Updated for 2026Club vs. PlusFees, benefits, break-even
Sam’s Club Membership Cost in 2026
Club costs $60 a year and Plus costs $120. Club gives you member-only prices and everyday shopping benefits. Plus adds Sam’s Cash rewards and eligible delivery and shipping.
Club
$60
per year · about $5 a month
- Member-only prices
- Member fuel prices
- Scan & Go checkout
Plus
$120
per year · about $10 a month
- Everything in Club
- Up to 2% Sam’s Cash
- Eligible free delivery
Both prices rose by $10 in May 2026. Older articles showing $50 or $110 are out of date.
What do you want to know?
Membership fees
These are standard prices, not introductory offers. Plus costs $60 more per year than Club. The monthly figures are budgeting estimates (annual fee ÷ 12), not confirmation that monthly billing is available.
| Plan | Annual fee | Monthly average |
|---|---|---|
| Club | $60 | $5 |
| Plus | $120 | $10 |
Cost over several years
Assumes standard prices stay the same and no promotions apply.
| Duration | Club | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $60 | $120 |
| 2 years | $120 | $240 |
| 3 years | $180 | $360 |
| 5 years | $300 | $600 |
How much does it cost per year?
The annual cost depends on the plan, any promotion, and the terms in effect when you buy or renew. A Club member pays $60 per year at the standard rate. A Plus member pays $120, which is $60 more. The extra amount can be worthwhile when rewards and premium benefits cover the difference.
What is included in the fee?
The fee gives you the benefits of the plan you choose. Both plans offer core shopping benefits, and Plus adds rewards and eligible convenience services. It does not cover every product or service you buy, so you still pay for merchandise and for services not included in your plan or a promotion.
Before joining, review the current terms for rewards, delivery, shipping, fuel and other services. Some benefits have minimum order values, product exclusions or location restrictions.
Over five years, Plus costs $300 more than Club at these rates. That can be justified if you consistently use enough rewards and premium benefits to cover the difference.
Good to know: The fee does not cover merchandise or services. You still pay for what you buy. Future prices may change, so review your usage before each renewal.
Club and Plus compared
Club · $60 per year
- Member-only prices
- Instant Savings promotions
- Member fuel prices at participating locations
- Scan & Go mobile checkout
- Free curbside pickup on eligible orders of $50 or more
- Free household membership card, subject to current terms
Suits occasional shoppers, smaller households and people who mainly shop in person.
Plus · $120 per year
Everything in Club, plus:
- Up to 2% Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases, up to $750 a year
- Free shipping on eligible orders of $50 or more
- Free club delivery on eligible orders of $50 or more
- Early shopping hours at participating locations
- Early access to selected online deals
- Extra savings on certain pharmacy, optical, tire and battery services
Suits larger households and frequent shoppers.
Who should choose Club?
Club suits shoppers who visit occasionally, spend relatively little on qualifying purchases, or rarely use delivery and shipping. For example, if you save $15 on each of four planned trips, that is $60, enough to cover the fee when the savings reflect real price differences.
Who should choose Plus?
Plus suits larger households, frequent shoppers, and people who spend enough on qualifying purchases to earn meaningful rewards or who regularly use eligible delivery and shipping. It is not automatically the better choice: the extra benefits must be worth the extra $60.
Membership types and levels
Club and Plus share core shopping benefits but differ in rewards and services. When comparing, consider:
- How often you shop at Sam’s Club
- How much you spend on qualifying purchases each year
- Whether you use delivery or shipping
- Whether early shopping access is valuable to you
- Whether your expected savings exceed the extra annual fee
Club costs $60 a year at the regular rate and covers standard warehouse shopping benefits. Plus costs $120 a year, $60 more than Club. That extra amount is worthwhile for members who earn enough Sam’s Cash or use eligible delivery and shipping regularly. Members who do not use these benefits may find Club better value.
Check the terms: Not every purchase earns rewards. Delivery and shipping can have product, minimum-order and location limits.
Is a membership worth the cost?
It is worth it when your savings and the benefits you actually use exceed the annual fee. That depends on household size, how often you shop, local prices and how much you can store and use.
Plus break-even
To cover the extra $60 for Plus with 2% Sam’s Cash, you need $3,000 in qualifying purchases a year (about $250 a month). Formula: $60 ÷ 0.02 = $3,000.
| Qualifying spend per year | 2% Sam’s Cash | Rewards minus $60 |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $20 | −$40 |
| $2,000 | $40 | −$20 |
| $3,000 | $60 | $0 |
| $4,000 | $80 | +$20 |
| $5,000 | $100 | +$40 |
The table assumes every dollar qualifies and ignores other Plus benefits. Delivery and shipping can add value only if they replace fees you would otherwise pay. For example, $40 in rewards plus $30 in avoided delivery charges is $70, which is $10 above the upgrade fee.
Which plan fits
- Club: You regularly buy household essentials, use member fuel prices, or save about $10 on each of six planned trips.
- Plus: Your qualifying purchases earn enough Sam’s Cash, or you use eligible delivery and shipping often.
- Neither: The nearest club is inconvenient, you shop rarely, bulk items expire before use, or other stores are cheaper for your list.
Examples
Club: a member who saves $10 on each of six planned trips saves $60 over the year. If those savings come from real price differences and applicable offers, the Club fee is covered.
Plus: a household earns $80 in qualifying Sam’s Cash and gets $25 in extra value from eligible services it would otherwise pay for. The combined $105 is $45 above the $60 upgrade cost. This assumes the rewards are earned and the extra benefits are real savings. Never count the same benefit twice.
Neither: a membership may not pay off if the nearest club is inconvenient or other retailers are cheaper for your regular items. Include the fee, travel costs and product waste when comparing.
Tip: Compare unit prices on your own regular shopping list. Bulk is not automatically cheaper, and wasted food cancels out savings.
Joining, saving and renewing
Before you join
- Choose a plan. Club for standard benefits; Plus if rewards and services justify the higher cost.
- Check promotions. Confirm the final price and any restrictions.
- Review renewal terms. Know when it expires and whether automatic renewal is on.
- Track the renewal date and the expected charge.
- Reassess your spending against the cost of Plus.
You can generally join online or at a club.
Finding a lower price
- Introductory price: the amount charged when joining.
- Renewal price: the standard fee after the offer ends.
- Eligibility: some offers are for new members or specific groups.
- Expiry date: make sure the offer is still valid.
- Automatic renewal: check what may be charged later.
Are membership discounts always worth it?
Not necessarily. A low introductory fee is attractive, but the long-term cost matters if you will renew for several years. Compare the total cost over the period you expect to keep the membership, and check whether the plan gives useful benefits at the regular price. Sam’s Club may offer targeted deals to eligible groups, but availability changes, so do not assume a discount without checking its current terms.
Automatic renewal is convenient, but make sure you understand the terms. Reviewing your renewal settings and keeping a record of expected fees helps prevent unwanted charges.
Remember: A promotional price is not necessarily what you pay next year. For recurring charges, see the FTC’s guidance on auto-renewals and subscriptions.
What is Sam’s Club?
Sam’s Club is a membership-based warehouse retailer in the United States, operating under Walmart Inc. Members shop at warehouse clubs and through its online store. It sells groceries, household essentials, electronics, furniture, clothing and appliances, often in bulk or multipacks.
Select clubs also offer pharmacy, optical, tire and battery services, and fuel. Availability, prices and services vary by club, so check the online store or your local club before making a special trip.
How does Sam’s Club work?
Unlike many traditional retailers, Sam’s Club charges an annual fee for member benefits. Customers choose a plan, pay the fee and use their membership to access eligible benefits. Members can shop in person, order eligible products online and use digital features such as Scan & Go. Depending on the plan, location and order, curbside pickup, shipping and delivery may also be available.
It works best for shoppers who regularly buy the same household essentials, since larger quantities can lower the cost per unit and reduce trips. Bulk does not guarantee the lowest price, so compare unit prices and consider how much you can realistically use.
Families
Stock up on frequently used items in larger quantities and make fewer shopping trips.
Small businesses
Buy office supplies, packaging and packaged products for daily operations.
Individuals
Use it for selected groceries, fuel and occasional large purchases.
What you can buy
- Groceries: fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen foods, snacks, beverages and pantry staples.
- Household essentials: laundry detergent, cleaning products, paper towels, kitchen supplies and storage products.
- Electronics: televisions, computers, accessories and selected smart-home products.
- Home and furniture: mattresses, furniture, home organization products and seasonal decorations.
- Clothing and personal care: apparel, footwear, toiletries and selected personal care products.
- Business supplies: office essentials, packaging materials and bulk products for eligible business needs.
- Automotive: tires, batteries and selected accessories, depending on location.
Product availability, prices and services vary between clubs. Checking the online store or your local club first can save an unnecessary trip.
Why get a membership?
A membership gives access to member-only prices, selected discounts and services that may reduce household or business expenses. Whether it is worthwhile depends on how often you shop, what you buy, local prices and the benefits you actually use.
Member-only prices
Instant Savings offers and discounts on selected groceries, household products, electronics and more. A deal is most useful on something you already need, not as a reason to overspend.
Convenience
Families can stock up on regular items, and businesses can buy supplies in larger quantities. Storage and shelf life matter: too much fresh food leads to waste that erases the savings.
Fuel and services
Participating fuel stations offer member prices, so compare nearby stations before making a separate trip. Scan & Go, curbside pickup, pharmacy, optical and tire services vary by location and plan.
The annual fee is an additional expense, so compare your potential savings with the cost. A shopper who regularly saves on planned purchases recovers the fee more easily than someone who visits only occasionally.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Sam’s Club membership?
The standard annual fee is $60 for Club and $120 for Plus in 2026. Eligible promotions may lower the initial price.
What is the difference between Club and Plus?
Club provides member pricing, fuel benefits, Scan & Go and eligible curbside pickup. Plus adds Sam’s Cash on qualifying purchases, eligible shipping and delivery, early shopping and extra service savings.
How much does Plus cost per month?
The $120 annual fee averages $10 a month. This is a budgeting estimate, not confirmation that monthly billing is offered.
Can a membership pay for itself?
Yes. A Club member needs $60 in annual savings. A Plus member needs $120 in total value, or $60 in extra value to justify upgrading from Club.
Can new members get a discount?
Eligible new members may find introductory or targeted offers. Check the final price, eligibility, expiry date and the standard renewal fee first.
Does the membership renew automatically?
It may, depending on your enrollment settings and terms. Review your renewal settings, the upcoming charge and the cancellation instructions.
Can members use Sam’s Club fuel stations?
Members can generally get member-only fuel prices at participating stations. Availability, prices and hours vary by location.
How much does Sam’s Club membership cost per year?
Club costs $60 per year and Plus costs $120 at the standard rates. Actual charges may differ if an eligible promotion applies or prices change.
How much is a membership for one person?
The standard Club membership is $60 a year and Plus is $120 a year. The right choice depends on your shopping habits, qualifying purchases and use of the extra benefits.
Is Plus better than Club?
Plus is generally more useful for shoppers who earn enough qualifying rewards or use extra services to cover the $60 annual upgrade. Club is often more economical for occasional shoppers who do not need premium benefits.
Does Plus include free delivery?
Eligible Plus members can get free club delivery on qualifying orders. Minimum order values, product exclusions and location restrictions may apply.
Disclaimer: The logos and trademarks of Sam’s Club used on this website are the sole property of their respective owners and belong to them. We are an independent entity and not affiliated with Sam’s Club.