What the Sam's Club Credit Card Is

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a co-branded credit card issued by Synchrony Bank that you can use both inside Sam's Club warehouses and anywhere Mastercard is accepted. If you have a Sam's Club membership, you can open a Sam's Club credit card account to earn rewards on your purchases and access member-only promotional financing offers.

The card comes in two versions: one for regular Sam's Club members and one for Sam's Club Plus members. The main difference is the rewards rate and the perks tied to your membership tier. You do not need to have the card to shop at Sam's Club, but cardholders earn cash back on may have access to purchases.

The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, which handles the account management, billing, and customer service. Sam's Club itself does not issue the card, though the rewards and promotional offers are tied directly to your membership status.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sam's Club Mastercard earns cash back on purchases at Sam's Club and at other retailers, with higher rewards rates for Sam's Club Plus members.
  • You must have an active Sam's Club membership to open a card account, and your membership status determines your rewards tier.
  • The card offers promotional financing periods on large purchases at Sam's Club, typically 0% APR for a set number of months if you meet the purchase threshold.
  • Synchrony Bank manages the account, so you pay your bill and manage your account through Synchrony's website or app, not through Sam's Club directly.
  • There is no annual fee for the card, but you do pay an annual membership fee to Sam's Club itself to shop there.

Rewards Rates and How They Work

Cash back earnings depend on where you use the card and whether you are a regular Sam's Club member or a Sam's Club Plus member. At Sam's Club, regular members earn 2% cash back on most purchases, while Plus members earn 3% cash back. Outside Sam's Club, both tiers earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Cash back is posted to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, a check, or a deposit to your bank account. You do not have to reach a minimum balance to redeem—you can use your cash back as soon as it posts. Some cardholders choose to let it accumulate and redeem a larger amount once a year.

Certain purchases may earn bonus cash back during promotional periods. Sam's Club periodically offers higher rewards rates on categories like gas, groceries, or travel. These promotions are announced to cardholders via email and on the Synchrony website, so check your account regularly for current offers.

Promotional Financing and Special Offers

One of the main perks of the Sam's Club Mastercard is access to promotional financing on large purchases made at Sam's Club. These offers typically allow you to make a purchase and pay no interest for a set period—commonly 6, 12, or 24 months depending on the promotion and purchase amount.

To use a promotional financing offer, you must make a may have access to purchase at Sam's Club using your Sam's Club Mastercard. The promotion is applied automatically at checkout if you meet the minimum purchase amount. You will see the promotional terms on your receipt and in your account.

If you do not pay off the promotional purchase in full by the end of the interest-free period, interest accrues on the remaining balance at the card's standard APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness. Read the terms carefully before you check out, because missing the important date means you owe interest on the full original amount, not just the remaining balance.

How to Open a Sam's Club Credit Card Account

You must have an active Sam's Club membership before you can open a card account. If you do not have a membership, you will need to purchase one first—Sam's Club offers different membership tiers at different price points.

To open a card account, visit the Sam's Club website or ask at the membership desk in your local warehouse. You can also explore through the Synchrony website directly. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony will check your credit report to make a decision.

Most decisions are made when ready or within a few minutes. If you are approved, you can use your card number right away for online purchases, and a physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a notice explaining the reason.

Paying Your Bill and Managing Your Account

Your Sam's Club Mastercard bill is managed through Synchrony Bank, not through Sam's Club. You can pay your bill online at Synchrony's website, through their mobile app, by phone, or by mail. Set up an account on the Synchrony website using your card number and the email address you provided when you applied.

Your statement closes on a date set by Synchrony (usually the same day each month) and your payment is due about 21 days later. You can make a payment anytime before the due date without penalty. If you miss the due date, you will be charged a late fee and your interest rate may increase.

You can set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month. This helps you avoid missed payments and late fees. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between.

Interest Rates and Fees

The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee. However, you do pay an annual membership fee to Sam's Club itself to shop there—that fee is separate from the credit card.

The card's purchase APR (the interest rate you pay on regular purchases) varies based on your credit score and creditworthiness. Synchrony will tell you the APR when you are approved. The APR for cash advances and balance transfers may be higher. Late payment fees, returned payment fees, and other penalties are set by Synchrony and disclosed in your card agreement.

If you carry a balance from month to month, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. The best way to avoid interest charges is to pay your full statement balance by the due date each month.

Using Your Card Inside and Outside Sam's Club

Your Sam's Club Mastercard works like any other Mastercard outside the warehouse. You can use it at restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and anywhere else that accepts Mastercard. You earn 1% cash back on these purchases.

Inside Sam's Club, you earn the higher rewards rate (2% for regular members, 3% for Plus members). You can use the card at the checkout lanes, at the gas station, and for online purchases on the Sam's Club website.

If you lose your card or it is stolen, contact Synchrony when ready to report it. Synchrony will cancel the card and issue a replacement. You are not responsible for unauthorized charges if you report the loss promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Sam's Club membership to get the credit card?

Yes. You must have an active Sam's Club membership to open a card account. If your membership expires, you can still use the card, but you will not earn rewards on purchases at Sam's Club until you renew your membership.

Can I use the card if I do not have a Sam's Club membership anymore?

You can use the card at other retailers that accept Mastercard and earn 1% cash back. However, you cannot use it at Sam's Club or earn the higher warehouse rewards rate without an active membership.

What happens if I do not pay off a promotional financing purchase in time?

Interest accrues on the full original purchase amount at the card's standard APR. For example, if you have a 12-month 0% offer and do not pay it off by month 12, you owe interest on the entire purchase from the original transaction date, not just the remaining balance.

How do I check my cash back balance?

Log into your account on the Synchrony website or app. Your current cash back balance is displayed on your account dashboard. You can also see it on your monthly statement.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to the Sam's Club Mastercard?

Yes, Synchrony allows balance transfers. The balance transfer APR may differ from your purchase APR, and a balance transfer fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) is charged. Contact Synchrony for current balance transfer terms and promotional offers.