Is a Sam’s Club Plus Membership Better Than Costco Executive?

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Joining a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club could help you save money on everything from groceries to cleaning supplies to gas for your car. And if you think you’ll shop at either store often enough, then it could pay to get an upgraded membership.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!At Costco, an Executive membership costs $130 per year, compared to $65 for a Gold Star membership. At Sam’s Club, a Plus membership costs $110 per year, compared to $50 for standard club access.Both of these options give you 2% cash back on your purchases. However, if you’re torn between the two upgrades, you may be inclined to choose a Sam’s Club Plus membership due to the lower upfront price point.That’s not the only advantage a Plus membership offers over an Executive one, though. Here are a few other perks that give a Sam’s Club Plus membership an edge.1. Free curbside pickupHate the idea of navigating a crowded store? At Sam’s Club, Plus members get free curbside pickup on orders of any size. Costco doesn’t offer curbside pickup, period, so your Executive membership won’t get you out of entering the store.2. Early shopping hoursIf dealing with crowds is your least favorite thing about shopping at a warehouse club store, Sam’s Club Plus members may have an easier time avoiding it. Plus members get access to early shopping hours at qualifying warehouse club locations. Costco used to offer early shopping hours for Executive members, but it did away with that benefit years ago.3. Savings on tiresIt can be beneficial to purchase tires from either Sam’s Club and Costco. But as a Plus member, you’re eligible for 50% off installation of four tires. Also, you get early access to the store’s tire center, which could help minimize your wait time for installation.There are plenty of perks of buying tires at Costco, like free maintenance and a five-year road hazard warranty. But Executive members don’t get extra benefits at Costco’s tire centers.Which upgraded membership should you choose?It’s pretty easy to make the case that a Sam’s Club Plus membership is superior to Costco’s Executive membership based on price and perks. But here’s the thing: If you prefer shopping at Costco based on the store’s selection, quality of products, and proximity to your home, then that’s reason enough to choose an Executive membership over a Plus membership.It’s nice to save $20 a year on your warehouse club fee. It’s also nice to get benefits like early store access. But if you enjoy shopping at Costco more than Sam’s Club, then Costco is the right call for you. If you force yourself to stick to Sam’s Club simply to save money on your membership fee, you may not use your membership that often.And if you use the right credit card for your Costco shopping, you can earn enough cash back to make up for the extra $20 you’re spending on an upgraded membership there compared to what you’d spend at Sam’s Club. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco so you can enjoy added benefits on top of what an Executive membership pays you.Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)
We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco. Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.
Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

Joining a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club could help you save money on everything from groceries to cleaning supplies to gas for your car. And if you think you’ll shop at either store often enough, then it could pay to get an upgraded membership.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

At Costco, an Executive membership costs $130 per year, compared to $65 for a Gold Star membership. At Sam’s Club, a Plus membership costs $110 per year, compared to $50 for standard club access.

Both of these options give you 2% cash back on your purchases. However, if you’re torn between the two upgrades, you may be inclined to choose a Sam’s Club Plus membership due to the lower upfront price point.

That’s not the only advantage a Plus membership offers over an Executive one, though. Here are a few other perks that give a Sam’s Club Plus membership an edge.

1. Free curbside pickup

Hate the idea of navigating a crowded store? At Sam’s Club, Plus members get free curbside pickup on orders of any size. Costco doesn’t offer curbside pickup, period, so your Executive membership won’t get you out of entering the store.

2. Early shopping hours

If dealing with crowds is your least favorite thing about shopping at a warehouse club store, Sam’s Club Plus members may have an easier time avoiding it. Plus members get access to early shopping hours at qualifying warehouse club locations. Costco used to offer early shopping hours for Executive members, but it did away with that benefit years ago.

3. Savings on tires

It can be beneficial to purchase tires from either Sam’s Club and Costco. But as a Plus member, you’re eligible for 50% off installation of four tires. Also, you get early access to the store’s tire center, which could help minimize your wait time for installation.

There are plenty of perks of buying tires at Costco, like free maintenance and a five-year road hazard warranty. But Executive members don’t get extra benefits at Costco’s tire centers.

Which upgraded membership should you choose?

It’s pretty easy to make the case that a Sam’s Club Plus membership is superior to Costco’s Executive membership based on price and perks. But here’s the thing: If you prefer shopping at Costco based on the store’s selection, quality of products, and proximity to your home, then that’s reason enough to choose an Executive membership over a Plus membership.

It’s nice to save $20 a year on your warehouse club fee. It’s also nice to get benefits like early store access. But if you enjoy shopping at Costco more than Sam’s Club, then Costco is the right call for you. If you force yourself to stick to Sam’s Club simply to save money on your membership fee, you may not use your membership that often.

And if you use the right credit card for your Costco shopping, you can earn enough cash back to make up for the extra $20 you’re spending on an upgraded membership there compared to what you’d spend at Sam’s Club. Click here for a list of the best credit cards for Costco so you can enjoy added benefits on top of what an Executive membership pays you.

Top credit card to use at Costco (and everywhere else!)

We love versatile credit cards that offer huge rewards everywhere, including Costco! This card is a standout among America’s favorite credit cards because it offers perhaps the easiest $200 cash bonus you could ever earn and an unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases, even when you shop at Costco.

Add on the competitive 0% interest period and it’s no wonder we awarded this card Best No Annual Fee Credit Card.

Click here to read our full review for free and apply before the $200 welcome bonus offer ends!

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Maurie Backman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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