Sam's Club Credit Card Works at Walmart, but With Limits
Yes, you can use your Sam's Club Mastercard at Walmart. The card is a standard Mastercard, so it works anywhere Mastercard is accepted—including Walmart stores, Walmart.com, and other retailers. However, the card was designed for Sam's Club members, and you will not earn the bonus rewards at Walmart that you would at Sam's Club.
The Sam's Club Mastercard comes in two versions: the Sam's Club Mastercard (for regular members) and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard (for business members). Both are issued by Synchrony Bank and carry the Mastercard logo, which means both will be accepted at any merchant that takes Mastercard.
The key difference is where you earn rewards. At Sam's Club, you earn cash back on purchases. At Walmart and other retailers outside Sam's Club, you earn a lower cash back rate or no bonus rewards at all, depending on which version of the card you hold.
Key Takeaways
- Your Sam's Club Mastercard works at Walmart because it is a Mastercard, but you will not earn the higher cash back rate you get at Sam's Club.
- The card is accepted anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including online retailers, gas stations, and restaurants.
- You can use the card at Walmart.com and in Walmart stores without any special steps or restrictions.
- If you want to maximize rewards on everyday purchases, you may want to compare the cash back rates on this card to other general-purpose cards.
Reward Rates at Walmart vs. Sam's Club
The Sam's Club Mastercard earns cash back at Sam's Club locations and on Sam's Club online purchases. The exact rate depends on which card version you have and what you buy, but the rate is higher than what you earn outside Sam's Club.
When you use the card at Walmart, you earn a flat cash back rate that is lower than the Sam's Club rate. This is by design—the card is meant to incentivize you to shop at Sam's Club. If you are a frequent Walmart shopper and want to earn rewards there, a Walmart-branded card or a general cash back card may be a better fit.
You can check your specific reward rates by logging into your Sam's Club account online or calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Synchrony Bank, which issues the card, can tell you exactly what you earn on purchases outside Sam's Club.
Using Your Card Online and In-Store
There is no difference in how you use the Sam's Club Mastercard at Walmart in person versus online. In a Walmart store, swipe or insert your card at the checkout just as you would any other Mastercard. Online at Walmart.com, enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV in the payment field.
The card will not be declined because it is a Sam's Club card—Walmart does not restrict payment methods based on where the card was issued. You do not need to tell Walmart you are using a Sam's Club card, and there are no special codes or steps to follow.
If your card is declined at Walmart, the reason is almost always insufficient funds, a fraud hold, or an expired card—not because the card is from Sam's Club. Contact Synchrony Bank if you are unsure why a transaction was declined.
Where Else Your Sam's Club Card Works
Because your Sam's Club Mastercard is a Mastercard, it works at any merchant that accepts Mastercard. This includes grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, online retailers, pharmacies, and thousands of other businesses. You are not limited to Walmart or Sam's Club.
You can use the card internationally at any Mastercard-accepting merchant, though you may pay foreign transaction fees depending on your card agreement. Check your cardholder agreement or call Synchrony Bank to confirm whether your specific card charges a foreign transaction fee.
The card will not work at retailers that accept only Visa, American Express, or Discover, or at businesses that only accept cash. But the vast majority of retailers in the United States accept Mastercard.
Cash Back and Rewards Outside Sam's Club
Your cash back earnings at non-Sam's Club retailers depend on your card version and the purchase category. Some versions of the Sam's Club Mastercard earn a flat rate on all purchases outside Sam's Club, while others may earn different rates for different categories like gas or groceries.
The cash back you earn is typically deposited into your Sam's Club account as a credit or paid out annually. You do not have to do anything to claim it—it is automatic. You can see your running cash back balance by logging into your Sam's Club account online or checking your monthly statement.
If you are trying to decide whether to use your Sam's Club card or another card at Walmart, compare the cash back rate on the Sam's Club card to the rate on a Walmart card or a general cash back card. The difference may be small, but it adds up over time if you shop frequently.
What Happens If You Do Not Have a Sam's Club Membership
You can use your Sam's Club Mastercard at Walmart and other retailers even if your Sam's Club membership has expired or lapsed. The card itself is separate from your membership status. As long as the card is active and not expired, it will work.
However, if your membership expires, you will not be able to use the card at Sam's Club locations or on Sam's Club online purchases. You can still use it everywhere else Mastercard is accepted. If you want to shop at Sam's Club again, you will need to renew your membership.
Some people keep their Sam's Club card active for use at other retailers even after their membership ends, because the card itself has no annual fee. Check your cardholder agreement to confirm whether your card charges an annual fee.
Comparing Your Options for Walmart Shopping
If you shop at Walmart regularly, you have several payment options. You can use your Sam's Club Mastercard, a Walmart credit card (if you have one), a general cash back card, or any other payment method Walmart accepts. The best choice depends on which card gives you the highest cash back rate and whether you value other benefits like extended warranties or purchase protection.
The Sam's Club Mastercard is a solid general-purpose card because it works everywhere, but it is not optimized for Walmart purchases. If maximizing rewards at Walmart is your goal, a Walmart-branded card or a card that earns bonus cash back on groceries may serve you better.
You can hold multiple credit cards at once, so there is no reason to choose just one. Many people use different cards for different retailers to earn the highest possible rewards. Just be mindful of how many cards you open in a short time, as each new process can temporarily lower your credit score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Walmart know I am using a Sam's Club card?
No. Walmart sees only that you are paying with a Mastercard. The card issuer (Synchrony Bank) knows it is a Sam's Club card, but Walmart does not. There is no reason for Walmart to treat your payment differently because of where the card came from.
Can I use my Sam's Club card at Sam's Club if my membership expired?
No. Once your membership expires, you cannot shop at Sam's Club in person or online, even with the card. You will need to renew your membership to use the card at Sam's Club locations. You can still use the card at other retailers like Walmart.
Do I earn the same cash back at Walmart as I do at Sam's Club?
No. The cash back rate at Sam's Club is higher than the rate at Walmart and other retailers. The card is designed to reward Sam's Club purchases more generously. Check your cardholder agreement or call Synchrony Bank to see the exact rates for each location type.
What if my Sam's Club card is declined at Walmart?
A decline at Walmart is almost never because the card is from Sam's Club. The most common reasons are insufficient funds, a fraud hold, an expired card, or a problem with the card reader. Call Synchrony Bank to find out why the transaction was declined.
Can I use my Sam's Club Business Mastercard at Walmart?
Yes. The Sam's Club Business Mastercard is also a Mastercard and works at Walmart and any other Mastercard-accepting retailer. The cash back rates and terms may differ from the personal Sam's Club Mastercard, so check your business card agreement for details.