What payment methods Sam's Club accepts
Sam's Club takes most major credit cards, debit cards, and their own Sam's Club Mastercard. You can pay in person at checkout, online through their website, or through the Sam's Club mobile app. They also accept digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay at registers that have contactless readers.
Sam's Club does not take personal checks or cash for online orders. If you shop in the warehouse, you can pay with cash, but online purchases require a card or digital wallet. Some locations may accept other payment methods, so ask a cashier if you're unsure what works at your store.
Your membership fee itself must be paid upfront with a card or digital wallet — you cannot put it on a payment plan. Membership renewal also requires payment at the time you renew, either in person or online.
Key Takeaways
- Sam's Club accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and their own Sam's Club Mastercard both in warehouse and online.
- You can pay with digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay at registers with contactless readers, or through the Sam's Club app.
- Membership fees and renewals must be paid in full at the time of purchase — there is no payment plan option.
- Online purchases require a card or digital wallet; cash is only accepted for in-warehouse shopping.
Paying for your membership
When you first join Sam's Club, you pay the membership fee at the register or online before you can shop. The cost varies by membership tier — Sam's Club offers different levels with different benefits and prices. You will need to provide a valid payment method at enrollment.
Your membership renews on the anniversary of your join date. Sam's Club will remind you when renewal is coming due, usually through email or a notice in your account. You can renew online, through the app, or in person at the warehouse. Payment is due at the time of renewal; there is no grace period.
If your membership lapses because you did not renew, you cannot shop at Sam's Club until you pay the renewal fee. You will not lose your account history or rewards balance, but you will not be able to enter the warehouse or place online orders.
Paying for purchases at the warehouse
At checkout in the warehouse, you can pay with a credit card, debit card, the Sam's Club Mastercard, cash, or a digital wallet. Tap or insert your card at the terminal, or hold your phone near the contactless reader if you are using Apple Pay or Google Pay. The cashier will process your payment and give you a receipt.
If you are a member paying with a non-Sam's Club card, your transaction goes through when ready. If you use the Sam's Club Mastercard, rewards points post to your account within a few days. Cash transactions are final at the register — there is no receipt-based return window that requires the original payment method.
Sam's Club does not hold payment authorizations longer than the transaction itself. Your bank may show a temporary hold for a day or two while they confirm the charge, but this is normal and not something Sam's Club controls.
Paying for online orders
To pay for an order on Sam's Club's website or app, add items to your cart and go to checkout. You will enter your shipping address, then select your payment method. Sam's Club will ask for your card number, expiration date, and CVV, or you can choose a saved card from your account.
Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are faster — you just authenticate with your fingerprint or face, and the payment goes through. Your card information is not shared with Sam's Club directly; the wallet provider handles the transaction.
Your order will not ship until payment clears, which usually takes one business day. Sam's Club will send you a confirmation email with your order number and tracking information once the order is on its way. If payment is declined, you will see an error message at checkout and can try a different card.
Using the Sam's Club Mastercard
The Sam's Club Mastercard is a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that earns rewards on purchases at Sam's Club and other retailers. You explore for it through the Sam's Club website or at the warehouse. If you are approved, you can use it when ready at checkout or online.
Rewards earned on the Sam's Club Mastercard post to your account as a certificate that you can use toward future purchases. The rewards rate varies depending on where you shop — it is higher at Sam's Club than at other stores. You can check your rewards balance in your account on the Sam's Club website or app.
The Sam's Club Mastercard is optional. You do not need it to shop at Sam's Club, and you can use any other card or payment method instead. However, if you shop frequently, the rewards may offset the membership fee over time.
What to do if your payment is declined
If your card is declined at checkout, the cashier will ask you to try a different payment method. This can happen for several reasons: insufficient funds, a fraud alert from your bank, an expired card, or an incorrect CVV. Ask your bank if there is a hold on your account, or try a different card.
If you are paying online and your card is declined, you will see an error message before your order ships. You can update your payment method and try again. If the same card keeps being declined, contact your bank to ask why — they may have flagged the transaction as suspicious.
Sam's Club does not charge you if a payment fails. You will only be charged once the transaction goes through successfully. If you have questions about a charge that did post to your account, you can contact Sam's Club customer service with your order number.
Refunds and payment reversals
When you return an item to Sam's Club, the refund goes back to the original payment method you used. If you paid with a credit card, the credit appears on your card statement within a few business days. If you paid with cash, you receive cash back at the register.
Refunds for online orders work the same way — the money returns to the card you used to check out. Sam's Club processes the refund within one business day of receiving and inspecting the returned item. Your bank may take an additional two to three business days to post the credit to your account.
If you need to dispute a charge, contact your credit card company or bank directly. Sam's Club can provide your order details and receipt, but the dispute process is handled by your financial institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Sam's Club membership with a different card than I use for shopping?
Yes. Your membership payment and your shopping payments are separate transactions. You can pay your membership fee with one card and shop with a different card, or use the same card for both. There is no requirement to link them.
Does Sam's Club charge a fee to pay with a credit card?
No. Sam's Club does not charge a surcharge for paying with a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. The price you see is the price you pay, regardless of payment method.
What happens if I forget to renew my membership?
Your membership becomes inactive on the expiration date, and you cannot shop at Sam's Club or place online orders. You can renew at any time by paying the renewal fee in person or online. Your account history and any unused rewards remain in your account.
Is it safe to save my card information in the Sam's Club app?
Sam's Club uses encryption to protect saved payment information. Your card details are stored securely and only used when you authorize a purchase. You can delete saved cards from your account settings at any time.
Can I use a gift card to pay for my membership?
No. Membership fees must be paid with a credit card, debit card, or digital wallet. Sam's Club gift cards can only be used for purchases inside the warehouse or online, not for membership fees or renewals.