Sam's Club accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover at all locations and on its website
Sam's Club takes four major credit card brands: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can use any of these at the register, self-checkout, or when you shop online at samsclub.com. The warehouse also accepts debit cards, cash, and checks — but credit cards are the fastest option if you have one.
If you're a Sam's Club member, you may also may have access to for the Sam's Club Mastercard, which offers cash back on purchases. This card works everywhere Mastercard is accepted, including at Sam's Club itself. The card is issued by Synchrony Bank and comes with member-only rewards.
Sam's Club does not accept American Express gift cards or Discover gift cards at the warehouse, even though it takes both brands as regular credit cards. This is a common point of confusion — the warehouse's payment system recognizes the card network but not the gift card format in that particular network.
Key Takeaways
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are accepted at every Sam's Club warehouse and on samsclub.com.
- The Sam's Club Mastercard offers cash back rewards and is available to members through Synchrony Bank.
- Sam's Club does not accept American Express gift cards or Discover gift cards at warehouse locations, though regular credit cards in those networks work fine.
- Debit cards, cash, and checks are also accepted if you do not have a credit card.
- Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay work at Sam's Club if your linked card is Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.
The Sam's Club Mastercard and member rewards
Sam's Club offers its own credit card through Synchrony Bank called the Sam's Club Mastercard. Members can open this account in the warehouse or online. The card earns cash back on Sam's Club purchases and on gas, and a lower rate on other purchases. The exact cash back percentage depends on your membership tier — Plus members earn more than standard members.
You do not need the Sam's Club Mastercard to shop at Sam's Club. It is optional and designed for members who want to earn rewards on their regular spending. If you already have a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card, you can use that instead with no penalty.
The Sam's Club Mastercard can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, not just at Sam's Club. This means you can earn rewards on purchases at other retailers as well, though the cash back rate is usually lower outside the warehouse.
What to do if your card is declined at checkout
If your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card is declined at Sam's Club, the most common reason is that your bank flagged the transaction as unusual. This happens when you make a large purchase or shop at a new location. Call your card issuer's customer service number on the back of your card and let them know you are shopping at Sam's Club. They can temporarily lift the block so your next attempt goes through.
A second reason for decline is insufficient funds. Check your available balance before you check out. Some banks show your current balance but hold pending transactions separately, so your available balance may be lower than your account balance.
If your card is expired or you entered the wrong expiration date or security code, the register will reject it. Double-check these details before you try again. If the card itself is damaged or the chip is worn, ask the cashier to try swiping the magnetic stripe instead of inserting the chip.
Using digital wallets and mobile payment at Sam's Club
Sam's Club accepts mobile payment apps at most locations. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay all work if your linked card is Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover. You straightforward hold your phone or watch near the card reader at checkout, and the payment goes through in seconds.
Not every Sam's Club warehouse has updated payment terminals yet, so mobile pay may not work at older locations. If the contactless reader does not respond, ask the cashier whether the terminal supports it. If it does not, you can insert your physical card or use a different payment method.
Mobile payment is especially useful if you forgot your physical card at home but have your phone. It also works online through samsclub.com if you have set up Apple Pay or Google Pay in your web browser.
International credit cards and currency
Sam's Club accepts international Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards at U.S. warehouse locations. If your card was issued outside the United States, it will still work as long as it carries one of these four logos. Your bank or card issuer will handle the currency conversion and may charge a foreign transaction fee — check with them before you shop.
Sam's Club does not accept cards issued by banks in certain countries due to payment processing restrictions. If your card is declined and you know it is a valid Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, contact your bank to ask whether they process transactions in the United States. Some international banks require you to notify them before you travel or shop abroad.
Online purchases at samsclub.com from outside the United States may have additional restrictions. The website may not ship to your country or may not accept your payment method. Check the shipping and payment options during checkout before you add items to your cart.
What Sam's Club does not accept
Sam's Club does not take Diners Club, JCB, or other smaller credit card networks. It also does not accept store credit cards from other retailers, even if they are Visa or Mastercard branded. For example, a Target Mastercard will not work at Sam's Club — only Mastercard-branded cards issued by banks work.
As mentioned above, American Express gift cards and Discover gift cards do not work at warehouse locations, though regular American Express and Discover credit cards do. Visa and Mastercard gift cards are accepted. If you have an American Express or Discover gift card, you can use it online at samsclub.com or call the warehouse to ask whether they can process it over the phone.
Sam's Club also does not accept cryptocurrency, PayPal, Venmo, or other digital payment services. Your payment method must be a physical card, a mobile wallet linked to an accepted card, cash, check, or debit card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a prepaid Visa or Mastercard at Sam's Club?
Yes. Prepaid Visa and Mastercard cards work at Sam's Club just like regular credit cards. The warehouse does not distinguish between prepaid and traditional cards as long as the card carries the Visa or Mastercard logo. Make sure your prepaid card has enough balance before you check out.
Does Sam's Club take business credit cards?
Yes. Business Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted. If you have a business membership at Sam's Club, you can use your business card to pay. Personal credit cards also work on business memberships — the membership type and card type are separate.
What if I want to pay with two different cards?
Sam's Club allows split payments at the register. Tell the cashier you want to use two cards before they process the first one. They will ring up part of your purchase on one card and the remainder on the second card. This option is not available online — you must use one payment method for each online order.
Can I use a Sam's Club gift card with a credit card?
Yes. You can use a Sam's Club gift card and a credit card in the same transaction. The gift card balance is applied first, and any remaining amount is charged to your credit card. This works at the register and online.
Does Sam's Club charge a fee for using a credit card?
No. Sam's Club does not charge a surcharge or fee for paying with a credit card. The price you see is the price you pay, regardless of whether you use cash, check, debit, or credit.