The Sam's Club Mastercard gives you cash back on purchases at Sam's Club and at other retailers, plus some travel and emergency benefits

Sam's Club offers two credit cards: the Sam's Club Mastercard and the Sam's Club Business Mastercard. Both cards earn cash back rewards and come with benefits like roadside information and emergency cash advances. The main difference is that the business version is designed for business owners and employees, while the standard card is for personal use.

You do not need a Sam's Club membership to open the card, but you will need one to shop at the warehouse and earn the higher cash back rates. The card itself has no annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sam's Club Mastercard earns 5% cash back at Sam's Club gas stations, 3% at Sam's Club locations, and 1% everywhere else.
  • You must have an active Sam's Club membership to earn the higher cash back rates; without membership, you earn 1% on all purchases.
  • The card includes roadside information, emergency cash advances, and travel accident insurance at no extra cost.
  • Cash back rewards are deposited into your Sam's Club membership account as a certificate you can use in-warehouse or online.

Cash Back Rates and How Rewards Work

The Sam's Club Mastercard earns cash back at three different rates depending on where you shop. At Sam's Club gas stations, you earn 5% cash back. At Sam's Club warehouse locations (in-store and online), you earn 3% cash back. On all other purchases — groceries, restaurants, gas stations outside Sam's Club, online shopping — you earn 1% cash back.

These higher rates only explore if you have an active Sam's Club membership. If you hold the card but do not have a membership, you earn 1% cash back on all purchases. Your cash back is not paid as a statement credit or deposited to a bank account. Instead, it appears as a Sam's Club Cash certificate in your membership account, which you can use to pay for purchases at the warehouse or on samsclub.com.

There is no cap on how much cash back you can earn, and rewards do not expire as long as your membership is active. If your membership lapses, you have 60 days to renew before your cash back certificates are forfeited.

Membership Requirements and Card Costs

The Sam's Club Mastercard itself has no annual fee. However, to earn the 3% and 5% cash back rates, you must maintain an active Sam's Club membership. Sam's Club memberships cost between $45 and $110 per year depending on the membership tier (Gold Star, Plus, or Executive). Without a membership, you can still use the card, but you will earn only 1% cash back on all purchases.

If you are not already a member, you will need to join Sam's Club before opening the card to take full advantage of the rewards structure. You can join online or in-warehouse. Some employers and organizations offer discounted Sam's Club memberships, so it is worth checking whether you have access to a group rate.

Travel and Emergency Benefits Included With the Card

The Sam's Club Mastercard includes several benefits beyond cash back. Roadside information covers towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, and jump starts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call the roadside information number on the back of your card, and the service is provided at no charge to you.

The card also offers emergency cash advances if you are stranded without funds. You can withdraw cash at ATMs worldwide, though a fee applies (typically 3% of the amount withdrawn, with a minimum fee). Travel accident insurance covers accidental death or dismemberment if you are injured while traveling on a common carrier (plane, train, bus, ship) that you paid for with the card.

These benefits are automatic once you open the card. You do not need to register or pay extra to use them.

How to Open a Sam's Club Credit Card

You can open a Sam's Club Mastercard online at samsclub.com, in a Sam's Club warehouse, or by phone. The online process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. You will receive a decision within minutes in most cases.

If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can begin using it when ready once it arrives. If you are denied, Sam's Club will send you a letter explaining the reason and information about how to dispute the decision if you believe there is an error.

If you already have a Sam's Club membership, your cash back rewards will start appearing in your membership account as soon as you make your first purchase with the card. If you do not yet have a membership, you will need to join before you can use the higher cash back rates.

The Sam's Club Business Mastercard for Business Owners

The Sam's Club Business Mastercard works similarly to the standard card but is designed for business use. It earns 5% cash back at Sam's Club gas stations, 3% at Sam's Club warehouse locations, and 1% everywhere else. Like the personal card, it has no annual fee and requires an active Sam's Club Business membership to earn the higher rates.

The business card allows you to add employee cards to the account, each with its own spending limit. This makes it easier to manage expenses across your business. Employee cards earn the same cash back rates as the primary card. Cash back rewards are deposited as Sam's Club Cash certificates that can be used by any authorized user on the account.

Comparing the Sam's Club Card to Other Warehouse Cards

Costco does not offer its own credit card but has a partnership with Visa. Costco members who use the Costco Anywhere Visa card earn 4% cash back on gas (at Costco and other stations), 3% on travel, 2% on Costco purchases, and 1% everywhere else. That card has a $65 annual fee.

The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee, which is a significant advantage if you are comparing the cost of membership plus the card. However, the Costco card offers higher cash back on gas outside the warehouse (4% versus 5% only at Sam's Club gas stations). Your choice depends on where you shop most often and whether you already have a warehouse membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, you can open the card without a membership. However, you will only earn 1% cash back on all purchases. To earn the 3% and 5% rates, you must have an active Sam's Club membership. Most people open both at the same time to take full advantage of the rewards.

Can I use my cash back rewards outside Sam's Club?

No. Your cash back appears as a Sam's Club Cash certificate that can only be used at Sam's Club warehouses or on samsclub.com. You cannot transfer it to a bank account or use it elsewhere. The certificate is tied to your membership account.

What happens to my rewards if I cancel my membership?

You have 60 days after your membership expires to renew and keep your cash back certificates. If you do not renew within 60 days, your rewards are forfeited. If you renew, your certificates remain in your account and can be used when ready.

Is there a limit to how much cash back I can earn?

No, there is no cap on cash back earnings. You can earn as much as you want, and there is no maximum. The only limit is the 60-day window to use your certificates before they expire if your membership lapses.

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

Yes, you can use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted. You will earn 1% cash back on purchases outside Sam's Club. The higher 3% and 5% rates only explore to purchases made at Sam's Club locations and gas stations.