Sam's Club Plus Membership: Is the $110 Upgrade Worth It in 2025?

The Break-Even Math: When Sam's Club Plus Actually Pays for Itself

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Here's where most people get confused. The upgrade from Club to Plus costs an additional $60 per year. With 2% cash back on qualifying purchases, you need to spend $3,000 annually just to earn back that $60 upgrade fee.

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The calculation:

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• $3,000 in qualifying purchases × 2% cash back = $60

• $60 earned - $60 upgrade cost = $0 net benefit

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But there's a massive catch that Sam's Club doesn't advertise prominently: Not all purchases qualify for Sam's Cash.

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What Doesn't Qualify for 2% Cash Back

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Sam's Cash is NOT earned on:

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• Alcohol and tobacco products

• Fuel and automotive services

• Milk and dairy products (yes, really)

• Gift cards

• Tire and battery center purchases

• Optical and pharmacy purchases

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Translation: If 30% of your Sam's Club spending falls into these excluded categories, you'll actually need to spend closer to $4,300 total to hit that $3,000 qualifying purchase threshold.

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Example scenario:

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• Total annual spending: $5,000

• Excluded purchases (30%): $1,500 (gas, milk, wine)

• Qualifying purchases (70%): $3,500

• Sam's Cash earned: $70

• Net value after $60 upgrade: $10 profit

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This is why understanding your shopping patterns matters before upgrading.

Real Numbers: How Much Do Sam's Club Shoppers Actually Spend?

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According to industry data, the average Sam's Club member spends approximately $3,600 per year at the warehouse club. However, this varies dramatically based on household size and shopping frequency.

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Spending patterns by household size:

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Single person or couple:

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• Annual spending: $1,800-$2,500

• Qualifying purchases (after exclusions): $1,300-$1,800

• Sam's Cash earned: $26-$36

• Verdict: Not worth the Plus upgrade

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Family of 3-4:

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• Annual spending: $3,500-$5,500

• Qualifying purchases (after exclusions): $2,500-$4,000

• Sam's Cash earned: $50-$80

• Verdict: Marginal value, depends on other perks

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Family of 5+:

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• Annual spending: $6,000-$9,000

• Qualifying purchases (after exclusions): $4,200-$6,500

• Sam's Cash earned: $84-$130

• Verdict: Strong value proposition

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If you're spending $5,000 annually on qualifying purchases at Sam's Club, here's your value breakdown:

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• Sam's Cash earned: $100/year

• Upgrade cost: $60

• Net savings from cash back alone: $40

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Not mind-blowing yet, right? That's why the other perks matter significantly.

The Hidden Value: Early Hours, Free Shipping, and Pharmacy Discounts

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Beyond the 2% cash back, Sam's Club Plus members get access to perks that don't show up on your statement but deliver serious value:

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Early Shopping Hours (8 a.m. vs. 10 a.m.)

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Plus members can shop starting at 8 a.m., two full hours before Club members are allowed in. If you value your time at $25/hour and save 30 minutes per weekly shopping trip by avoiding crowds and checkout lines, that's $650 in annual time value (52 weeks × 0.5 hours × $25).

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Even if you only use early hours once per month and save 20 minutes each time, that's still $100 in time value annually.

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Free Shipping on Eligible Orders Over $50

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Basic Club members get free curbside pickup on orders over $50, but Plus members get free shipping delivered to their door. If you place 12 online orders per year and save an average of $8.99 in shipping each time, that's $107.88 saved annually.

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Additional Optical and Pharmacy Discounts

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Plus members receive enhanced discounts on prescription medications and eyewear beyond what Club members get. If you fill six prescriptions annually and save an extra $10 per prescription with Plus member pricing, that's $60 in pharmacy savings. Annual eyewear purchases can add another $30-$50 in savings.

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Scan & Go (Available to All Members, But More Valuable for Plus)

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While Scan & Go is technically available to all Sam's Club members, Plus members who shop during early hours get the full benefit: scanning items as you shop, seeing your running total, and checking out on your phone with zero wait time.

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Total additional value beyond cash back: $817+ annually (time + shipping + pharmacy)

Sam's Club Plus vs. Costco Executive vs. BJ's Club+: The Warehouse Club Showdown

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Before committing to Sam's Club Plus, it's worth understanding how it stacks up against premium memberships from Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club—and whether a different warehouse club might offer better value for your shopping habits.

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Membership Cost Comparison

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Key Differences That Matter

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Sam's Club Plus advantages:

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• Earliest shopping hours: 8 a.m. start (vs. 9 a.m. at Costco, none at BJ's)

• Credit card flexibility: Accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express

• Lowest annual fee: $110 vs. $130 (Costco) or $120 (BJ's)

• Widest geographic coverage: 600+ locations across 44 states

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Costco Executive advantages:

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• Highest cash back cap: $1,250 annually (vs. $500 at Sam's Club and BJ's)

• Instacart credit: $10/month ($120 annually) on orders $150+ effectively covers most of the upgrade fee

• Best for big spenders: If you spend $20,000+/year, you'll max out Sam's Club's $500 cap but keep earning at Costco

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BJ's Club+ advantages:

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• Extra gas savings: Additional 5¢/gallon discount at BJ's Gas stations

• Free same-day delivery: 2 orders per year on $50+ purchases

• Lowest upgrade cost: $60 (tied with Sam's Club)

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Which Warehouse Club Should You Choose?

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Choose Sam's Club Plus if:

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• You spend $3,500-$8,000 annually at warehouse clubs

• You value early shopping hours (8 a.m. is the earliest of all three)

• You want flexibility to use any credit card for rewards stacking

• You live in the South or Midwest where Sam's Club has strong coverage

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Choose Costco Executive if:

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• You spend $10,000+ annually at warehouse clubs (higher cash back cap matters)

• You frequently use Instacart and can utilize the $120 annual credit

• You're comfortable using only Visa cards in-store

• You prefer Costco's product selection, especially Kirkland Signature brands

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Choose BJ's Club+ if:

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• You spend $3,500-$7,000 annually at warehouse clubs

• Gas savings are a priority (extra 5¢/gallon adds up)

• You live in the Northeast where BJ's locations are concentrated

• You value free same-day delivery for bulky items

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The Credit Card Layer: Store Cards vs. General Rewards Cards

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Unlike Costco, which has an exclusive partnership with Citi, Sam's Club doesn't offer a co-branded credit card. This gives you more flexibility to choose the best rewards card for your spending.

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Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi rewards:

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• 4% back on gas (up to $7,000/year, then 1%)

• 3% back on restaurants and travel

• 2% back at Costco and Costco.com

• 1% back everywhere else

• Catch: Can only be used at Costco; must be a Costco member

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "751", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Costco Members and Shoppers", "headerHint": "Generous Rewards"} ]]

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Sam's Club strategy: Since Sam's Club accepts all major cards, you can use any high-earning credit card:

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• 2% flat-rate card: Earns 2% on Sam's Club purchases + 2% Sam's Cash = 4% total

• Category bonus card: Some cards offer 3-5% at wholesale clubs + 2% Sam's Cash = 5-7% total

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BJ’s One+™ Mastercard® rewards:

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• 5% back at BJ's Gas

• 2% back at BJ's (stacked with Club+ 2% = 4% total)

• 1% back everywhere else

• Catch: Must be a BJ's member

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Bottom line: Sam's Club Plus offers the most credit card flexibility, allowing you to stack rewards with your highest-earning card without being locked into a store-branded card.

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7774", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "BJ Members and Shoppers", "headerHint": "5% AT BJ’s Wholesale Club"} ]]

Should You Upgrade to Sam's Club Plus? The Decision Framework

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✅ You SHOULD upgrade to Sam's Club Plus if:

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Spending & Frequency:

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• You spend $3,500+ per year at Sam's Club on qualifying purchases

• You shop weekly or bi-weekly (not monthly)

• Your purchases focus on non-excluded categories (groceries, household items, electronics)

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Lifestyle & Priorities:

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• You value avoiding crowds (early 8 a.m. hours make a difference)

• You order online frequently and benefit from free shipping 8+ times per year

• You have a family of 4+ and buy in bulk consistently

• You live within 15 minutes of a Sam's Club location

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Value Calculation:If you check most of these boxes, your estimated annual value is $250-$600 after the $110 membership fee.

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❌ Stick with Club membership ($50) if:

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Spending & Frequency:

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• You spend less than $2,500 total per year at Sam's Club

• You shop monthly or less frequently

• Most of your purchases are excluded categories (primarily gas, alcohol, dairy, gift cards)

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Lifestyle & Priorities:

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• You don't mind shopping during regular hours (10 a.m. or later)

• You rarely order online or can pick up items in-store

• You're splitting the membership with family members who won't use Plus perks

• You also have a Costco or BJ's membership and split shopping between clubs

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Value Calculation:If most of these apply, you'll likely earn only $20-$80 in annual value—not enough to justify the $60 upgrade cost.

The Credit Card Stack: Maximizing Rewards on Top of Sam's Cash

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Sam's Club's acceptance of all major credit cards is a huge advantage. Here's how to layer rewards for maximum value:

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Best Credit Card Strategies for Sam's Club Plus

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Strategy #1: Flat-Rate Cash Back Card (Simplest)

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‍Use a 2% cash back card on all Sam's Club purchases:

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• Credit card rewards: 2%

• Sam's Cash: 2%

• Total rewards: 4%

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On $5,000 annual spending:

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• Credit card: $100

• Sam's Cash: $100

• Total rewards: $200

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Strategy #2: Category Bonus Cards (Higher Earning)

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‍Some credit cards offer elevated rewards at wholesale clubs or on groceries:

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• Cards with 3-5% back at warehouse clubs

• Combined with 2% Sam's Cash = 5-7% total rewards

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On $5,000 annual spending at 3% category rate:

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• Credit card: $150

• Sam's Cash: $100

• Total rewards: $250

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Strategy #3: Points-Earning Cards for Travel

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‍If you value travel rewards over cash back:

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• Cards that earn 2-3x points on all purchases

• Points can be worth 1.5-2¢ each when transferred to airlines/hotels

• Combined with Sam's Cash, you're earning 4-5% effective value

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Use Kudos to Find Your Best Sam's Club Card

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Instead of manually calculating which card earns the most at Sam's Club, use Kudos to automatically identify your highest-earning card for every purchase.

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How Kudos helps Sam's Club Plus members:

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• Analyzes your wallet to find the card with the best Sam's Club earning rate

• Tracks your Sam's Club spending to show if you're on pace to break even on Plus membership

• Alerts you to credit card perks you're not using (travel credits, purchase protection, etc.)

• Suggests better cards if you're not maximizing Sam's Club rewards

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With Kudos Insights, you'll know exactly whether your Sam's Club Plus membership is delivering value—and which credit card to swipe for every purchase.

How to Get the Most From Your Sam's Club Plus Membership

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You've decided to upgrade. Here's how to extract maximum value:

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1. Track Your Qualifying vs. Non-Qualifying Purchases

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Use Kudos to categorize your Sam's Club transactions and ensure you're actually earning 2% on enough purchases to justify Plus membership. Remember: milk, gas, alcohol, and gift cards don't count.

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2. Stack With the Right Credit Card

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Never use a debit card at Sam's Club. Always use a credit card that offers cash back or points, and let Kudos tell you which card to use for maximum rewards.

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3. Actually Use Early Shopping Hours

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If you're paying for 8 a.m. access, use it. Shopping before crowds arrive means:

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• No lines at checkout

• Fully stocked fresh produce and meat

• Easier parking

• 20-30 minutes saved per trip

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Time savings value: If you shop twice per month and save 25 minutes each trip, that's 10 hours annually—worth $250 at a $25/hour time value.

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4. Place Strategic Online Orders

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Free shipping on orders over $50 is valuable for:

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• Heavy/bulky items (paper towels, water, pet food)

• Items you forgot during your in-store trip

• Products on clearance that aren't available in-club

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If you place just one online order per month, that's $100+ in shipping savings annually.

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5. Maximize Optical and Pharmacy Discounts

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Plus members get additional discounts beyond what Club members receive:

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• Prescription medications

• Eyeglasses and contact lenses

• Vision exams

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If you wear glasses or contacts or fill prescriptions regularly, these savings can add $50-$150 annually.

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6. Monitor Your Sam's Cash Balance

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Sam's Cash is awarded monthly and loaded directly onto your membership card. You can:

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• Redeem it in-store at checkout

• Use it for online purchases

• Cash out with member services

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Pro tip: Check your Sam's Cash balance in the Sam's Club app before each shopping trip so you remember to use it.

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7. Add Household Members Strategically

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Plus members can add up to 16 Club-level members at $45 each. However, only purchases made by the primary cardholder and one household member count toward the 2% Sam's Cash.

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Don't add extra members thinking it will boost your rewards—it won't. But if multiple family members shop independently, having extra cards provides convenience.

Common Sam's Club Plus Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

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Mistake #1: Not Reaching Break-Even Spending

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Many people upgrade to Plus but don't actually spend enough to justify the $60 upgrade cost. Track your spending for 3-4 months to see if you're on pace to hit $3,000 in qualifying purchases.

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Solution: Use Kudos Insights to monitor your Sam's Club spending and receive alerts if you're falling short of break-even.

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Mistake #2: Buying Too Many Excluded Items

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If most of your Sam's Club purchases are gas, alcohol, milk, and gift cards, you won't earn much Sam's Cash—and Plus membership won't be worth it.

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Solution: Review your past statements to see what percentage of your spending qualifies for 2% cash back. If it's under 60%, reconsider the upgrade.

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Mistake #3: Forgetting to Use Sam's Cash

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Sam's Cash is loaded onto your membership card monthly, but some members forget to redeem it and let value sit unused.

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Solution: Enable notifications in the Sam's Club app to alert you when Sam's Cash is available. Check your balance before every shopping trip.

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Mistake #4: Not Using Early Hours

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If you're paying for 8 a.m. access but always shop at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, you're leaving value on the table.

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Solution: Adjust your shopping routine to take advantage of early hours at least 2x per month. The time savings and better shopping experience are worth it.

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Mistake #5: Using the Wrong Credit Card

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Paying with a debit card or low-earning credit card means you're missing out on 2-3% additional rewards.

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Solution: Let Kudos automatically identify which credit card earns the most on Sam's Club purchases, and use that card every time.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sam's Club Plus

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Can I get a discounted Sam's Club membership?

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‍Yes. Sam's Club offers 60% off Club membership (making it $20 instead of $50) for military personnel, teachers, first responders, students, government employees, college alumni, healthcare providers, and seniors. Verification is handled through ID.me. This discount doesn't apply to Plus membership, but you can upgrade from discounted Club to Plus for $60.

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Does Sam's Club Plus have a free trial?

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‍Sam's Club offers a 15-day trial membership for new members. You can test basic Club membership before committing to a full year. There's no separate trial for Plus membership, but you can upgrade at any time.

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Can I cancel my Sam's Club Plus membership and get a refund?

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‍Yes. Sam's Club offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee—you can cancel your membership at any time during your membership year and receive a full refund of the amount paid. This makes upgrading to Plus essentially risk-free.

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How does Sam's Cash work?

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‍Sam's Cash is earned on qualifying purchases and loaded onto your membership card monthly. You can redeem it:

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• In-store at checkout (tell the cashier you want to use Sam's Cash)

• Online during checkout (select "Use Sam's Cash" as payment)

• At member services (cash out your balance)

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Sam's Cash doesn't expire as long as your membership is active.

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What credit cards does Sam's Club accept?

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‍Sam's Club accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express both in-store and online. This gives you flexibility to use your highest-earning rewards card (unlike Costco, which only accepts Visa in-store).

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Can I use manufacturer coupons at Sam's Club?

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‍Yes, but with limitations. Sam's Club accepts manufacturer coupons on items that aren't already marked with "Instant Savings" discounts. You cannot stack manufacturer coupons with Sam's Club Instant Savings.

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Do I earn Sam's Cash on gas purchases?

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‍No. Fuel and automotive services are excluded from the 2% Sam's Cash program. However, you still earn credit card rewards on gas purchases if you use a rewards card.

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Can I share my Sam's Club Plus benefits with a friend?

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‍No. Each Plus membership includes one complimentary household card for someone living at the same address. You can add up to 16 additional Club-level members at $45 each, but they must have the same address and only purchases by the primary and primary household cardholder count toward Sam's Cash.

Final Verdict: Is Sam's Club Plus Worth It?

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For families spending $4,000+ per year at Sam's Club: Absolutely worth it. The 2% cash back alone covers the $60 upgrade cost, and the early hours, free shipping, and pharmacy discounts add several hundred dollars more in value. When stacked with the right credit card, you're earning 4-5% total rewards.

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Estimated annual value: $400-$600 after the $110 membership fee

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For moderate shoppers spending $2,500-$3,500 per year: Marginal value. You'll likely break even on the upgrade cost through cash back, but won't see substantial additional value unless you heavily utilize early hours and free shipping.

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Estimated annual value: $50-$150 after the $110 membership fee

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For light shoppers spending under $2,500 per year: Not worth it. Stick with the basic Club membership at $50/year. You won't hit the break-even threshold on cash back, and the other perks won't justify the cost.

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Estimated annual value: -$20 to $40 (you'll likely lose money on the upgrade)

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Your Action Plan:

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1. Calculate your annual Sam's Club spending (check credit card statements for the past 12 months)
2. Estimate qualifying purchase percentage (assume 65-75% qualifies for Sam's Cash after exclusions)
3. Determine your break-even status:
   • Need $3,000 in qualifying purchases to earn $60 in Sam's Cash
   • If you're spending $4,500+ total, you'll likely hit this threshold
4. Factor in additional perks:
   • Early hours: +$200-$400 (if used regularly)
   • Free shipping: +$100 (if you order online 10+ times/year)
   • Pharmacy/optical: +$50-$150 (if you use these services)
5. Use Kudos to maximize credit card rewards on every Sam's Club purchase—and track whether Plus membership is delivering value
6. Upgrade if the math works—and remember you can cancel anytime for a full refund if it's not meeting expectations

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Ready to maximize your Sam's Club Plus savings? Sign up for Kudos for free and let our AI-powered wallet automatically tell you which credit card earns the most on every purchase—including your Sam's Club runs.