Is a Sam’s Club Plus Membership Worth It?

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Should you pay extra for an upgraded Sam’s Club membership? Here’s what you need to know before signing up. [[{“value”:”

Joining a warehouse club like Sam’s Club could save you big money on things like groceries and household essentials. And if you have a larger household, paying for Sam’s Club may be an easy call.

Now, as is the case at Costco, you have choices if you’re joining Sam’s Club. A basic club membership costs $50 per year and includes perks like a free second membership card for someone in your household and free curbside pickup for orders. A Plus membership at Sam’s Club costs a lot more — $110 per year.

But the upgraded membership offers a host of valuable perks. You may want to consider a Plus membership despite the higher fee.

It could pay to upgrade your Sam’s Club membership

At first, you may be hesitant to spend an extra $60 a year to join Sam’s Club. But you should know that the store’s Plus membership offers a host of benefits that regular members don’t have access to.

Let’s talk about the most significant one first — 2% cash back on your purchases. That’s huge.

If you go to Sam’s Club 50 weeks out of the year and spend $100 per visit on groceries and everyday products, that $5,000 in annual spending earns you $100. So right there, not only are you making up for the $60 upgrade cost, but you’re also pocketing $40.

And here’s a trick to score even more cash back at Sam’s Club: Pair a Plus membership with a cash back credit card. Check out this list of our favorite credit cards that pay cash back rewards.

A Plus membership also gives you access to free shipping on eligible orders of $50 or more. If you don’t want to haul out to Sam’s Club to do your shopping in person, you won’t have to spend extra to have your purchases delivered to your door. (And hey, that’s another way to save money on gas.)

And if the reason you don’t like to shop in person at Sam’s Club is that you don’t enjoy battling crowds, here’s another benefit of getting a Plus membership: At select locations, you can get into the store earlier than regular members. That could change your shopping experience for the better.

Should you pay for a Plus membership?

If you’re not sure whether a Plus membership at Sam’s Club is worth it, all you need to do is ask yourself how often you expect to shop there and how much you expect to spend each year. If you’re a member already, but you haven’t upgraded your membership, take a look at your credit card statements from the past year and see what your Sam’s Club spending came to. If it’s at least $3,000, then it pays to get the Plus membership.

At $3,000 in spending per year, you’re earning $60 back from your Plus membership. That covers your $60 upgrade cost. So even if you don’t spend a dollar more, you still get the perks of free shipping on orders and early access to the store. And if you spend even a tiny bit extra, guess what? That’s extra cash in your pocket.

If you only go to Sam’s Club on occasion and you don’t tend to spend a lot, then a basic club membership may be more suitable for you. But remember, if you plan to make a few larger one-off purchases at Sam’s Club in the coming year, like a new laptop or TV, then that changes your numbers. Consider the big picture when making your choice so you don’t miss out on the many perks a Plus membership could give you.

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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.
The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent 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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