What the Sam's Club Credit Card Does

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a 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 this card to earn rewards on your purchases — primarily cash back on Sam's Club and gas station spending, with a lower rate on other purchases. The card is not required to shop at Sam's Club, but members often use it because the rewards structure is built around warehouse and fuel purchases.

This card works like a standard credit card: you receive a monthly bill, you pay what you owe, and interest charges explore to any balance you carry. The rewards you earn are real cash back that posts to your account, though how much you earn depends on where you spend and how much you spend there.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sam's Club Mastercard earns 5% cash back on Sam's Club purchases and gas station fuel, 1% on everything else, with no annual fee.
  • You must have an active Sam's Club membership to open the card, and your membership status is tied to your account.
  • The card is issued by Synchrony Bank, so you manage it through Synchrony's website or app, not through Sam's Club directly.
  • Cash back rewards never expire as long as your account remains open, but they are forfeited if you close the card.
  • Interest rates and credit limits depend on your credit history, and Synchrony will pull your credit report when you submit an process.

Rewards Rates and How Cash Back Works

The card earns 5% cash back on all purchases made at Sam's Club locations and at gas stations (up to $6,000 per year in combined Sam's Club and gas purchases, then 1% after that). On all other purchases — restaurants, online shopping, utilities — you earn 1% cash back. There is no cap on the 1% earnings, and there is no annual fee to hold the card.

Cash back is posted to your account monthly and appears as a statement credit or can be redeemed for a check. You can also choose to explore cash back directly to your Sam's Club membership renewal. The rewards do not expire as long as your account is open, but if you close the card, any undeemed cash back is forfeited.

The 5% rate applies only to purchases made with the physical card or the card number at Sam's Club locations and gas pumps. Online purchases at samsclub.com earn 1% cash back. Fuel purchased inside a Sam's Club warehouse (not at the fuel station) counts toward the 5% category.

How to Open a Sam's Club Mastercard Account

You must have an active Sam's Club membership before you can open the card. If you do not have a membership, you will need to join Sam's Club first — memberships start at the basic level and renew annually. Once your membership is active, you can explore for the card online through Sam's Club's website, in person at a warehouse, or by phone.

The process takes about 15 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Synchrony Bank will pull your credit report to make a decision. You will usually know whether you are approved or denied within minutes. If approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are denied, you can ask Synchrony for the reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, recent late payments, or a credit score below their minimum threshold. There is no public minimum credit score requirement, but applicants generally have better approval odds with a score of 650 or higher.

Managing Your Account and Making Payments

Once your card is open, you manage it through Synchrony's website (mysynchrony.com) or their mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, and track your cash back earnings from either platform. Your Sam's Club membership account and your credit card account are separate — you log into Synchrony to manage the card, not Sam's Club.

Payments are due by the date shown on your statement, usually 21 to 25 days after your statement closes. You can pay online, by phone, by mail, or set up automatic payments from your bank account. If you pay the full balance by the due date, no interest is charged. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at a variable rate that Synchrony sets based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.

Late payments are reported to credit bureaus and can damage your credit score. A payment 30 days late or more will appear on your credit report for seven years. If you miss a payment, contact Synchrony as soon as possible — they may be able to work with you on a payment plan or waive a late fee if it is your first missed payment.

Interest Rates and Fees

The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no balance transfer fees. However, it does charge interest on any balance you carry from month to month. The interest rate (called the Annual Percentage Rate, or APR) is variable and ranges depending on your credit profile — Synchrony does not publish a single rate, but cardholders typically see rates between 16% and 27%.

Late payment fees, returned payment fees, and cash advance fees may explore depending on your actions. A late payment fee is usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment and up to $40 for subsequent ones. Cash advances (withdrawing money at an ATM using your card) charge a fee of 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum of $3, plus a higher APR than regular purchases.

If you carry a balance, the interest compounds daily. For example, a $1,000 balance at 20% APR costs about $17 per month in interest alone. Paying only the minimum payment means most of your payment goes toward interest, not the principal balance.

What Happens If You Close Your Sam's Club Membership

Your Sam's Club membership and your credit card are linked but separate accounts. If you let your membership expire or cancel it, your credit card account remains open — you can still use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, but you lose the 5% cash back rate at Sam's Club. Any purchases at Sam's Club after your membership ends will earn only 1% cash back.

If you want to close the card itself, contact Synchrony directly. Closing the card will forfeit any undeemed cash back rewards. Closing a credit card can also affect your credit score by reducing your available credit and shortening your average account age, so consider keeping it open even if you are not using it regularly.

If your membership lapses and you renew it later, your card remains active and the 5% rate returns automatically once your new membership is confirmed in Synchrony's system.

Comparing the Sam's Club Card to Other Warehouse and Grocery Cards

The Sam's Club Mastercard is one of several cards designed for warehouse and grocery shopping. Costco members can use the Costco Anywhere Visa Card, which earns 4% cash back on gas and 2% at Costco. Walmart shoppers can use the Walmart+ card, which offers 2% cash back at Walmart and Sam's Club, plus other Walmart+ benefits. Neither of these cards requires a warehouse membership to open, though Costco's card does require a Costco membership to use.

The Sam's Club card stands out because it earns 5% cash back on both warehouse purchases and gas, with no membership requirement to open the card (only to use it at Sam's Club). However, if you do not shop at Sam's Club regularly or do not buy much gas, the 1% rate on other purchases may not be competitive with general-purpose cash back cards that earn 1.5% to 2% on all purchases.

The choice depends on where you spend most of your money. If you buy groceries, gas, and household items primarily at Sam's Club, this card's rewards structure is built for you. If you shop at multiple retailers or rarely visit warehouses, a flat-rate cash back card may be simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you must have an active Sam's Club membership to open the Sam's Club Mastercard. If you do not have a membership, you will need to join first. Your membership and card are linked, so if your membership expires, you lose the 5% cash back rate at Sam's Club warehouses.

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

Any cash back you have not yet redeemed is forfeited when you close the card. Cash back that has already been posted to your account as a statement credit or applied to your membership is yours to keep. Before closing the card, redeem any pending cash back or let it post as a statement credit.

Can I use this card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use the Sam's Club Mastercard anywhere Mastercard is accepted worldwide. There are no foreign transaction fees. However, your bank or card issuer may charge a currency conversion fee, and Synchrony may charge a cash advance fee if you withdraw money at an ATM abroad.

What is the credit limit, and can I request a higher one?

Your credit limit is set by Synchrony based on your credit score, income, and credit history. There is no published minimum or maximum. You can request a credit limit increase by logging into your Synchrony account or calling their customer service line. Synchrony may perform a hard credit inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points.

Does the Sam's Club card report to credit bureaus?

Yes, Synchrony reports your account activity to all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. On-time payments help build your credit score, while late payments damage it. Your credit utilization (how much of your credit limit you are using) also affects your score, so keeping your balance low relative to your limit is beneficial.