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Sam's Club offers two credit card options that allow you to earn rewards on your purchases. We'll examine the pros and cons of each card and see if alternative cash back programs are better for eligible applicants.
The popular wholesale club Sam's Club offers its customers the opportunity to save on groceries and other daily necessities. As an extension of its membership services, Sam's Club offers two versions of its merchant credit card: the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Store Credit Card. In this article, we'll take a look at the benefits of each store credit card, including rewards, features, fees, APRs and more — and whether alternative cash back credit cards are a better choice for Sam's Club members.
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Disadvantages of Sam's Club Credit Cards
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Overview | Sam's Club credit cards
As a Sam's Club customer, you may know that there are two Sam's Club credit cards: the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Store Credit Card (or personal credit card). Both Sam's Club credit cards are issued by Synchrony Bank, a popular card issuer for many merchants.
First, cardholders must be members of Sam's Clubapply for one of the credit card options, which currently costs $45 for an annual Sam's Club membership.
However, there is a way to offset this fee: If you choose to open a Sam's Club Store Credit Card or Sam's Club Mastercard at SamsClub.com and sign a receipt of $45 or more at SamsClub.com on the same day, you will receive a $45 credit that will appear in 1 or 2 accounting periods. While none of the Sam's Club credit cards carry an annual fee, this sign-up bonus offer should be your first consideration when deciding to use a Sam's Club credit card.
And if you're wondering what the difference is between a Sam's Club Credit Card and a Sam's Club Mastercard, you should know that the Mastercard allows cardholders to earn rewards — kind of like a Sam's Club Store Credit CardBORN. It should also be noted that Mastercard does not necessarily offer cash back to your account, but in the form of Cash Back rewards (see counter).
Basically, the Sam's Club Store Credit Card allows cardholders to maintain a line of credit in person at Sam's Club and Walmart stores (excluding SamsClub.com and Walmart.com, as well as Walmart gas stations). The Sam's Club Mastercard, on the other hand, allows cardholders to earn a variety of rewards at Sam's Club stores and gas stations. For non-Sam's Club purchases, rewards are:
- 5% cashback on fuel purchases
- up to $6,000 per year, then 1%.
- The 5% cash back does not apply to purchases at wholesale club gas stations other than Sam's Club, as well as some supermarkets and supercenters.
- 3% cashback on restaurant and travel purchases
- excluding purchases at wholesale clubs other than Sam's Club
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- excluding purchases at wholesale clubs other than Sam's Club.
In addition, the Sam's Club Store Credit Card and Sam's Club Mastercard offer special features, including:
- One card convenience (your Sam's Club credit card functions as a membership card).
- Special financial and promotional offers (including promotions "6 months without interest")
- $0 Fraud Liability
- Improved security measures (thanks to smart chip technology)
- Online account management at SamsClub.com
- Identity Theft Protection Mastercard (*Sam's Club Mastercard ALLEEN)
| Sam's Club Store Credit Card | Sam's Club Mastercard | |
| Cashback benefits | No cash back rewards (for use at Sam's Club or Walmart stores only) | 5% fuel rebate on first $6000 per year, 1% thereafter. 3% cashback on meals and travel 1% cash back on all other purchases (where Mastercard is accepted). |
| Annual contribution | 0 $ | 0 $ |
| April | 24.90% (variable) | 17.15% (variable) (account type 1) 21.50% (variable) (account type 2) |
| Average FICO Acceptance Score | 620 and more | 620 and above (Note: Account Type 1 is reserved for applicants with higher credit scores, while Account Type 2 is for applicants with lower credit scores). |
Disadvantages of Sam's Club Credit Cards
As you can imagine, there are a few downsides to using a Sam's Club Store Credit Card and Sam's Club Mastercard, despite the lucrative cash back offers offered by Mastercard.
- First, the APR is high for the Sam's Club Store credit card. For the Sam's Club Mastercard, qualifying for a Type 1 account has an average APR (currently 17.15% at the time of writing), but a Type 2 account has a fairly high APR of 21.50%, which can quickly become problematic. large balance with you month after month.
- Second, the Sam's Club Store Credit Card does not offer cash back rewards, nor can it be used at locations other than Sam's Club and Walmart, limiting its usefulness to those who shop elsewhere. Similarly, the Sam's Club Mastercard offers cash back and can be used to purchase gas at Sam's Club, but it also has restrictions at various Walmart and Sam's Club retailers and online portals.
- Finally, the Cash Back Rewards program with the Sam's Club Mastercard is a bit misleading because it's not a true Cash Back Rewards program and in-store purchases only have a low 1% cash back rate. Rewards are in the form of an automatic credit to the member's account, which can then be used only for purchases at Sam's Club and redeemed once per year. These rewards also cannot be redeemed at Samsclub.com or Scan & Go at Sam's Club stores. Please note that rewards will expire on the date specified in the reward notification if not redeemed or if the account is not in good standing (2 months past due with minimum payments or Sam's Club membership has expired/terminated).
Sam's Club Credit Card Comparison with Alternative Programs
Before applying for Sam's Club credit cards, learn about universal cards that give you more spending flexibility and great rewards programs. Three we recommend are:
Blue Cash with American Express preferences
If you're considering a Sam's Club card, fuel and groceries are an important part of your shopping list. Rather than being limited to a supermarket or club, Preferred Blue Cash can be used to make purchases at a variety of American supermarkets. You get 6% cash back up to $6,000 per year, above that you get 1% cash back. With this card, you can get 3% cash back on fueling up at US gas stations. You will get 1% cashback on all other expenses. Click here to learn more about what the refund category coverscombine.
Blue Cash Preferred has additional categories that can give you 6% cash back on select US streaming subscriptions and 3% cash back on transportation services like ride sharing, trains, tolls, etc.
All cash back is in the form of Reward Dollars and can be used as a statement credit, gift card, or toward purchases at eligible retailers, as described in the rewards guide.
See offer detailsTerms and conditions apply
If you are approved for this card, you may be eligible for a $300 welcome bonus if you spend $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of membership.
In addition to cashback, you can also benefit by signing up for the shoprunner program, which entitles you to free two-day shipping on eligible items from select online stores. You also have return protection for purchases if the store does not accept returns. As part of the benefits, you get purchase protection and an extended warranty. If you want early access to concert tickets, there is a party ticket service.
The annual fee for preferred blue money is $95. Currently, an introductory annual interest rate of 0% is available on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, after which the interest rate is variable. If you have a good credit score, you qualify for this card.
Blue Cash Everyday kombi American Express
If you don't want to spend money on annual fees, Blue Cash Everyday is a good choice to enjoy in the gas and grocery categories. You can earn 3% supermarket cashback up to $6,000 per year in purchases, after which it's 1% cashback. You can get 2% off at US gas stations and select US department stores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
See offer detailsTerms and conditions apply
If you spend $1,000 in your first 3 months of membership, you can get $175 back as a statement credit as part of a welcome offer. If you want to transfer your balance, you can also request an introductory APR. You can get 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, after which variable APRs apply
The card also includes travel benefits such as car rental insurance, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance and global phone service. You get the same purchase protection as with Blue Cash Preferred. If you're looking for similar benefits without an annual fee and don't mind giving up rewards, Blue Cash Everyday is a good alternative.
American Express zlato
This card may seem expensive when you consider its $250 annual fee, but in terms of what it offers, it has a lot to offer its members. You can earn 4x more points at American restaurants. 4x more points on US supermarket purchases up to $25,000 per year. 3x Membership points when booking travel through amextravel.com or directly with the airline. There will be no foreign transaction fees for your trips abroad.
See offer detailsTerms and conditions apply
Some of the other perks include the credits that come with this card, a $120 meal credit and a $120 airline ticket credit that can be used according to sign-up guidelines. This card has a generous welcome offer that allows you to earn 50,000 points after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. You can check out this card if you spend a lot on meals and groceries and want to earn points for it.
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All in all, these Sam's Club shopping credit cards are only useful if you regularly shop at Sam's Club and Walmart. They are therestronger alternatives availablethat can earn better rewards and can be used anywhere they're accepted, making the Sam's Club Store Credit Card and Sam's Club Mastercard a good choice if you can't get approved anywhere else.
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FAQs
What credit score do you need to get approved for a Sam's Club credit card? ›
The credit score needed for the Sam's Club® Credit Card is at least 700. That's in the “good” credit range but barely meeting a card's minimum requirements is far from the ticket to high approval odds. You'll need income to make your payments, and the issuer will look at several other factors, too.
What is the introductory incentive for signing up for a Sam's Club credit card? ›Get $30 as a statement credit when you open an account and make $30 in Sam's Club Purchases within 30 days.
What is the difference between Sam's Club credit card and Mastercard? ›The Sam's Club Store Card and the Sam's Club® Mastercard® are entirely different products. The Mastercard is an “open-loop” card meaning it can be used outside of the warehouse club. The Sam's Club Credit Card is a store-only card without rewards that's only accepted at Sam's Club and Walmart stores.
Do you lose your Sam's Club Rewards? ›No, your Sam's Cash never expires. Does my membership need to be active to earn and spend Sam's Cash? Yes, only active members can spend Sam's Cash. You can still earn Sam's Cash with the Sam's Club Mastercard, even if your membership is not active.
What is the highest limit on Sam's Club credit card? ›The credit limit for the Sam's Club Credit Card typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, although reports indicate it's possible to get higher limits. Your credit limit on your Sam's Club Credit Card is determined by multiple factors, including your annual income and credit history.
Is Sam's Club credit card instant approval? ›Members must sign in or create an online account with their Sam's Club membership to apply online. Some applicants may be approved instantly (there are many other instant approval cards as well). However, other applications may require further review, resulting in a waiting period of 7 to 10 days.
What is an introductory offer on a credit card? ›Some credit cards offer an 'introductory' or 'promotional' interest rate. These often include 0% or lower than average interest rates which last for a fixed period, but there are usually conditions you need to be aware of.
How much can you get on a Sam's Club credit card cash advance? ›You may obtain a Sam's Club Credit Card cash advance at Sam's Club and even at Walmart. It's called a quick cash advance and you can get up to $100 per day (you're allowed a single quick cash advance/day) at the register. It will work just like a normal purchase, so no cash advance fees and higher APRs here.
What are credit card welcome bonuses? ›Many credit cards offer a welcome bonus, which means new cardholders earn extra rewards, such as cash back, points or miles, when they use their card. To earn the bonus, you usually have to reach a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening your account.
Which Sam's Club card is better? ›Plus membership provides the best, highest value available. If you run a business, Plus benefits like free shipping, Curbside Pickup and early shopping hours can help take your business to the next level.
What are the different levels of Sam's Club cards? ›
Three annual Membership cards – a personal card, a household member (over 18 years of age) card and a company card. Up to 8 add-on Memberships. (Business Plus Members can have up to 16 add-on Memberships.) Start your savings with a $15 Sam's Club Gift Card at signup.
What are the benefits of a Sam's Club Mastercard? ›- 5% cash back on gas anywhere that Mastercard is accepted (for the first $6,000 a year, then 1% after)
- 3% cash back on Sam's Club purchases for Plus Members (Club Members earn 1%)
- 3% cash back on dining and takeout.
- 1% cash back on other purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted3.
Sam's Club Guest Policy Overview: You are welcome to bring up to two guests to Sam's Club. However, members must accompany their children and guests at all times. ONLY a member may purchase items.
How do you get cash back with Sam's Club Mastercard reward program? ›Sam's Club® Mastercard® holders may earn Sam's Cash on qualifying purchases using their Sam's Club Mastercard when using Scan and Go. Your e-receipt will have Sam's Cash earned details. REDEEM: On the Scan & Go checkout page, if you have Sam's Cash available, it will show as an available tender type.
Is my Sam's Club credit card also my membership card? ›The Sam's Club Mastercard is a cash back credit card that doubles as a membership card and earns cash back on categories like gas, dining, and takeout.
What is an excellent credit card limit? ›Adam McCann, Financial Writer
A good credit limit is above $30,000, as that is the average credit card limit, according to Experian. To get a credit limit this high, you typically need an excellent credit score, a high income and little to no existing debt.
What is considered a “normal” credit limit among most Americans? The average American had access to $30,233 in credit across all of their credit cards in 2021, according to Experian. But the average credit card balance was $5,221 — well below the average credit limit.
What is the normal credit limit for one card? ›A credit limit of $500 to $1,000 is average for a first credit card, but it may be higher if you have, say, a history of on-time car payments on your credit file. On the other hand, unemployment or low income may contribute to a lower credit limit.
Is Sam's Club credit card a soft pull? ›You can also check if you prequalify for the Sam's Club® Credit Card online. This inquiry will not affect your credit score as it will result in a soft pull of your credit report. However, if you do prequalify and want to get the card, you will need to submit an actual application.
Does Sam's Club do a hard pull for credit limit increase? ›You can get a Sam's Club® Credit Card credit limit increase by requesting it online or by calling (800) 964-1917. Currently, the issuer doesn't offer automatic increases. Keep in mind that credit limit increases might result in a hard pull on your credit.
What credit bureau does Sam's Club check? ›
Sam's Club reports monthly to three major credit bureaus in Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.
Does getting credit card offers mean you have good credit? ›Credit card preapprovals are usually a good sign since they show you have met basic criteria like having good credit or a history of employment. That said, you may not want to go after the first prequalified credit card offer you receive. That's because, by and large, preapproved doesn't always mean best.
Why do I get pre approved credit card offers? ›If you receive a “pre-approved” credit card offer in the mail, it means the issuer has reviewed your credit information and decided that you meet at least some of their approval criteria.
What does it mean when you get a lot of credit card offers? ›Credit card issuers routinely send attractive card offers to consumers with good to excellent credit. Therefore, when you receive these types of offers in your mailbox, it usually means credit card issuers believe you to be a good credit risk and want to do business with you.
What is the maximum you can withdraw through a credit card cash advance? ›Cash advances are typically capped at a percentage of your card's credit limit. For example, if your credit limit is $15,000 and the card caps your cash advance limit at 30%, your maximum cash advance will be $4,500.
What is the max cash advance Capital One? ›Capital One Cash Advance Limit: 30% to 50% of Credit Limit. Capital One credit cards set cash advance limits at 30% to 50% of the total credit limit, depending on your creditworthiness. The cash advance fee is either $10 or 3% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
Can I pay my Sam's Club credit card with cash? ›Club/in-store payments are posted to the account same day. Although the payments "post" to the account, payments made by check will take 7-14 days to process and free up your open to buy. If you pay by cash or debit card, your open to buy is available immediately.
Can you buy a car with a credit card? ›In general, car dealerships accept credit cards. You might even be able to use a card to buy a vehicle. However, it's more likely that the dealership will take a credit card for a down payment or a part of the down payment up to a certain amount. For you, using a credit card is a convenience or maybe a necessity.
Is it better to pay credit card in full? ›It's a good idea to pay off your credit card balance in full whenever you're able. Carrying a monthly credit card balance can cost you in interest and increase your credit utilization rate, which is one factor used to calculate your credit scores.
What is a 200% bonus? ›200% Source: Salary.com. Suppose that your target bonus is 20 percent of a base salary of $100,000 and you performed at the maximum performance level. That means you would earn 200 percent of that 20 percent bonus, or 40 percent.
Is Costco really better than Sam's Club? ›
Does Costco or Sam's Club Have Better Prices? Overall, the prices at Costco tend to be cheaper. However, Sam's Club has a greater selection of name-brand products and a cheaper membership fee.
Can I use my Sam's Club credit card at Costco? ›Sam's Club® Mastercard®
It won't work at Costco because it's a Mastercard and only Visa is accepted there. It also gives you 3% back on dining and takeout purchases, but only 1% back everywhere else, including purchases at Sam's Club.
It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.
Are there 2 Sam's club credit cards? ›There are two different Sam's Club-branded credit cards. The Sam's Club Credit Card can only be used in Sam's Club and Walmart stores. On the other hand, Synchrony Bank is the issuer of the Sam's Club Mastercard, which makes this card more flexible and it also earns rewards on everyday spending.
What's the difference between the $45 and $100 Sam's club membership? ›The Sam's Club Plus Membership is the highest level of membership offered and includes additional benefits such as free shipping for online orders, earlier shopping hours, and special financing options. A Sam's Club basic membership costs $45 a year, while a Sam's Club Plus membership costs $100 per year, an extra $55.
Is Sam's club offering $8.00 membership? ›Just like our members, we also have a 'more the merrier attitude', so we're excited to be able to bring back our $8 membership offer and let more people discover the quality, convenience, and value that Sam's Club offers.
How hard is it to get a Sam's Club Mastercard? ›The credit score needed for the Sam's Club® Credit Card is at least 700. That's in the “good” credit range but barely meeting a card's minimum requirements is far from the ticket to high approval odds. You'll need income to make your payments, and the issuer will look at several other factors, too.
Can I use my Sam's Club card at Walmart? ›Walmart and Sam's Club gift cards can be used at Walmart or Sam's Club Fuel Centers. Sam's Club gas stations do accept Walmart Credit Cards.
Can you withdraw cash from Sam's Club Mastercard? ›— Sam's Club Mastercard Cardholders still have access to cash through ATMs or at Banks branches/drive-thrus. — Cash advances on Sam's Club personal credit are not available at Walmart stores.
Can I use my mom's Sam's Club card without her? ›Membership cards are non-transferable and are inclusive to card and household cardholders.
Can 2 people share a Sam's Club membership? ›
All Primary Members may add one Complimentary Household Cardholder. The Complimentary Household Cardholder may be the Primary Member's spouse, domestic partner, or person living in the same household who is 18 years of age or older. Other individuals are not eligible to be Complimentary Household Cardholders.
Can you buy a pizza from Sams Club without a membership? ›Made fresh in Club, our 16" whole hot baked pizza with real mozzarella cheese is a mouthwatering family favorite. Available everyday staring at 10 a.m. This product is covered by the Sam's Club Member Satisfaction Guarantee. "Membership is required to complete an in-club or curbside pickup purchase at Sam's Club."
Can you cash out credit card rewards? ›Usually, the most common ways to redeem cash back rewards are by requesting a statement credit to offset your current card balance or by having the funds deposited into a linked bank account. You can also sometimes request your rewards in the form of a check.
How do I get a second Sam's Club Mastercard? ›- Sign in to your online account.
- From the Account page and under the Membership section.
- Select Additional Cardholders.
- Choose to "Add" or "Edit" a complimentary or add-on cardholder.
- Enter the required info and click the [Save] button to finalize the change(s)
The credit limit for the Sam's Club Credit Card typically ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, although reports indicate it's possible to get higher limits. Your credit limit on your Sam's Club Credit Card is determined by multiple factors, including your annual income and credit history.
How to get a Sam's Club card for free? ›Eligibility. The Sam's Club Membership Free Trial (“Free Trial”) offer is available to those customers who do not have an active Sam's Club membership and have not had an active Sam's Club membership during the past 6 months. To sign up for a Free Trial, you must have a current, valid payment method on file.
What credit report does Sam's Club pull? ›Sam's Club reports monthly to three major credit bureaus in Transunion, Equifax, and Experian.
What credit does Sam's Club accept? ›| Accepted in Sam's Club | Accepted @ SamsClub.com |
|---|---|
| American Express | MasterCard |
| MasterCard | Visa |
| Visa | Discover |
| Discover |
Find out your score and how to improve it when you enroll in Synchrony's® free credit score program with VantageScore®. VantageScore® is a top credit scoring model used by many lenders when they consider whether or not to approve applications and decide what rates and terms to offer.
How do you get approved for Sam's Club Mastercard? ›Who can qualify for the Sam's Club Mastercard? You do need to be a Sam's Club member to qualify for this card. Membership costs $45 a year for a Club membership or $100 a year for a Plus membership.
Is it hard to get approved by Synchrony Bank? ›
While Synchrony does not have a “Shopping Cart Trick” like Comenity Bank credit cards to make approvals much easier, they are still considered a bank that is more likely to approve applicants. To give yourself the best chance of approval, make sure you take care of your credit score.
Is a Sam's Club credit card a soft pull? ›You can also check if you prequalify for the Sam's Club® Credit Card online. This inquiry will not affect your credit score as it will result in a soft pull of your credit report. However, if you do prequalify and want to get the card, you will need to submit an actual application.
Can I use my Sams credit card at Walmart? ›The Sam's Club Credit Card is designed to be used as a store card for purchases at Sam's Club and Walmart. The Sam's Club Mastercard can be used as a more general payment card and is accepted wherever Mastercard is.
Does Sam's Club check your credit? ›Drawbacks of the Sam's Club Mastercard
The card typically requires at least a good credit score, and your credit score also informs the APR for your account. Before applying for this card, you'll want to check your credit score to ensure you have the best chance of approval.
Yes, you can use your Sam's Club® Credit Card at Walmart. The Sam's Club® Credit Card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
Is Synchrony a hard or soft pull? ›Yes, Synchrony Bank, like any other issuer for that matter, will do a hard pull when you apply for a credit card. Most Synchrony Bank credit cards require fair credit to apply, but the credit score effects should be negligible.
What is the minimum credit score for Synchrony mastercard? ›Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
The Synchrony Premier World Mastercard® credit score requirement is 750 or better. That means people with excellent credit have a shot at getting approved for the Synchrony Premier Card.
Is Synchrony Bank a reliable bank? Synchrony is a reputable bank with a history that can be traced back to 1932. Additionally, the money you deposit in a Synchrony Bank savings account, money market account or CD is covered under FDIC insurance—$250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category.
Who does Sam's Club Mastercard report to? ›It reports to the three major consumer credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.
How do I know if I got approved for a Sams credit card? ›You can check on your Sam's Club® Credit Card application status over the phone, or by dialing (800) 964-1917. You'll need to provide either your social security number or your application reference number.