store-Specific Perks
Unlike some competitors, the card lacks additional store-specific perks beyond accelerated rewards, potentially diminishing its overall value proposition.
- Rewards Cap
There are spending caps on bonus categories like gas and dining, limiting the total cash back potential to $6,000 per year.
- Membership Requirement
A Sam’s Club membership is a prerequisite to apply for the card, starting at a minimum annual cost of $45, potentially limiting accessibility for non-members.
- No 0% Intro APR
Sam’s Club Mastercard doesn't offer 0% APR introductory as many other cards, so if you plan a big purchase or you carry debt, it's not the right card for you.
Top Offers
Top Offers
Top Offers From Our Partners
How It Compared To Other Store Credit Cards?
The Sam’s Club Mastercard is a strong contender for individuals heavily invested in Sam’s Club and those who prioritize gas rewards.
However, for a more diversified shopping experience and potentially higher upfront benefits, other store credit cards like the Walmart, Amazon, Target, Macy's, and Costco offerings might be worth exploring based on individual spending preferences and priorities.
When comparing with Costco, Sam's Club offer higher cashback on both Sam's club and gas, makes it particularly appealing to frequent drivers. Unlike the Costco card, the Sam’s Club Mastercard doesn't exclude other store-branded gas stations from its gas rewards category, providing additional flexibility for users.
While Walmart and Target cards offer up to 5% cash back on their own brand purchases, which is a bit lower than what you can earn with Sam's Club, they do have additional bonus categories. These cards also come with more generous welcome bonuses and ongoing perks like free shipping, making them appealing to certain shoppers who value these extra benefits.
In contrast, the Macy's Amex card is tailored to shoppers who frequently visit the department store, offering enhanced rewards on Macy's purchases. While Sam’s Club provides more versatile rewards, the Macy's Amex card also includes benefits like dining and gas rewards, though at a lower earning rate than Sam's Club.
Is the Sam's Club Mastercard Right for You?
The Sam’s Club Mastercard is a great card for Sam’s Club shoppers. It has very competitive cashback rewards and benefits in some spending categories. Cardholders that spend a lot on gas each year will benefit the most from this card. This card is also great for those who do a lot of traveling. The 3% cash back on dining is not common among store cards.
The biggest drawback to the Sam’s Club Mastercard is you have to wait a year for your cash back, and it can only be redeemed at Sam’s Club.
If you are not a Sam’s Club member, you would want to pass on this card. There are better cashback cards. Sam’s Club Mastercard rewards are straightforward and easy to understand and most Sam’s Club members would benefit by owning this card.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a store credit card – the Sam's Club is definitely a good option, but there are some good alternatives:
|  |
| |
|---|---|---|---|
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi | Best Buy Visa Card | Sam's Club® Mastercard® | |
Annual Fee | $0 ($60 Costco membership fee required)
| $0
| $0 ($50/$110 for Club/Plus membership – MUST)
|
Rewards |
1-4%
4% cash back on on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and most travel purchases, 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com, 1% cash back on all other purchases
|
1-5%
5% back in rewards on shopping at BestBuy, 3% back in rewards on gas purchases, 2% back in rewards on dining, takeout and grocery purchases, 1% back in rewards on everyday purchases
|
1-5%
5% cash back on gas anywhere Mastercard is accepted (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1% after), 3% cash back on Sam’s Club purchases for Plus members, 3% on dining and takeout and 1% on all other purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
None
None
|
None
10% back in rewards on your first day of purchase
|
None
$30 statement credit after making $30 in Sam’s Club purchases within the first 30 days
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0
| N/A
| N/A
|
Purchase APR | 19.99% – 27.99% (Variable)
| 15.99% – 31.49% variable
| 20.40% or 28.40% Variable
|
FAQ
There is no official guidance about what credit limit you can expect when you’re approved for a Sam’s Club Mastercard. However, current and previous customers have reported initial credit limits of $1,000 to $10,000. Your actual credit limit will depend on a number of factors including your income and employment status.
The Sam’s Club is obviously weighted towards this brand. So, if you want to maximize your rewards, make sure that you reach the spending cap for gas purchases, at $6,000 per year.
You’ll also earn high cashback on Sam’s Club purchases, so explore the aisles and aim to make as many of your everyday purchases at the store rather than using other brands.
When you apply for a Sam’s Club Mastercard, you may get instant approval. In other cases, you may need to wait a day or two for your approval decision. Upon approval, you should expect your card within 7 to 10 days.
Sam’s Club has a phone line to contact the customer support team, which is available seven days a week. It is open 7 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 8 pm CST. There is also a chat function available during the same hours.
Compare Sam’s Club Mastercard
Both Sam's Club and Walmart cards cater to the retail giant's customer base, offering perks for frequent shoppers. Here's our comparison
Sam’s Club Mastercard vs Walmart Rewards Mastercard: How They Compare?
In the realm of wholesale clubs, Sam's Club and Costco stand as titans. Which of them offers a better branded credit card? Here's our verdict.
Sam's Club Mastercard vs Costco Anywhere Visa Card: Which Card Is Best?
If you do all your grocery and fuel shopping at either Target or Sam's Club, the cashback you get from both credit cards is pretty similar.
Top Offers
Top Offers
Top Offers From Our Partners
Review Online Shopping Credit Cards
Capital One Walmart
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Chase Freedom Flex
Target Red Card
