What the Sam's Club Credit Card offers and how it works

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a co-branded card issued by Synchrony Bank that gives you cash back on purchases at Sam's Club and gas stations, plus a smaller rate everywhere else. You do not need a Sam's Club membership to open the card, but the rewards structure heavily favors members — non-members earn half the cash back rate at Sam's Club locations.

The card carries no annual fee. Synchrony handles the account, so you manage it through their portal or mobile app, not through Sam's Club directly. The card is a Mastercard, so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, though the best rewards sit at Sam's Club and Walmart gas stations.

Cash back posts as a statement credit each month and does not expire as long as your account remains open. There is no sign-up bonus, no introductory rate, and no rotating categories — the cash back rates are fixed by merchant type.

Key Takeaways

  • Sam's Club members earn 5% cash back at Sam's Club and 3% at Walmart gas stations; non-members earn 1% at Sam's Club and 3% at gas.
  • The card has no annual fee and no sign-up bonus, making it most valuable if you already shop at Sam's Club regularly.
  • Cash back appears as a monthly statement credit and does not expire while your account is active.
  • You can open the card without a Sam's Club membership, but membership unlocks the higher rewards rate that makes the card worthwhile.

Rewards rates: what you earn at different merchants

Sam's Club members earn 5% cash back on all Sam's Club purchases, including gas at Sam's Club fuel stations. At Walmart gas stations, members earn 3% cash back. Everywhere else — restaurants, online retailers, utilities, pharmacies — members earn 1% cash back.

Non-members earn 1% cash back at Sam's Club, 3% at Walmart gas, and 1% everywhere else. The membership premium is worth it only if you spend enough at Sam's Club to offset the membership cost. A Gold Star membership costs $60 per year; you would need to spend $6,000 at Sam's Club annually just to break even on the membership fee difference through the extra 4% cash back rate.

The card does not offer bonus categories that rotate, category caps, or bonus rates for specific purchase types like groceries or travel. The rates are straightforward and permanent.

How the card compares to other warehouse and grocery rewards cards

The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 4% at Costco gas, 2% at Costco, and 1% elsewhere — but requires a Costco membership and a Visa. The Citi Costco card charges an annual fee ($120) and offers higher rates, but only for Costco members. The Sam's Club card has no annual fee, which makes it cheaper to hold even if you do not use it.

Against general grocery cards like the Kroger Rewards Visa or regional store cards, the Sam's Club card underperforms at traditional supermarkets. Those cards earn 4% or higher at their home grocery chain. The Sam's Club card only earns 1% at Sam's Club if you are not a member, and 5% if you are — but that 5% only applies to Sam's Club purchases, not to other grocers.

The card's real advantage is the combination of no annual fee and no membership requirement to open it. You can test whether Sam's Club shopping fits your budget before committing to a membership. If you already have a membership and shop there regularly, the 5% rate is competitive with warehouse competitors.

Annual fees, interest rates, and other costs

The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee. There is no foreign transaction fee, so you can use it internationally without a currency conversion penalty.

The variable APR for purchases ranges depending on your creditworthiness; Synchrony does not publish a fixed range publicly, so your rate depends on your credit score and history at the time you open the card. Cash advances carry a higher APR and a 3% fee. Late payments trigger a penalty APR.

If you carry a balance, the lack of an introductory 0% APR period means you pay interest from day one. The card is designed for people who pay their balance in full each month and use the cash back to offset spending.

Who benefits most from this card

The Sam's Club card makes sense if you are a Sam's Club member who shops there at least weekly and buys gas at Sam's Club or Walmart. The 5% rate at Sam's Club and 3% at Walmart gas add up quickly for regular shoppers. A family spending $200 per week at Sam's Club earns $520 in annual cash back at the 5% rate — enough to cover a Gold Star membership and then some.

The card also works for people considering Sam's Club membership but unsure whether they will use it enough to justify the cost. You can open the card, shop without a membership for a month or two, and see whether the savings justify joining. Once you do join, the 5% rate kicks in automatically.

The card is less useful if you shop primarily at traditional supermarkets, buy gas at major chains like Shell or Chevron, or rarely visit Sam's Club. In those cases, a grocery-specific card or a flat-rate cash back card will earn more.

How to open the card and what happens next

You open the Sam's Club Mastercard through Synchrony's website or by explore in person at a Sam's Club warehouse. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony makes a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points.

You receive a decision within minutes for most applications. If approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through the Synchrony app or website and can use it when ready at Sam's Club, Walmart gas stations, and anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Your cash back posts as a statement credit on the last day of each billing cycle. You do not need to redeem it or transfer it anywhere — it straightforward reduces your balance due. If you carry a balance, the credit applies to your outstanding debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You can open the Sam's Club Mastercard without a membership. However, you will earn only 1% cash back at Sam's Club locations instead of 5% until you join. Most cardholders find the card worthwhile only after becoming a member.

Can I use this card at other retailers besides Sam's Club?

Yes. The card is a Mastercard and works anywhere Mastercard is accepted — restaurants, online stores, pharmacies, utilities, and other merchants. You earn 1% cash back at those locations if you are a member, or 1% if you are not. The higher rates (5% and 3%) are limited to Sam's Club and Walmart gas.

What happens to my cash back if I close the card?

Any cash back that has already posted as a statement credit stays on your account. Cash back earned but not yet posted will be forfeited if you close the card before the end of that billing cycle. Once you close the account, no new cash back accrues.

Is there a sign-up bonus or introductory rate?

No. The Sam's Club Mastercard does not offer a sign-up bonus, introductory 0% APR period, or limited-time rewards boost. The rewards rates and terms are the same whether you open the card today or six months from now.

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

Yes. You can open the card and use it at Sam's Club as a non-member, earning 1% cash back. This lets you test whether shopping at Sam's Club fits your routine before paying for a membership. Once you join, your cash back rate automatically increases to 5% at Sam's Club locations.