What the Sam's Club Mastercard is and who should consider it

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. It offers a cash-back rate that varies depending on where you shop — higher cash back at Sam's Club and gas stations, lower cash back elsewhere — and no annual fee. The card is designed for people who already shop at Sam's Club regularly and want to earn rewards on those purchases.

You do not need to be a Sam's Club member to open the card, but you will need a membership to shop there and redeem most of your rewards. If you shop at Sam's Club weekly or monthly and pay your balance in full each month, the cash back can offset some of your membership cost. If you carry a balance and pay interest, the rewards will not make up for what you owe in charges.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sam's Club Mastercard earns 5% cash back at Sam's Club gas stations and 1% cash back on all other purchases, with no annual fee.
  • Cash back is paid as Sam's Club dollars that you can use only at Sam's Club, not as statement credits or direct deposits.
  • You need a Sam's Club membership to use the card in the warehouse, though you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted outside the club.
  • The card charges a variable interest rate on balances you carry month to month, so carrying a balance will cost you more than the rewards are worth.
  • Synchrony Bank sets the interest rate based on your credit score and credit history, and the rate can change over time.

Cash back rates and how rewards are paid

The card earns 5% cash back on gas purchased at Sam's Club gas stations, 5% cash back on Sam's Club purchases made in the warehouse, and 1% cash back on everything else. These rates do not change based on spending level or membership tier — they are the same for all cardholders.

Cash back is credited to your account as Sam's Club dollars, which you can use like a gift card at any Sam's Club location or on the Sam's Club website. You cannot transfer the cash back to your bank account, use it to pay your credit card bill, or redeem it for cash. If you do not shop at Sam's Club, the 1% cash back on other purchases is modest compared to other cash-back cards on the market.

Interest rates and fees

The Sam's Club Mastercard has no annual fee. The card charges a variable interest rate on any balance you carry from month to month. Synchrony Bank does not publish a single rate — your rate depends on your credit score, credit history, and other factors in your credit report. Rates typically range from around 18% to 26% annually, though the exact rate you receive will be shown in your card agreement before you open the account.

If you carry a $1,000 balance at 22% annual interest and make only minimum payments, you will pay roughly $220 in interest charges over the course of a year. That is far more than the 1% to 5% cash back you would earn on new purchases. The card makes sense only if you pay your full statement balance each month and never carry a balance forward.

How to open the card and what you will need

You can open the Sam's Club Mastercard online through the Sam's Club website, by phone, or in person at a Sam's Club warehouse. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, address, and income information. Synchrony Bank will check your credit report to decide whether to open the account and what interest rate to offer you.

The process takes a few minutes online. Synchrony typically makes a decision within minutes to a few days. If you are approved, your physical card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use a temporary digital card number to make purchases online or in the Sam's Club app while you wait for the physical card.

Sam's Club membership and how it connects to the card

A Sam's Club membership costs either $45 per year for a basic membership or $110 per year for a Plus membership, which includes additional discounts and benefits. You do not need the card to have a membership, and you do not need a membership to open the card — but you will need a membership to shop in the warehouse and use most of your cash-back rewards.

Some people use the card outside the warehouse (at gas stations, restaurants, or online retailers) and earn the 1% cash back, then use that cash back to offset their membership renewal cost. If you shop at Sam's Club fewer than four times per year, the membership cost will likely exceed the rewards you earn.

Comparing the Sam's Club card to other warehouse and grocery cards

The Costco Visa card, issued by Citi, earns 4% cash back at Costco warehouses and gas stations, 3% at restaurants and travel, and 1% elsewhere — but it requires a Costco membership and charges a $65 annual fee. The American Express Blue Business Plus card earns 3% cash back on the first $50,000 in combined purchases at U.S. gas stations and transit, then 1% after that, with no annual fee — but it is designed for business owners.

For a household that shops primarily at Sam's Club and wants to maximize rewards, the Sam's Club Mastercard is the most direct option because it earns the highest rate at the warehouse itself. For someone who shops at multiple warehouse clubs or grocery chains, a general cash-back card with no annual fee (like the Chase Freedom Unlimited or Citi Double Cash) may earn more total rewards because the rate is the same everywhere.

What happens if you miss a payment or carry a high balance

If you miss a payment, Synchrony will report the late payment to the credit bureaus after 30 days, which will lower your credit score. Late payments stay on your credit report for seven years. If you miss a payment by more than 60 days, Synchrony may increase your interest rate to a penalty rate, which can be several percentage points higher than your current rate.

If you carry a balance, your interest charges will grow each month. A $2,000 balance at 22% interest will cost you roughly $440 in interest over a year if you make only minimum payments. The cash back you earn on new purchases will not offset this cost. If you find yourself carrying a balance regularly, the card is not the right tool for your situation — a lower-interest personal loan or a balance transfer card with an introductory 0% period may be better options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Sam's Club Mastercard outside the warehouse?

Yes. You can use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted — at restaurants, gas stations, online retailers, and other merchants. You will earn 1% cash back on those purchases. The higher 5% rate applies only to purchases made at Sam's Club warehouses and Sam's Club gas stations.

What if I do not have a Sam's Club membership?

You can open the card without a membership and use it outside the warehouse. However, you will not be able to shop inside a Sam's Club location or redeem your cash-back rewards there. Most of the card's value comes from the 5% rate at the warehouse, so the card is less useful without a membership.

Can I transfer my cash back to my bank account?

No. Cash back is credited as Sam's Club dollars that you can spend only at Sam's Club locations or on the Sam's Club website. You cannot convert it to cash, transfer it to another account, or use it to pay your credit card bill directly.

What is the credit score needed to open this card?

Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, applicants with a credit score of 650 or higher have a reasonable chance of approval, though approval also depends on your income, existing debt, and payment history. You can explore and see whether you are approved without affecting your credit score until Synchrony pulls your full credit report.

Does the card offer any purchase protection or travel benefits?

The Sam's Club Mastercard is a basic rewards card with no purchase protection, extended warranty, travel insurance, or other cardholder benefits beyond the cash back. If you need those protections, you may want to use a different card for those purchases or purchase a separate warranty.