Sam's Club Membership Cost: Membership Prices, Fees & Plans

Sam's Club is Walmart's warehouse club. You need a paid membership to shop in its clubs and to buy most items on its website, and membership comes in two tiers: Club and Plus. Both are billed once a year, and the right one depends on how much you spend there and which extra perks you would use.

The prices on this page come from CNBC's report on the 2026 fee increase, checked on Oct 11, 2026. Membership fees and perks can change, so confirm the current price on Sam's Club's official membership page before you join or renew.

Sam's Club sells memberships by the year only. The table shows both tiers.

Club Membership

The Club membership costs $60/yr. It lets you shop in any Sam's Club location and online, buy gas at member prices where clubs have fuel stations, and use services such as the pharmacy and optical center. For households that mainly want bulk groceries and household goods at warehouse prices, Club is usually enough.

Plus Membership

Plus costs $120/yr. On top of the Club benefits, it adds perks such as Sam's Cash rewards on qualifying purchases, free shipping on many online orders, and early shopping hours. Sam's Club sets the rewards rate, any yearly cap, and shipping rules, and these can change, so check the current Plus terms on its site.

Plus costs $120/yr compared with $60/yr for Club. Whether the upgrade pays off depends on how much you spend.

• Plus may make sense if you spend a lot at Sam's Club each year, order online often, or would use early shopping hours and free shipping regularly. The Sam's Cash rewards can offset part or all of the higher fee for heavy shoppers.
• Club is the safer choice if you visit occasionally, mainly for a few bulk staples or gas. You get access to the same products and prices without paying for perks you would not use.

To decide, estimate your yearly Sam's Club spending and compare the rewards you would earn under the current Plus terms with the difference in fees.

Sam's Club raised both membership fees in May 2026.

Before the increase, Club cost $50/yr and Plus cost $110/yr. They now cost $60/yr and $120/yr. Current members may see the new fee when their membership next renews, so check your renewal notice.

The annual fee covers the primary member. Sam's Club also lets you add people to your membership:

• Complimentary household card. A membership typically includes a second card for someone in your household at no extra cost.
• Add-on members. You can usually pay extra to add more people, and the fee depends on your tier. Check the current add-on price on Sam's Club's site.

Sales tax applies to purchases, and some states may also apply tax to the membership fee itself. Business owners can choose business versions of the memberships, which have their own terms.

• Watch for promotions. Sam's Club periodically runs discounted first-year membership offers, often around holidays or for new members.
• Check discount programs. Sam's Club has offered reduced-price memberships for some groups, such as military members and people receiving certain government assistance. Eligibility and pricing vary, so check the official page.
• Start with Club. You can upgrade to Plus later if you find you would use its perks.
• Share the household card so two people get value from one fee.

Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club also charge annual membership fees with a basic tier and an upgraded tier. Store locations, product selection, and reward structures differ, so the better choice often comes down to which club is closest and which brands you buy. Compare current fees on each club's official site.