Sam's Club membership
How to sign up for Sam's Club membership and Sam's Cash
Sam's Club is a paid warehouse membership with two main tiers: Club and Plus. This guide explains how to join, compare the benefits, use Instant Savings and Scan & Go, understand Sam's Cash, and decide whether Plus is worth the upgrade.
Updated July 2026 using Sam's Club's current membership page and terms.
Quick answer
Start at the Sam's Club membership page and choose Club or Plus. As of July 10, 2026, Sam's Club lists Club at $60 per year and Plus at $120 per year before any displayed limited-time first-year discount. Confirm the final price and auto-renewal terms before joining.
Choose Club if you mainly want member prices, Instant Savings, member fuel prices, Scan & Go, two membership cards, and curbside pickup. Choose Plus only if the extra benefits fit your real use: 2% Sam's Cash on qualifying purchases, free shipping over $50, free delivery from club over $50, early shopping hours, and listed pharmacy, optical, tire, and battery savings.
For the Plus upgrade math, the clean starting point is $60 divided by 2%. That means about $3,000 in eligible annual Sam's Club purchases would earn $60 in Sam's Cash before exclusions, returns, and any other Plus benefits.
Step-by-step signup
- 1
Choose Club or Plus
Club is the standard paid membership. Plus costs more and adds extra benefits, including 2% Sam's Cash on qualifying purchases and listed shipping, delivery, early shopping, pharmacy, optical, tire, and battery benefits. Review the current membership page before paying because promotions can change.
- 2
Join online or in club
Use the Sam's Club join page or visit Member Services in a club. Enter the contact information, payment method, and membership details you want tied to the account.
- 3
Review auto-renewal
Sam's Club says selecting Join or Renew can authorize recurring annual membership charges until cancellation. Check the payment method, renewal price, and cancellation timing before submitting.
- 4
Add the complimentary household card
Sam's Club terms say a membership includes a complimentary card for another eligible household member. Add the person who will realistically shop or pick up orders.
- 5
Set up your online account and app
Sign in on SamsClub.com and the Sam's Club app so your digital membership card, Scan & Go, curbside pickup, Instant Savings, and Sam's Cash activity stay connected.
- 6
Use Instant Savings correctly
Instant Savings can apply to eligible items after your membership card is scanned. Check the offer dates, item match, club availability, and redemption limits before counting the savings.
- 7
Track Sam's Cash
Plus members can track Sam's Cash in the account. Sam's Club terms say Plus members may earn 2% Sam's Cash on qualifying pre-tax purchases directly from Sam's Club in clubs and through Curbside Pickup, with exclusions and an annual cap.
Sam's Club membership and rewards options
| Feature | Cost type | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Club | $60 per year | Households that want Sam's Club member prices, Instant Savings, fuel prices, Scan & Go, two membership cards, and curbside pickup without paying for Plus. |
| Plus | $120 per year | Frequent Sam's Club shoppers who can use 2% Sam's Cash on eligible purchases, free shipping over $50, free delivery from club over $50, early shopping hours, and listed service savings. |
| Sam's Cash | Plus reward | Plus members with enough eligible in-club or curbside spending to make the 2% reward meaningful after exclusions and returns. |
| Instant Savings | Included | Club and Plus members who check current offers and buy the exact eligible item during the offer window. |
| Scan & Go | Included | Members who want to scan items in the app while shopping in club and avoid a standard checkout lane where available. |
| Sam's Club Mastercard | Optional card | Members evaluating card-specific Sam's Cash earning separately from the basic Club or Plus membership decision. |
Common questions
Is Sam's Club membership free?
No. Sam's Club is a paid warehouse membership. As of July 10, 2026, Sam's Club lists Club at $60 per year and Plus at $120 per year before any limited-time first-year promotion.
What is the difference between Sam's Club Club and Plus?
Club is the standard membership for member pricing and core benefits. Plus costs more and adds 2% Sam's Cash on qualifying purchases, free shipping over $50, free delivery from club over $50, early shopping hours, and listed pharmacy, optical, tire, and battery savings.
How does Sam's Cash work for Plus members?
Sam's Club terms say Plus members may earn 2% in Sam's Cash, after discounts, on qualifying pre-tax purchases directly from Sam's Club made in clubs and through Curbside Pickup. The terms exclude many categories and say Plus members may earn up to $750 annually from qualifying Sam's Club purchases.
Do online Sam's Club orders earn 2% Sam's Cash?
Not always. Sam's Club terms say Plus members do not earn the 2% Sam's Cash from third parties or from online purchases on SamsClub.com such as direct ship or delivery orders. Check the current terms for the exact order type before counting rewards.
Can Sam's Cash be used for membership renewal?
Sam's Club terms say Sam's Cash may be applied to Sam's Club membership renewal fees through member-initiated renewal and to most direct purchases from Sam's Club online, at any club, or in the app. Some purchases, including fuel, gift cards, prescription-related products, and other categories, are excluded.
Does Sam's Cash expire?
Sam's Club terms say if a membership has been inactive and expired for more than six months, certain unredeemed Sam's Cash earned through Plus membership, promotions, or the bonus offer program will expire and be forfeited.
When is Sam's Club Plus worth it?
The Plus upgrade costs $60 more than Club at standard pricing. At 2% back, about $3,000 in eligible annual purchases would earn $60 in Sam's Cash. Plus can become more attractive if you also use shipping, delivery, early shopping, pharmacy, optical, tire, or battery benefits.
Do Club members get Instant Savings?
Yes. Sam's Club lists Instant Savings as included for both Club and Plus. The terms say Instant Savings offers are automatically redeemed after scanning the membership card and an eligible Instant Savings item, subject to offer details.
Related Price Scout guides
Sources
Price Scout reviewed Sam's Club's membership page and current terms before writing this guide. Membership prices, promotions, rewards, exclusions, and fulfillment benefits can change.